Showing posts with label Sports cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports cars. Show all posts

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Difference Between the Yenko Camaro and COPO Camaro

 


Difference Between the Yenko and COPO 

Most people probably know about how badass the Yenko and the COPO Camaros are, but how many people know where the names come from and what’s the difference between the two. Of course, if you are a diehard Camaro fan with a lot of knowledge of the first generation Camaros, you probably know some or all of the facts, but just in case you don’t, here is a little bit of education.



The Yenko

In 1967, Don Yenko, owner of Don Yenko Chevrolet, contacted General Motors and ordered 54 Camaros straight from the factory with a special mission in mind. That special mission was to convert those Camaros into Yenko drag strip-ready IHRA/NHRA Stock and Super Stock Camaro competitors.


(How many Yenko Camaros were built and sold from 67 through 69 is really unknown. The same goes with COPO Camaros; ask ten different experts and you're likely to get ten different answers).


When these Camaros first showed up at the Yenko Dealership, the first order of business was to take out the existing 396-cu.-in. engines and replace them with 427 big-blocks. Although a lot of numbers swirled around about how much horsepower they produced, it was estimated around 425-450-hp (depending on who you asked). Along the way, Yenko also had all Yenko labeled Camaros beefed up with other goodies like traction-bars and 3:73-positraction rear-ends. 


There was only one problem with Team Yenko’s plan to turn the Camaros into drag strip-ready Camaros, they were not allowed to race in the IHRA/NHRA Stock or Super Stock classes. These classes were strictly for cars that had no engine changes or any other big mechanical changes after they left the factory. They were not banned from all drag racing, just the Stock and Super Stock classes that the Yenko Team was aiming for, so eventually the Yenko program was canned. 


A lot of people think that the reason Yenko stopped the program was because of the inability to race in their intended classes. That was part of the reason, but most of the reasons were because Yenko was losing money on the pulled 396 motors and rear-ends they could not seem to get rid of and the program was losing even more money since GM would no longer warranty the Camaros if they were modified after they left the factory. That either fell in the hands of the owner or Yenko himself.



 

69 COPO Camaro   

It’s true, the name strikes fear in the hearts of racers who dare to pull up next to one in the staging lanes. They dominated the Stock and Super Stock classes for a long time.


COPO stands for (Central Office Production Order) and this program was invented specifically to put competitive Camaros in those Stock and Super Stock classes. If you ordered a Camaro from the central office, the build sheet would go to the factory, and when the Camaro rolled off the factory line complete, whatever you asked to be installed would be installed and considered stock. With that being said, there was nothing IHRA or NHRA could do about excluding the cars from racing in stock classes.


Ultimately, it was Fred Gibb and Don Yenko that pushed Chevrolet into making this program happen. Chevy saw the need for competitive Camaros in these classes for the use of sponsorship and of course bragging rights. They were Camaros, they were stock, and they were Mustang and Mopar eaters for a long time at the track. The 427 big-blocks made 425-hp and 460-lb.-ft. of torque, they took home a lot of trophies.  

Last Note 

A lot of people believe the COPO division was designed for the 69 ZL1-Camaro and then squashed, and then brought back in 2013 for the Camaro again. But the General Motors COPO Division has been around since GM made fleet vehicles e.i. cop cars, taxis, tow trucks, etc. All vehicles that are ordered specially from a corporation, charity, a government, or something like that are considered specialty-made vehicles or COPO vehicles. (It wasn’t just a program made up for one of the baddest Camaros ever produced, the Camaros just stole the spotlight). 


  


 


Friday, February 10, 2017

1996 Corvette Grand Sport: Throw Back to the '63 Corvette Grand Sport

Related image

When it comes to fourth-generation Corvettes, they shared a common trait with all other American Sports Cars at that time, their power was not all that impressive. So when it came to the fourth-generation Corvette's final year (1996), Chevrolet decided that putting something special on the market would be a boost for their brand and bring big attention to the on-deck sixth-generation Corvettes of 1997.

