Fbodfather
They don't make songs about Volvos.
Member # 1119
posted
A PERSONAL reflection on Camaro and Firebird:
A sad day, indeed.
It takes 5.3 days to build a 4th gen Camaro/Firebird.
Last "body buildup" was last Tuesday, August 20. The last F-car through Paint shop last Friday, August 23rd - --and this morning (Tuesday, August 27th) at about 9:20 am, the last 4th gen Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro came off the line at Ste. Therese, Boisbriand, Quebec.
A very sad day for the workers at Ste. Therese, those of us on the Performance Car Team, our partners at SLP Engineering, and of course, you, our Camaro and Firebird Enthusiasts. There's so much I could say, and yet, I'm almost speechless.
The men and women at Ste. Therese have done a great job over the past ten years-building some of the best Camaros and Firebirds of all time. I can say this: The cars and the workers went out proud. In the 2002 Model Year, we built the fastest, most powerful, best handling, most fuel efficient, and cleanest (emissions) Camaros and Firebirds ever. And through the 2002 model year, they are the fastest, most powerful, best handling cars in their class. And the Camaros and Firebirds coming off the line had some of the highest quality ratings ever.
I'm in Pittsburgh as I write this - thus I do not have production figures in front of me - but we built over 5 million Camaros over the past 35 years. I'm not sure how many Firebirds, but you can bet that I'll have those numbers when I return to Detroit.
Many of you know that I was privileged to grow up in a Chevrolet Dealership. I'll never forget the first Camaro I saw in person…..a Bolero Red Camaro RS Convertible…..our dealership received it the first week of September….and back then, it was forbidden to show the new models prior to 'announcement day.' (A bit of history….until 1968, all new cars were shipped completely covered with cloth covers….they were hidden from public view…and announcement day was a big deal as the manufacturers showed their new models off in dealership showrooms nationwide.) When I saw that first Camaro, it was instant love…..I didn't yet have my license, but I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen…..esp. the 'bumblebee' stripe and the hidden headlamps in the blacked-out grille. Little did I know at the time that I would also be privileged to work on such a great car much later in my life. Each of the 4 generations have their own personalities -and yet they are all unmistakably Camaro and Firebird…..and, over the past 35 years, the Camaro and Firebird met one thing: Really cool cars. They've received countless awards - been in movies, TV, books, magazines -they've even had songs written about them -- and have become a part of the Great American Landscape. Camaro is one of the top 5 most recognized nameplates in the industry…..everyone - and I do mean everyone, has a Camaro or Firebird in their past or present. If they did not own one, then a brother, a sister, a best friend, a sweetheart - a neighbor - had or has one.
I knew this day was coming. I told myself that I would have time to prepare. I should have known better -
…………..and while some of our owners see their Fcars as 'just cars', I know that there are many of you out there that see it as so much more than 'just a car.' When I attend a car show and see the love and the passion and the work that goes into restoration…..or the care that you put into detailing your Camaros and Firebirds, it fills me with pride. For those of you who see these great cars as more than 'just a car' - I'm truly sorry to have to tell you that this is the end of the 4th gen. But keep in mind, that this does NOT mean that the names are dead. While I'd love to talk about the future, I'm forbidden to do so. But as I wrote to many of you a few months back - in 1974, we thought performance cars were a thing of the past….and over the next twenty-some years, we found out that this was simply not true.
And so it goes.
The last car off the line was a Bright Rally Red Z28 Convertible - and it will go into the Chevy Historic Collection so that people for years to come can enjoy this Legend. The next to last car was a matching Trans Am Convertible-also going into the Pontiac Historic Collection. We'll have them on display at the Annual Fbody Gathering at the National Corvette Museum this September 20-22nd - and we hope you'll join us for a great three-day weekend celebration - details at www.corvettemuseum.com and then click on Fbody gathering. The third-to-last- car off the line is a 'loaded' Bright Rally Red Z28 coupe - which will be auctioned off this coming weekend at the Kruse Auction in Auburn, Indiana. All proceeds will go to S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere) and the public will have the opportunity to bid on this historic Camaro. Log onto www.Kruse.com for all the details to register and bid on-line. We'll also have a collection of some of our historic Camaros from the Chevy Historic Collection on display.
