NOTICE - Dallas Area Classic Chevys Message Board Will Soon Be Deactivated

[David Graves]

Chevrolet says it is planning a return to the rear-wheel-drive sedan market and possibly the coupe segment as well. It abandoned the performance coupe niche in 2002 with the phase-out of the Camaro, and the rear-drive sedan segment in 1996, when the Caprice sedan was terminated.
A fall announcement of Chevy’s intentions to restore the Corvette’s rear-drive companions is forthcoming, says general manager Ed Peper. Chevrolet dealers have been urging the division to bring back a competitive sports coupe for the sold-out 2005-model Ford Mustang and the coming Pontiac Solstice. Jim Campbell, Chevrolet car marketing manager, told Automotive News (June 27) that without a Mustang-battling rear-wheel drive coupe, “I wake up every day knowing that I am spotting Ford 150,000 to 200,000 units a year.”
In the Corvette arena, Chevrolet also confirmed that on June 15 it sent its dealers allocation letters for the Z06 edition coming this fall. The Z06 will carry a 7.0-liter, 505-horsepower V-8 engine and price from $65,800. Only 4,000 to 5,000 Z06 models will be built in its first full year, and allocations will be authorized only for medium or high-volume Corvette dealers. The Z06 will zip from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 second, according to Campbell.
Lacking a Caprice, Chevrolet has no competitor for Chrysler’s 300 or Ford’s Crown Victoria, either, in the rear-drive personal-sedan or police markets, respectively.