What were the GMMG Camaro programs?
GMMG's Camaro programs focused on 2000 through 2002 model year Camaros. They included the:
-
Berger SS
-
Tom Henry SS
-
Hot Rod Edition
-
Intimidator SS
-
ZL1 Supercar
-
Performance Edition
They were commissioned by various Chevrolet dealerships including Berger Chevrolet, Tom Henry Chevrolet, and Earnhardt Chevrolet.
GMMG served as the 3rd-party tuner with the partner dealers selling the modified inventory.
What is a GMMG Camaro?
A GMMG Camaro is a fourth-generation Camaro modified by the performance shop GMMG, Inc., which was located in Marietta, Georgia. Founded in 1998 by enthusiast Matt Murphy, the company closed its doors in 2011.
GMMG’s journey began with a partnership with Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they were tasked with creating a limited edition run of 2000 model-year Camaros to celebrate the historic dealership's 75th anniversary.
From that initial project, GMMG produced several small batches of special Camaros for Berger and other Chevrolet dealerships, including Tom Henry Chevrolet and Earnhardt Chevrolet.
In addition to Camaros, the GMMG shop developed performance-oriented limited editions of Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams for Carl Black Pontiac in Kennesaw, Georgia, and a run of bright orange Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks in collaboration with major home improvement retailer Home Depot.
GMMG Camaros are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to their rarity and exceptional performance. Only a limited number were produced, with each car custom-built to the buyer's specifications.
Murphy signed the engine bays of completed Camaros.
How many GMMG Camaros were made?
The GMMG shop modified around 378 collectible 4th-generation Camaros between the 2000 and 2002 model years.
These limited-edition models were part of exclusive programs with partner dealerships like Berger Chevrolet and Earnhardt Chevrolet.
How to identify a GMMG Camaro?
There are several key ways to identify a fourth-generation Camaro modified by GMMG:
-
Brass Tag: Inspect the driver’s door jam for a numbered brass tag. These tags were installed by GMMG technicians and are recorded in an official registry.
-
Exterior Badging: Look for exterior badging, particularly a red, white, and blue Yenko-inspired crest badge on the rear taillight panel on the driver’s side. Many GMMG Camaros also feature numeral graphics on the rearview mirror and at the base of the windshield.
-
Original Documentation: Check for original documentation, including GMMG’s second and third selling stickers. The second sticker outlines the package contents, while the third details additional options installed. Both stickers contain data that correlates to the specific vehicle.
Riveted door tags indicate vehicles modified through the GMMG shop.
Are GMMG Camaros COPOs?
No, the 4th-generation Camaros modified under the GMMG program are not 'COPOs' like the classic COPO Camaros from the 1960s.
The original COPO (Central Office Production Order) program allowed dealerships to special-order unique configurations directly from General Motors, bypassing the standard options. This first appeared on the Corvair in 1965 with Don Yenko’s request, continuing through the early 1970s before the program phased out.
Though the car community often assumes any limited-edition Camaro is a 'COPO,' the GMMG Camaros don’t fit that description. They’re unique but weren’t processed through GM’s COPO system.
Chevrolet revived the COPO name in 2012 for a special run of racecars, yet the process differed significantly from the original COPO Camaros of the 1960s.
Where was GMMG located?
GMMG’s shop was in Marietta, Georgia, in a steel warehouse located within an industrial park off Industrial Drive. Matt Murphy founded GMMG in 1998, specializing in high-performance Camaro modifications, and the operation continued until closing in 2010. The back lot often served as overflow and storage space for the iconic cars.
Though the structure still stands, it’s now home to a lawn care maintenance company.
'The Rise & Fall of GMMG'
During the 2022 Bloomington Gold Corvette and Camaro Show and it's 'Gold School' educational classes, author Matt Avery debuted an hour-long seminar, entitled 'The Rise & Fall of GMMG'.
The comprehensive presentation details the story arc of the intrepid Matt Murphy and his GMMG shop, along with detailing the specifics and overview of the 4th-generation Camaros they modified.
It is an excellent overview of the operations of the performance shop and the legacy left behind.