Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Alan,

This exactly the kind of thing that GM needs to hear. This project never died, it was just put on the back-burner for obvious reasons. Nothing is written in stone, but I can tell you that there are people at GM that want to see this happen. I have started getting contact information from racers and collectors. I will forward everything to GM along with my suggestions on how they should proceed.

Take Care,

Daren

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

It doesn't seem to be dead at the moment. You seem to know a lot. How about sharing. Please start with your name.


I got those numbers directly from GM two weeks ago. This is an open forum. All new information is appreciated.


The body in white price is a little more than I really wanted to pay.


I'm really not sure how much of the car (if built) would actually be done at the factory. My guess is that it would be pulled at some point and finished at another location (like the Ford).


Do you have interest in one of these cars if they are built?

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

You have a PM.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

It's safe to say that I've built more body-in-white drag race cars than anybody, so I can say with first-hand experience that Froggie's numbers re- body-in-white costs is quite correct. And that's not the major cost anyway as buying the trim from GMPD will make the build cost astronomical.

Besides, at present, you aren't really buying a body-in-white, but a partly finished body that didn't pass.

All our past body-in-white build programs involved planning and corporate support re-special builds, supplies of trim and glass, storage, shipping, etc.

Froggie is also correct in that the plant is busy (running 3 shifts) and will get busier as the new Buick comes on line there.

Would I like to see a "proper" build program?
Yes, of coarse, and I'd be willing to help with input if there was the interest and desire to do it right, but at the present time, I don't believe that is so.

FJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

FJ,

Thanks for the input. Honestly, I think that this is exactly the kind of input that GM needs. I feel that I said basically the same thing to FB yesterday when he called me.

I appreciate that you are not afraid to use your real name.

Take Care,

Daren

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

This thread has been up for several weeks now and I have had a bunch of PM's and phone calls. Some have been positive and some have not. All are welcome and appreciated. I have a new request for anyone that would like to participate. You can send your answer by PM if you don't like posting in open forum.

If GM were to build a Camaro in 2011 what would be your perfect package. Please include as much detail as possible, including level of completion,etc.

Thanks,

Daren

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Daren has a very good idea here. Instead of focusing on the cost and whether this can or cannot happen lets have ideas that are going to get this project accepted by NHRA and IHRA for Stock class.
If Travis Miller could tell us the steps that Ford and Chrysler used to gain acceptance for several motors and the "solid rear axle" conversion, this process could began for the first couple of Camaros. Daren and and others already have these body in white cars just sitting on trailers.
Everybody has some idea of how we can get these cars into racers hands. What about racers that actually own or are at least employed by GM dealerships ?
My first idea would be the physical size, mostly width of these cars so doesn't come to pick up a body and not have it fit in their enclosed trailer. The pallet framework that these bodies in white are shipped on look cumbersome. It would be so much easier if there could be some realistic way to have these Camaro bodies in "rolling condition from the factory.
There are a lot of smart racers out that could help out here with your ideas. Let's all put our heads together to make this a 3 manufacturer race. Fred Lee

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Thanks Fred!

(The new Camaro just looks wide. My BIW 2010 is about one inch wider at it's widest point than my 1998 Formula!)

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

I don't know what Chevrolet's interest is today but here's what happened to me. Back in the late 80's the manufacturers were aggressively using NHRA as a promotional platform for their cars. The manufacturer's cup points were awarded in Pro Stock, Super Stock and maybe other catagories as well. Oldsmobile was very aggressive and you could say Chevrolet was "active". Bruce Allen's brother (If I remember correctly) was the person in charge of the Chevrolet "promo" deals and Arlen Fadely (Who's former SS and Drag Illustrated SM Maverick was taken to the Modified World Championship by Mike Edwards) was the Olds rep. I had been in contact with Arlen on a number of occasions and as usual, their program was difficult to get into. However, after I won the Southern Nationals in SS/B with a 67 L88 Corvette, I called Mr Allen who basically told me that they weren't interested in any kind of sponsorship with a SS car. Arlen called me two days later and told me that my body in white Calais was ready for pick up in Lansing. Shortly thereafter I received a number of boxes with all the additional "street stuff" like headlights, door handles, tail lights bumpers etc.

That was after I had just handed Chevrolet a National Event win the one of their original limited production muscle cars. And I wasn't asking for money, I just wanted the same deal offered by Oldsmobile.

As already mentioned here, Chevrolet's (or GM's for that matter) current state of affairs may put a damper on any "factory" sponsored racing activities. Hopefully, the new Z28 will be a step in the right direction. There are a lot of SS racers who would jump on a free BIW camaro.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Cool. I will work on getting some kind of update.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

will chevy ever come out with a car that can be compatible with the mustangs or drag packs???

adam keir A/SA 1470

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

well its kinda stupid cus they need to get there act together and make a bad *** car that will run with those cars
adam keir A/SA 1470

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Be patient. Many are waiting to build these cars...They will be along.....The V6 model new Camaro may up making way more noise in lower stock classes than the LS3 will in the higher classes when they finally get it classified....alot of potential in that V6.....but depends on how they end up being factored, and how much they can be lightened up.....WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Has anyone heard when / if GM will get these cars put in the class guide?

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Neat idea - count me in

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

I saw a just-off-the-truck new Camaro at a Dealer here in central Ma. today. Must be a new color....sharp-looking bright metallic green....kind of reminded me of the '69 Camaro bright green...would look real good going down the track.....WJ:)

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

WJ, that new Camaro color is called Synergy Green. They introduced it at the SEMA show, and it's available only on V-6 cars (at least for now). Here's a link to more info on it:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60765

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Thanks Jeff.....Anxious to see how they factor the V6 5th generation Camaro....could be some great potential in a V6 stock combo with the car. That color REALLY got my attention....very slick...WJ

Re: 2010 Camaro
 

I really like the Synergy Green color too. My first 1969 Camaro was Rally Green, and when this one came out it really caught my eye. So much so that the local dealer has ordered one to my specs, and I have a decision to make once it arrives in 8 weeks. It's not so much whether I want it, but where I'll find room for it in the garage!

