Hot Wheels Classics: Thefts of Chevy Camaros

Nearly 500,000 Thefts Over Its Lifespan

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May 26, 2015, 06:00 ET

DES PLAINES, Ill., May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If leading the pack as a pace car at the Indianapolis 500 is any acknowledgment of a car's connection to performance, then Chevrolet Camaro's eight trips around the track is second only to the Corvette's record of 13.

Although the Corvette's pace car showings are more numerous, its first appearance was in 1978—25 years after its 1953 debut production. The Camaro's first Indy 500 appearance was in 1967—the same year it was introduced to America.

From 1975 through 1989, drivers from various circuits (Indy, NASCAR, Formula One) raced against each other driving identically-prepared Chevy Camaros in the International Race of Champions* (IROC). For several years, Chevrolet produced a Camaro IROC-Z28 model in recognition of its IROC competition.

Market conditions caused Chevrolet to cease Camaro production after the 2002 model year and it remained dormant until 2010 when it re-emerged in its present—and popular—fifth-generation version. Chevrolet is looking for even greater results with the all-new, sixth-generation 2016 Camaro which will be available later this year.

NICB reviewed Camaro theft data from 1981-2014 and identified 486,783 theft records. Although theft data from 1967 is available, confidence in pre-1981 theft records is low due to the inconsistency in reporting protocols and vehicle identification number (VIN) systems in use prior to 1981. When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated standardized VINs beginning with the 1981 model year, that year became the benchmark for reliable data used in all Hot Wheels Classics reports.

The top five years for Camaro thefts were 1989 (35,881 thefts), 1988 (33,975), 1990 (33,576), 1987 (32,110) and 1991 (31,291). The top five model years for Camaro thefts were 1984 (54,533), 1986 (53,422), 1985 (43,238), 1982 (37,687) and 1987 (36,225).

See the complete report here, or copy and paste the link below into your web browser. https://www.nicb.org/File%20Library/Public%20Affairs/CamaroAnnualTheftsthru2014for-release.xls

As always, readers should note that inconsistency and inaccuracy with vehicle theft reporting may impact the accuracy and reliability of this data.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Race_of_Champions

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422), texting keyword "fraud" to TIP411 (847411) or submitting a form on our website. Or, download the NICB Fraud Tips app on your iPhone or Android device.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Head-quartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote $371 billion in insurance premiums in 2013, or more than 78 percent of the nation's property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 93 percent ($168 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau