Originally Posted by With envy
Jan, I apologize for my lack of clarity. It was, after all, a late night adrenaline fueled rant. I never meant to imply that the Fifth Generation Camaro has a "shelf life", I was referring to interest in C5 Fest. I was speaking of the phenomenon that is us- the Fifth Generation community. Not the car. The Camaro is forever. This car is undoubtedly, in my mind, a future classic. It will one day take it's place among the Tri-fives, Stingrays, First-Gen Z-28s, Split bumper Second Gens, Chevelles, and so on. But for right now, it's the new thing. And for some, much of it's appeal lies there. When you go to a 5th gen event; there are no "beaters" there. None of the cars you see were found decaying behind a barn somewhere, and then lovingly restored. Or perhaps still being restored.
We bought our cars immaculate, and we work to keep them that way. We try to find new ways to make them better, different, a reflection of our individuality. We're charting unexplored territory, trying to do "what hasn't been done already".
But as you have learned from when you wave at another Camaro owner on the road, and the gesture is greeted with indifference- Not everybody who owns, shares our enthusiasm. And you can even see it on C5. Some have already sold their Camaro and moved on to the "next" thing.
Soon, even GM will have to move on and retool to compete in the marketplace. It's called "planned obsolescence". The spotlight will move off of our cars, and with it will go some of the people we associate with today. Enthusiasm will wane, and events will shrink. Eventually the 5th gen will join the other four generations under the broad banner of "Camaro".
It's not all gloom and doom. For those of us diehards who regard this automobile as a fountain of youth; we will continue to cherish and enjoy it for as long as our expiration dates will permit. We will continue to gather with others who feel the way we do about this, and other generations that wear the Camaro nameplate.
I do like to think however, that somewhere in the not too distant future, a kid will find one of these cars behind that barn. And that it will ignite a life-long passion for him as it has for me. And the Camaro will live on the way it has for us!
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