As I sit here looking at a brochure for the 2011 Camaro that’s been sitting on my desk for weeks under a pile of junk mail and parts catalogs, I can’t help but wonder if General Motors will ever release another car to fill the gap between the current Camaro and the Corvette. First, let me explain. You see, I’m literally in love with the Corvette, but it’s just too expensive.
I do like the new Camaro overall, and though I’m not currently in the market for one at the moment (or any other car for that matter), I’m already kind of over it. The Camaro’s popularity has been out of this world, and it probably doesn’t help that my dad has been talking endlessly about adding one to his collection of classic Chevys since being released.
Arguably, no other factory-built Chevrolet during the the muscle car is more muscular, intimidating and legendary than the LS6 454-powered Super Sport Chevelle. Knowing this, I believe a retro-inspired coupe based upon the current Zeta platform would be a home run.
Though I feel that the new Camaro is a very fast and very good looking car, weirdly, it just doesn’t have that “got to have it” factor for me. I simply just don’t want one. Maybe I’m abnormal. Maybe I’m just tired of Camaros being referred to as “Bumblebees.” The fact that it has become the “Me too” car for those types who always jump on the bandwagon, just bothers me. There’s nothing about that car that really makes me want to sign my life away on a 5-6 year $40k loan.
The reborn Camaro is built on the same platform as the recently departed Pontiac G8 which was lifted from the Australian-built Zeta chassis. There’s one portion of my problem: to me, a pony car is supposed to feel small, light and nimble, not big, heavy and cumbersome. It was the realization that the Camaro’s size is closer to that of a ’70-’72 Chevelle than it’s ’67-’69 F-Body inspiration.
This modified Holden Monaro exemplifies the general dimensions that the Zeta platform provides for a late-model Chevelle. In fact, the quarter windows and C-pillar are somewhat faithful in their angular design to the '70 A-Body.
Consider this: the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport with the big LS6 454 tipped the scales at just over 3,820 pounds with a 112-inch wheelbase, while today’s Super Sport Camaro totals 3,840 pounds (equipped with a manual) and rides on an identical 112-inch wheelbase! Not exactly the numbers expected of a light-on-its-feet pony car, huh?
Thankfully, according to reports, the Camaro is due for a complete makeover for the ‘14 model year. Considering its Zeta architecture has been around since the 2004 GTO, the change is long overdue. Hopefully, this will put the Camaro right back where it belongs: in front of the Mustang. That being said, what would happen to the Holden platform? At the moment, it’s planned to be put out to pasture.
Working from a Pontiac G8 GXP, Chevrolet toyed with the idea of this Caprice SS sedan. With two more doors than what purists will accept for a latter-day Chevelle, the Zeta chassis has proven a successful one for handling high performance and aggressive handling (when properly equipped).
While Zeta may be too large for a proper Camaro, it’s not exactly antiquated. Given its dimensions and Chevrolet’s recent infatuation with tapping into its storied history, the Zeta chassis would make an excellent platform for a 2014 Chevelle. It’s already too late to propose a ’12 model year Chevelle, as it takes at least a solid two years to bring a car to market. (Look how long it’s taken to bring the Z28 out, for instance.)
Design-wise, the new Chevelle can go two ways: based off of the tried-and-true Zeta platform, the Chevelle can either retain a more angular, modern look familiar to Chevrolet’s current selection of sedans, with the same sharp edges and strong shoulder lines similar to the current Camaro or go retro and tap into considerably the most muscular Chevelle ever built, the aforementioned ‘70 Super Sport 454 LS6.
There’s one key “must” in a new Chevelle: two-doors. Making the same mistake Dodge did with its Charger is not worth repeating. Make it a two-door or don’t make it at all…
Entertaining the 1970 retro idea, the new Chevelle would need to include iconic ques like a functional cowl hood featuring the cold air flap available on the ’70-’72 models, Rally stripes over the hood and trunk lid, four round (HID) headlights in the front, and two square (LED) taillights in the rear.
Imperative to the future success of a Super Sport Chevelle is the massive cubic inch 454 plant. Building up from a LSX-inspired aluminum block, the top tier plant would be need to remain naturally-aspirated while employing all the advanced valve timing and fuel management control technology we've all come to expect from GM.
No matter how the skin was shaped, the new Chevelle Super Sport should only rely on V8 power. With two different V8s available; the upcoming 450hp direct-injected LS5 5.5L would be the base engine, while an aluminum 7.4L LSX-based plant (totaling 454 cubic inches) topped with a high-flow intake manifold, big injectors and advanced electronic throttle control will be built to grind out roughly 600-naturally-aspirated-horsepower will be the top tier engine.
How cool would it look to see that monster nestled between the fenders with “454” applied onto a painted and chromed engine cover? Backing these monstrous, but very efficient engines would be either the super strong TR6060 manual gearbox or the 6L80E transmission, borrowed from the CTS-V.
Although sleek and curvaceous, the 2004 "SS" concept vehicle failed to inspire enthusiasts despite its long hood/short deck lid styling. Additionally, the integrated four-door platform wasn't hidden enough to fool the two-door coupe purists.
Modern production muscle cars need to handle, so throw in the IRS from the current CTS-V, an aluminum 1-piece driveshaft, a lowered suspension with superb handling, Brembo 4-piston brake calipers, and wider, taller and modernized 20-inch aluminum versions of the original SS wheels, wrap them in grippy Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber. Underneath, a true-dual stainless exhaust system with a cross over pipe and stainless oval exhaust tips similar to what the ’70 had would complete the package.
GM did a bang-up job making the Camaro’s cabin look like a modernized version of the ‘69, and I feel the new Chevelle’s interior should feel like a 1970 Chevelle, but with all of the creature comforts you’d expect from a car of this magnitude. It would need to be available with OnStar, GPS, XM, keyless entry, HUD, remote start, security system, and like all modern GM cars, a high end stereo system, but none of these luxuries would be mandatory, of course.
Although a rather large departure from the original '70 Chevelle SS, the 2004 concept "SS" did have some nice "throw backs" include the "horseshoe" gear shifter synonymous with the 1970 A-Bodies. For our proposed retro '14 Chevelle we would prefer an interior design more faithful to the source material, similar to the 5th Gen. Camaro.
Wait, what? That’s right, the Super Sport of the new decade should be available in a stripped down version, with cloth seats and the Camaro’s entry-level 1LS base interior package. I estimate an entry level base price starting at $35,000 and have the fully-loaded LSX 454-version come in just under $50,000, and Chevrolet will have another winner on its hands.
With the recent demise of Pontiac effectively wiping out any chance for a return of the Firebird or GTO, and now with a total of four “core brands” and only a total of three performance cars under the roof of General Motors North America, surely there’s room for one more. I firmly believe that the new Chevelle could very well be it. GM, if you build it like how I proposed it, I’d buy one tomorrow.
-Rick Seitz
If done right, this could be a big seller for GM 
