The Death of a Legend: No More Camaro

Once again, it appears that the Chevrolet Camaro is about to hit the chopping block in favor of an EV that will replace it.

In 2024, it looks like the gas-powered, two-door Camaro will once again disappear from the automotive world. GM is discontinuing the Alpha platform that hosts the Camaro, and the automaker is also making a strong transition towards electric vehicles. The Camaro’s replacement is slated to be an EV that’s being billed as a performance sedan.

Let’s take a quick look at the Chevrolet Camaro’s iconic history and what life might be like without it.

History of the Chevrolet Camaro: Beginnings

The Chevrolet Camaro was rushed into being by GM in a desperate attempt to challenge the ridiculously successful and popular Ford Mustang. The Mustang’s debut caught almost everyone off-guard. Chevy needed to compete by also offering an affordable and sporty car. Nothing in their lineup at the time could compare. Thus, the Camaro hit the market for its first generation as a 1967 model.

The Camaro was sold in both inline-six versions and V8 versions to appeal to a wide range of customers. The war between the Mustang and Camaro was on.

History of the Chevy Camaro: 70s and 80s

At the beginning of the 1970s, Chevy eliminated the convertible Camaro and gave the car its own dedicated architecture as a coupe. The 70s Camaros looked like nothing else that came before and had the power to back it up with a 375-horsepower V8 engine. However, it didn’t last long. By the mid-70s and into the 80s, tougher emissions standards forced everyone to cut back on big engines. Camaros in this time period barely cracked 200 horsepower.

History of the Chevrolet Camaro: 90s and Hiatus

By the time the 90s rolled around, the Chevrolet Camaro looked vastly different from its original form. Horsepower steadily increased as well. A redesign for 1993 debuted a new, modern Camaro with an aggressive wedge-shaped profile. At this point, the Camaro offered a V6 for the sports coupe and a small-block V8 for the Z28 performance version. However, in 2002, Chevy announced that the Camaro was done. It went on hiatus for nearly ten years before returning in 2010.

History of the Chevy Camaro: 2010 Reboot

Retro muscle cars became all the rage in the late 2000s, with the Mustang again leading the initial charge. And, once again, Chevy jumped in to compete with its retro-styled reboot of the Camaro. The first reboot model offered a 304-horsepower V6, and the first new SS offered a 426-horsepower V8. Finally, the Camaro was back in a big way.

The retro styling of the initial rebooted Camaro eventually evolved into something more modern. When the ZL1 returned for 2017, it was powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that made 650 horsepower.

History of the Chevrolet Camaro: End of the Road

Now, as of 2021, it appears the Camaro has reached the end of the road once again. Slated for discontinuation in 2024, it’s unlikely that GM will make a direct replacement as they are now focusing on improving their EV lineup. The Camaro’s Alpha platform is also being discontinued. Some rumors say that the Camaro nameplate might be revived as a four-door electric sedan, but it’s hard to say for sure. So far, Ford has not committed to electrifying the Mustang or discontinuing it, so for now, it will go without a rival.

The good news for enthusiasts is that there are still plenty of great Camaros on the used market, and they should be around for a long time.