1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company.
Editor’s note: This piece comes to us from new Hemmings contributor Vaughn Parham.
More timeless than the back-and-forth battles between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the faceoff between the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro is the classic car equivalent of a round-for-round rumble that rivalries are made of. Car enthusiasts have duked it out since 1967, debating which symbol of American muscle edges out the other to take the belt as champion of the highways. An upcoming exhibit at the California Auto Museum entitled Mustang Vs. Camaro: What side are you on? hopes to settle the issue with feedback from museum visitors and even commentary from the Internet.
Since the later years of the 1960s, American automobile enthusiasts have debated which rear-wheel drive pony car takes the belt as the championed classic. Beginning in 1964, with the creation of a redesigned Ford Falcon, the stages were set. The Ford Mustang, first introduced at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York, experienced unprecedented success. Selling 400,000 units in its first year of production, the Mustang attracted young buyers with its sporty good looks and available V-8 power. Seeing the blazing success of the Mustang, General Motors rose to the occasion providing a champion pony of its own. On September 29th, 1966, GM presented its response in the form of the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. Over the years, the iconic pony cars developed a rivalry that enthusiasts continue to debate today.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Photo courtesy General Motors.
This competition has been a driving force for both Ford and Chevrolet throughout history. Last year, on the 50th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang, General Motors sent the best of birthday wishes to its cross-town counterpart. In a well-marketed advertisement, GM executives celebrated 50 years of production and squabble with a candle lit, aluminum grey Z/28 carrying the message “Happy Birthday Mustang, Here’s to another 50 years of rivalry. Your friend, Camaro.” If car crazies can agree on one thing, it is certain that the horse race between the Camaro and the Mustang has helped the industry and kept the automotive spirits high throughout history.
Running from June 20 through October 18, the California Automobile Museum will display a generations-transcending exhibit evaluating the pony car pair at every point of their reigns. From the legendary performance days of the late 1960s, to the dark patches in the 1970s, to the rebirth of muscle in the 1980s, car lovers will see and experience the rivalry in all its stages. Attendees will look on as Mustangs and Camaros of all generations will be compared and contrasted once again. Both stock and altered vehicles will be on display in an attempt to answer the long time question, Mustang Vs. Camaro: What side are you on?
If you cannot make it to 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, California to participate in the pony exhibit in person, don’t be discouraged. The California Automobile Museum is inviting enthusiasts to take a side and be a part of the exhibit from afar by submitting a story before June 1. Stories chosen will be displayed in the exhibit opening in an attempt to decide once and for all, Mustang or Camaro?
For complete details, or to submit a story, visit CalAutoMuseum.org.
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