Being as how I’ve been on the step by step tear down articles, and there starting to get just a bit old, I think I’ll just yammer about another subject that is near and dear to my heart, and most other true muscle car people.

This of course is like all of the rest of the steps when building a muscle car, you need to first start by thinking about what it is you want the engine to do, do you want a good reliable every day driver, or a race car, because there is a huge difference between the two engines.

There are three or four major things that make the biggest difference in performance, and they would be, a cam, heads, and carburetion, and after these the next would be bore and stroke, but the biggest gain in performance will come from cam and heads.

You need to really think this one out, what do you want to do with the car, if you build an all out race engine, it will not be very good on the street as far as drive ability, since race engines are meant to race, and not to drive every day.

If you want to do a little of both, you can build a street/strip engine, and get the best of both worlds, but don’t expect to go to the track and hammer all of the race cars, stick to a street category, like pro street, now that I’ve had my rant, I’ll in a very short manor explain how the performance upgrades will affect your car.

First and foremost you’ll want to make sure that however you build your engine, that you do it with matching parts, in other words, match your heads, intake, and cam all together, all of the manufactures will be glad to help you with this.

The idea is this, if your building a daily driver, you’ll need good power from idle to about 3,000 rpm, so you’d want to buy parts with a power band from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm, so you’d look at the specs on the cam, heads, and intake manifold that you want to buy, and match them as close to this range as possible.

If your looking for something a bit more high performance, you’d want to step up to a cam that will provide good power from about 2800 – 6200 rpm, this would be a mid level performance cam, and still aright on the street, but you’d lose a bit of your low end power and torque.

If you understand what I’m saying here, it is simply this, a performance cam usually will do it best work in the mid rpm range, this particular cam profile would have .480 lift on both the intake, and exhaust valves, and a duration of 228 @ 50 thousandths lift, this particular cam is built by crane cams.

This is really close to the specs of the off road special cam that was available for the 1969 Z/28 camaro, the same cam that would have come with the crossram equipped car, and is still a street able cam, but would begin to lean more to the race side of things, and lees to the daily driver side.

Now to match up to this cam shaft, Chevrolet used a set of camel back heads, which had 2.02 inch intake valves and 1.60 exhaust valves, at the time this was a true high performance head, and once again it needs to match to the cam, and intake manifold.

Technorati Tags: high performance engine building, muscle car engines, muscle cars, carburetor, intake valves, crossram, intake manifold, headers, exhaust, camaro, camshaft, crank sahft, rpm, heads

Last week end a couple of friends and I went to the Dodge dealership to see the new Challenger, and it was so much more then we expected, this car could not have been built better, it is absolutely perfect in every way, it could not be any better.

We didn’t even get to drive the car, as it was already sold, it had been ordered early by another fan of the Dodge challenger, so needless to say we’re still waiting for one to come in that isn’t already sold, I can’t even begin to explain how happy I was to see this car on the showroom floor.

It just restores my faith in the automotive industry to see that they will still occasionally listen to their customers, and I’ll tell you, Dodge could not have done a better job of listening, to it’s customers, and then implementing what they heard from them.

The particular car we seen was a hemi orange SRT 8 model, you know the 6.1 liter hemi, the only draw back was that this particular car had an automatic transmission in it, and I prefer the six speed standard, other then that it was one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

It’s almost a complete throw back to the good old days, when the 1970 Dodge Challenger roamed the streets, except with a lot of upgrades, in the areas that count, obviously one of the most important is the brake, to put the halt on the 425 HP 6.1 liter hemi.

The brakes are now four wheel disc brakes, obviously much better the the old drum brakes all the way around the car, not to mention the six speed standard shift transmission to help put the power to the pavement, Dodge has speared no expense on this car, and they have done an excellent job building it.

An old muscle car freak like me could not be more impressed with this work of American art, I say kudos to Dodge, keep up the good work, no wonder Dodges is one of the best selling cars in this country, with this kind of forward thinking, and real American ingenuity it just can’t get better.

I’m just sweating bullets waiting for the first one to roll in that isn’t already sold, from the Challenger’s plush interior, to it’s true muscle car exterior, it’s a true work of art, and a car that any real muscle car freak will fall in love with, my friends and I are absolute muscle car freaks.

We knelt down by this work of art, and took a boat load of pictures, as if we’d never see another one again, although we know that we will, that should tell you a bit about us, and the people that we hang out with, there are no bigger muscle car freaks on the planet then us.

