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Just curious to know who was the most influential person in the design and performance of the Camaro...... from 1966 to present. Also, I would like to know the history about the Norwood, Ohio and Van Nuys, Calif. plants. Like pics of the plants, assembly lines, people eho worked there, etc. I used to live in the San Fernando Valley in the early 90's as an unemployed actor and used to drive by the Chevrolet plant on Roscoe after the plant shut down. I saw this big sign that read, "Home of the Camaro". As I looked beyond the padlocked gates I thought to myself-"I should hop that fence and go into this plant and walk back in time". I almost did it but didn't. I regret that. That was my chance to walk in history. I actually did this at the Ambassador Hotel, hopped the fence.(closed, but sneaked in). I'll never forget walking in the basement hall of this hotel on a sunny California day in 1993. The Camaro plant would have been much more special!
Any books on these closed down plants?
feedback is appreciated!
Posts: 74 | From: Gainesville, FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
Drove by the St. Therese plant about a week ago. It was kinda sad - still people around there, not yet abandoned, but knowing what was ahead for it was sad. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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Fbodfather
They don't make songs about Volvos.
Member # 1119
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Boy....there were (and are) a ton of influential people that had their hands in the Camaro. Don McPherson was the chief engineer on the first gen. Eliot (Pete) Estes was the General Manager of Chevy and had a lot to do with bringing it to market....and even naming it. I would never want to compile a complete list of names...because 'sure as hell' I'd forget some people.
For those of you who will be in Bowling Green, we have a very special guest coming...Harry Turner who had a big part in the latter 2nd gen Camaro....and an even bigger hand in the third gen Camaro. Fellows such as John Heinricy (Engineering) and Jerry Palmer (GM design) had a lot to do with 3rd and 4th gen cars.........
There are a lot of very talented people at GM that deserve the "Fbodfather" title more than I -- however, because Joey Red so named me this, I guess I'll keep it......just know that there are a lot of great people that brought you these great cars........
As to history on Norwood and Van Nuys....no books that I am aware of....however we do have pictures within the GM Media Archives of the plants....and there is some information on the plants in various Camaro and Firebird books that have been written over the years. I do know that Norwood produced full-sized Chevrolets up until the time that they started to produce Camaros and Firebirds.
Posts: 749 | From: Detroit | Registered: Aug 2001
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