On the
other hand it might be easier to jog the memories with successes
in each department. The instant appeal of the original Mark 1 VW
GTI hit all the right notes with a buzzy and memorable exhaust
note. Most modern TVR'S pass all three tests after they ditched
the wedge shape model-from the piece of cheese school of car design.
A classic example of a car passing 2 tests with flying colours
but failing the first is the TVR 350 series from the 1980's. The
current TVR's go really well, look fantastic and sound like nothing
on the planet. The original BMW E30 6 cylinder 3 series was right
from the three tests as was the previous 3 series the E21 as 323i.
The original Audi Quattro scored highly in my three tests. The
Caterham 7 scores well in these criteria and has been a success.
There are many examples, and most have achieved commercial success,
although there have been some failures of cars meeting these criteria
which have been caused by additional factors-for example the BMW
2002 Tii Turbo killed by the first fuel crisis, Facel Vega, too
high cost, Jensen, by lack of development, and obviously there
are other examples.
Interestingly the original Camaro scored well in all departments especially
if the right model were chosen -for example an RS optioned Z/28. The same went
for the original Mustang, and they were both extremely successful cars straight
out of the box.
So what many other enthusiasts and I seek is a restyle of the Camaro, along
the lines of the original. Look at what Ford is up to. The Detroit Motor show
was taken by storm by the unveiling of the 2005 Ford Mustang. What a lovely
car. There are original Boss Mustang features all over this car, and you can
clearly see the lineage from a 1970 Boss Mustang. I think it is a winner. Away
with previous sloped nosed forerunners on an outdated 1979 chassis-this machine
is based upon the Jaguar S Type, Lincoln, Thunderbird floor pan (the most expensive
part of designing a new car), and should prove sufficiently capable to secure
a pass in the Go Good category.
But it does not end there! Carroll Shelby may be celebrating his 80 birthday
and has had several heart bypass operations but it doesn't stop the guy from
developing the theme. Don't forget that the original Shelby Cobra passed all
three tests with maximum points! He is producing a continuation Shelby GT 500
E. Based upon 1960's Mustangs the "new" cars will feature Shelby
tuned Ford V 8's, 17 " wheels, side exhaust and 60's style sequential
indicators, 400 will be produced from restored classic Mustangs. A further
75 "super snake" GT 500E 's will be built with an all aluminium 427
V 8.
What is GM doing about this? Building more SUVs.
They certainly do not seem to be paying enough attention. Why do
I think that the Camaro should be resurrected?
Well first of all let us consider the Camaro racing success in this country,
with no factory backing at all.
A detailed examination of the statistics from the
BTCC British Touring Car Championship 1958-2000 provides an illuminating
insight. Which marque has
chalked up the most race victories over this period? Not very difficult if
you consider the commitment Ford has made to the series with Falcons, Lotus
Ford Cortinas, Mustangs, Escorts, Sierras and Mondeos (even a Zephyr piloted
by Jeff Uren in 1959). In fact every decade has seen a front runner from
this stable. If I were to reveal that third, fourth and fifth places for
race victories go to respectively:
3 Jaguar
4 BMW
5 Renault
And for the record:
6 Rover
7 Vauxhall
8 Nissan
That just leaves who is placed second? CHEVROLET.
Quite extraordinary given that the victories were achieved with only one car
(the Camaro) and that the Camaro was only eligible from 1967 (when it first
came out) to 1976 when engine size legislation precluded the big-engined monsters.
So what has this particular marque done with this racing pedigree/heritage?
Sell more SUVs!
I fully appreciate all this carping will not do unless I can proffer a solution.
I think we should design a new Camaro for launch in 2005 and outdo Ford in
their re-launch of the Mustang. Some basic parameters:
It should be RWD, and/or AWD
Must take a small block V 8
Have as much interior space as the original i.e. 2 X 2.
Be a fully retractable 4-window design.
Same size boot space as original
Wheelbase of 108 inches
Overall length of 185 inches
Weight of 3055lbs
Hideaway headlamps
Coke bottle design themes and other early Camaro styling clues.
Perhaps we should take the Holden HSV as a base-looks like a Monaro. So let
us hold a competition for the new redesigned Camaro to get GM to reconsider.
Of course your design sketches will have to pass all three tests with flying
colours. So let me have your sketches. No need to worry about emissions or
legislation I just want to see your ideas. I am tempted to apologise to those
with fourth generation Camaros - but if this brings about some helpful thoughts
in GM which subsequently lead to a re-launched 5 generation car which is as
good as the 2005 Mustang then my aim will have been achieved!
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