The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced to the public in 1966 and has since become an iconic symbol of the muscle car era. However, the Camaro almost wasn’t called the Camaro. It was originally slated to be named the Panther, and some early prototypes even had the nameplate Panther stamped into the front of the car. The Panther name was chosen because of the car’s sleek, predatory looks.
In an effort to keep its iconic name a secret until the official public reveal, Chevrolet went to extreme lengths to hide the true identity of the car, even going so far as to refer to the car internally as “Panther”. It wasn’t until the public reveal that the car was officially named the Camaro.
The Camaro was offered in two body styles: the two-door coupe and the two-door convertible. Both vehicles were powered by an inline-6 engine that produced 140 horsepower. The Camaro was priced at $2,245 for the coupe and $2,467 for the convertible. The Camaro was originally offered in five exterior colors, including Azure Turquoise, Madeira Maroon, Ermine White, Rally Green, and Grecian Green. In 1968, the Camaro was updated to feature a more powerful V8 engine and a smoother ride.
The Chevrolet Camaro was the first vehicle to bear the Camaro nameplate, and it has gone on to become one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time. The original Panther name might have been iconic as well, but it’s safe to say that the Camaro nameplate has stood the test of time.
Camaro’s Close Call: Examining The Other Names It Almost Had
Since the introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967, it has become a household name and a favorite of classic car owners. But do you know what the Camaro almost ended up being called?
Before the Camaro hit the market, Chevrolet had been considering a few other names for the car. The first was the “Panther”. This was later changed to the “Cheetah”, then the “Commander”. Eventually, the name was changed to the “Camaro”, which is a French term for “comrade” or “friend”.
At the time, the Camaro was Chevrolet’s answer to the popular Ford Mustang, which had been released two years prior in 1965. The Camaro was designed to be a more sporty, powerful option than the Mustang. It was available with a variety of engines, ranging from a six-cylinder to a V8.
The Camaro was a successful car for Chevrolet, selling over a million units within its first two years of production. Over the years, the Camaro has gone through several generations, with each version becoming more powerful and technologically advanced. The current sixth-generation Camaro is available with either a V6 or V8 engine, and features a wide range of features such as a rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10-speaker audio system.
The Camaro has been around for over 50 years, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Whether you’re a fan of the classic or the modern, the Camaro is sure to turn heads.
Unveiling The Chevy Camaro’s Near Namesakes & Close Competitors
For over 50 years, the Chevy Camaro has been one of the most iconic cars on the road. But what were some of the names that it almost had?
Let’s take a look at the near namesakes and close competitors of the Chevy Camaro.
The first model of the Camaro was originally going to be called the “Panther.” But General Motors (GM) decided to go with the Camaro name instead. GM also considered the names Cougar and Cheetah, but decided that Camaro was the best option.
When it comes to close competitors, the Mustang is the Camaro’s biggest rival. The Mustang was released by Ford in 1964, two years before the Camaro. The Mustang was initially going to be called the “Falcon” but Ford decided to change the name to Mustang to give it a more powerful image.
The Dodge Challenger was introduced in 1970 as another close competitor to the Camaro. It was designed to be a bigger, faster and more powerful version of the Camaro. It was originally going to be called the “Barracuda” but Dodge decided to go with the Challenger name instead.
The Pontiac Firebird was another close competitor to the Camaro. It was released by Pontiac in 1967 and it was originally going to be called the “Phoenix.” But Pontiac decided to go with the “Firebird” name instead.
The Chevy Camaro has come a long way since its inception. It has become one of the most popular cars on the road, and it has many near namesakes and close competitors. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of the Camaro and its competitors.
| Car | Engine | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chevy Camaro | 3.6L V6 | $25,000 |
| Ford Mustang | 2.3L EcoBoost | $26,000 |
| Dodge Challenger | 5.6L V8 | $31,000 |
| Pontiac Firebird | 3.8L V6 | $32,000 |
The Chevy Camaro is a great option for those looking for a powerful and affordable vehicle. It has many near namesakes and close competitors, each with its own unique set of features. It’s up to you to decide which car fits your lifestyle best.
The Camaro was initially going to be named the Panther.
Other names that were considered for the Camaro include the Chaparral, Commander, and Corvair Monza.
The Camaro is derived from a French word meaning friend or comrade.
The Camaro was chosen because General Motors believed it was a word that people could easily pronounce and remember.
The Camaro is a symbol of freedom and power, as well as a symbol of American muscle car culture.
The original meaning of the word Camaro is friend or comrade in French.
You can find more information about the Camaro at the official Chevrolet website or other automotive websites.
The Camaro was introduced in 1967 as a direct response to the Ford Mustang. It was initially designed to be a compact, affordable sports car that offered performance and style.
The first Camaro was released in 1967.
Some popular models of the Camaro include the SS, ZL1, and Z/28.