To bring the spotlight back to the Corvette, Chevrolet's solution was to go back to 1963 when they made one of their meanest Corvettes of all time and revive the name and color scheme. For 1996, Corvette decided that 1,000 models would get special treatment for better performance, a louder color combination, and they would place the Grand Sport badges on the Vette just like they did in '63.

Giving the Corvettes What They Needed
Corvette engineers slapped the 1996 Grand Sport Corvette with an LT4 that originally pumped out 300-hp, but for this special edition Corvette, engineers managed to squeeze 30 extra horsepower out of them. They accomplished this with a more aggressive camshaft, higher-flow aluminum heads, larger valves, higher-compression pistons, new high-flow fuel injectors, and roller rocker arms.

Crazy colors followed – Admiral Blue Metallic paint was accented with a big white stripe that ran down the center of the body. Two red hash marks were placed on the left fender and matched the red interior. Black painted five-star rims completed the color scheme and made up the Corvette that some people ended up loving and some people ended up hating.

Grand Sport Corvette Handling Options
When it came to performance handling, the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport didn't get much more than the original standard Vettes did except for a bigger set of tires for the coupe: 275/40ZR-17 Goodyear radials in front and 315/35ZR-17s in the rear. The convertibles received the same size tires as the non-Grand Sport Corvettes did but there were options. 

On the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport, just like with other Corvettes, you could spring for the $350.00 Z51 handling package which came with stiffer springs, new Bilstein shock absorbers, and front and rear stabilizer bars. There was also an optional Selective Real Time Damping system that cost an extra $1695.00. That system used sensors and accelerometers at each wheel to give the semi-active suspension the ability to readjust the shock damping in 10-to-15 milliseconds, sort of what they use today on the Corvettes just not nearly as sophisticated.

All-and-all, I always loved the look of the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport, it's one my favorite from the fourth-generation, although there wasn't much competition. The next year Corvette changed its style and engine, and the left over LT4s motors found their way into the 1997 30thAnniversary Camaros.




Monday, January 16, 2017

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction: What Days Are Best For You to Visit?

Image result for barrett-jackson

You can ask any car enthusiast where the most exciting place to shop for a vehicle is and almost all of them will tell you the Barrett-Jackson car auction. Some of the most sought-after vehicles in the world roll across the auction block and some of the world's wealthiest people come to place bids and battle other wealthy people with a chance to own them.

But you don't have to be wealthy to attend and participate in the week-long event, in fact, everyone is welcome, and planning and deciding which days are best for you to attend is the best way to maximize your auction experience.

If you plan on attending one of the Barrett-Jackson events, the first thing you will want to do is decide what kind of experience you are looking for. The biggest auction of the year is the Scottsdale auction in Arizona and starts on Saturday and goes until the next Sunday. The first Saturday-thru-Thursday are usually slower days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the major action packed, media covered, highly populated days that bring the exciting Super Bowl-like atmosphere to the auction.

But just because Saturday-thru-Thursday does not bring the Super Bowl-like atmosphere does not mean that they are days worth skipping. In fact, for some shoppers, those days could be the most beneficial days to attend. Depending on what types of vehicles you're in the market for, your budget, how good your bidding and auctioning skills are, and the type of atmosphere that you feel most comfortable in may determine whether you want to go for the first few days, the last three days or go all out and stay the whole week.


If you are on a restricted budget, the first few days could be your best option considering that a lot of the high-rollers do not show up on those days, and that could make those days great days to look for great deals. You could come across a car you really want on the last few days of  Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and unfortunately, as much as you may want it, a person with an unlimited bankroll may want it too. And if you’re on a restricted budget, your bidding won’t have a chance. Also, contrary to popular belief, the best of the best vehicles do not only get auctioned off on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What days the vehicles come on the block depend on when the owners registered their vehicles, when the owners can be available to stay with their vehicle for that whole day, and whether the vehicles are charity vehicles or special advertised vehicles.

