What were the GMMG Camaro programs?
GMMG's Camaro programs focused on 2000 through 2002 model year Camaros. They include the:
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Berger SS
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Tom Henry SS
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Hot Rod Edition
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Intimidator SS
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ZL1 Supercar
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Performance Edition
Various Chevrolet dealerships commissioned these special editions, primarily Berger Chevrolet, along with Tom Henry Chevrolet and Earnhardt Chevrolet.
As a third-party tuner, GMMG handled the modifications, while the partner dealerships managed the sales of the final, upgraded vehicles.
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 prized by collectors and enthusiasts for their rarity and performance upgrades. Only a limited number were produced, with each model featuring consistent modifications and notable performance enhancements, making them distinctive within the fourth-generation Camaro generation.
These cars also represent one of the last opportunities for customers to purchase a Camaro with significant performance modifications directly from the dealership, thanks to the work of a third-party tuner, adding to their historical appeal.
GMMG founder & owner Matt Murphy's signature on the engine bay of one of his team's modified Camaros.
What does 'GMMG' stand for?
The meaning behind the "GMMG" acronym remains open to interpretation. Some believe it stands for "General Motors Motorsport Group," while others suggest it refers to the "George Murphy Motor Group." However, no official explanation has ever been confirmed, adding an element of mystery to the brand.
GMMG’s red, white, and blue crest was not an original design but was inspired by emblems used by 1960s drag racers and Don Yenko on his iconic muscle cars, including the COPO Yenko Camaros.
The exact meaning of 'GMMG' remains a mystery.
How many GMMG Camaros were made?
The GMMG shop modified around 378 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:
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Brass Tag: Inspect the driver’s door jam for a numbered brass tag. These tags were installed by GMMG technicians and are recorded in the official registry.
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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.
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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 Camaros 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, Chevelles, and Novas 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 unofficial program phased out.
While the collector car community often assumes any limited-edition Camaro is a COPO Camaro, GMMG Camaros don’t fit that description. Although unique, they were not built through General Motors’ Central Office Production Order (COPO) system but instead modified by GMMG in partnership with select dealerships.
Where was GMMG located?
The GMMG performance shop was in Marietta, Georgia, in a steel warehouse in 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 2011.
The back lot often served as overflow and storage space for the now iconic pony cars.
The structure still stands and is now home to a lawn care maintenance company.
Where is Matt Murphy?
Since GMMG closed its doors in 2011, shop founder and owner Matt Murphy has largely remained out of the public spotlight. While his impact on the fourth-generation Camaro community remains significant, he has not been publicly involved in the automotive industry in recent years.
'The Rise & Fall of GMMG'
During the 2022 Bloomington Gold Corvette and Camaro Show and it's 'Gold School' educational classes, author and recognized expert, 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 examining 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.