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There are a number of things that I like about the 2009 camaro, But will it pick up where the first generation camaro left off, or will it build a legacy all it’s own, I think it’s going to be somewhere in between, I don’t see it raising eyebrows like the first generation camaro did.

It has it’s good points, and it’s bad points, I’m going to start with the good points about it, first of all Chevrolet has done a great job in the engine area of the car, using the best of new technology to build horsepower, and keeping it low in the emissions area, the 2009 camaro is a contender in this area.

The LS6 engine putting out a respectable 400 HP is a good place to start with the camaro, and the idea of optioning a six speed standard transmission doesn’t hurt either, for a real muscle car freak like me a standard transmission is a must, if for nothing else, the added fun factor of driving the car.

The rear end of the car is reminiscent of the 1969 camaro, a good place to get ideas for the new camaro, but they could have used a few more ideas for the 1969 model, the 2009 camaro has a true muscle car look, with it’s low slung stance, and body lines that seem to make the car look wider then it is.

The front end of the 2009 camaro could use a bit of work, it look to much like a foreign car, and not enough like an American muscle car, all you need to do is look at the new Dodge challenger to see what a true melting of modern, and classic should be, they have done it better then anybody.

The front of the camaro needs to be taller in the grille area of the car, and it should look more muscular, and less sports car in the front, it should retain the idea of a 1969 camaro in the front also, and it can be done, just think a little more like a camaro person, and less like a modern art person.

The interior of the 2009 camaro could not be more perfect, they have combined just enough of the modern, with just the right amount of the first generation camaro look, the center console and dash gauges of the car are nothing short of awesome, the work on the interior is beautiful as it can be.

The interior is very sexy, a long with being totally functional, it has the feel of an air craft cockpit a long look and idea of a muscle car of the 1960’s, as I have said above, it could not be more perfect of a design then it is.

It could go either way, we’ll see what the progression of the camaro brings over the years, with just a few small changes it could be a top contender for one of the best new muscle cars on the market, all Chevrolet need to do is pay a bit more attention to the people buying the car, and they will have the full idea.

It has just enough of the old to get my vote to be a real contender for the gold, it could use a few more engine options, the rear quarter panels are perfect also, but a little work on the tail lights wouldn’t hurt the 2009 camaro, make them a little less import looking, and a little more muscle car.

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A force to be reckoned with was the L88 Corvette, it was a dominant force on the drag strip, and in the 24 hours of Daytona road race circuit, if your not a believer in the Corvette, maybe after this post you will be, I know that I am, for years I’ve wanted an L88 Corvette, a little more specific a 1967 L88 Corvette, what a machine, the likes of which as never been seen since the 1960’s, and may never be seen again, I had a Friend that owned a 1968 model L88 Corvette, and awesome did not even begin to describe that car, it was a furious all out powerhouse built to destroy anything in it’s path, and that it did on many occasions.

Noe that I have finished my shining promotion for the 1967 L88 Corvette, it’s time to talk about the car itself, I could write an all-day long article about this particular car, but we’ll stick to the specifics of it, and try to impress up on you the impact of a true American super car, the genius behind this car was of course Zora Arkus-Duntov, a brilliant Russian car designer who had an idea that made him a force to contend with.

It was actually 1967.5 when the L88 was offered on the 1967 Corvette, this was a race car that got put on the street, and surprised a lot of people with tit’s shear power and torque (RPO L88) was what you’d need to order to get this option on your Corvette, it boasted a 427 CID rated at 435 HP from the factory, but we all know about the factory HP ratings, that is if we’re true muscle car freaks the actual Hp of this fire-breathing car was closer to 700 HP, which at the time they were not allowed to sell due to insurance reasons, so of course it was a very underrated power figure.

There have been 1/4 mile times recorded in the 10 second range, after the slicks were put on the car, and the headers uncorked, a real engine tuner, and driver could make this car do amazing things, on the road circuit or the 1/4 mile, this car was a heart pounding ride of shear terror, and not for the weak of heart, the engine was outfitted with an 850 holley double pumper carburetor , a camshaft with a .5635 inch intake lift, a rock-crusher 4 speed, and that’s not where it ended, an optional automatic transmission was also available for those with a taste for the easy life.