It is very common for someone to get a chance to buy a vehicle on one of the slower days for a great price, and because of higher profile bidders and more of them, the same exact type of vehicle with higher mileage and lower options might go for a much higher price on one of the busier days. Another great perk of attending the auction on the first Saturday-thru-Thursday is the chance you will have to really look the car over thoroughly and possibly talk to the owner more in depth about the vehicle you are attempting to purchase. When it comes to Friday-thru-Sunday you might not get a chance to get an up-close look of the vehicle like you would want to because of the abundance of people, media, and the heightened security. Also, have fun trying to get a hold of the owner to have a conversation about your potential purchase on a busier day, he could be out enjoying the Super Bowl like festivities.

Although there are some perks about attending the Barrett-Jackson auction on the less busy days, there are also perks to attending the auction Friday-thru-Sunday. First, if you have a big bankroll, the excitement of bidding against other big bank rolls is the type of thrill you get when you’re at the casino gambling for high stakes. Other perks include rubbing elbows with famous people such as Jay Leno a well-respected car enthusiast, Sammy Hagar, actors, famous racecar drivers, race team owners, and many other well-known wealthy people with the taste for prestigious cars.

Another great thing about Saturdays and Sundays is that when they send the charity vehicles across the block, all proceeds go to charities that have great causes such as helping sick kids, helping the terminally ill, and other great causes. Also, to help get more money as the bidding keeps going, the organizations auctioning off the vehicle's throw in special incentives such as autographed guitars or special tours to high-profile facilities like famous raceways, car museums, factories, etc.

Whatever the reasons you have for wanting to attend the most prestigious auto auction in the world, with a little bit of planning and research you will find that it is an event where if you’re a car enthusiastic it would be hard not to have a great time.

If you do plan on attending the auction, you can go to the Barrett-Jackson’s website and find all the info you need to prepare. You will find catalogs of what cars will be on the auction block, tickets, merchandise, and more.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Camaro's Most Powerful Muscle Car: The 2017 Camaro ZL1



Later this year, Camaro will be adding a new ZL1 performance package to their 2017 lineup. Being held out of the lineup for 2016, Camaro plans on making up for its absence with a 2017 Camaro ZL1 that can take care of business on every level - from power and performance to style and comfort.

The 2017 Camaro ZL1 will come equipped with the supercharged motor that the Corvette ZO6 is currently using. This will boost the horsepower from the 580 horses the 2016 Camaro ZL1 produced to 640 horses for 2017. The badass 6.2-liter motor will come connected to either a six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifting abilities.

No need to worry about peeling out before fishtailing into a tree as the Camaro's power is converted back to an electronic limited-slip differential with an adjustable performance traction management system. Although if it is a burnout that you are out looking to do you can always turn that bad boy off and go crazy. But if you are just looking to sprint forward in a straight line with virtually no steering responsibilities, the Camaro ZL1 traction management system will help you do just that.

As with just about all of General Motors high-end vehicles, you will receive the Magnetic Ride Control active suspension. This will without a doubt let you carve corners effortlessly on your Good Year F1 Eagle tires while comfortably seated on the inside secured to deep leather and sued-upholstery racing Recaro seats. And comfortably is always an understatement when it comes to Camaro or any GM vehicle for that matter, as all the interior creature comforts that come with all other Camaro trim models are also standard here.


Outside of obvious power, the next biggest difference you will see between the 2017 Camaro ZL1 and the other Camaros in the lineup is the appearance package. A huge front grille lets in much-needed air as a vented hood helps release the air keeping the front-end of the Camaro down at high speeds. Wider side skirts and a bigger front spliter are easily noticed along with a rear spoiler that is definitely needed to help keep the vehicle planted when hitting corners at the road course.

No price tag has been yet announced for the 2017 Camaro ZL1, but one would have to imagine it will be a little bit more than the original price tag on the 2015 Camaro ZL1 which came in at $57,000.00.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

2016 Autorama Exits of Some of the Most Beautiful Vehicles

The Autorama in Detroit is always a great place and time for Michigan auto enthusiast. After a few months of cold weather and a few more to go, the huge indoor car show in February is a refreshing break in the action for car, truck and bike lovers to see some awesome pieces of automotive machinery come out of hibernation.

