1967 marked the first year for the F-body platform for General Motors with the Camaro for Chevrolet and Firebird for Pontiac. The 1967 F-Body also marked the first time that General Motors used computers during the engineering process. These computers are nothing like what we have today, even our modern smart phones have more calculating power than those 1960′s computers.
The video starts with a plastic template of a human, nick named “Oscar.” With Oscar in place the Engineers can measure to make sure that he has enough leg room, hip room and ample space to move around and be comfortable. They are also trying to make sure the cockpit is efficient as possible for the driver.
“Initially, stylists are given free reign. Any interpretation is considered,” states the announcer. Their goal is to come up with, “a design that will be in style for years, look right in any setting, and have its own distinct personality,” continued the announcer. With the popularity of the first generation Camaros even 45 years later, they certainly hit the nail on the head with the design.
“A car that is easy to steer, easy to maneuver, easy to park, and with flat cornering. No excessive lean, all with a design that adds up to safety,” the announcer carries on. With the final design sketched out on paper, engineers then start putting data into the computers.
The computers themselves are relics in todays day and age where they still used tape to make calculations. “The computers are fed basic information such as size, weight distribution, center of gravity and wheelbase dimensions,” states the announcer. Once the computer completes calculations, tons of data pours out of the printer. Even though the calculations are done by computer, an Engineer is required to decode all the numbers.
While the Engineers are figuring out the mechanics of the car, artists are figuring out the outside of the car. In this case, a full size clay model is constructed. Once the design has been approved, the car moves into the production phase.
To start production, every single part on the car is hand built. This could be out of wood, clay, metal or fiberglass. Real components are studied during this process continues the announcer, “Will they go together properly? Will they work together?” They test these prototype parts in current models, such as the 1966 Chevy II shown in the video on the proving grounds.
From here, all these parts are torn down and inspected carefully. Some of the parts are put through further testing, such as a machine that shifts the transmission millions of times to check for wear and durability.
The last part of the design phase is the exterior design and trim detail. This is done on a full-scale, fiberglass prototype car. While the car looks to be a real Camaro, the car is nothing but a facade.
The final phase before full blown production is prototypes that do run. These are subjected to round the clock testing on the GM proving grounds. The car must live up to expectations in design and quality. The announcer goes on to boast about how great the car is and how the Camaro “looks dynamic from any angle.” A home run for General Motors!
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