CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: littlefriend on February 01, 2013, 10:57:05 PM

Title: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: littlefriend on February 01, 2013, 10:57:05 PM
 Hello all!
      The seems to be THE most comprehensive Camaro source there is, fascinating stuff.
I'm interested in GM, Chevy and automotive history in general. I'm considering making a database on GM suppliers, particularly the 30's through 60's. By suppliers I mean the companies that made rubber parts, carpet, dash knobs , doodads , etc. I'd like to see exactly how many business's were in involved, how many people employed, and the logistics of production.
      If you have anything to contribute, PLEASE DO! If you worked for GM or it's suppliers, I'd love to hear from you. Without history, there is no context, without context, no meaning. Looking forward to hear from you.Any leads on records available would also help!
Also legends and lore, Camaro related.
PS. Do any of you know why I chose the screen name I did?
                Thanks,
                     Gary
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: vtfb68 on February 01, 2013, 11:55:42 PM
seems a little personal. (sorry, could not resist). welcome aboard and don't forget to share your findings. Good luck on your endevor.
      Victor
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: HOT3O2 on February 02, 2013, 12:33:34 AM
Your an Al Pacino fan?
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: 67conv6cyl on February 02, 2013, 01:16:44 AM
"camaro" means friend in French?
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: lakeholme on February 02, 2013, 02:01:48 AM
"camaro" means friend in French?
X2
Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: littlefriend on February 03, 2013, 09:05:44 PM
"camaro" means friend in French?

   Bingo! Sort of. The Camaro was hyped for quite a while before it actually introduced. One of the things I remember about the mysterious Chevy "answer to the Mustang" was it was supposed to mean "little friend" or some such in either Spanish or French!
THANKS for the welcomes! My fav Camaro is the 67! I like cars with vent windows!
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: Mike S on February 03, 2013, 09:16:03 PM
An excerpt from an article 'The History of Camaro'....

...............Chevrolet produced an old French dictionary showing that the word meant "friend" or "companion"

Mike
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 03, 2013, 09:21:03 PM
So were driving a french inspired car ?!!!
"puke"
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: Mike S on February 03, 2013, 09:38:56 PM
 I was holding back but here is the whole paragraph....
Finally, the car was introduced to the press as the Camaro, considered to be a good name because nobody knew what it meant. Chevrolet produced an old French dictionary showing that the word meant "friend" or "companion", but Ford found an alternate meaning in an old Spanish dictionary-"a small, shrimp-like creature."The automotive press had a good laugh over that, and an even bigger one when one journalist found yet another meaning-"loose bowels." It didn't take long for the laughter to stop after the introduction of the stunning 1967 Camaro!

  Speaking from my own personal experience over the years........'friend', 'companion' or 'shrimp'...I've been in a few really fast ones that almost gave me "loose bowels."  :D

Mike
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: WorkinProgress on February 04, 2013, 02:01:56 AM
BULLITT65, thanks for the laugh!
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: MyRed67 on February 04, 2013, 04:58:47 AM
  Speaking from my own personal experience over the years........'friend', 'companion' or 'shrimp'...I've been in a few really fast ones that almost gave me "loose bowels." 
Mike[/quote]    I totally agree!

  Welcome aboard, I hope you find as much help and info. here as I have.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: philip on February 04, 2013, 12:00:11 PM
"camaro" means friend in French?

NO it's "camarade" in french.... CAMARO isn't a french word
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: vtfb68 on February 04, 2013, 03:27:27 PM
"Chevrolet" is a french name.
   VT
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 04, 2013, 03:46:58 PM
a little more history....  :)

"Louis-Joseph Chevrolet (December 25, 1878 – June 6, 1941) was a Swiss-born American race car driver of French descent, founder of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911 and later, the Frontenac Motor Corporation in 1916 which made racing parts for Ford's Model T.[1]"
and ...
"On November 3, 1911 Chevrolet cofounded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company with Durant (by now ousted from General Motors) and investment partners William Little (maker of the Little automobile) and Dr. Edwin R. Campbell (son-in-law of Durant). The company was established in Detroit, one story tells the choosing of the company's logo as a stylized Swiss cross, to honor his parents' homeland.[4] Another story tells of the Chevrolet logo as a design taken from a Paris Hotel room wallpaper that Louis once stayed in.  Chevrolet had differences with Durant over the cars design and in 1915 sold Durant his share in the company. By 1916 the profits from the Chevrolet company allowed Durant to repurchase a controlling stake in General Motors, and by 1917 the Chevrolet company that Louis had cofounded was folded into General Motors."