One of the best parts of the event is the leaving of the vehicles. Brand new high-end sports cars to classic restorations and everything in between take their final stroll out of Cobo hall and probably back into their garages for at least another month.

Take some time to take a look at the exits of some of the most beautiful vehicles that came to Detroit for this year's Autorama.



Another part of the action that came along with the 2016 Detroit Autorama was the star of "Counting Cars", Danny, from on A&E, performed with his band "Count 77".





Wednesday, December 17, 2014

2016 Camaro: Little Changes

 

This Is The Best Rendering Of The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro Yet
Possible New Hood
Some Camaro lovers probably hoped for a little different look for the Camaro in 2016, but it does not look like that is going to happen. For the most part, what is flying around at the Nürburgring is a heavy camouflaged 2016Camaro that looks to have little change to the body and styling.

There was a lot of talk about a possible throwback design to the earlier 70's look. Then there was also a lot of talk about just moving forward with a new generation of design. Then there is the actually outcome, pretty much the same as last year and why not, this style Camaro has been selling like hot cakes and Camaro lovers really seem to like it.

We do know that there will be a slight change in the look, like every year, but what will really be different is that the Camaro will now be put on the Cadillac ATS frame. I can't see how a lighter, smaller frame could hurt with performance on the already powerful Camaro. What will really be cool is that smaller frame with a twin turbocharged V-6 that has been rumored as a very serious considered option for 2016. All-and-all, it will still be a fun car to drive.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Chevrolet Tries to Prevent New Camaro Z/28 Cloning By Restricting Specific Parts






So the word is out, with the successful completion of selling out the 2014 Z/28s so fast, rumors sparked that Chevrolet would up the ante for 2015 and produce 2,500 Z/28s. That is no longer a rumor, there will be a total of 2,500 Z/28s built for 2015 as opposed to the 500 built for the 2014 year.

But more interesting than the limited edition Z/28 selling out so fast, to help keep the rarity of the Z/28s exclusive to the owners who actually shelled out the $75,000.00 for the Camaro, Chevrolet has made a move to prevent the cloning of a Z/28 by restricting the sale of certain parts.

Raging from high-performance parts to cosmetic, Chevrolet sent a list of 35 different parts to dealers that make up the Z/28 package and are not to be sold on the market to individuals or companies that can't prove the ownership of a Camaro Z/28.

Some of those banned parts include: the Brembo brake system and carbon-ceramic rotors, 19-inch wheels, rear differential, and rear axle, front fascia, the "flowtie" grille badge,  Recaro seats, hood scoop, fender flares, rocker panels, and rear fascia and spoiler, and the list goes on.

Now if it's the power of the Z/28 you are looking for, you can buy the power-plant in the form of a crate motor. The 505-horsepower 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 has been available since it was placed in the C6 Corvette ZO6.

It's easy to see why Chevrolet would want to put this plan into motion, but the question is just how long will this plan prevent cloning of Z/28s. They want to clone prestigious cars has been around since hot rodding its self. So even if Chevrolet won't sell these specific parts, aftermarket companies will see an even bigger market to make money. Nevertheless, no matter how many clones are out there, they can't take away from the authenticity of a real one and numbers don't lie. If you have a true Z/28, 1-of-500 or 1-of-2,500, you still have a significant piece of "Hot Rod History." 



Friday, April 25, 2014

Will Chevrolet Have to Build More Camaro Z/28s

 

2014 Camaro Z/28 - SOLD OUT

 
It wasn't too hard for Chevrolet to sell all of their 500 brand new 2014 Camaro Z/28s. Now with no more for car enthusiast to get their hands on this year, Chevrolet is faced with the question of, "Do They Build More?" 

Building more will definitely help the already popular Z/28 trending well into next year, but for the lucky owners of the first 500 units, it will take away from the rareness factor that Chevrolet was shooting for and probably what owners were counting on. Although the chances of Chevrolet building more Camaro Z/28s this year is probably slim to none, next year's plans for more than just 500 being built to meet demands is highly possible.

Camaro Chief Engineer, Al Oppenheiser, has said that next year could possibly see the likes of 2,500 units being built depending on demand and whether or not they decide to build more this year and if they do launch a project like that this year how it ends up panning out.

