Who was responsible for designing the 3rd generation Camaro/Firebird's ? Any one person/person's in particular? I've always been curious....

 

Many people. But the two names that are mentioned the most are Bill Porter and Jerry Palmer. If you can get a copy of "Camaro, The Third Generation" By Michael Lamm. It has a whole chapter on the development and design of the third-gen F-car.

 

Thank's for the info,I'll definately check it out.......

 

I always thought that the third gen Camaros look suspiciously similar to the DeLorean. Look at the DeLorean's grid taillights and the square headlights. Maybe the boys at GM weren't totally on the up and up.

dave

 

Yeah, there is a huge similarity between the Camaro and the DeLorean, especially in the rear. That's strange because John DeLorean worked for Ponitac back in the day. He's the one behind the GTO.

Anyway, Jerry Palmer is definatly one of the driving forces behind the thidgen design. Both "Corvette from the Inside" and "All Corvette's are Red" (great book) mention the third gen development to a small degree. I have never heard of "Camaro, The Third Generation" though, I will have to check that one out.

 

Yeah, definate similarity.

 

Yep

 

Another great source: "Pontiac's Third Generation Firebird & Trans-Am"

1982
By Martyn L. Schorr,

ISBN -0-940346-11-7,

Quicksilver Supercar Series.

It covers it all!!

 

I knew about DeLorean being involved in the development of the GTO. After his stint with Pontiac he was promoted to bigwig (not his official title) with GM. This was in the mid seventies. He left GM soon after to begin looking for backers for his own automobile. Point being was that he was not only involved with Pontiac, but other branches of the GM tree. So I can see where the designers at Chevrolet might not have a problem using some oh John's ideas (like the grid tail lights)...if they indeed were his ideas.

dave

 

Back to the Future ROCKED!!

I love how the delorean looks like the camaro too. Now if i could only get a delorean!!

 

HELL YA MAN DELOREANS ROCK!!

Aside from my 82 T/A my other dream car is delorean i have seen them for as low as $5k someday I'll own one I hope

 

Maybe someone should turn a t-top third gen into a gull wind style door like the delorean. After all, the roof of a delorean looks similar to the t-top roof and the conversion would be easier than say, lambo style doors. And besides, it would look cool as all hell.