This year marks the 45th anniversary of the widely popular Chevrolet Camaro. Built in response to Fords pony car, the Mustang, the Chevy Camaro is currently outselling its rival for 2011. The first 1967 Chevrolet Camaro was named after the French word for "comrade." In its first year of production, more than 220,000 Camaro's were sold, including over 25,000 convertibles.
The Camaro was based on the 1968 Chevy Nova platform, and featured a uni-body structure from the windshield and firewall back, with a separate steel rail sub-frame for everything up front. The 1967 base Camaro sport Coupe was lean, aggressive and came at a price of $ 2,466. The Camaro was available from conception in a hardtop, coupe and convertible body styles, and could be order with nearly 80 factory options and 40 dealer accessories.
The second generation Camaro was produced from 1970 to 1981. Heavy cosmetic changes were made and the Camaro became both larger and wider. The first fuel injection system was offered in the third generation Camaro from 1982 to 1992. The fourth generation Camaro debuted with an updated F-body platform, but retained the same characteristics that the Camaro was known for. The 2010, fifth generation Camaro was named the World Car Design of the Year at the World Car of the Year awards.
The last 45 years have seen many changes to the Camaro models, but one thing that has not changed is the fact that the Camaro represents one of the powerhouses of the Muscle Car segment. Camaro's have been everything from passenger cars and pace cars to police cars on duty.
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is available in an Anniversary Edition to commemorate the muscle car's 45 years in production. For its special 2012 edition, the Camaro has model year updates that include a tougher version of the car's standard 3.6-liter direct injection V6 engine. The new LFX engine pumps out 323 horsepower, an increase of 11 horsepower from the previous model. The 2012 Camaro gets an estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg.
Chevrolet has also upgraded the muscle car's suspension, adding a new FE4 system designed to give flatter cornering and better handling ability. This is thanks to returned front and rear dampers and a new front and rear stabilizer bar.
The 45th Anniversary Package, to be offered on Camaro's 2LT and 2SS trim levels, will include unique design elements such as a red-and-silver rally stripe on the Carbon Flash metallic paint, badges under front fender emblems, 20-inch wheels, jet -black leather trimmed seats with anniversary logos, white instrumental panel with special logo, and a special logo on the steering wheel and still plates.
"All Camaros in 2012 will receive significant enhancements as we push momentum forward," commented David Caldwell, a Chevrolet spokesman. "The 45th Anniversary Edition carriers forward our heritage."
The Anniversary Edition Camaro was officially unveiled at the Camaro5 Fest II in Arizona. Camaro5 Fest II is a meeting of North American Camaro enthusiasts that organizers believe would be the largest gathering of Camaro fans ever.
Source by Lance Bird