88% of all 1967 Corvette’s came with the 4-speed rock-crusher transmission; 10.1% had the powerglide automatic transmission, 20.8% had power brakes, well you get the idea here, all L88 Corvette’s had a stripe down the center of the stinger hood to let people know that this was no ordinary Corvette, the paint codes were as follows for the Corvette line of cars in 1967, [990] Tuxedo Black,; [972] Ermine White; [974] Rally Red; [976] Marina Blue; [977] Lyndale Blue; [980] Elkhart Blue; [938] Goodward Green; [984] Sunfire Yellow; [986] Silver Pearl; [988] Marlboro Maroon.

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I’m waiting for the 2009 camaro to hit the showroom floors, it should be out around June sometime, I’m already hearing reverberations about the gas prices affecting the release of the camaro, but I heard this back in the mid 1970’s also, and usually the people saying these things have no idea what staying power the muscle cars have, I’m hearing such things as, Chevrolet is only going to release it with a V6 option now, and no available V8, I don’t think that this true, but if it is, there is absolutely no point for Chevrolet to waste their time with it, just put the resources in to the corvette, and let the camaro die a hero of the muscle car seen.

Do get me wrong, I am the camaro’s hugest fan, I love camaros, but nobody wants a camaro that is only available with a V6, the camaro has a legacy to live up to, and to maintain this legacy it needs to be one of the biggest, baddest muscle cars on the planet, and it cannot do this with a V6, the price of gas doesn’t need to dictate the future of a muscle car legend such as the camaro, back in the mid 1970’s I remember an issue of one of the car magazines, although I don’t remember exactly what one it was, but on the front cover was a headstone with high performance born 1964 die 1976.

It never did die, it did lose some popularity for a while, but we have people like Ralph Nader to thank for that, muscle cars never lost popularity with the people who mattered, the people who love them, and the people who grew up with them, there will always be people like me, people who can’t live without muscle cars, people who know that America builds the most powerful, best looking, and most fun car in the world, and there only has to a a few people like me to keep American muscle alive.

When Chevrolet brings the camaro back, it will be a huge event in the muscle car world, even if you don’t like how the new camaro looks, it marks the return of a legend, and if you don’t think the camaro is a legend, just spend some time searching the Internet about the camaro, “Google It” and you’ll learn very quickly that is is a legend of huge proportions, and it could be the same thing all over again if Chevrolet does it right, I say “KUDOS” to them for having the fortitude, and the guts to bring back the camaro.

When the re-release the camaro, it has big shoes to fill, and it cannot do this without a lot of engine options, just like it had back in the day, I agree that technology has advanced huge amounts over the years, and they make power easier now, and with less cubic inches, but it’s not all about the power, a big block has a certain prestige, it commands respect, and gets it, a big block is about a felling, it’s that low deep rumble, it’s the feeling of all that torque when you step in to the pedal, it’s the feeling of easily turning the car side ways, and melting the rear tires, and nothing else is quite the same.

Nobody can take muscle cars away from us, they have tried before, and they will try again, but what they don’t know, what they could never fathom, is the simple fact that there are a lot of muscle car freaks that would never let it happen, we will always stand up, and we will always have something to say about those people who think that they can get rid of the one thing that we live for, muscle cars, our spirits can never be dimmed, our desire can never be removed, our love for the look, and feel of a true American muscle car can never be dampened, we will always stand up for what we love, and I love the camaro, and I always will.

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Chevrolet plans to release a new corvette in 2009, well not exactly new, it’s and upgraded version of the ZR1 corvette from the 1980’s, and when I say up graded I mean up graded, more power, better handling, more comfortable, well yo get the idea, this car is the king of the hill, the best of the best that Chevrolet has to offer.

With it’s supercharged LS9 engine it is putting out about 650 horsepower, making it the most powerful car built by Chevrolet for a long long time, and making the corvette set salivate, waiting with anticipation, chomping at the bit ready for something new, and this is just what the doctor ordered for a corvette freak.

With more then enough power to satisfy the most power hungry corvette freak, and the euro styling of the new corvette, it will no doubt be a huge seller, and no doubt be unbeatable by any stock muscle car on the market, yes I said any, and that includes the Viper, being as how the corvette can already hold it’s own against the Viper.

Chevrolet has dropped the displacement of the engine down to 6.2 liters, and added another 149 horsepower, obviously this will not be a cheap car, it’s not going to be a car for a person that makes $30,000 per year, it will be in the low to mid $100,000 dollar range, making it out of the budget of a normal person.

