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Camaro Wins “Hottest Car” Award at SEMA Again!
November 8th, 2011
Proving lightning can strike in the same place twice, the Chevrolet Camaro was named the “Hottest Car” during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show for the second straight year. The award goes to the most accessory-friendly vehicle at the event and was first given in 2010—which means the Camaro is the only car to EVER win it.
“After more than two years on the market, the Camaro continues to inspire creativity and Chevrolet is thrilled to see that expressed in all the wonderfully personalized examples here at the SEMA Show,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. “The Camaro has always been a car customers love to personalize and we are doing all we can to support them and the aftermarket industry with parts and accessories that help turn their dreams into reality.”
That was certainly the case this year, as Chevy brought a bevy of Camaros to SEMA, including the reincarnated “COPO” Camaro. Inspired by the rare Central Office Production Order Camaros of 1969—essentially dealer-designed, factory-fresh dragsters, each packing a 427-cubic-inch V8—the 2011 version was developed to meet the specs for today’s NHRA Stock Eliminator competition, with:
- Hardware capable of handling either the same kind of naturally aspirated big-time power plant as the original or a supercharged 5.3-liter V8
- Provisions for three different transmission setups, including a Powerglide two-speed, three-speed automatic or five-speed manual
- High-rise cowl-induction hood
- Custom Aeromotive fuel system, with a fuel cell and integral high-pressure fuel pump
- Chrome-moly roll cage
- Coil-over front suspension with Strange Engineering adjustable struts
- Custom rear suspension, based on NHRA requirements, with Strange Engineering shocks, Panhard bar and stabilizer bar
- Strange Engineering S-9 solid rear axle with aluminum third member, 35-spline spool, 35-spline axles and 4.10 gear set
- Lightweight, COPO-specific racing wheels
- 29 x 9-inch rear radial racing slicks and 4.5 x 28 x 15-inch front tires
- Manual steering system
- Strange Engineering lightweight racing brakes system with standard line lock
All of these features help explain why the Chevy Camaro is clearly a safe bet to take home its third consecutive SEMA award next year. Only time will tell, and we at Hare Chevrolet are looking forward to it!
We have over 25 Camaros in stock! Check out our inventory and get into the game!
SEMA 2011: Corvettes and Camaros Storm Las Vegas
November 1st, 2011
Chevrolet is focusing on small cars this year at the SEMA show, with a substantial part of its display lasered in on the Chevy Cruze and Chevy Sonic. But let’s be real–the Corvettes and the Camaros, with their honkin’ V8s and eye-catching paint schemes, are sure to be the fan favorites in Las Vegas.
While the smaller cars focus on aero and aesthetics, Chevy’s sports cars are loaded with carbon fiber, impressive and angry body treatments and themes that honor the long and powerful heritage of the brand.
“Chevy has a long, proud history at SEMA,” said Jim Campbell, vice president of performance and motorsports. “It goes back to the small-block V8.”
Obviously that predates the Sonic. Here’s a look at some of the most striking Camaros and Corvettes headed to Las Vegas.
The Camaro ZL1 carbon concept takes the ZL1–set to arrive in 2012–and dresses it in layers of carbon, including the so-called “mohawk” air vent in the hood, spoiler and interior. It packs 580 hp from a supercharged V8 and is fortified with Brembo brakes and magnetic ride control. There’s a good chance that the carbon-fiber hood piece could make it to production.
The Camaro 1LE concept is a brake-and-performance pack that draws from the ZL1′s parts bin, getting that speed demon’s black hood, splitter and rocker panels.
The Camaro Red Zone concept has a new shade of red and a silver heritage strip on the side. It’s reinforced with suspension and interior upgrades.
The Corvette Ron Fellows Hall of Fame tribute is a salute to the famous race-car driver for his exploits in the American Le Mans Series, NASCAR, Trans-Am and other series. He was honored this year with induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green, Ky. The car is painted Torch Red, gets the Z06 performance pack and is enhanced with carbon-fiber treatments.
The Carlisle Blue Grand Sport concept is a soft shade of Carlisle Blue and celebrates 30 years of the famous event. The car draws power from a 6.2-liter V8 paired with a six-speed manual.