Personal recollections... 
What I recall from when the Camaro was introduced was that 'camaro' mean friend or companion and I think I recall 'spanish' as being the language, but trying to look up the word today or even using translators from variuos languages doesn't work because words in any language  derive from people's usage and today 'Camaro' means 'The BEST 4-seat sports car made in the '60's'.... :)

PS.  When the Camaro was introduced, I was a freshman in college.  I recall talking to my dad one evening when he got home from work and he said.. "I think I'm going to buy a 'camreo'... (this was the way he pronounced it)..  I said 'A what'??   he replied, a 'Camreo'..  one of those new Chevrolets!" ..   

Gary
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: littlefriend on February 04, 2013, 06:12:03 PM

  Interesting stuff!
But, back to my original post, you guys are restorers and drivers, when you replace your OEM parts what does it say on them? Are there logos, company names etc? Maybe everything is GM or Delco, I really don't know. You guys have the experience I'm looking for.
Anybody work for GM? Anybody KNOW someone that worked for GM?
Help!
Should I put another post on various boards? You guys know this place, help me out!
Thanks.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: bertfam on February 04, 2013, 06:24:23 PM
Good reading HERE (http://doonan.home.mindspring.com/history.html) and HERE (http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/index.spark?aBID=118110&p=3&topicID=37134625&page=1&sort=newestFirst), with additional info on Delco Remy HERE (http://www.delcoremyhistory.com/Plant%20Photos/oldplantphotos.htm).

Ed
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 04, 2013, 07:12:02 PM
FANTASTIC information Ed.. Lotsa info I haven't heard/read before... :)
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 04, 2013, 07:14:36 PM
There are a handful of items that are reproduced that are authorized by GM. Most everything else is reproduced for first Gen Camaros is made in China. Year One, OPG, there are numerous suppliers, some parts are reproduced by different companies with varying degrees of quality. If a Camaro owner wants a sure fit or top shelf part, he/she will look for an original or New old stock GM part. There are actually quite a bit of NOS parts still available from private sellers, who have stock pilled parts over the years. A parts car will turn up from time to time, and is a good source for original parts.  Most of the time reproduction is frowned upon because you have a good chance of it not fitting, or looking correct. The NOS or original is as good as it gets, but not all reproduction parts bad. Trim parts makes nice emblems for Camaros as well as many other makes and models, I have never received a bad emblem from them, and I would rate them as one of the better reproduction companies out there. I believe that all of there items are GM licensed, I am unsure if they are using the original tooling or not, but they make a nice product. There are also other guys out there like Jerry MacNeish who certifies Camaros, and he also sells a limited amount of parts, or rebuilt items like alternators, distributors, and smog systems. His smog systems for instance use some reproduction parts, but visually I am told are spot on.
I hope this helps you out in getting an understanding of the parts situation for first Gen Camaros.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: firstgenaddict on February 04, 2013, 07:25:58 PM
Theoretically you could take it so far down the line through packaging and paper/pulpwood production it would be ludicrous.
I sold paperboard to many of the folding carton manufacturers whose logos are on the flaps of the paperboard cartons GM products were packaged in from the 60's to present.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie.
Post by: littlefriend on February 04, 2013, 10:55:34 PM
Theoretically you could take it so far down the line through packaging and paper/pulpwood production it would be ludicrous.
I sold paperboard to many of the folding carton manufacturers whose logos are on the flaps of the paperboard cartons GM products were packaged in from the 60's to present.

     I don't want to take it that far, just understand the process. During the "bailout), there was much talk about how many jobs were auto related, I would think there were even more in the 40's thru 60's, if for no other reason than relative lack of automation more labor intensive), and purchasing from American rather than foreign suppliers