You are correct that GM did not nail the look of the classic Camaro as well as Dodge or Ford got the look of their classic pony cars. The Challenger is almost a perfect update of the original. The Mustang is close. The Camaro has some issues with how the front looks, and the overall proportions have changed a lot more. I can see a resemblance to the old Camaros though, especially from the side view, and as a 2 door, rear drive, sporty coupe it certainly fits the general mission of the Camaro.

I find it OK, but not amazing. It definitely has elements of the 69 Camaro in its desigh. The C pillar, the hood, the grill coming to a point (though the new one is pointier than the old one), the 'gills' or vents in front of the rear wheel all echo the 69. It just does not all hang together as well as the almighty Challenger design.

If you look at these two pictures, I think you can see at least some of the similarities:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...-Camaro-28.jpg
http://www.firewheelclassics.com/ima...llery/Dawn.jpg

I agree that the Charger should probably have been called something else, at least from a purists perspective. To me, the Camaro has enough similarities to be called a Camaro, given that it looks more like the original than the most recent generation did, and maintains the same general layout.

It would be more accurate to say that it was influenced by the 69 rather than based on the 69. I don't know if they were trying to do a Challenger style remake and missed the mark, or if they wanted a futuristic car with some retro cues.