So unless you have been living under a rock for the last year and a half, you probably know what the 2014 Z/28 is all about. But I don't think anyone really expected this $75,000.00 Camaro would sell out so fast. If Chevrolet decides to build more this year, or ramp up the amount built next year, it's pretty hard to believe that they could lose on their decisions.


Friday, January 31, 2014

3.8 Million Dollar 1967 L88 Corvette


What made this L88 Corvette so valuable?


To understand that, you first have to understand what the L88 Corvette was, and that was a pure breaded race car. Rated at 430Hp, dyno test proves that number was underrated. Some where around 560Hp was more like the real horsepower rating. The underrating was a deliberate attempt to keep with-in safety regulations imposed by the government.


There were only 20 L88s built in 1967, making them some of the rarest production Corvettes every made. But the one that rolled across the block at the Barrett-Jackson Auction was a one-of-kind. Ordered by a GM executive for his sons friend, it is the only documented '67 L88 with Red-on-Red (Red Exterior - Red Interior) to come off the assembly-line.

What makes it even more rare is the original condition of the vehicle and the condition of the documents. The tank sheet (order copy) which is accessible by dropping the gas tank is surprisingly legible and had all of the correct information that indicated its true L88 fully optioned status.

The GM/NCRS Document Validation Service approved of the documentation and awarded it the prestigious "Top Flight Award" in 2011. It also went on to collect three other prestigious accomplishments: "Duntov Mark of Excellence," "Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame" and was approved in the "Bloomington Gold Special Collection."

This particular Corvette was a two owner car. It spent the first two years of its life racing at Dragways like Detroit, Motor City, and Lapeer in Michigan. And then in 1970 it was sold to its second owner, a teacher who thought he was just getting a regular Corvette. But while doing a brake job one day he realized that the car had unique dual-pin calipers only found on the J56 option which came with the L88. This discovery promoted him to drop the gas tank and seek out the tank sheet where he discovered he had purchased one of the rarest Corvettes that was every made.

After a few more owners, this car finally made its way to the auction block on Saturday afternoon. The Corvette will have a new home, probably a garage somewhere where it will be put on display. Due to the rarity and the amount of money it cost to own this car, I doubt it will ever see the road or any racetracks, but it will probably see a lot of car shows.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

2015 Corvette ZO6: The Ultimate American Supercar








When Chevrolet dumped the ZR1 supercar out of their car line-up, it made everyone a little skeptical of what was going to take its place. The ZO6 has always been known as a great sportscar, just not a supercar. But for 2015, that is all about to change. Boasting the most aerodynamic sports car with the most down force that Chevrolet has ever produced, the ZO6 has now been bumped from a sportscar to a sure powerhouse supercar.


Starting with an intercooled supercharged 6.2liter OHV 16-valve motor, the ZO6 is capable of producing 635hp+ and 645 lb.-ft. torque. The engine includes: Titanium intake valves, a dry slump oil pump system, direct injection, and continuously variable valve training.

The power of the motor is matched to a choice of a 7-speed manual with rev matching technology to help make shifting more efficient, or an 8 speed automatic transmission with a paddle-shifter designed to give the driver good fuel-economy without sacrificing performance. From there the power is distributed to an electronic limited-slip differential with three different calibration modes, all of which helps promote 0-60 times around 3.4-3.6 seconds; quarter-mile times not yet recorded.


Exterior Aerodynamics
The aerodynamics of the ZO6 is another huge part of the very impressive performance the supercar can accomplish.

The Corvette has three different options when it comes to aerodynamics.
The first option: The standard Z51 option that comes on the 2014 Stingray - a good set-up and very practical for the average driver.

The second option: A more aggressive front splitter, rocker panel extensions, and a larger rear splitter with fixed Gurney flap aero tabs, all of which are made from carbon-fiber.

