Comparing the Gen 1 Camaros to the new Camaros or cars of any type is apples and oranges. My first car was a 55 Chevy with a 265 cu. in. 3 spd O.D. and vacuum wipers. The next, 60 Impala was a huge improvement. The 67 Camaro was not significantly an improvement for ride. My wife's 85 Monte SS was a comfort improvement and handling too, not to mention safety.
Most new cars handle and ride like a living room sofa. The power difference is amazing as one horsepower per cubic inch from the 283 was thought amazing in 1957. All boy and girls still want fast toys.
The 2012 Camaro you reference has little value as a modern car due to the modifications in my opinion. I had a 71 Vega with a small block, Nash 5 speed, and 12 bolt in the mid 70s, much the same for comparison to modern cars of the era.
The new cars have technology developed with over half a century of experience and combined knowledge. The improvements from the model A to the mid century cars were amazing.
Classic cars are mistresses of love. They sweeten your memories and dreams, but at a cost that can be severe.

 

The later Gen cars are more powerful, handle and stop far better than anything made in the 60’s and get superior mileage too. Unfortunately they are visually challenged and did not sell all that well except the first few years of the Gen 5.

While not stunning in the visual appeal I can see the Gen 6 ZL1 cars being valuable in the future. Absolute blast to drive though not easy to see out of.

I’m a BB fan but honestly the LS3, LT1 and LT4 are by far the best engines ever put into a Camaro. Same can be said about the Tremec 6060 tranny.

All new cars to me lack the appeal of the 60’s Chevys. Camaro, Chevelle, Nova and Impala are just cool.

 

While not stunning in the visual appeal I can see the Gen 6 ZL1 cars being valuable in the future. Absolute blast to drive though not easy to see out of.

Stunning is in the eye of the beholder. I love the look, but not sure they should have kept the name. Also stunned that Ford and Mopar did a better job, as far as looks, than Chevy did. At some point, the lower end Challengers are going to be a great platform for hotrodders. Same with the lower end Mustangs. Maybe the Camaros also, but not sure they captured the real Spirit, that they never knew would develop over just providing competition for the Mustang. Really, back then, I don't think they knew where it would go.

 

Plastic VS Metal, Analog VS High Tech no comparison as with most things. I like both, visibility is poor as is my 70Z was, C5 is, 99 Z vert is terrible so what else is new. I can work on the older ones makes it a pleasure at 76, kinda like the AMT models we built. . . . .hell they were plastic!!

 

''Plastic VS Metal'' hahah, good one! Agree with you!

 

All I can say is things are different now than then. Nostalgia paints things in a different light. Old Camaros were good at the time. I liked them so much I swore off Mustangs and have been consumed with Camaros since.
Realistically comparing then and now, there is now comparison. Ride, handling,m braking, power, safety, comfort and more are all better now.

 

This is why I like restomods. It's a blend of both. You get the feel and styling of the older car, (I prefer the real metal and alumimum over the plastic metal-looking parts), with some of the technology that helps them drive, ride, and handle more like a modern car. And without as many "nannies" that a modern car has, which IMO detracts from the driving experience. That stuff is tolerable (most cases) if it's just a commuter, but when I'm driving my classic I want to be in full control.

 

I would be hard pressed to choose IF I could only have one...

69 M/B...................................................................................................2024 Yenko

 

EASY CHOICE FOR ME. one of those two cars is BUTT UGLY

 

Technology has jumped leaps and bounds over the last 58 years since it was first introduced. IMO, there is no comparison.
The way I see it is the 1st and 2nd gen Camaro's were the must have's when I started driving in '74 and at the time one of the best street cars available and was somewhat affordable. It just depends what era you started driving in as to what generation you are naturally drawn to. I've had 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen Camaros but have not had a 5th or 6th. Realizing the 5th and 6th generations are awesome automobiles, to me I guess for being an older guy, they lack that magical appeal to me. I'd rather have a V.

 

To me, there's nothing better than to drive around in my 67. First year, period correct, and not that many driven around these days.

Not as fast as a new Camaro yes, but can't beat it's classic style. I'll be long gone when the newer Camaro's meet this criteria, so I enjoy mine now.

 

To me, there's nothing better than to drive around in my 67. First year, period correct, and not that many driven around these days.

Not as fast as a new Camaro yes, but can't beat it's classic style. I'll be long gone when the newer Camaro's meet this criteria, so I enjoy mine now.

What he said.

 

That kind of a nonsensical question

what’s better a 1944 P-51D mustang or a 2011 F-22 Raptor

 

I’ll take the Raptor so long as I don’t have to cover the maintenance costs.

 

Comparing stock old and new there is no comparison. The newer car is much better. But the same technology and engineering improvements in the newer cars are available for the old cars. When the newest Camaro was about to go back in production it looked more like a '69 and it was to come out in '09. I was ready to buy one. Would have been cool to have my '69 and an '09. But they changed it to look a bit more like a '68 and it didn't come out until '10. I think Ford did a better job with the looks of the new Mustang than Chevy did with the Camaro. Mopar also did better with the new Challenger.

 

First, one car you can completely disassemble and put back together, the other you can't.

Second, NO ONE ever stops to admire a newer car, like a first gen Camaro. Even cops come up to chat about the car.

Third, the older cars are more visceral, hands on and have more feedback.

There are more reasons, but these are the ones that first came to mind.

I've had this 67 Camaro since the early 80's and I'm liking it more and more as time goes by.

