CAMARO Forty Years

Book Review 

I have just been reading what must be the definitive book on the Camaro. I have read them all and it was refreshing to be shown a new take on the behind the scenes activities, and in particular the story of the personalities behind the car.

There are numerous examples of this. For example “Bunkie” (Boss) Knudson a dyed in the wool car enthusiast, created Camaro 1 but  was then  passed over for promotion by GM , left and was quickly snapped up by Ford, leading to the “Boss” series of Mustangs with CJ428 and 429 big blocks after the engine bay had been widened to suit. He knew that GM were constrained by their ludicrous adherence to the anti racing ban and the imposed upper limit of 400 CID for intermediate cars.

Irv Rybiki, who had been there from the start in creating Camaro 1, was reintroduced as head of design in 1977 for the launch of Camaro 3. Jim Perkins, who was general manager for Camaro 4, had been poached by GM from Toyota after having launched the Lexus brand. 

I loved the way in which the author clearly is a Chevrolet man, describing assorted Ford engines as “boat anchors”! I think that he might be accused of a bias against the 2 speed power glide automatic gearbox, and in my view is far too positive over the Camaro 4. In my view the Camaro 4 lagged behind the Mustang at the time because it offered a futuristic looking (ugly) car with old underpinnings. The way forward is to do the opposite as Ford has demonstrated in the current Mustang, which GM are now (again) belatedly trying to catch up with.

As Members of the club you are entitled to a special offer as follows: Camaro Forty Years is £35.00 RRP plus post and packing. However Members may buy it for £30.00 with free post and packing. Simply call the Distributor Grantham Book Publishers on 01476-541080, quote "ISBN 0760328161", pay by card, cheque, etc, and the book is dispatched. Normally takes five working days to arrive. Free post and packing only applies to UK and Northern Ireland.  

T C Boles

Secretary