The third option: (a ZO7 option) Looks much like the second stage, but in the trunk you will find some interesting components. A larger front splitter with extra-large winglets, and a clear center Gurney flap segment that bolts to the rear spoiler. To improve rear visibility the center piece is clear and can be adjusted up-and-down creating down force that test drivers say even a small four-inch difference is noticeable while on the track.

Other exterior highlights that benefit performance are the larger fender vents and brake cooling ducts that funnel more air to the transmission and differential. Also a mesh front grille is implicated to shuffle more air to the intercooler.

 

Driving Modes
There are five different driving modes that can be effected by twelve different variables. These five modes are: Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and, Track. All five of these different modes can be changed with a touch of a button right from the driver's seat, and the twelve different variables can be adjusted there as well.

The five different driving modes made capable by their legendary Electronic-Magnetic Ride Control speaks for themselves. Depending on the drivers driving conditions and the drivers preferences, there is a mode that will likely fit whatever the situation you put the Corvette in.



 

Frame and Structure
The frame will be constructed in-house at the famous Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The structure of the frame and the car itself are actually 60 percent stiffer than its predecessor, the ZR1. The ZO6 even has a removable top that when removed is still 20 percent stiffer than the ZR1.



Brakes and Tires
Chevy sticks with the huge carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes system while also sticking with 19 inch rims in the front and 20 inch rims in the back. But there was some adjustment to the width. The ZO6 receives slightly wider rims and tires than the ZR1: 2 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the back to help get better grip when cornering around the racetrack.

Two sets of tires are offered, Michelin Pilot Sport tires which are the standard on all Corvettes, or the track proven Michelin Sport Cup Tires that will come standard if you order the ZO7 performance package. The Michelin Pilot tires are a very well-rounded set of tires for all driving conditions. But if you are looking to put down some amazing track times, the Michelin Sport Cup Tires are what you will need. They're sticky and made just for racing purposes; although street legal, they're made for the track.



The Interior
It is much of what you would expect from a specialized Corvette. You will receive two options for seats. An all-around comfortable set of GT seats and for those who are looking to race, a competition set of seats are offered that is designed to help support the body and keep it stably while engaging in high-performance activities. All of the interior can come wrapped in high quality Napa leather, sueded microfiber, aluminum and carbon-fiber.

With all of the top technology and comfort of a luxury car you could almost forget that you are driving the fastest American made production car.

And just in-case you did forget, the ZO6 can be ordered with an integrated recording system that can record your driving experience from a on-board camera and collect data to be stored into a memory card that is hidden in the glove box. That data then can be played-back on a computer and shared with friends or simply just used to better yourself at the track. And if you don't want to wait for a computer, all of the info can be displayed on the 8-inch screen that comes with the Vette.

Again, Chevrolet does it with Americas only American made supercar. 
 

Monday, January 20, 2014

2014 Barrett-Jackson: 4 Chevrolets End Up Top Ten Best Sellers

A place where the most prestigious vehicles in the world are sold: The Barret-Jackson Auction held in Scottsdale Arizona took place this passed week. And some of the top sellers just happened to be four different Chevrolets. 


1967 L88 Corvette


1967 chevy corvette l88 2014 barret jackson

This is one of the rarest Corvettes every produced by Chevrolet. It is the only documented Red-on-Red Corvette known to come off the assembly-line. This rare muscle car boasting 430Hp but really was pushing out something more like 560Hp. Before the hammer dropped it brought in the highest price of the week at 3.85 million.



1969 L88 Corvette Rebel

1969 corvette l88 rebel  








 
 



This Corvette manged to fetch $2.6 Million, making it the 2nd highest selling car of the week. This Corvette brought in so many potential buyers by its appearance and its appearances at so many winner circles throughout the years. It could very-well be the most recognizable Corvette of all-time. 



2014 COPO Camaro


2014 chevrolet camaro copo 


Every since the COPO Camaro first came around in 1969 there has been somewhat of a cult following behind it. The 2014 COPO is no different and that is probably what helped this bad boy sell for $700,000. That's a good price with proceed going to
the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans. 



