View Full Version : Bob Lutz and the state of the F-Body.


Infamous
Dec 17th, 02, 06:59 AM
[ 04-23-2003, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: Infamous ]

Infamous
Dec 17th, 02, 07:10 AM
[ 04-23-2003, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: Infamous ]

toycarlvr@aol.com
Dec 17th, 02, 07:22 AM
Tony...
Thanks for the insight! It's sad that a great Company such as yours can't offer a profitable suitable replacement for the F body. Times they are a changing... and what GM DOESN'T need right now is another anchor to hold them down.

Sad... very sad http://www.camaros.net/forum/frown.gif

Jeff H
Dec 17th, 02, 10:48 AM
GM never tried to keep the F-body around. The last real F-body commercial they had was for the 98 Ram Air TransAm(how can you forget that commercial). So they don't advertise the F-body for 4 years and then say sales dropped off because people aren't interested, that's bull! The real reason they dropped the F-body is because the plant where they are built is outdated and only produces the F-body, no other lines of cars or trucks. They wanted to shut down that plant for a long time so they could increase production of SUV's and pickups elsewhere. It's obvious that people are convinced they have to have an SUV or a truck. I just hope the F-body does make a comeback at another plant and it stays RWD.

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Jeff H - Hugger Orange 69 Z28, original factory JL8 brakes, cross-ram & GM fiberglass hood, TI setup, heater and radio delete, Stahl headers, Minilite wheels - being restored - 87 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Turbo

69ProTouring
Dec 17th, 02, 11:04 AM
Too bad about his negative views on the future of the F-body, but I still think it's cool that Bob Lutz visited my website. http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

I wonder what he thought of the Mule? Didn't Lutz play a key role in the start of the Viper?

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Updated Pics of my 69 (http://webpages.charter.net/gulb93/index.htm)

69 Rat
Dec 19th, 02, 02:54 PM
HUGE bummer.
I've never understood why GM felt the need to hand the keys to the Ford Mustang to so many people by ending their competition.
Yuck.

CFunK
Dec 19th, 02, 07:06 PM
Anthony, I applaud your willingness to email him and make your opinion known. Just a question, had he given any positive info about a 5th Gen, would you have posted his response?

Personally, I think Lutz is putting alot of performance stock on Holden.

Great things down under this way will come, assuming they can hold the price.

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-Funk
My '67 RS (http://www.funkconsulting.com/67camaro)


[This message has been edited by CFunK (edited 12-19-2002).]

Infamous
Jan 2nd, 03, 04:12 AM
[ 04-23-2003, 05:35 AM: Message edited by: Infamous ]

gheatly
Jan 3rd, 03, 07:26 AM
"We didn't take care of that segment as well as Ford did with the Mustang."

Hmmm, so what is Chevrolet going to do?

I guess they should go ahead and give up building cars since none of their cars are market leaders in their category.

Oh, and let's quit building pickups because Ford sells more F150s.

That is such a defeatist mentality.

JohnZ
Jan 3rd, 03, 10:08 AM
I've worked directly for Bob on several major programs since 1987, and I know him very well; he understands exactly what you're talking about, but he's not about to reveal or even speculate about future product plans, although he's always interested in gearhead opinions and is a good listener http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

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JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

CFunK
Jan 3rd, 03, 02:25 PM
John, given your experience working with him do you feel he has what it takes to bring GM back to the performance table?



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-Funk
My '67 RS (http://www.funkconsulting.com/67camaro)

novaderrik
Jan 3rd, 03, 02:36 PM
i think they are working on something- but are not saying anything. this is just my opinion, and based on nothing but a gut feeling. they are letting all the enthusiasts get a pissed over not having anything to buy that compares to the Mustang, creating a need for something to fill that role. they are looking at what the Mustang does well, and what they screwed up on the F body. they are gonna come out of deep left field with something- and i bet it will be good. probably not cheap, but good. perhaps they are waiting to see how the GTO goes over, see what people like and what they dislike about it.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

DjD
Jan 3rd, 03, 02:57 PM
.02 from me on this one. It's easier to say nothings coming and grin when you unvail the surprise than to build up hope and disapoint folks. Also what better way to help the success of the SSR and GTO from a sales stand point if they don't have to compete with a new Camaro...

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ww.jpg), the '96 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg) our local club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"
and the "daily driver" (http://chevelles.com/showroom/DjD/dsc00016.jpg)

MrDanB
Jan 3rd, 03, 05:27 PM
Dennis, I agree 100% with your statement! Periodically, I receive "forwarded" e-mails from a brand manager for GM...When asked about the future replacement of the Camaro, he was just evasive and said "don't worry"...
This can be taken any way 'ya like. I believe it means there is gonna be one bad, hopped up "super car" on the horizon! If the Camaro (in particular) doesn't make a return, well, I guess all of us 1st genners make more equity on our little pieces of Americana!

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WHAT'S THE BACK OF A MUSTANG LOOK LIKE?

72SSAbody
Jan 4th, 03, 03:19 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CFunK:
Just a question, had he given any positive info about a 5th Gen, would you have posted his response?


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hell would have to freeze over first.

I've had to sign my life away too (confidentiality agreements, patent rights etc) for projects that are coming out onto the market. Seen the V-Rod? I know it and will always call it by its code name..."P4".

Anthony,
Watch your back bud! This could be taken as a breach of your confidentiality agreement. And you don't want to be on the job market right now (it sucks).

