The Corvette Stingray is Back in Issue 39 Now Available on iTunes

The new Corvette Stingray makes its debut in the latest issue of LuxuryAutoDirect.com Magazine. Be sure to pickup your Apple device and subscribe to the best Magazine on iTunes. Contains bonus content and videos!

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MagnaFlow Mario Andretti Edition 2011 Camaro SS Sells to Benefit Wounded Warrior Project

With Mario Andretti on the stage cheering on the bidders the MagnaFlow Mario Andretti Edition 2011 Camaro SS was on the block last night at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2012. All proceeds went to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project Inc. As the gavel dropped the MagnaFlow Mario Andretti Edition 2011 Camaro SS sold for $75,000.

In creating the MagnaFlow Mario Andretti Edition 2011 Camaro SS, we wanted to develop a high performance vehicle that would be worthy of the Andretti name while honoring the vehicle’s roots to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Creating a unique identity for the Camaro meant using subtle styling to enhance the aesthetics. Bill Dunn Upholstery provided carbon fiber body accents in the form of a front splitter, skirts and diffuser. RK Sport donated a carbon fiber hood to further reduce weight and allow for a paint design that pays tribute to Mario’s racing heritage. Bill Dunn Upholstery stepped up to the plate to upgrade the interior with high quality leathers, suede and subtle accents tying the interior and exterior together and giving the Camaro a luxurious custom feel. In the powertrain category, the LS3 packs a punch that can stand alone. However, in creating a true supercar, we needed a boost in power levels. We partnered with Magnuson Products to enhance power through one of their aftermarket TVS 2300 superchargers. Advanced Clutch Technology and their twin-disc clutch helped us insure all the extra horsepower was transferred to the wheels. With increased power levels we need to give the Camaro more stopping power, grip and control. Brembo offered to help this beast stop on a dime with their 6-piston monobloc system. Opting to stay with 20″ wheels, HRE P40s added the additional styling needed to show off the Pirelli PZero tires for enhanced traction. The Eibach Springs Pro Plus kit allowed for more control and better handling. After Mario Andretti took it to triple digit speeds at the Nashville SuperSpeedway and Samuel Hubinette took it sideways in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational at Spring Mountain Raceway, we were confident that we had achieved our goal.

Source: Barrett-Jackson.com

2011 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Concept

The COPO Camaro is back at Chevrolet, as a concept designed to the specifications for NHRA Stock Eliminator drag racing competition.

“The COPO Camaro is a proof of concept for what a Chevrolet Stock Eliminator entry could look like,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “And it is a clear indication that Chevrolet intends to homologate the Camaro for sportsman drag racing.”

The COPO concept vehicle is designed to accommodate more than one engine option, including a naturally aspirated 427 engine (7.0L) – the same displacement as the original COPO Camaros from 1969 – and a supercharged 327 (5.3L) engine. Among the many racing-specific features and equipment is a conversion from the Camaro’s standard independent rear axle to a solid axle, as well as a full chrome moly roll cage.

The basic content for the COPO Camaro Concept includes: 

 Provisions for two engine configurations (see below for details)
• Provisions for a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission, a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual
• High-rise cowl-induction hood
• Custom Aeromotive fuel system, with a fuel cell and integral high-pressure fuel pump
• Full, 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
29×9-inch rear radial racing slicks and 4.5x28x15-inch front tires
• Manual steering system
• Strange Engineering lightweight racing brakes system with standard line lock.

The interior is all business, with most sound deadening and power accessories deleted. Instead, there is pair of racing bucket seats (and no rear seat), a safety harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges by Auto Meter.

The engines

Intended for NHRA’s various Stock Eliminator classes, the COPO Camaro concept has provisions for two distinct engine packages – each built to conform to class guidelines. The details below outline the core specifications of each engine and their intended classes.

The concept vehicle is powered by a prototype version of the supercharged 327 engine, featuring an LSX cylinder block.

The COPO legacy

Since 1955, NHRA Stock Eliminator has been a straight-line proving ground for the quickest cars to come out of Detroit. Within Stock Eliminator, there are many classes, all defined by the ratio of vehicle shipping weight and the assigned horsepower factor. Because of this tightly monitored set of rules and historically brutal competition, Stock Eliminator is the ultimate test for factory muscle cars.

From the “Fuelie” ’57 Bel Air to the ’62 409 Impala and countless muscle cars that came later, Chevrolet has enjoyed a long, dominant position in this sportsman drag racing category. None of the cars, however, have dominated both the track and muscle car folklore like the legendary COPO Camaros produced in 1969.