2015 Chevrolet Z/28
 

2014 chevrolet camaro z/28 














Chevrolet did not stop with their charity, using the proceeds of this Camaro to help Detroit public schools. This VIN #001 Z/28 left the auction block with a price tag of $650,000. Between the anticipation of this Z/28 and the funds going to a great charity, this Camaro like the COPO went for well-over their sticker prices. 


 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

2018 Camaro 6th Generation Sketches




2018 Camaro Sketches





There are a lot of pictures out on the Internet of what we can expect for the future design of the Camaro. Most of the pics are probably just digitally altered images, some might be close to what we can expect and others are just people having some fun.

The 5th generation Camaro obviously took influence from the styling of the 1967-1969 Camaro, but expert automobile annalist and leaks from General Motors leave telltale signs that the next generation Camaro very well could take on a resemblance of the 2nd generation Camaros.

Although these sketches and blueprints are just ideals put together by designer Michael McGee while working with GM, they do show what the possible direction may be for a 2016 Gen-6 Camaro.


2018 Camaro Sketches



 




I think it is time for a new Camaro, Mustang just came out with its new look and people may not agree with me but the two cars are starting to look a lot alike. Almost so much alike they could be built off the same frame in the same factory. It could be just me who thinks this, but it is just about that time to really put some new real design work to the Camaro.





                                                                             



These are all nice pictures of what could or could not be for the new Camaro. Obviously, we know pictures like these are over-exaggerated, but we probably can expect something like this on a dialed-down scale in the future.   http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/hotnews/1312_sixth_gen_camaro_sketches/



Friday, September 20, 2013

2014 Corvette Stingray: Coming to Show Rooms Soon


If you didn't get a chance to see the 2014 Corvette Stingray up close at one of the International Auto Shows, then your wait might finally be over. General Motors has now started shipping some of these fine works of arts to dealership locations around the USA.



If your lucky, one of the extra 1,000 Stingrays that GM has built at their world-famous Bowling Green Assembly Plant will be sent to a dealer near you. GM claims these cars should start arriving at undisclosed dealerships with-in the next couple of weeks. 

“It’s an amazing sight to see the transporters filled with Stingrays heading to customers in all corners of the country,” said Dave Tatman, the plant manager of GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant, in a statement. “The pride at Bowling Green is overwhelming and it shows in the tremendous quality and attention to detail going into each one of these new Corvettes.”


The redesigned 2014 Corvette got great reviews upon its unveiling. The styling was much impressive and to match up with the styling came a fuel-efficient 460 horsepower motor that could get 30 miles to the gallon on the highway thanks to the cylinder deactivation technology that GM implicates. The car carries itself very well and latches on a very reasonable price tag ( base $51,995).


By time next summer comes around, the 2014 Corvette Stingray should be gracing the roads all around the USA.

Hey, even if you can't afford one, maybe you can get lucky and con a salesman into at least letting you take one for a test drive.




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Corvette Stingray or Camaro ZL1: Which is a Better Buy

 Corvette or Camaro

It's tough to say which is a better buy?



But I think it's safe to say they're both completely Bad Ass!

Awesome power.

Awesome styling.

Awesome reputation. 

And well, Chevrolet's Greatest Hits.

So, which one?

The Vette looks awesome, and lets face it, who would not want to be seen in a American icon. I think when you drive in a Vette it gives you a certain amount of confidence. It puts you in a different class of car guy. Plus, this Corvette could very well be one of the Baddest Ass looking Corvettes ever made.


When it comes to Camaro, there is plenty of prestige there as well. Pretty much all the technology available to today's muscles cars is implicated on it, and lets not forget it has its legendary status as well. And, there is too more reasons not to over-look the Camaro: less pricey and more spacious.  

So which one would I choose, doesn't mater.

So which one should you choose? I guess that just depends on what kind of Bad Ass you want to be.

With the Woodard Dream Cruise right around the corner, it should be interesting to see just how many ZL1s and Stingrays flood the streets, possibly maybe even a brand new COPO or two, they are out there. Also another thing that might be interesting to see, is since the Woodard Dream Cruise is such a media attracting event, maybe Chevrolet will feel a little ambitious and give us a little sneak peak at the new Z28s.

