I'm just wondering - Was the 3rd-Gen FBODY designed FIRST (ie. 81-82 whenever design began...) as a Camaro or a Firebird?

Just from looking at both, the Camaro's lines seem to be smoother and more subtle, whereas some of the Firebird's lines seem to be disproportionate and "slapped on"

Please, no flames, as its just a simple question, not an attack on either platform.

 

The design was started back in 79 I have a Laser disc that was made in 1980 that shows off the 82 camaros.

I think since the camaros came first in to this world that it would have been the camaros. but I dont know that would be something someone would have to ask someone like Scott Settlemire.

 

Yup, the F-Body was started and made by Chevrolet. The Third Gen also started as a Camaro, by this dude: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/librar...f/palmer.shtml who's design would become the new Third Gen Camaro and obviously Pontiac would as always do their version for the Firebird. The Z28 was the 1st model designed, the lower models (SC, Berlinetta) were done later. They could use designers like that today.

 

Actually the thirdgen program started life as early as '75. There's a great book by Gary Witz that goes into it. Can't remember the title. I'm not sure which came first for the thirdgen, but the Camaro came first for the firstgen.

Regardless, Firebird has always been a more refined, more upscale (and more expensive) model.. so all you Camaro owners stop being jealous

GT

 

Right said! I've seen drawings from the mid-70's that pretty much pegged 75 percent of the 82 Firebird design. I'm not saying the Firebird was first, but I believe it was a joint venture from the inception.

And I strongly disagree with the earlier statement about the Firebird looking like an afterthought compared to the Camaro. Nothing looks tacked on in either car, but the Firebird has smoother and more sylish integrated lines.

And being a graphic artist, I think my opinion might hold some weight

 

You forgot to mention slower.

 

What about the TTA .. that was the fastest stock thirdgen and a birdie I got a bird and i love the lines but i like the camaro lines a little better. Wasent the F-body platform started with the pontiac banshee? way back in 67

 

Now thats funny.

 

The Firebird parts were anything but disproportionate and "slapped on".

The body parts on the Firebird were designed to be aerodynamically functional, in addition to improving the appearance. As far as the body goes, the only parts that are interchangeable between the two cars are the doors and hatch.

And as far as which was faster... no one here is stock anyway, so what does it matter? In my experiance the fastest times posted for a stock thirdgen would belong to the Firebirds. I'm not including TTA's and Firehawks either. Stock for stock, L98 to L98, the bird times typically are faster then the Z28 times.

 

In my experience I've seen more faster Camaros. But lets not turn this into another Camaro vs. Firebird post. Each car has their own personality and characteristics. Whether they both use Chevy engines or not.

 

yeah well stock for stock, gimme an options-stripped L98 Formula ANY day, against any L98 Camaro, and I'm confident I'd win consistently due to aerodynamics and lower weight.

I can foresee this going even more off-topic, but hey, gotta set the record straight, or at least egg on you Camaro fans even more

 

I agree hehe, Both cars do have different defining characteristics (sp). I like both styles (but prefer Camaro's, no true great lines like the Firebird) The Camaro just has in you face testostirone and the ***** to back it up, so does the Firebird. But I just personally like the Camaro better.

But eveyone is entitled to there own opinion, If everyone had the same opinion life wouldn't be much fun Come on doesn't Everyone, Agree ????


Later, Garrett

 

Not a chance.

 

Alright, enough bull****. I'm starting to feel ban happy. Anyone that has been around here for any significant length of time knows that when a similarly equipped Z28 is matched to a L98 Firebird that the times are going to be close enough to not warrant a pissing match. The pro's and con's of one or the other cancel each other out.

 

Did you ever consider comedy professionally?

 

After all, firebird & camaro are the SAME car, in different packages. The difference is negligible. They're the same car. same motor. same basic options. Different cosmetics and personalities, but that's just for variety to customers. Built on the same assembly line back to back with each other, etc. I hate to be the one to take the hippy approach out of it, but it's a futile debate. Read a good variety of road tests from the 80s and you'll see they're pretty much undecided or split 50%/50% on it.

Individual people's brand loyalty and personal experience is what leads us to say "X is faster, Y is slower", etc. You'll never convince anyone who disagrees with you, just like they'll never convince you.

 

GM management approved Design Staff's fiberglass 1/1 scale model Z28 on Dec. 12, 1978. It looks exactly like an '82 Z28 except for the indents in the hood, and the Z28 nameplate on the rear fascia looks a little different.

 

I'll say it again. Stop arguing about firebird vs camaro crap.

 

who's arguing?? sounds like a legitimate discussion to me

 

That's cause I deleted most of the more questionable posts.