With all the technology that Chevrolet is throwing at this car, it’s no wonder that it will not be cheap, I have to give them “CUDOS” for building such a cool car, it’s just like that old days, when Chevrolet was the top dog, they are on their way to being the king again.

To put all that power to the ground, in a manor that won’t have you fish tailing all over the road Chevrolet has added Michelin Pilot Sport 285/30ZR19s at the front of this monster, and at the rear the awesome power of this engine is being distributed by way of Michelin Pilot Sport 335/25ZR20s, this car has the stance of a muscle car, but will handle like a sports car making it the only choice for a true American muscle car guy or girl.

The ZO6 corvette had a very stiff suspension, making it difficult to drive quickly on the road, whereas the new corvette ZR1 will use some euro tech known as magneto-rheological dampers, like the Ferrari 599, the fluid in these units is filled with iron particles and the viscosity can be instantly changed by varying an electric current passing through it, ride sensors in the car take measurements every 0.001 seconds, and translate the information to the dampers every 0.002 seconds, adjusting the firmness of the ride to handle the corners much better then a stock mechanical system would.

With a six speed gear box, and Ferrari disc brakes at all four corners, stopping should be no problem either, as you well know, what speeds up must at one time on another slow down, and the brakes and transmission are just as important as the engine is to your safety, the brake rotors are made for a carbon ceramic composite, the Ferrari Enzo used these brakes on the front wheels, the corvette will use them at all four corners.

The Tremec 6060 will handle the power distribution from the engine to the road, and to show off a bit of it’s new attitude, the speedometer will move for a 200 mph unit in the ZO6 Corvette, and a new 220 mph unit in the all new ZR1, with all of this awesome technology, it will be a car lovers dream come true, all that power and grace in a Chevrolet corvette, not a Porsche, not any euro car, the corvette, and American built sports car, yes I said American.

Technorati Tags: 2009 ZR1 corvette, high performance cars, muscle cars

Muscle Car Motors
By Ronald Firquain

Hi performance cars are built on a new engine case unless you request a rebuilt one. And are the result of careful parts matching, and the correct combination of parts is critical. And are increased horsepower resulting from alteration to cubic inch displacement, camshafts, carburettor, or exhaust system, and that produced by the automobile manufactures. Muscle Cars are hard on clutches, the lockout clutch will eliminate excessive slipping and improve your clutch life up to 5 times longer.

One of the hottest products to emerge in recent years are steel head gaskets. This is how all engines are broken in, and today can be considered since they pull more power out then there predecessors ever did. To put into categories, most stock/street cars are 80% 85% efficient, and race motors are 90% 95%. Reliable engines are dependent upon high quality components and sub components.

RHINO Engines are built with the highest quality parts to give you the best performance and the maximum horsepower. Shipping methods are via truck freight anywhere within the contiguous 48 U. Muscle Cars are not indestructible and can break if not enough attention is given to the proper setting and use. Some motors are very susceptible to knocking because they compress the fuel/air mixture more.

All are built to strict specifications using the most precise measuring tools and devices. Industrial and performance motors are often built with larger clearances and will use more oil. All of our motors are run on our dynamometer to ensure maximum performance is realized. Stock engines are warrantied for 24 months 24,000 miles; muscle cars are warrantied for 6 months 6,000 miles. Today, performance engines are all aluminum, but the cylinder bore evenly coated with a few microns of a ceramic material such as silicon carbide.

Most all motors are high compression, but not verse verso. Ken says that most of these engines are using the valve. And are the most powerful in their class and will easily handle most demanding hills. The days of short life on high performance motors are long gone.

Built on a new motor case unless you request a rebuilt one. And are the result of careful parts matching, and the correct combination of parts is critical. And are by nature not that quiet. And are those increased horsepower resulting from alteration to cubic inch displacement, camshafts, carburetor, or exhaust system, and that produced by the automobile manufactures. Are hard on clutches, the lockout clutch will eliminate excessive slipping and improve your clutch life up to 5 times longer.