On a personal note from Scott, the Enthusiast:
My heartfelt thanks to the men and women of Ste. Therese - for building such great cars. I could not be prouder of a group of hard workers. Also to SLP engineering for taking a great car to the next level - and SLP Performance Parts for their work in developing components for even more performance. "Thank You" to a select group of Chevy and Pontiac Dealers for stocking and selling these great cars. "Thank You" to those webmasters and moderators who have put so much time, effort, and money into the various sites over the past couple of years - so that we could talk with one another - and I also thank them for their part in making so many friendships worldwide. My thanks to the many many vendors that built the components that make up these great cars. My thanks to my Camaro/Firebird co-workers (and there are tens of thousands of them over the past 35 years) at GM who worked so hard to develop these great cars - and all the effort they put forth to keep improving the car - regardless of economic conditions and a changing market. My thanks to Chevrolet General Manager Kurt Ritter - and my boss Rick Baldick for allowing me the opportunity to not only work on the team --- but to travel throughout the year so that I could meet the many many thousands of enthusiasts out there. I have met the finest people in the world - and that is NOT an exaggeration. My thanks to Dick Almond who selected me over several hundred people for the job on the Camaro/Corvette Team. My thanks to my Uncle and to my Father - for giving me the love of automobiles-and Chevrolets in particular….and for always encouraging me to strive harder.
With all those 'thank yous' - they pale in comparison to the 'thank you' that I owe each of you. Thank you for buying your Camaros and Firebirds…but more importantly, thank you for the love and passion you show to these great cars. Without you, we would not have had the opportunity to celebrate 35 years of "Performance - American Style." I'd also like to thank those of you who have posted such great memories and words of thanks to the men and women of Ste. Therese on http://thanks.f-body.org (or is it com??)
What does the future really hold? As I said above, I can't talk about future product plans. But I'm here to tell you that with the caliber of enthusiasts we have in the Camaro/Firebird community, I envision a lot of celebrations every weekend for many many years to come. With WorldWide Camaro - the National Trans Am Club, American Camaro Association, and the hundreds upon hundreds of Fbody clubs, Camaro Clubs, Firebird Clubs and all the Fbody websites - the dream will stay alive…
And, to the Camaro and Firebird: (if it IS possible to talk to a car…..) You are loved and the legends that you have become will never die. You will be celebrated for many years to come - and I could not be prouder of you.
-------------------- Posts: 749 | From: Detroit | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
posted
waaahhhhhhhhh.....sniffle sniffle...anyone got a tissue!
-------------------- " IF YOU WANNA PLAY WITH THE BOYS, THEN YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE TOYS " FORMER OWNER OF: 2002 Camaro SS Sebring Silver Metallic, Ebony leather, Automatic Trans, 17" Chrome wheels, SLP SS grille, and Monsoon stereo Other mods:SLP LOUDMOUTH exhaust, SLP cold air induction kit, air lid, and smooth bellow Posts: 924 | From: new york | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged
"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants" (Thomas Jefferson) Posts: 1446 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
A sad day for sure ... but the sun will continue to rise ... and the friendships we've made because of what some call "just a car" will continue to thrive.
Thank YOU Scott, for your immeasureable contribution to the F-body community.
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
Scott your all class.... Many Thanks to EVERYONE who's envolved with the F car. Every time I slide behind the wheel and twist the key I get a big grin on my face! Thanks!
Posts: 1045 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Nov 2001
| IP: Logged
posted
Thanks Scott, you said it in a way that only you could do.
I've loved the f-bodies almost as long as you have, mine came when I drove a friends new 69 Z28. I was never fortunate enough to own a 1st gen, but the sheer thrill and enjoyment I got from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th genners I've owned has really kept it alive.
A very sad day indeed, it's like saying good bye to your best friend.
posted
Thanks Scott! You and your team have built a great car for all of us to enjoy. And we have made made many friends though one common love....the F-body!
Posts: 818 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