 

At the Coffee Cruisers I had a opportunity to take a spin in a friends 1070 Cadillac Coupe De Ville. What a car. Way better than a 69 Camaro, remember a Camaro was a cheap close to the bottom of the Chevy food chain, 1/2 frame in all, don't get me wrong I love them and have had 38 of my 66 cars in my life. Back to the Cadillac, he did a mild update to the BB original engine, headers and a truce duel exhaust and cam, Holly carb ending with a 450 hp, better shocks and that is it. The leather, all of it, not just the seating areas, interior is fantastic all original, quality das, door panels and is a real car. Much better than my 2018 Cadillac XTS. Camaros a different story and different appeals. And it was Turquois over black and padded top, and air ride suspension. I want one!!!!

 

Don't do this to me man! There's an absolutely gorgeous 'vert for sale in my area I've been drooling over and trying to forget about.

 

Newer one for sure as a daily driver, but I don't think many of us own First gens to be daily drivers. Both of mine were my daily drivers for many years, but now days they are toys and while fun to drive, just not daily.

 

Yeah, my 68 was a daily from 75 until I got a 77 Z in 79, then it was daily until a company car, then truck about 82, the 77 went to Dad when I bought the 85 IROC. Boss told me, "Once you drive a truck you won't go back". Pretty much true, except nice days when everything starts.

 

They will be converting todays muscle cars in 20 years to EV'S

 

Probably won’t have a choice . Gov will make that choice for you. At the very least , Penalizing you with registration fees or fuel prices. At least in my country anyway.

 

Not to taint the subject but I have a 68 Camaro and I have a 07 Mustang and I can tell you I get love for both of them on the street. The Camaro has a 454BB but I wouldn't rule out the Mustang's 6 cyl 4.0 liter it got some serious tire burning power just stay away from the watered down fuels.

 

Not to taint the subject but I have a 68 Camaro and I have a 07 Mustang and I can tell you I get love for both of them on the street. The Camaro has a 454BB but I wouldn't rule out the Mustang's 6 cyl 4.0 liter it got some serious tire burning power just stay away from the watered down fuels.

Not seeing it...

 

My 67 was daily for close to 180,000 miles. Had it since 1993. Took it apart between 2008 and 2010 for a full resto on a body cart, it’s nothing special. I fixed, sandblasted painted and redid many, many parts. It went back together in 2011 and since then continuous to evolve and become something just a little different. I have put close to 50,000 miles since 2011. It gets driven, it’s fun as hell to drive and it pretty much looks as amazing today as it did in 2011 except for some rock chips in the paint and scuff on the front valance where I hit blocking wood that fell out of a truck. I will pass this car down to my Daughters to share and grandkids to enjoy. One of my daughters helped work on it when she was growing up. It many road trips and camping trips. When I bought the car in 1993 it had been driven a lot and had clocked just over 200,000 miles. The car its self has scene tons of miles and has had many miles of smiles given to two owners. I think you would be hard pressed to accomplish anything close to that with a car built dare I say past the mid 90s. Seems the only thing newer that goes hundreds of thousands of miles is a Toyota.
As much as I can say I like the 5th gen ZL1 Camaros and mostly the 2017 and up, I’ll take my trusty old 67. For me it’s just more fun to drive, work on and it it has tons of memories that can’t be bought or replaced.

 

Wooow. Looks amazing. Where are you from? California?

 

Last few years I've had a highly modded '10 and extremely modded '67. Can't really beat the new stuff for ride quality, NVH and handling.

Of course though I had to mod the crap out of this 13.15 car and ruin it by getting it to run 10.90 on motor lol. I just sold it a few weeks ago.

Two of my past Camaros.

 

You can't beat the performance, gas milage, braking, safety features on a modern Camaro vs 1st Gen. However new Camaro just has NOTHING to compare to the style and body lines of a 1st Gen. New cars must meet much broader crash and impact standards vs 1st Gen so the high sides of a new Camaro just kill the attempted retro look of a 1st Gen. New Camaro is one huge blind spot to drive, you just can't see out of them other than windshield.

Pretty simple making 400 ish HP with a SBC, some better suspension parts and a 1st Gen is a blast to drive and look good doing so.

Just my $.02

 

You can't beat the performance, gas milage, braking, safety features on a modern Camaro vs 1st Gen. However new Camaro just has NOTHING to compare to the style and body lines of a 1st Gen. New cars must meet much broader crash and impact standards vs 1st Gen so the high sides of a new Camaro just kill the attempted retro look of a 1st Gen. New Camaro is one huge blind spot to drive, you just can't see out of them other than windshield.

Pretty simple making 400 ish HP with a SBC, some better suspension parts and a 1st Gen is a blast to drive and look good doing so.

Just my $.02

My 99 z vert has a worse blind spot than the new ones as does my C-5

 

I can deal with the blind spots in the '02 SS but the 5th and 6th gens I would have a hard time. I can't twist my body and turn my head like I used too. I guess you could just stay ahead of everyone and keep them in your rear view mirror.

 

Back in the day with this fleet, restored them at the "Camaro Guys" shop in Little Rock. Still have 2 of the verts and a truck. The Caprice was my Grandfathers car.

 

The second one 💣

 

So which classic Camaro is the closest to modern one?

 

That’s an interesting topic! Modern Camaros, like the 2012 COPO, definitely offer better performance, handling, and all the latest tech, which makes them easier and more comfortable to drive every day. But I wonder if all these advancements take away from the raw, untamed feeling that made the classic Camaros so special. Do you think the newer models enhance the Camaro’s legacy??

 

Well , we don’t all have the funds$$$.
but
Spanking a stock 4 th or 5 th gen is easily done in my opinion
And people in our hobby, aren’t normal as far as disposable income.

I love
Walking by a “ newer” car. Than my sic asss 68 Camaro.
you better bring it. If you pull up to my Z06 killer.