Regardless, it's a good summer to be a Chevrolet fan.



Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Attitude of a Stingray: Corvettes Ready for 2014

General Motors has been the maker of the most iconic sports/muscle car in America's automobile history. Even for non-car enthusiastic, the Corvettes unique style is recognized by just about every American and non-American around the world. As I attended the 2013 North American Auto show, General Motors introduced their brand new 2014 Corvette Stingray. With more aggressive looking exterior body-lines, many interior styling upgrades and of course more technology for the engine and the drive train, GM made the huge impact on the public that they were ultimately expecting.



The question is was it a negative impact or a positive impact? The public, like always, was very pleased with the power upgrades, but when it came to the styling the public’s response was torn. A lot of people think that it is a great change and it’s just the aggressive look that the Corvette needs, but some responded in a different way even going as far as referring to it as the same styling blunder as GM made with the Pontiac Aztek a few years back.





Regardless of what the public thinks of the unveiling of the Stingray, the technology that GM brings to the table is nothing but the best technology known to the automotive world. GM starts out with a 6.2 liter small block V-8 that is capable of pushing out 450 horsepower and 450 Ib-ft of torque that gives the power that it needs to clock 0-60 second time in under four seconds. But the 6.2 liter engine is not just made for power it also comes with a standard cylinder deactivation system that helps it get 26 miles per gallon on the highway. Consumers have the choice of slapping a six-speed automatic transmission or a Tremec seven-speed manual transmission on the back of the 6.2 liter with an upgraded torque converted nestled in-between for smoother shifting.





One new and exciting option that the Stingray has to offer is the optional dual-mode exhaust system. The system allows the user to choose between a quiet comfortable sounding exhaust system and a dual system that puts out an America muscle rumble sound at the push of a button. The Stingray also comes with bigger rims and tires, sporting 19 inches in the front and 20 inches in the back. Behind those massive rims and tires sit a set of Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers and 12.6-inch front rotors and 13.3-inch rear rotors.





When it comes to the interior, there have been many upgrades as well. There will be no plastic inside the cockpit this time around, there will only be leather, vinyl and carbon fiber. There will be a driver seat option where consumers can choose between standard long range seats or competition seats, which one is best for the consumer, will probably depend on their height and weight.



These are just some of the upgrades and when you include the returning up-grades from 2013, one must wonder what the price tag will be on this new piece of American engineering. GM assures that the price range will fall into about the same price range as the 2013 Corvette, keeping it the great affordable sports car it's always been. 

Specification



Model: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Body styles / driveline: 2-door hatchback coupe with removable roof panel; rear-wheel drive
Construction: composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components
Manufacturing location: Bowling Green, Ky.




Engine



LT1 6.2L V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: direct injection
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Horsepower / kW: 450 / 335 (est.)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 450 / 610 (est.)




Transmissions


Type: seven-speed manual with Active Rev Match six-speed paddle-shift automatic




Chassis/Suspension


Front: short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite spring, monotube shock absorber
Rear: short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite spring, monotube shock absorber
Active handling: Magnetic Selective Ride Control (avail. with Z51)
Traction control: StabiliTrak, electronic stability control




Brakes


Type: front and rear power-assisted discs with four-piston fixed front and rear calipers (slotted rotors with Z51)
Rotor diameter (in / mm): front: 12.6 / 320 (13.6 / 345 with Z51)
rear: 13.3 / 338




Wheels/Tires


Wheel size: front: 18-inch x 8.5-inch (Stingray)
front: 19-inch x 8.5-inch (with Z51)
rear: 19-inch x 10-inch (Stingray)
rear: 20-inch x 10-inch (with Z51)
Tires: Michelin Pilot Super Sport run-flat
front: P245/40R18 (Stingray)
front: P245/35R19(with Z51)
rear: P285/35R19 (Stingray)
rear: P285/30R20(with Z51)




Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 106.7 / 2710
Overall length (in / mm): 177 / 4495
Overall width (in / mm): 73.9 / 1877
Overall height (in / mm): 48.6 / 1235
Weight distribution
(% front / rear):
50 / 50