this is funny... GM upsets Challenger media event with Camaro driveby
08-23-2006 | 12:55 PM
#1
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From: OR
this is funny... GM upsets Challenger media event with Camaro driveby
Josee Valcourt / The Detroit News
ROYAL OAK -- Woodward wasn't big enough Tuesday morning for two legendary Detroit muscle cars that will soon roar back into showrooms.
The Woodward Dream Cruise provided the backdrop for the first salvo in a much-anticipated showdown between the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.
To set the scene, the Chrysler Group was hosting a media event in front of Duggan's Irish Pub in Royal Oak. The automaker was showing off its Dodge Challenger concept muscle car and the 1970 Challenger that inspired it.
Without warning, a Chevrolet car hauler embossed with a massive bowtie logo and carrying two Camaros -- the 2006 concept car and a 1969 classic -- came rolling by, turning the head of media members.
Jason Vines, Chrysler's top PR official, took the slow-speed Camaro drive-by as an invitation for a Dream Cruise rumble.
He called it a "wuss" move to haul the Camaros in a trailer rather than driving the vehicles by Duggan's.
Chevy spokesman Terry Rhadigan denied a turf war. General Motors Corp. has been showcasing the Camaros for days on Woodward as part of the Dream Cruise and they were en route to two GM events Tuesday, he said.
"We'll definitely do battle with them in the showroom in a couple of years, but right now this was more or less an opportunity to display the iconic brand," he said.
Both Dodge and Chevrolet have promised to build production versions of vehicles in the next couple years.
The muscle car tussle caught the attention of Jalopnik.com, a popular auto Web site, which likened it to a Sharks-versus-Jets feud.
"Chevy made a point of letting the Chrysler folks know that they were stepping on the General's turf almost goading the Chrysler Group into a 'West Side Story'-like knife fight," the Web site said.
"It slowly passed in the right lane," Ray Wert, Detroit associate editor for Jalopnik.com, told The Detroit News. "It was quite possibly the greatest coincidence in the history of automobiles."
The modern-day muscle car battle reignited when Ford Motor Co. gave its 2005 Mustang a throwback design.
Dodge and Chevy entering the fray is a good for Detroit and the auto industry, Wert said.
"This is what the enthusiasts want," Wert said. "This gets their blood running. The baby boomers all want to push their pony car as being the best pony car among them all."
Vines agreed, but couldn't help taking one more swipe at his rival.
"It's healthy for Detroit and it's healthy for the industry," Vines said. "Despite the lameness of the GM stunt, it gets people talking."
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08-23-2006 | 01:42 PM
#9
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From: Lenexa, KS
Eh, weak IMO. Especially since the Camaro sheet metal is mostly concept where as the Challenger is basically ready for production.
Although it is funny... I hope Chrysler does something to get back at them....
You know GM is going to make yet another plastic POS camaro /w a big engine.
Although it is funny... I hope Chrysler does something to get back at them....
You know GM is going to make yet another plastic POS camaro /w a big engine.
08-23-2006 | 01:52 PM
#10
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From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by SiGGy
Eh, weak IMO. Especially since the Camaro sheet metal is mostly concept where as the Challenger is basically ready for production.
Although it is funny... I hope Chrysler does something to get back at them....
You know GM is going to make yet another plastic POS camaro /w a big engine.
Although it is funny... I hope Chrysler does something to get back at them....
You know GM is going to make yet another plastic POS camaro /w a big engine.
see this is the reason why i liked the stunt that GM pulled.
We will have the rival wars once again between the two muscle cars. Back to smack talking for everyone.
Also im more of a camaro fan, always have been.
08-23-2006 | 06:46 PM
#17
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From: Swansea, MA
Meh... Detroit Musclecars that will soon roll back into the showrooms... 
If you want a RWD V8 coupe right now, all you have to do is head over to a Ford Store...
GM and Chrysler are a little late, but I guess GM tried with the GTO after they phased out the Camaro and Firebird in 2002... I guess better late then never applies here.
Looks like the v8 coupe market will be heating up again, it's just that Ford has to wait for the competition to catch up
If you want a RWD V8 coupe right now, all you have to do is head over to a Ford Store...
GM and Chrysler are a little late, but I guess GM tried with the GTO after they phased out the Camaro and Firebird in 2002... I guess better late then never applies here.
Looks like the v8 coupe market will be heating up again, it's just that Ford has to wait for the competition to catch up
08-23-2006 | 09:13 PM
#18
Engineer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,525
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From: Boston
I cant wait... it will be fun to see what they each will do...
250hp V6
400hp Z28
500+hp SS???
that would stomp on the SRT lineup and anything else Chrysler has lined up...
<---- Camaro fan here... it's not that obvious right?
250hp V6
400hp Z28
500+hp SS???
that would stomp on the SRT lineup and anything else Chrysler has lined up...
<---- Camaro fan here... it's not that obvious right?
08-24-2006 | 09:39 AM
#23
Aaaarrrggghhhh!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,087
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From: Way up here ^
That's a smart move which will help sales on both sides once they're both available.
Games/stunts like that are what keeps some of these muscle cars in the limelight. "Battles" between DCX, Ford and GM, especially when it comes to muscle cars, is what it's all about.
Childish or not, I say "well-played by GM". - small golf clap
It's a game of "one-upsmanship" where each manufacturer is effectively saying their cawk is bigger/better than the competitors. I love corporate battles like this.
Games/stunts like that are what keeps some of these muscle cars in the limelight. "Battles" between DCX, Ford and GM, especially when it comes to muscle cars, is what it's all about.
Childish or not, I say "well-played by GM". - small golf clap
It's a game of "one-upsmanship" where each manufacturer is effectively saying their cawk is bigger/better than the competitors. I love corporate battles like this.
Last edited by Scribesoft; 08-24-2006 at 09:43 AM.
08-24-2006 | 09:54 AM
#24
teh Senior Instigator
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
all I know is in 3 years my GTO will be gone and i'll be in a challenger or camaro 
(Unless GM smartens up and brings over the 4 door RWD cars; I have a feeling they will)
(Unless GM smartens up and brings over the 4 door RWD cars; I have a feeling they will)
08-24-2006 | 11:52 AM
#26
'Big Daddy Diggler'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 11,016
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From: Yonkers NY
dodge better step up the game, Chevy might be dropping an all aluminum version of the 6.2(3?) liter version of the escalade motor with about 430 horses and similar tq. And May even have the z06 motor as an SS model.
08-25-2006 | 10:42 PM
#33
Team Owner
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From: Hellertown, Pa. USA
Originally Posted by RyeCL
drop the Z06 in the saturn sky or pontiac solstice...that thing would fly...
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm
08-28-2006 | 10:04 AM
#37
'Big Daddy Diggler'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 11,016
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From: Yonkers NY
Originally Posted by treyster
I'll buy one, I'll even take the small V8, I probably won't want to pay for the Hemi
08-28-2006 | 02:40 PM
#40
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Lenexa, KS
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Get out your checkbook.....It's already been done.....
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm
wow, you can get that car with 600HP!! holy crap