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Camaro History - More than 50 Years of Iconic Design

There's no doubt the Chevrolet Camaro is a masterfully-designed piece of engineering. After all, this eye-catching appearance is one reason why it has stood the test of time, and captured the hearts of enthusiasts for more than half a century. But, have you ever wondered how each of the six iconic generation designs came to be? GM designers have given us a rare look behind the curtain, so we can better understand the design elements and Camaro history.

2013 Camaro ZL1 - Modern Muscle

As classic car enthusiasts, we tend to be skeptical of modern cars. After all, we love the cars of the '60s and '70s, and a lot has changed since that golden age of muscle cars. Back then, designers stuck to a simple formula: big-displacement V8 engines, alloy wheels with wide tires, aggressive flared bodywork, and bright paint colors that screamed performance. Thankfully, this formula is still alive and well in the 5th Gen Camaro ZL1. It has all the elements of a raw muscle car, plus plenty of technological improvements to make it a more livable and well-rounded vehicle. That's something that even the most skeptical classic car fan can appreciate.

2012 Camaro RS - Vigilante



Whether it's in comic books, cartoons, live-action TV, or high-budget blockbuster movies, the superhero persona of Batman has been an ever-present part of American culture for decades. The Caped Crusader has captivated both kids and adults with his suave personality, enormous wealth, agile fighting skills, and clever gadgets. However, one of the coolest aspects of Batman, in our opinion, is the Batmobile. Batman's high-tech ride has been interpreted in many ways over the years, from the sleek roadster of the Adam West TV era to the armor-plated "Tumbler" piloted by Christian Bale in the Christopher Nolan movies. However, we recently came across a strong contender for a future iteration of the Batmobile: Jeff Sanders' 2012 Camaro RS.

'92 Camaro RS - Street Machine

What is a classic car? It seems like a simple question, but in reality, the definition is always changing. Back in the late '60s, first-generation Camaros and Firebirds were considered cool cars, but they were also rather commonplace. Now, those cars are highly prized and acknowledged by everyone as true classics. In the 1980s, the same could be said of second-gen Camaros—they weren't seen as classics then, but now they certainly are.

'69 Camaro SS Pace Car - Leading the Pack

Here at Classic Industries, we're always pleasantly surprised to meet classic car enthusiasts from outside the US. Of course we know that most Americans appreciate vintage muscle cars like the Camaro, but it's nice to see the popularity of these cars is growing overseas, too. Lately, it's becoming more common to meet car guys at our showroom from places like Sweden, Norway, Australia, and the UK. And, just like us, they are passionate about restoring and preserving classic American cars. The love of classic muscle cars is certainly becoming a global phenomenon.

SEMA 2014 - 1972 Chevy "Nomaro"

As much as we love time-tested, untouched classics, there's also something to be said for building a car that's truly original. After all, that's the spirit of hot-rodding—putting together something unique with little more than spare parts and ingenuity. It may not be popular with everyone, but it'll certainly turn some heads and raise some eyebrows. Rebelling against the status quo might yield a total failure, or it might yield something that changes the world—you never know until you try.

2015 Yenko / SC 427 Camaro Unveiled at SEMA

Today Classic Industries drew large crowds with a groundbreaking unveiling at their SEMA Show booth. At 10:30am sharp, members of the press and automotive industry surrounded the covered car, and the veil was removed to reveal the all-new 2015 Yenko / SC 427 Camaro.

1980 Camaro Z28 - A Family Affair

Eric and Jacob Nix standing in front of their Camaro, well-used Classic Industries catalog in hand.

We've said it before and we'll say it again—here at Classic Industries, we love seeing our customers' cars, and learning their stories. Whether it's a simple Facebook message saying "Thanks for the parts!" or a mailed multi-page build sheet with printed-out photos, it always makes us smile to see what customers are doing with the restoration parts we supply. It really is the best part of our job.

'69 Camaro RS/SS - Green Machine

You don't see green cars on the road very often, and this gorgeous hue had us wondering why that is.

If you're anything like us, you didn't become a car guy overnight. You probably grew up around cars, and they've been a part of your life since childhood. A true passion for classic cars often begins while wrenching in the garage with Dad, cruising the streets with your best friends, or blasting down the drag strip on weekends. Then, over many years, it becomes an integral part of who you are.

'67 Camaro SS/RS - Immaculate Drop-Top

This '67 convertible looks sharp with its vibrant red paint, chrome Cragar wheels, and white nose stripe.

When you've got a classic car you truly care about, keeping it clean is a never-ending labor of love. It gets dusted, washed, waxed, buffed, and polished, until you're painfully aware of every last imperfection. Some of us spend hours meticulously polishing the chrome, or detailing the interior, until our significant others complain that we don't even give them this much attention.

Tim Bair, of Huntington Beach, California, is obsessed with keeping his '67 Camaro sparkling clean, and for good reason. After all, he bought the car with earnings from his metal polishing and plating company, California Polishing. One look at the car tells you that Tim is good at what he does—it is simply immaculate.