Chevy Camaro as Bumblebee in Getaway commercial

Once again, the Chevrolet commercials known as the Transformers series is coming to theaters. With Transformers 3 (Dark of the Moon) only weeks away, Chevrolet's most recent television commercial stars Bumblebee, the Camaro with the split personality.

'Getaway' is part Camaro ad, part T3 trailer. We love the ZL1 look that debuted in Transformers 2 (Revenge of the Fallen) in 2009, glad to see the design carry over in T3.

Look for Transformers 3 in theaters June 29th.

Image Source: Jalopnik

CDC Sport Bar for the 2011 Camaro

Classic Design Concepts, a leading innovator in the world of aftermarket and OEM products for American automobiles, released its latest addition for the fifth generation Camaro, the new CDC Sport Bar. Designed specifically for the 2011 Camaro Convertible, the Sport Bar functions as a stylish and unique feature to the vehicle and maintains the irresistible appeal of an original factory option. Because of the Sport Bar's ability to blend perfectly with the rest of the car, it appeals to Camaro owners and enthusiasts.

"We designed the Camaro Sport Bar to complement the lines on the vehicle," explained George Huisman, CDC founder and CEO. "We used our proven manufacturing process and came up with a design that's uniquely Camaro." 

The convertible top remains operational with the CDC Sport Bar in place and maintains a distance of 3/4 inch clearance, allowing the driver to open or close the top effortlessly.

Inside every CDC Sport Bar is a 1.25 inch tubular, high-strength steel surrounded by CDC's solid urethane foam encasing. The patent pending bracket system is E-coated steel and mounts directly to the metal structure of the vehicle B-pillar.

The CDC Sport Bar is finished in first quality, high grade vinyl from the General Motors original equipment supplier, allowing for the proper match of both color and grain. The product is currently available in Chevrolet black. However, the options for Gray, Beige, Inferno Orange, Carbon Fiber and other custom colors will be available in the future.

All CDC bars are manufactured at the headquarters in Novi, Mich., allowing CDC the opportunity to provide a multitude of color options. Camaro Sport Bars are a restyling product and are not intended for roll-over protection.

The 2011 Convertible Camaro Sport Bar is currently in stock at CDC and fits both V6 and V8 models. Chevrolet dealers now have the option to offer the Sport Bar to current and future Camaro Convertible owners. CDC Sport Bars are available from Authorized Installers and Warehouse Distributors.

With an abundance of locations where the Sport Bar will be available, customers have the option to equip their Camaro convertible with this outstanding product as soon as they purchase the car itself. With the Sport Bar's clean and pronounced appearance, this product will be a popular option for Camaro convertible owners looking to get the most out of their new Chevy. As the popularity of the Camaro Convertible continues to accelerate, owners will appreciate the opportunity to differentiate their vehicle from the ordinary by driving a vehicle equipped with the CDC Sport Bar.

Detroit Area Chevrolet Dealership George Matick has worked with CDC by providing vehicles during the development and prove out process.

After having the opportunity to review the final design of an installed Camaro Sport Bar, Sales Manager Pat Woolworth stated that "the Sport Bar looks like a natural complement to the vehicle, and I expect that we'll have success upgrading Camaro Convertible with this product. It looks great in our showroom with the top down, allowing our customers to inquire about adding it during the sales process."

About Classic Design Concepts

Classic Design Concepts is a premier manufacturer of automotive parts for American performance cars and trucks. The company has been an innovator in the design engineering and manufacturing of quality systematic restyling, power enhancing and handling components for enthusiasts and OEMs for decades. CDC prides itself on providing the enthusiast with cutting edge style and unsurpassed quality. For more information about CDC, visit www.classicdesignconcepts.com or call (866) 624-7997.

GM: Extreme Testing Verifies Top Quality for Camaro Convertible

Built to last a lifetime and look great for the entire ride

INDIANAPOLIS – When the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible sets the pace for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, it will showcase a top built to last a lifetime, operate worry-free and maintain the appearance of its Coupe sibling.

To assure long-term durability, the convertible top underwent extensive testing during development, being opened and closed more than 22,500 times – three times more than would be expected in a typical 10 years of use. Some of those cycles were performed in extreme conditions; temperatures ranging from minus-22° F to 170° F and humidity of up to 95 percent.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no matter what the weather was like.”

Every Camaro Convertible undergoes a water test as it completes assembly in Oshawa, Ontario. In addition, vehicles are randomly chosen   to undergo an eight-minute water test at the assembly facility in Oshawa and at an identical facility at the GM Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan.  More than 7,200 gallons of water are hurled at the car in a hurricane-like downpour at a pace of 900 gallons per minute.

Addressing another aspect of interior comfort, Camaro Convertible’s three-layer top includes an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer. Engineers use a sophisticated human-ear mimicking device called the Aachen Head to measure noise levels. According to recent GM road test data, the Camaro Convertible achieved a better interior quietness acoustical rating than the Ford Mustang in interior quietness.