In the Sixties, COPO was the acronym for Central Office Production Order, within Chevrolet’s vehicle special-order program. Although normally used for fleet orders of trucks and company-owned cars, it was manipulated by a few performance-minded dealers to order vehicles with larger engines than were available in regular-production models – mostly with the intent of getting them to Stock Eliminator racers.

By pushing Chevrolet’s Central Office Production Order special-order program to its limit, a number of dealers were able to get 427-cubic-inch big-block engines installed in a handful of Camaros, when the largest official engine available was a 396. Two versions of the 427 engine were wrangled out of the factory: COPO 9561 was the Corvette-based L-72 edition with an iron cylinder block and COPO 9560 was the racing-designed ZL1 engine with a lighter aluminum cylinder block.

The COPO Camaros opened up the NHRA rulebook to some exciting combinations for Camaro, helping keep Chevrolet at the top of the ultra-competitive form of motorsports. In fact, they were not only competitive in NHRA Stock Eliminator when new, but still hold the national ET and MPH records in several classes.

Racing enthusiasts who are interested in more information can go to www.gmperformanceparts.com to sign up for COPO Camaro concept updates.

Source: Chevrolet Press Release

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition Revealed

The Chevrolet Camaro returns as the Autobot “Bumblebee” in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday. To celebrate, Chevrolet will offer a 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe to Bumblebee fans in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America, and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”

The fifth-generation Camaro previously played Bumblebee in the 2007 film Transformers and in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The films generated $1.5 billion in global box-office sales, and helped reintroduce the Camaro to consumers after a seven-year hiatus from dealerships.

In 2009, the Camaro was the most-searched-for car on the web, according to Yahoo!Autos, even though the first models didn’t arrive at dealers until late that year. In 2010, the Camaro assumed leadership of the U.S. sports car market from the Ford Mustang for the first time in 24 years. This year, the Camaro continues to lead the segment, fueled by the introduction of the Camaro Convertible. Chevrolet has sold 40,275 Camaros this year, compared to the Mustang sales of 30,206.

That momentum is expected to accelerate early next year with the introduction of the 550-hp (405 kW) 2012 Camaro ZL1, as well as limited-edition models such as the Transformers Special Edition.

The 2012 Transformers Special Edition will be offered as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint. In addition to the content offered in the popular RS appearance package, the Transformers edition will feature black rally stripes that stretch over the hood, roof, decklid and unique high-wing rear spoiler; 20-inch, black-painted wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires; and Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels.

Inside, the Transformers Camaro has a black leather interior accented with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats. Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid.

Two dealer-installed options are also available: exclusive, 21-inch, black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects package.

Customers may begin ordering the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro in July, with vehicles arriving at dealers in the U.S. and Canada in September.

Source: Chevrolet Press Release

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition

Launching this summer, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition commemorates both Camaro’s lineage and its 21st-century revival. Camaro fans will get their first look at the 45th Anniversary Special Edition at the Camaro5 Fest II, April 15 in Arizona. The anniversary package will be offered on Camaro’s top two trim levels (2LT and 2SS) for both coupe and convertible body styles.

The exterior signature of the 45th Anniversary Special Edition is its unique rally stripe, in red and silver, that contrasts the Carbon Flash Metallic paint. The package also includes:

* Unique 45th Anniversary hood and deck stripes; badges located beneath the front fender emblems
* New-design 20-inch wheels in dark silver
* Fog lamp and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver
* RS-style taillamp lenses
* Standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps
* Body-color roof molding
* Jet Black interior with leather-trimmed seats featuring the 45th Anniversary logo
* White instrument panel and door trim inserts with the 45th Anniversary logo on the instrument panel
* Red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid
* 45th Anniversary logo on the steering wheel and sill plates.

Source: GM Press Release

2010 GeigerCars Corvette Grand Sport

The name “Grand Sport” is entrenched in the racing history of the Chevrolet Corvette. Now, for the 2010 model year, there is a new edition that evokes memories of the racecars of the seventies – and Geigercars.de has already given these rockets an additional performance upgrade.

With the LS3 V8 under the bonnet, and the corresponding 430 hp and 575 Nm in torque, the Grand Sport is certainly not short of legs when it leaves the factory. But why be satisfied with production line performance, when tuning specialist Geigercars.de can give you something more? Thanks to the Munich pros, a supercharger with a fat 2.3 litres capacity sits on top of the eight-cylinder engine, which itself exhibits a volume of 6.2 litres. The result is a growth in the power of the Corvette to an immense 588 hp at 6,490 rpm, and torque of 738 Nm at 4,030 rpm. This ultimate sports car negotiates the sprint to 100 km/h in less than four seconds from contact, and it’s not until reaching 337 km/h that the Geigercars.de rocket is forced to relent to wind resistance.