Re: 2010 Camaro
 

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Jeff....BTW, I hope to visit Nova Scotia sometime this summer for some sightseeing and some good fresh seafood....:DWJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

WJ, PM sent.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

If Chevrolet would add a turbocharger to the option list of that 5th gen V6 motor that the new Camaro uses, it could be a great lower class stocker, I'd like to think...:)WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Theres plenty of companies out there that can set you up with a turbocharger or Procharger or small blower on top of any new Camaro. We went to Memphis in October for the LSX Shootout and there were many new Camaros there in any state of tune. The manufacturers were out in force showing off their stuff and a lot of it was on new Camaros.The aftermarket hit the ground running on this one. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Danny, they have to be offered by the factory in order to compete in stock with the setup.....Best wishes. WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

I might have to sell some toys to go with it...

But I guess the chance to run a car that will have half of the members here complaining about not being fairly HP factored would make it worthwhile...

David
The New hemi Guy

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

WJ,,,,,,You're absolutely right. I wish the factory would also do this, for the V-6 and V-8 cars. It might give the CJs something to think about. I was just pointing out that if these new Camaro owners want to do something other than Stock/Superstock racing, there are certainly a lot of ways to pump them up.
Lets hope the sanctioning bodies will get these cars classified soon.
Take care,,,,,Danny Durham

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

So? Are they gona do it or more talking about it? Want to see the crowds COME to the races.... Get a Camaro down on wt and available and the racers will have em lining up for the cars next week... The question remains Are they gona do it?

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

I enjoyed talking with you. For everyone else out there, I guess that this is still a maybe. I will update as soon as I hear anything new.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Count me in, I'll take one.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

I just wish chevy would have allowed them in the nationwide series. Can you imagine if one of those ever got out front at Talladega. All 42 could have drafted on that nose. Would have been great.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Read in the paper the other day that gm has payed off the government loans in full. Can we now start talking about a factory car to take on the cj and dp. ?

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Yes, but sadly enough they used MORE bailout money to repay the initial loan........what a snow job! GM ought to start making snowmobiles......WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

They still owe 55 Billion which + 60% ownership of GM Still is Goverment Motors

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Any recent news on GM submittals to get the 5th gen street version Camaro V-6's and V-8's into NHRA stock classification guide? Thanks. WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

WJ,

I spoke to a NHRA official at the Sports Nationals at Fontana about the Camaro. According to him Chevrolet submitted the numbers to NHRA. The problem was that they were the actual numbers, not the, shall we say reduced values the other manufactures are using, so they were in a dialog with GM to get more equitable/compatible numbers. Their comment was there is no way the Camaro could be competitive with the factors supplied. Guess we wait and see!

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Thanks for the input, Bryan......hopefully something will be resolved this season. I know there are people out there w/these cars that want to get started running them....WJ

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

And you wonder why Chevy is not interested in Drag Racing?????
I did not make this up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/r...-po/#continued

Report: General Motors wants to snuff out "Chevy" nickname [w/poll]
by Alex Nunez (RSS feed) on Jun 10th 2010 at 3:15AM



Folks, there are bad ideas, and there ones that are legendary in their badness. Unfortunately for General Motors, it would appear that the automaker may very well be lobbying for its own wing in the Dumb Idea Hall of Fame. The New York Times reports that a memo distributed to workers at the company's headquarters earlier this week instructs them to cease referring to the Chevrolet brand by its long-standing nickname, Chevy. Going forward, only Chevrolet is to be used. The reasoning? So-called branding consistency. If you're thinking, "That's insane," well, we don't blame you.

It gets better.

The Times further points out that the memo, signed by Chevy marketing vice president Jim Campbell (you see what we did there) and Alan Batey, VP of Chevy sales and service (there we go again), uses Coke – Coke – as an example of what GM is trying to achieve with this approach. It would seem that the powers-that-be at the RenCen are oblivious to the irony that Coke is, of course, shorthand for the company's formal name, Coca-Cola.

In a nutshell, we feel that the Coke comparison GM uses in the memo is ultimately rather apt, given that the idea of memory-holing "Chevy" as part of some absurd branding exercise seems destined to be a failure on the level of New Coke. GM's got its work cut out for itself, regardless. As of right now, Chevrolet.com has 5,480 "Chevy" mentions on it according to Google. GM.com? 1,730 more. That Chevy is inextricably tied to Chevrolet is a reality GM's marketers are apparently divorced from.

We can't be the only ones who think this is perhaps the very worst in a long history of horrible ideas... So, what's your take? Hit the jump and have your say in our poll. Thanks to CpuYoda for the tip!

[Source: The New York Times]


Is ditching "Chevy" the way to achieve branding consistency at Chevrolet? Yes. Having references to "Chevy" and "Chevrolet" confuses matters. 30 (5.5%)
No. "Chevy" is inherently strong branding. It's not hurting anything. 127 (23.4%)
I can't believe I'm even being asked this question. 385 (71.0%)

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Well, we all knew what we were getting with Government Motors. They, like Chrysler, needed desperately to go Chapter 11 and clean house.

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Some clarification for BlueOvalRalph

GM says "feel free to say 'Chevy"'
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/f...-to-say-chevy/

Re: 2011 Camaro
 

Clay,
The problem is that the memo shows the mentality of the people running GM, and it is a terribly poor mentality.