American history is embedded in many things. Art, politics and fashion are all indicators of the era. Looking back to America’s 1960s calls many iconic people and events to mind, such as Audrey Hepburn, The Kennedy administration, Elvis, and the end of the Beatles. This was a time of forward movement and innovation for culture, and the automobile industry became more progressive as well.
Automobiles were becoming more than just transportation; they were part of American tradition. One traditional fiber running strong into the future is that of American-made pony cars. Not to be confused with muscles cars, the ponies came into being in 1964 with the Ford Mustang. Chevrolet answered two years later with the 1967 Camaro release. The earliest models rested on the Pontiac Firebird frame but quickly matured into a style all their own.
Chevrolet celebrated its first 100 years as 2011 unfolded. To commemorate this wonderful achievement, they asked people to vote on the best Chevrolet car of all time. Two Corvette models, the ’57 Bel Air and the very first 1912 Classic Six were front-runners in the poll, but the 1969 Camaro left them all in the dust. Bursting with true American pony pride, the ’69 Camaro won the Official Pace Car award. Additionally, the 1969 was the only model year to offer an aluminum ZL1 engine and the Z28 SS/RS performance package.
Under the hood, standard 1969 models varied little from previous years, but the body readjustments were stunning. New fenders, rear quarter panels, door skins, grille, and taillights gave the car a lower, more aggressive appearance. Additionally, the ’69 model came with a massive array of performance equipment.
Many 1969 models are still on the market today. The Pace Car built especially for the race is white with orange racing stripes and an orange hounds-tooth-patterned interior. Chevrolet made several replicas but inserted a different engine. The original holds a 396 while the replicas cap at 350. Many of these replicas pose as the official car itself, but true car enthusiasts are not fooled.
Amid the glory of the ’69, Chevrolet released the 2012 Camaro. This new generation of Camaro is a tribute to pony cars of the past, but it holds enough of its own iconic value to make a unique impression. The power of the 2012 boasts maturity without losing the rebellious pony car style. This pony would leave the 400 horses of the ‘69 way behind with 550 of its own.
Mimicking the well-received changes first made with the ’69, this Camaro sits on new 20-inch wheels in dark grey, lending a new aggressive stance to the car. The modern interior cushions any driver in luxury with top quality materials and complete customization available. These upgrades make sure the 2012 Camaro is in step with the great ponies of the past.
Thornton Chevrolet, York, PA’s premier Chevy dealer, is proud to offer the all new Chevy Camaro, as well as Chevrolet’s full line of vehicles. If you’re in the Central PA area, don’t pass up the chance to visit Thornton Chevy today to see what they have to offer. To learn more, visit their website at www.tchevy.com today.
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