NAHC Picks Chevrolet Camaro as 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future"

From all the new cars and trucks launched in America this year, the vehicle to turn most heads in 2035 will most likely be the Chevrolet Camaro. Or at least that is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC), which decided that GM's muscle car is the 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future". 

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said: "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by 'car buffs' who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2035." 


The members of the organization selected the Camaro from a total of 13 all-new vehicles launched in 2010.
Tom Peters, Camaro chief designer commented: "Our mission with the 21st century Chevy Camaro was to draw on the passion and heritage, expressing it in a new and modern car with design, technology and quality to carry the legacy forward. It's simple; the new Camaro puts smiles on the faces of car enthusiasts of all ages."
Last year's vote went to the Ford Flex making it the first crossover to win since the creation of the awards in 1995. Over the years, NAHC has picked a variety of vehicles including the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as 1996's "Collectible Car of the Future". No, seriously; from all the vehicles launched that year, NAHC's members found that Chrysler's rent-a-cabriolet would rate the highest among future collectors in 2020. What can you say... Below is the full list of NHAC's previous winners.

NAHC Previous winners are:
2008 - Dodge Challenger
2007 - Dodge Viper SRT10
2006 - Pontiac Solstice
2005 - Ford Mustang
2004 - Chrysler 300
2003 - Dodge Viper
2002 - Ford Thunderbird
1996 - Chrysler Sebring Convertible
1995 - Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora
*None selected from 1997 to 2001

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VIDEO: Finnish Pro Drift Driver Taming a 1970s 505HP Camaro

With all those JDM cars dominating drift championships around the world, it's nice to see something different for a change. In this case, we have the opportunity to witness Finnish pro drifter Mikko Viitala skillfully taming a 1970s Camaro fitted with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine from a 2010 Corvette, churning out 505 hp. Check out the video after the break to see the "drifting Finn".

By Csaba Daradics

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Chevy Drops the Top on 2011 Camaro Convertible at LA Auto Show

The latest addition to the Camaro family is the all-new Convertible model, which received its world premiere in Los Angeles. The four-seater model comes with a power-folding soft-top that retracts in about 20 seconds, with a folding, one-piece tonneau cover that neatly hides the folded top being standard on higher-spec models.

GM's engineers were keen to point out that the rag-top Camaro comes with significant structural changes that give it "superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor" (we'll assume the General is pointing its arrows to Ford's Mustang), and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

"Our goal in development was to make the convertible match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer."To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser. Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."

As with the coupe, power comes from a standard 312-horsepower direct injection 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 29 mpg highway, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 unit producing 426 horsepower for the SS model with the manual transmission and 400HP when paired to a six-speed automatic.

The new convertible version of the Camaro begins production in January and goes on sale in the States in February 2011 with a starting price of $30,000.

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2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Fully Revealed with: Photos, Videos and Details

The Los Angeles Auto Show this week will see the long-awaited 2011 Camaro Convertible getting its first public outing before going on sale in February of 2011 with an estimated starting price $30,000. Today, General Motors released more photos and details as well as a couple of new videos of the soft-top variant of the Camaro, which has been in the works ever since the introduction of the coupe model but was constantly delayed due to the firm's financial troubles.

GM says the conversion from coupe to convertible comprised of four strategic reinforcements to enhance the body structure including, the addition of a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace and, front and rear underbody "V" braces. The company's goal was to match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance.

Additional safety structural reinforcements include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."

According to GM, the result of the structural changes to the convertible body give it better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

The Camaro Convertible comes equipped with a standard power-folding top that retracts in about 20 seconds. Furthermore, a folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS.

Other changes over the coupe model include the relocation of the radio antenna to the boot and the trunk lock cylinder from between the taillamps to an area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel.

The soft-top four-seater will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe, meaning buyers will have a choice of two engines, a 312HP 3.6-liter V6 delivering 29 mpg highway and an 6.2L V8 with 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

Finally, nine production exterior colors will be available available, with tops offered in black or tan. All models will be equipped with rear parking assist as standard.

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