Joe



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DOUG G
Jan 4th, 03, 05:12 AM
send these pics to Mr. Lutz ? So he can see what "we" want.&lt;Thanks to '84ElCaminoSS&gt;http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4035187

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My '68 Camaro (http://hometown.aol.com/Dougs68Camaro/index.html)
Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.
13.5@102 W/ 2.73POSI.



[This message has been edited by DOUG G (edited 01-04-2003).]

winmon
Jan 4th, 03, 09:52 AM
Concerning the return of the Camaro I actually talked to a "Chevy Rep" (do not want to get him in trouble!) and asked him if it will ever return. His response was "Remember the 83' Corvette?" I said "There was'nt one" (well there was one I believe, but Chevy was not happy w/ it, so they held off a year). He said "exactly!" and grinned.

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69' Z/28-R/S, X-33, Rallye Green, Chambered Exhaust,All #'s Match

'84ElCaminoSS
Jan 4th, 03, 03:51 PM
Doug G, I had to take my Camaro pics off because I am wrapped up in a private project concerning it right now. Sorry. Besides, the guys at GM wouldn't do anything with them at this point anyway. I have been told that if it wasn't designed under GM's roof, it doesn't exist to them...
-Kris

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1971 Chevelle with a built 355 and a 1984 El Camino SS

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4035187

nate
Jan 4th, 03, 04:35 PM
you guys, GM will be back with the camaro, its a legend in automotive history! what about the corvette? its been around for years and is still here. vettes are more expensive than camaros and yet, they are still here. the F-body is'nt going anywhere for a while, IMO

Buddy
Jan 4th, 03, 05:16 PM
I think if many read the book "All Corvettes Are Red" then they would get a much better understanding about the way GM works. I have complete confindence that the Camaro will be back, and will be something revolutionary like the C5 was.

Jeff H
Jan 4th, 03, 05:53 PM
What scares me the most is the other Chevrolet models that came back as front wheel drive cars, Nova(import), Malibu, Monte carlo. We want an affordable, rear wheel drive, V8 powered sports car. I'm sure it will be back, but the real question is when?

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Jeff H - Hugger Orange 69 Z28, original factory JL8 brakes, cross-ram & GM fiberglass hood, TI setup, heater and radio delete, Stahl headers, Minilite wheels - being restored - 87 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Turbo

DOUG G
Jan 6th, 03, 03:35 AM
'84ElCaminoSS
hope its not a bad thing that your "wrapped up in" &lt;legal issue&gt; but most liked it, I for one did... ALOT. Good luck

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My '68 Camaro (http://hometown.aol.com/Dougs68Camaro/index.html)
Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.
13.5@102 W/ 2.73POSI.

Infamous
Jan 6th, 03, 05:33 AM
[ 04-23-2003, 05:35 AM: Message edited by: Infamous ]

69ProTouring
Jan 6th, 03, 05:48 AM
Trapin, I agree 100%, there is nothing about this statement that wasn't already public knowledge.

"Sadly, the F-cars are gone for now, and there is no RWD "pony car" in the works. We didn't take care of that segment as well as Ford did with the Mustang. We'll have great products, but not F-type cars."

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Updated Pics of my 69 (http://webpages.charter.net/gulb93/index.htm)

nate
Jan 6th, 03, 08:17 AM
i seriously think that big GM tycoon was lying when he said there was no f-body in production right now for the simple fact is that ford has been competing with chevy for a number of years with the mustang. i don't think that GM would lie down and let ford win. like Buddy said in a preious post, the f-body will return and be something revolutionary like the c5 was. GM might just be trying to blow ford out of the water with the camaro.

Dan Moore
Jan 6th, 03, 01:19 PM
I saw the new GTO on the tube last night. It is rear wheel drive with 300+ HP. GM is apparently still prepared to put out rear wheel muscle so I am more hopeful than ever that a new camaro would be everything we want it to be.

sik68
Jan 6th, 03, 07:27 PM
I can think of an example of GM conceding to Ford: the Silverado SS. They put an SS badge on it and expect it not to be compared to the lighting, in which it loses the battle.

Infamous
Jan 7th, 03, 05:25 AM
Loses the battle??!!!

The Silverado SS is 10 times better looking then the lightening. And it will hold it's own in the performance catagory as well.

Loses the battle??!!! Pleeeease!!!!

Spames
Jan 7th, 03, 05:38 AM
The 6 speed 400 HP concept Silverado SS was definitely a lightning chaser. This extedned cab, fully loaded, 345 HP slush box AWD thing probably won't come close to a lightning unless it's raining.

Not that I don't like it (I dream about owning one), but this production model isn't anywhere close to what they said it would be.

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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

GDV350SS
Jan 7th, 03, 09:06 AM
To continue this discussion about a possible 5th generation F body, I found these two links that I thought were interesting:
http://www.indycamaro.com/camaronews.htm
http://www.gminsidenews.com/rumormill1.htm

These may have been discussed before but I don't remember seeing them. Any thoughts?

Doug



[This message has been edited by GDV350SS (edited 01-07-2003).]

sik68
Jan 7th, 03, 10:18 AM
Looks dont win races down the 1/4 mile though, and for Chevy to call it an SS without having the performance to back it up is sad.

Infamous
Jan 7th, 03, 04:27 PM
It's a truck, not a race car.

Besides, you never know...Chevy might come out with a regular cab/short box SS.

Actually, if you wanna talk about these trucks from a performance perspective, Ford should be counting their blessings that the SS is an extended cab.

If it weren't, they'd be peeing themselves.

I've driven Ford's Lightening...and it's nothing to write home about.