“For many buyers, a Camaro Convertible can be a collector car, something they might keep for generations. So we made sure the tops would retain their quality for a long, long time,” said Oppenheiser. “There is great value in a convertible with the original top.” Oppenheiser knows the needs for car collectors well. He personally restored a 1969 Camaro Convertible several years ago.

Consistent with its coupe-like performance dynamics, the Camaro Convertible offers the looks of the Camaro Coupe when the top is up. The five bow roof design provides a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

Unlike other convertible models in the segment, the Camaro top latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top, which completes its cycle in about 20 seconds.

To learn more about the extreme measures employed by Camaro Convertible engineers to verify quality and durability, watch the video below.

Source: Chevrolet Media

Consumer Reports: 2011 Camaro convertible

Mike Quincy @ ConsumerReports.org - My neighbor, who’s an admitted Mopar fan, said to me the other day “Who would have thought that we’d ever again see new versions of muscle cars like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro?”

He’s got a point. Back in the grim days of the 1970s--when gas prices were high and American-made quality was low--the state of Detroit-based performance cars was indeed bleak. But the current crop of these famed cars is the best ever. For perspective, a 1987 5.0-liter Camaro produced around165 hp. My friends and I thought that was a big deal. Coupled with its direct-shifting six-speed manual transmission, today’s top-level 6.2-liter V8 makes 426 great-sounding hp…and still returns 18 mpg overall in CR’s testing.

We had a chance to spend some time in the new-for-2011 convertible version. Click on the accompanying video below to experience the latest drop-top fun from one of the most legendary models ever to wear a bowtie.

Abu Dhabi Drag Racing School

Abu Dhabi: The Yas Drag Racing School is offering the public the chance to take a Chevrolet Camaro SS for a spin on a world-class drag racing strip in June.

The school has six Camaros on its fleet to help train future drag racers. Anyone with a driving licence can get behind the wheel of the iconic muscle car. Drivers will receive a safety briefing before taking a training run down the strip with a qualified drag racing instructor riding with them.

Instructor and student swap places for one run. If the instructor is satisfied with the student's technique and ability, he/she then gets six solo runs in the car.

Image Source: Mike McCracken's Camaro SS

"We wanted to give as many people as possible the chance to experience a true American muscle car on the drag strip," said Rashed Al Qubaisi, Head of the Yas Drag Racing Centre.

"Some people are reluctant to take their own cars to the strip [for fear] they [might] damage [their car's] clutch or the. Our new Yas Camaro Drag Race Experience allows them to enjoy the thrills of drag racing in a safe environment."

Donald Trump is fired from the Camaro Indy Pace Car

Donald, you're fired!

That seems to be the result when political correctness filters down to the racing community. While Donald Trump has become a characturer of himself, it seems  the usual, ridiculous claims of racism toward the POTUS have impacted the racing community. Was he a great pick from the start? No, but it's become more about marketing and popularity in recent years. Recent complaints from so called 'fans' of the Indy 500, even a facebook group dedicated to having Trump replaced seemed to have an impact. It was so much more about people not liking 'The Donald' than his being 'fit' to pace the race.

The replacement is A.J. Foyt, a much more fitting choice considering this is the 100th anniversary of the Great Race. Foyt is only the second replacement pace car driver, the first was Elaine Mellencamp (John Mellencamps' wife) when she replaced an injured Greg Norman.

We look forward to seeing A.J. Foyt pace the Great Race on May 29th!

We should start a facebook group to remove the 'Mustang' like vinyl stripes from the Camaro front fascia ;-)

Armor protection for the new Camaro

Texas Armoring Corporation has a few clients who love driving so much that they want to armor a vehicle that they will personally drive and have fun in while still being protected.

The new Chevrolet Camaro SS is no exception. This car not only has the modern technology meant to keep drivers safe but it also has the old muscle car feel that all enthusiasts crave, so when they received the call from one of their best clients, who just purchased one and wanted to have it armored, they were elated.

The beauty of their process is the use of ultra-lightweight composite materials, such as Spectra Shield®, which enables them to maintain the natural dynamics of every vehicle they build by reducing the weight added (in this case, approximately 350lbs) while providing their clients with the protection they need to stay safe. Their technicians take the vehicle through a rigorous process which entails removing all interior components, including the dashboard, so they may cut out the inner skin and install material between the outer and inner layers of sheet metal. Once this phase is complete, they weld the inner skin back into place and install each interior panel in its original position. This elaborate process is unmatched in the industry and ensures that when a vehicle comes out of our production line, it will be indistinguishable from a vehicle straight from its original assembly plant.

Texas Armoring Corporation

Texas Armoring Corporation

Texas Armoring Corporation

Learn more about Texas Armoring Corporation and the cars that they build. Visit them online at www.texasarmoring.com, facebook and twitter @texasarmoring.

Full size CHROME Camaro SS

The Czech Republic brings us this new professional grade vehicle Tintek wrap. The difference is, they make it in gold and silver chrome.  Check out his Chevrolet Camaro SS with their silver chrome treatment!  This would be sure to make a statement for any tuner/performance shop looking to showcase their work!

More info: www.tintek.cz