Define "close"

 

nope -- late 2001 or very early in 2002 -- cuz we were still building the 4th gen.......

That program started and stopped and started and stopped.........

At one point there was a clay done -- only to be scrapped when one particular Vice President caught wind of what was happening and "enlightened" the team to some 'facts'........


At one point we were looking at Corvette Frame rails without the center driveline -- married to a CTS rear bucket.........

I remember Jim Taylor talking in earnest that we COULD do it off of Sigma -- we'd simply call it 'sigma lite' -- and we could make money doing it. Not everyone agreed.

Someone suggested that we call it the 'Paragon' project -- I suggested "panther" - (hoping that if it DID leak at least a few people would get what the car was supposed to be....)

I still have a lot of notes from that program.

I think both KrazzyCowGirl and Bob have their points -- and perhaps are in violent agreement --

Yup -- I kept saying "have faith" -- but in reality, nothing was approved - and many projects at GM (and other manufacturers) never see the light of day.

I just kept thinking "well - it's GONNA happen -- the question is WHEN????"

 

Like I said, heard some very scary numbers. I hope they're wrong.

 

Hey some of this stuff needs to be saved for the book! I think we all know the current work, its the begining that everyone won't be able to put down.

I do remember seeing the odd looking clays for a supposed car banished to history. If there are ever thanks to be paid for this car it's the grass roots work that was done and not always authorized.

 

Concur. And once again, I never mentioned nor implied that anything was approved, official, or a "done deal". Simply that even back then, there was hope that it would.

Sounds like hope to me.

I had absolutely zero information on any of this stuff, outside of what I read on the internet (no Winkie Club priviledges for me!), yet it was pretty clear that the chances were good there would be a Camaro again in the not-to-distant future. I never thought it would be a 2010 model, but I doubt anybody really thought it would take that long back in 2002.

Bob

 

All very true but the whole point of this argument is they were late. If I compete in an Ironman and finish in 12hrs it would be pretty good for me cause I haven't trained for it and I haven't prepared or practiced and I'm pretty out of shape. It would be a great accomplishment for me. But I wouldn't win. I couldn't really complain about the people who started preparing long before me who beat me (mustang) or the people who were already accomplished runners or cyclists or swimmers and had a head start because they were starting with a established fitness base (challenger although I don't think you could really call it fit they did start with an established platform) The fact is I would be late to the after party (Camaro).
I don't think it is GM's fault. But I do think it is a problem for GM. Even if you discount any possible lost sales for the Camaro you have to figure it shows the lag time GM faces when responding to new trends. It was as quick as they could respond but thats the problem.

I think they're doing a great job on the Camaro and its definately worth the wait. I love my wife and she is definately worth the wait, but that doesn't always mean that she's on time.