Original Codename: The Chevrolet Camaro was originally developed under the codename "Panther," which was later changed to "Camaro," a French slang term meaning "friend" or "companion."
Debut Race Car: The first Camaro ever built was actually a race car. It was created specifically to compete in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am racing series.
Z/28 Name Inspiration: The Z/28 designation for high-performance Camaros was inspired by the option code for a Special Performance Package available for the 1967 model year.
Design Influence: The Camaro's design was heavily influenced by the sleek lines of European sports cars, particularly the Jaguar E-Type, which was admired by GM designers at the time.
Model Naming Challenge: General Motors held an internal competition among employees to come up with a name for the Camaro. Over 2,000 suggestions were submitted before settling on "Camaro."
First Generation Variants: The first-generation Camaro offered a range of performance options, including the Z/28, SS (Super Sport), and RS (Rally Sport), each catering to different enthusiast preferences.
Celebrity Connection: The Camaro has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years, solidifying its status as a cultural icon. Notably, Bumblebee from the "Transformers" series is a Camaro.
Racing Legacy: The Camaro has a storied racing history, competing in various motorsport events, including the Trans-Am Series, NASCAR, and drag racing, where it has achieved considerable success.