The Camaro shared its platform and major components with the Firebird, produced by General Motors' Pontiac division that was also introduced for the 1967 model year.

[8][9] Before any official announcement, reports began running during April 1965 within the automotive press that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Ford Mustang, code-named Panther.

The following day, the same journalists received another General Motors telegram stating, "Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet public relations SEPAW secretary."

[10] On June 28, 1966, General Motors held a live press conference in Detroit's Statler-Hilton Hotel.

Concerned with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet executives realized that the sporty version of their compact rear-engine Corvair, the Monza, would not be able to generate the sales volume of the Mustang because of limitations with that layout (including its inability to share the whole range of Chevrolet engines) and declining sales, the latter partly owing to the negative publicity from Ralph Nader's book Unsafe at Any Speed.

It came with stripes on the hood and trunk (that could be deleted at no charge), styled rally road wheels, and a special 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engine that had been developed for Trans-Am Series racing.

The 1980 and 1981 Z28 models included an air induction hood scoop with an intake door that opened under full throttle.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Regulations required a CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Lamp) starting with the 1986 model year.

The convertible body style returned in 1987 after being last produced in 1969, and all models came with a unique "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" leather map pocket.

It retained the same characteristics since its introduction in 1967: a coupé body style with 2+2 seating (with an optional T-top roof) or convertible (reintroduced in 1994), rear-wheel drive, pushrod 6-cylinder, and V8 engines.

[17] The SS versions (1998-2002) received slightly improved exhaust and intake systems, bigger wheels and tires, a slightly revised suspension for improved handling and grip while retaining ride comfort, an arc-shaped rear wing for downforce, and different gearing ratios for faster acceleration, over the Z28 models.

The 2014 Camaro was unveiled at the 2013 New York Auto Show, with a refreshed body style and the return of a Z/28 model.

[28] Upgrades included a slimmer grille along with a larger lower fascia and new fog lights along with taillights that took styling cues from the original first-generation Camaro.

[29] On May 16, 2015, Chevrolet introduced the sixth generation Camaro at Belle Isle Park in Detroit for the 2016 model year.

In response to customer demand, Chevrolet offered two 1LE packages for V6 and V8 models, each visually distinguished with a satin black vinyl-wrapped hood and specific wheels.

The Nightfall Gray Metallic exterior color (with a black top on convertible models) and exclusive 20-inch 50th Anniversary wheels set it apart.

The edition also included specific 50th Anniversary stripes, badges, a unique grille with satin chrome accents, and a body-colored front splitter.

Inside, the car featured a black leather interior with suede inserts, orange accent stitching, and special treatments on the instrument panel, seatbacks, steering wheel, and illuminated sill plates.

The ZL1 1LE performance package introduces improved aerodynamics, a new racing-inspired adjustable suspension, and new lightweight forged aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires created especially for the ZL1 1LE.

The ZL1 1LE shares the ZL1's supercharged 650 hp (485 kW; 659 PS) LT4 engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match.

The rear fascia featured new split taillights colored red on the LS and LT and a unique clear lens on the SS and ZL1.

The interior received Chevrolet's then-new "Infotainment 3" system over their aging MyLink, with a standard backup camera to meet updated US Federal regulations.

[42] The update was met with overall acclaim, with emphasis on driving but certain news outlets were particularly harsh on the SS' updated design, with Motor Trend's Christian Seabaugh calling it "botched plastic surgery" and even going so far to suggest that Chevrolet dock the design staff's pay to cover the engineering staff's raise.

Chevrolet worked with Roger Penske to operate their unofficially factory-backed Trans Am team, winning the title in 1968 and 1969 with Mark Donohue.

Road racing Camaros can currently be found in the Sports Car Club of America's American Sedan series.

The Camaro also paced races at Daytona, Watkins Glen, Mosport in Canada, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Camaro ZL1 was introduced in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018, replacing the discontinued Chevrolet SS.

In the Australian 2023 Supercars Championship, the sixth generation Camaro ZL1 replaced the Holden Commodore ZB as the General Motors representative.

[48] General Motors has made product placement, or embedded marketing, deals for the Chevrolet Camaro in numerous media.

[64][65] The vehicle mode of the fictional character Bumblebee in the 2007 film, Transformers, is first depicted as a 1976 Camaro[66] and later a fifth-generation concept variant.