There were four Camaro generations to choose from for inspiration. They are listed here in the Camaro's Wikipedia entry.
GM's design staff had a selection problem prior to Welburn's decision. That was because there was little in the way of a consistent Camaro design theme across those four generations. This post presents examples of Camaros from generations 1967, 1970, 1982 and 1993 for your consideration and my conjectures.
1967-generation Camaro (an early-1970 model) - Chevrolet photo?
This late first-generation version was the one Welburn liked best.
1970 Camaro - BaT auctions photo
It was succeeded but this design. Here, GM's stylists and engineers had more opportunities to create what they thought a Mustang-beater should look like. I liked the styling when it first appeared, and I still do. Though I must add that it seems a trifle too "feminine" for a potentially hairy Muscle Car.
1982 Camaro - Mecum Auctions photo
Third-generation styling was competently done, though it doesn't strike me as being memorable. When it was designed, Irv Rybicki was GM's Design VP.
1993 Camaro - BaT auctions photo
Chuck Jordan was Design VP when this Camaro was styled. Many GM cars of that time tended to have a "soft" look. Note the large-radius curves on the fenderline that are unlike fender treatments of earlier Camaros.
1967-generation Camaro (an early-1970 model) - Chevrolet photo?
Rear quarter view.
1970 Camaro - BaT auctions photo
Another aspect of a fine, Bill Mitchell era design.
1982 Camaro - Barrett-Jackson auctions photo
The '82's rear is cleaner than that of the '70.
1993 Camaro - BaT auctions photo
More curves: The aft fender transition to the trunk lid. The zone around the tail lights and trunk lid cut. The rear bumper cladding.
1967 Camaro - BaT
So where is there a consistently "Camaro" design theme. I think we can disregard the '67's styling because it was an ad hoc effort where consideration of restyling possibilities was probably a minor matter at the time.
1971 Camaro - Mecum
One carryover from 1967 is the wide aft pillar. But here it's a blending of B and C pillars. Another retained concept is a flowing fenderline. And a long hood.
1982 Camaro - Mecum
The long hood remains, but the flowing fenderline is gone. The wide aft pillar is retained, though the backlight rear window is enlarged.
1993 Camaro - BaT
One carryover is the long hood. Another is the fenderline high-point abaft of the rear wheel well. This, in combination with the low hood, provides a fashionable "wedge" shape. The only carryovers from 1970/1982 are the hood length and the wide B/C pillar.
My conclusion is that indeed there really wasn't consistent Camaro "design language" to work with when the 2010 model was conceived. So while Welburn's decision was arbitrary, it was necessarily arbitrary.
1 comment:
The first one did seem like a reasonable response to the Mustang. Both cars defined a coherent and unique style. I think I forgot about all of them after the first two generations. After that they were really fitting in with industry wide trends, not so much being original. The 1993 has a lot in common with the Ford Probe and two next generations of Chrysler products.
On all of these being a very low car with a live RWD axle isn't a good combo spacewise. On the second gen the driveshaft tunnel is higher than the back seats, and not even disguised as a console.
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