As part of Chevrolet’s celebration, GM’s Global VP Design and hardcore Camaro enthusiast, Ed Welburn, below, blogs about one of his all-time Top Ten Chevrolet design choices.
Over the past 100 years, Chevrolet has been responsible for some of the most significant and groundbreaking designs in automotive history. From its utilitarian yet stylish pick-up trucks through to the cutting edge looks of each generation of Corvette, via cars like the Bel Air that helped define the era they appeared in. The bowtie logo has adorned some of the most iconic shapes of motoring. Even some of Chevrolet's designers, such as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, have gone on to become as legendary as some of the cars they penned.
It’s no secret that I’m a big enthusiast of all Camaros and even own a classic ‘69. But I decided to put the 2010 Camaro on my Top Ten list before the '69. It connected with people worldwide. When we introduced the car as a concept, there were grown men and women with tears in their eyes. It's valued all round the world. When my team and I were working on the new Camaro, I brought mine into the studio to inspire them. I told them, I want you to beat this!
Although there are echoes of the first 1967-1969 Camaros in the current car's muscular styling – such as the kick-up in the flanks beneath the rear side windows – the 2010 incarnation is not a throw-back design, but very forward-looking. I'm always thinking of the future, but you have a great heritage with Chevrolet. You need to build on that; I wouldn't want to build a retro Camaro.
The confident and optimistic thrusting design of the new Camaro has been a positive sign to GM employees and customers. It lit a fire within the company.
NOTE: 454 Camaro, above, is not a factory production model. This is the Redline-built development/prototype "Mule" for the MOTION 2011 SS & Phase III-454 Camaros, rated at 550 & 595 horsepower and available from DeNooyer Chevrolet, Albany, NY.
For more information about 2011 Camaros, including the ultra-performance Supercharged ZL1 please visit, http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-family/