Ronald Firquain is a writer, marketer, entrepreneur, webmaster and has 16 years of computer knowledge. You can download e-books for making money online, building a website, improve your golf game, playing guitar and much more. For more information go to: High Performance Motors

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The History Of The Camaro
By Renee Flowers

And in the beginning there was only 1

The Camaro is a product from Chevrolet Motor Division of GM(General Motors), and was first brought into the lime light September 29th 1966. The Camaro was made to compete with the competitor Ford and their new release the Mustang. The Camaro shares the make up as the Pontiac Firebird, which was also introduced around the same time. Advertisement for the Camaro was over the radio and was directed toward the younger generation. The name Camaro is said to have no real meaning but some GM researchers later found Camaro in a French dictionary means “friend” or “companion”. When it hit the floor the question was asked “What is a Camaro”, the response was “A small vicious animal that eats Mustangs”.

In the first generation there were differences

In 1967 the debut Camaro had three main packages available. The RS was based solely on appearance and included hidden headlights, exterior rocker trim, and RS badging. The SS had a 350, V-8 engine. During this time frame this was the only car that offered a 350 engine until 1968. The SS also came with non functional air inlets that were on the hood, special striping, and SS badging. It was possible to buy both the RS and the SS packages. The Z/28 was not out in the open so most customers didn’t know about it. The Z/28 option required power front disc brakes, and a 4 speed transmission. It featured a 302 small block V-8 engine, the engine had been specifically designed to race in the Trans Am series. Only 602 of the Z/28 were sold throughout 1967.

A bigger junior

In 1970 the next generation of the Camaro was released. It differed from the original version with a wider and larger style which made it a heavier car. In 1982 the next generation of Camaro came out. This generation was the first to have fuel injection, 4 speed automatic transmissions, and also a 5 speed manual transmission. It also came with 16” wheels and hatchback bodies.

Into the future we go

When January 9th, 2006 rolled around the word of a new generation for the Camaro was spread. At the North American International Auto Show is where GM showed the 2006 Camaro Concept. The 2006 Camaro was powered by a 400HP LS2 V-8 engine. GM also unveiled their new 2007 Camaro at the same place a year later. On August 10th, 2006 GM Chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner said that plans for a all new Camaro muscle car were in the works and were to begin early production at the end of 2008.

For More Information on Camaros Please Visit Fastest Camaro

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The Twenty Fastest Muscle Cars
By Brian Edwards

From the mid to early 1970’s a new breed of cars ruled the American streets. The majority of these were intermediate sized automobiles with large block engines stuffed inside. At first these cars were called “super cars” and over time they became know more accurately as muscle cars. The quarter mile was the performance standard and weekend drag racing became very popular.

Many of these cars pulled weekday duty as commuter vehicles, taking their proud owners to work and school. But, on the weekend the guys at the wheel were full fledged “amateur” dragsters. For the first time (and many would argue the only time) in American automotive history, high performance vehicles were available to the masses. The average Joe with a decent job could go to his local dealership and drive away with a ground pounding, tire smoking muscle car. Additionally, in a time before complicated emission controls and computer chips, an average Joe could actually working on his pride.

As the list of the twenty fastest muscle cars points out, the majority of the beasts had domesticated roots. The Road Runners, Chevelles and Chargers were all basic family cruisers. What made them special was those wonderfully powerful big block engines. Even the Camaros and ‘Cudas were decent transportation for the young man with a couple of small children. Only the Corvettes and the Cobra were initially created as sports cars.

As everyone over this generation knows, the muscle car became extinct in the early 1970’s. Rising fuel costs, rising insurance premiums and new safety concerns marked the end of this era. Today the original muscle cars are one of the hottest automotive collectables. Men of a certain age are aggressively bidding for the car of their youthful dreams.

So take a look at the list and see who really owned the streets when muscle cars reigned supreme. For more information about all the great Muscle Cars of the past visit Muscle Car Facts.

Rank - Model - - ¼ Mile Time and Speed - - Engine - - HP - - TRANS - - Source

1 - 1966 427 Cobra - - 12.20 sec @ 118 mph - - 427 8V - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/65

2 - 1966 Corvette 427 - - 12.80 sec @ 112 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/65

3 - 1969 Road Runner - - 12.91 sec @ 111 mph - - 440 Six BBL - 390 - - 4-Speed - - SUPER STOCK 6/69

4 - 1970 Hemi Cuda - - 13.10 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - 4-Speed - CAR CRAFT 11/69

5 - 1970 Chevelle SS 454 - - 13.12 sec @ 107 mph - - 454 LS6 - 450 - - 4-Speed - - CAR CRAFT 11/69

