Most car enthusiasts consider the 1980's to be the "Chevy decade". Although the Chevrolet Corvette was always considered a collector's item, there was an increasing interest in many different types of Chevy's. For quite some time the Ford Model T, Model "A", V-8, Continental, and Lincoln-Zephyrs were considered the dominant force. More recently the 1965-66 Mustangs started to increase their following too.
It is not difficult to determine the point in time where Chevy automobiles became known as more than just a mode of reliable transportation. In 1955 the 2165 V-8 gas engine was unveiled by Ed Cole, and it was housed in one of the most amazing automobiles of the "post-war era". It should come as no surprise, then that that strong engine also found its way into the Chevrolet Corvette. Ever since, the Corvette has become a celebrated a high performance vehicle.
All of the Corvettes have been considered highly collectible automobiles, and the most desirable is the 1955-57 Chevrolet.
Led by these two landmark Chevrolets, enthusiasm for other models grew right into the 1970's. A lot of attention was placed on the Corvair initially, because it was a rear engined car based on the Volkswagen Beetle and made by a US automaker. The Corvair stopped production in 1969 due to safety concerns with an older version of the automobile. This was done even though the Corvair's safety issues and handling were addressed. There are still Corvair enthusiasts today.
The steady level of interest in vintage models all the way back to the 1930's and 1940's continued as well. What made it all happen was just one word: "Camaro".
Some have said that the success of the Camaro was all based on marketing. Chevrolet's marketing department responded to the release of the Ford Mustang with the Camaro. It is commonly said that imitation is the best form of flattery, but an imitator can never be quite as good as the original. However, Chevy was definitely as good, if not better.
The Camaro was extremely conventional when compared to the Corvette. Aside from the Z-28 it was not considered a fast automobile.
What is it that makes the Camaro a legend, and a car that is so eagerly sought after? The answered can be summed up in one word: "Personality". All of the Camaro's have had personality -- like the RS and its sporty looking tires, and the Z-28 with its prowess, as well as the styling of the 1970's coupes. This flair for style passed through to the models of the 1980's, which maintained the "Ponycar" spirit from the 1960's.
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