The Grand Sport impresses both aesthetically and technically, with wider front and rear fenders with additional vents, to accommodate the larger brakes of the sister model Z06 with its 355 mm, six-cylinder discs at the front axle, and 340 mm, four-cylinder discs at the rear. The front diffuser and larger rear spoiler are also borrowed from the engineers of the Corvette Z06. Sway bars, shock absorbers and springs have also been overhauled in addition to the six-speed transmission, while a dry sump oil system and differential cooler are also on board. The battery of the Grand Sport has been relocated to the rear. Optimum road contact is guaranteed by the 18 and 19 inch light alloy rims, with 275/35 and imposing 325/30 tyres.

Special factory-installed emblems on the front fenders, and not least the special graphics applied by Geigercars.de to the fenders, bonnet and boot lid, draw even the untrained eye to the character of this very special elite athlete – and underline that certain something about the entire project perfectly.

Technical specifications – Geigercars.de Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Engine: 6.2 litre V8
Output: 588 hp at 6,490 rpm
Torque: 738 N m at 4,030 rpm
Top speed: 337 km/h
Supercharger with 2.3 litre capacity and 0.6 bar charging pressure
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission (5th and 6th gears modified)
Light alloy wheels – 18 inch front / 19 inch rear
Tyres: 275/35 ZR18 front / 325/30 ZR19 rear

(Source: GeigerCars Press Release)

Images from SEMA Show Part 2

American muscle cars are definitely dominating the landscape at the 2009 Sema Show in Las Vegas. I think I have seen every conceivable modification that can possibly be done to Chevrolet’s Camaro, Dodge’s Challenger and Ford’s Mustang. Overkill…perhaps but still amazing.

Below is part 2 of the photo gallery. Enjoy!

 

DropTop Customs 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

This year’s feature project is the Chevrolet Camaro convertible.  With the talk of GM offering their own version of the Camaro convertible sometime in the future, you may wonder why a conversion company such as Convertible Builders llc. would take on this endeavor. Jeff Moran , owner of Drop Top Customs by Convertible Builders llc., explains it like this.  I do not believe it would be a sound business move for GM to take on a project that has greater potential to lose money than to be profitable. If you compare the numbers for the last Camaro in 2002, there were approximately 40,000 Camaros built; of those roughly 8,000 were convertibles. I don’t see even at those numbers the project being profitable for a company the size of GM. I also don’t think that anyone anticipates the car market to be nearly as strong within the next two years as it was in 2002. And who from GM will stand up in front of the Car Czar and say we want this project bad enough to risk more government money?

 That does not mean that there will not be a desire for a quality Camaro convertible, the numbers will just be smaller. That is where Drop Top Customs by Convertible Builders llc can fill a market niche, much like we did with the Cadillac Eldorado convertible, and are currently filling with the Dodge Challenger convertible.

Being true to the lines of the car, Convertible Builders made the top line much as the factory would have, complete with a working glass quarter window. Not only does this enhance the limited rear seat visibility this car in known for, it stays true to the line the car. We believe this to be a significant factor. While we all love to drive our convertibles with the top down, you should not be ashamed of the car when the top is up.   So when you make the decision to have your car transformed by Drop Top Customs, not only do you have a structurally solid car that looks great with the top down, it looks as it should with the top up.

The Camaro convertible conversion that will make its debut at SEMA, will run you an additional 18k over the hard top. Orders are currently being taken for the Camaro Convertible so you too can say Transformation Complete.

Photos courtesy of Eyespike

Strut Redefines 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

STRUT, the leading manufacturer of high quality accessories, wheels and grille collections for some of today’s most popular automobiles, is pleased to announce the availability of the new Camaro Marquise Collection designed exclusively for the uber cool 2010 Camaro. More photos will be available soon, so stay tuned!

The re-introduction of the Camaro is expected to reach new heights in popularity as the ultimate muscle car for this generation.

 STRUT has created a collection that complements this vehicle and the owner who drives it with pride.  The entire collection features a primary and lower bumper grille with a jewelry-grade stainless steel which surrounds diamond woven mesh Both feature the distinctive STRUT shield. An additional STRUT shield is included for the rear of the vehicle. Retail price of the collection is USD $4,000.

About STRUT

Located in San Clemente, California, STRUT has achieved benchmark status throughout the world for their trendsetting and distinctive jewelry collections, wheels, and accessories designed for connoisseurs of luxury automobiles. Created like fine jewelry, each handcrafted collection is personally signed by the artisan, further reflecting the passion and pride they take in their work. STRUT Collections can be viewed at www.strutwear.com.