6 - 1969 Camaro - - - 13.16 sec @ 110 mph - - 427 ZL1 - - 430 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 6/69

7 - 1968 Corvette - - - 13.30 sec @ 108 mph - - 427 6V - - 435 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 5/68

8 - 1970 Road Runner - - 13.34 sec @ 107 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 12/69

9 - 1970 Buick GS Stage I - - 13.38 sec @ 105 mph - - 455 Stage I - - 360 - automatic - - MOTOR TREND 1/70

10 - 1968 Corvette 427 - - 13.41 sec @ 109 mph - - L72 427 - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - CAR AND DRIVER 6/68

11 - 1969 Charger 500 - - 13.48 sec @ 109 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - 4-Speed - - HOT ROD 2/69

12 - 1968 Charger - - - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 11/67

13 - 1970 Plymouth Superbird - 13.50 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425

14 - 1968 Road Runner - - 13.54 sec @ 105 mph - - 426 Hemi - - 425 - - automatic - - CAR AND DRIVER 1/69

15 - 1973 Trans Am - - 13.54 sec @ 104 mph - - 455 SD - - 310 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 6/73

16 - 1969 Corvette - - - 13.56 sec @ 111 mph - - 427 L88 - - 430 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 4/69

17 - 1969 Super Bee - - 13.56 sec @ 105 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - HOT ROD 8/69

18 - 1969 Boss 429 Mustang - 13.60 sec @ 106 mph - - Boss 429 - - 375 - - 4-Speed - - HI PERFORMANCE 9/69

19 - 1970 Challenger R/T - - 13.62 sec @ 104 mph - - 440 Six Pack - - 390 - - automatic - - CAR CRAFT 11/69

20 - 1970 Torino Cobra - - 13.63 sec @ 105 mph - - 429 SCJ - - 370 - - automatic - - SUPER STOCK 3/70

Muscle Car Facts is dedicated to providing information on all the great muscle cars of the past.

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The 2009 Chevy Camaro
By Brian Edwards

Chevrolet has officially announced that they will reintroduce the Camaro for 2009. The car is a stunning beauty with bold lines. The design is heavily influenced by the 1969 Camaro including its unique interior. The Camaro will join the Mustang and the new Dodge Challenger in the recently revived hot pony car market.

The Camaro was introduced in 1967 to compete with Ford’s highly successful Mustang and was slightly redesigned in 1969. The updated car was “squared off” to give it a more aggressive appearance. The results were well liked by the automotive press and the motoring public. Today many consider it the best looking Camaro of all time. Performance was outstanding. The well rounded Z/28 was the road racing version of the pony car and was powered by a 302 cubic inch small block. This car was designed to compete in the Trans-Am race series and it was very successful. For those wanting straight line performance, the Super Sport with a 396 cubic inch large block was available. The 396 was so powerful that most racers had to modify the rear suspension to keep the cars on the track. The car was an instant classic.

General Motors abandoned the pony car segment in 2002 after sales of its pony cars dried up. The Mustang was the last survivor of the pony cars. At that time, SUVs and Trucks were the best sellers and sports car sales were in decline. General Motors had further hurt sales by pricing these cars out of the price range of its target market. The car had grown from an affordable performance car aimed at the youth market to a bloated and expensive car that was unattainable by those same youth.

Forty years after the classic 1969 Camaro was introduced, Chevy has decided to reintroduce the model to compete with the highly successful retro Ford Mustang. Ford proved that there was still a large market for pony cars and General Motors wants a piece of the action.

As stated earlier, the new Camaro was heavily influenced by the ‘69 version and the designers got it right. The car looks aggressive and bold all at the same time. Performance should be more than adequate with the base model receiving a 250 horse power V-6 and the performance models receiving up to 400 horsepower from the small block V-8. The only weakness of the new car is the interior. It resembles the ‘69 Camaro too closely and looks a bit dated. The good news is the Chevy has indicated that the interior is one of the focal points with the transition from concept car to production car. General Motors has also indicated that the base price for the standard 2009 Camaro should be around $25,000. The performance models should range between $28,000 and $40,000. This is a good call as anything more would cause Chevy to lose sales to Ford.

Muscle Car Facts is a site that features all the classic American Muscle Cars. Learn more about the 1969 Camaro and the 2009 Camaro there.

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