Production Camaro SS photos

clinehall · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:18 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

Biggest problem, for me, is the size of it. All of them - Challenger, Mustang, Camaro - seem unnecessarily large to me.

I agree, is it because the American auto industry still does not get it. Thinking bigger is better? Maybe it's because the enthusist market will not embrace them so they have to just go after the waxer market? At a very early age I was a big fan of the original Trans Am series, I would love to see Detroit get to the place that I could buy a car that had that kind of potential out of the box.

All that said, I think I will test drive the Camaro.

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:22 am

clinehall wrote:

I agree, is it because the American auto industry still does not get it. Thinking bigger is better?

This is coming from an individual that makes his monies from the second largest contributor to this perceived problem...the insurance companies. The largest being the federal gov't that legislates what the insurance industry want.

When the Solstice/Sky came out, we heard the same thing about weight from the very same people. Yup, that car will never be competitive because it is a heavy pig. I think the very same people were ranting about the BMW 1 series, the G8, etc, etc, etc...I don't think your opinions carry much weight :-)

And lets bash the American auto industry. What country is putting out your ideal weight cars? The Chinese probably. But we see how they fold in your crash tests.

As for the Camaro, unless I missed my invitation, it is not even in showrooms yet. You want to give up 300# replacing the IRS with a solid rear axle? How about all of the stupid crash impact crap? I am sure you want it nice and quite, have to have ac and a kicker stereo, leather, nav system, etc, etc, etc. To put it in perspective, the numbers being brandied about on these new pony cars are only about 500# more than my race prepped 1992 Camaro and 600# more than the 1969 Camaro.

Oh, we could make it front wheel drive too...a true car enthusiast dream.

I stand by my early statements that there is no other car company in the world putting out more exciting cars than the General, from the $22,000 Colbalt SS to the $100,000 ZR1.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:47 am

it is still Fugly. :twisted:

Cline is completely full of conflicting issues on cars, beer, sports (like golf is really a sport) and of course politics.

the Bowtie rulz yohe!

clinehall · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:17 am

steve remchak wrote:

it is still Fugly. :twisted:

Cline is completely full of conflicting issues on cars, beer, sports (like golf is really a sport) and of course politics.

the Bowtie rulz yohe!

That's rich, coming from a guy that can decide if he like his Bmw or Vette better, fluent in Bimmerdouche speak and drinks Budiesilfuel Beer while smoking an expensive cuban cigar he lit with a $200 butane lighter!

Maybe we can ge a group discount from a therapist :lol:

JIm, I will do full essay on the issue of insurance when I have more time! But this isn't like the 60's when you couldn't get coverage on hot cars. Insurance is very obtainable and affordable if you have a good driving record!

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

jimpastorius wrote:

I stand by my early statements that there is no other car company in the world putting out more exciting cars than the General, from the $22,000 Colbalt SS to the $100,000 ZR1.

I've probably quoted this out of context too... but I agree. GM is improving significantly, including quality control. Even on the bland and boring cars. Competing with Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

The silver one in the shots above looks good. I think this one looks better.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Graham Jagger wrote:

The silver one in the shots above looks good. I think this one looks better.

I wonder how difficult it is to get a rollbar into one of those ...

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:17 am

Wes Eargle wrote:

I wonder how difficult it is to get a rollbar into one of those ...

These guysprobably can answer your question.

Quote:

Riley Technologies Selected to Build Camaro for KONI Challenge

Mooresville, NC (12 August 2008) - The legion of Chevrolet Camaro fans will have a new place to focus their enthusiasm starting next January at Daytona International Speedway, as the legendary V8-powered classic Chevrolet performance machine will return to competition in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge GS Class in 2009.

Riley Technologies has been named the exclusive builder for the Camaro for KONI Challenge competition. The entry will be closely based on the highly anticipated all-new 2010 Camaro, which was recently officially unveiled simultaneously at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, and GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio North Hollywood, California, GM.

By entering the KONI Challenge, the Camaro will be competing head to head against a world-class field of production-based racers. The category has established itself as key showcase for both driver and product capabilities, and has enjoyed tremendous fields thanks in part to a SPEED television presence as well as a rules package that keeps cost containment a constant focus.

With that philosophy in mind, Riley will be offering four configurations for teams to select from, creating additional opportunities for teams at varying levels of investment to suit team budgets. Teams will be able to select from a complete turn-key race car, a complete unassembled car kit, an unassembled car less purchased parts, and a Riley Technologies Body In White fitted with a roll cage.

“We are very excited to be named the exclusive builder of the new Chevrolet Camaro for KONI Challenge,” said Riley Technologies VP Bill Riley. “We will offer the same level of support for our Camaro KONI Challenge competitors as we do our Daytona Prototype and Rolex GT Class customers. The KONI Challenge is tremendously competitive and we are really looking forward to seeing our customers hit the track starting at Daytona in January.”

"The KONI Challenge series is a great venue in which to demonstrate the performance attributes of the new Chevrolet Camaro,” said Mark Kent, Director GM Racing. “As the exclusive builder of the Camaro for competition in the Koni Challenge series, Riley Technologies will assure the racing version of the Camaro maintains the highest quality standards, is safe and affordable to purchase and operate. With Riley Technologies long history of developing and producing championship winning race cars, we are confident that the Chevrolet Camaro will be a championship contender in the Koni Challenge series."

Riley Technologies has established an excellent record both on the track, and in the paddock. Riley products won both the Daytona Prototype and GT classes of the 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona, adding to a remarkable record of over 50 victories in the category. A key ingredient in that success has been the high level of service and support that the manufacturer offers its wide customer and competitor base.

“The addition of the Camaro to the KONI Challenge GS class has been anticipated since our first peek at the car, and it’s sure to become an instant fan favorite,” said Grand-Am Vice President of Competition David Spitzer. “We are glad to support GM Racing, and their selection of Riley as the supplier of both cars and kits. They have a track record of safe and successful race cars, and excellent customer service. Grand Am will work closely with GM Racing and Riley to ensure the Camaro is priced fairly, and with the dedication of Riley we expect to have Camaros on the grid for Daytona in January.”

The machine will be delivered ready to race for $130,000, with deposits currently being accepted. Riley will be the only approved manufacturer for the car in KONI competition.

The Grand-Am KONI Challenge GS Class is the top KONI Challenge category. The 2008 KONI Challenge season has seen wins by the BMW M3, Porsche 911, and the Ford Mustang. In addition to racing in support of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the KONI Challenge also holds events in conjunction with the IndyCar Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, as well as staging stand-alone events

For more information or questions, please contact: Bill Riley, (704) 663-6319

Riley Technologies has an extended legacy of success, developing competitive on-track products for the Rolex Sports Car Series, the American LeMans Series, the USAC Silver Crown Series, and the Japanese GT Championship Series.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:26 pm

Wes Eargle wrote:

Graham Jagger wrote:

The silver one in the shots above looks good. I think this one looks better.

I wonder how difficult it is to get a rollbar into one of those ...

Damn, I didn't get to jump in with that first. :lol:

Gee Graham, that bird crap yellow car looks dangerously close to yellow. :wink:

I agree that the General is coming up with the best looking cars of the American brands. (and I have in the past like Fords better) They are taking more design chances, getting rid of some of their styling nick nacks and bringing up their quality - maybe not on par with the Hondas and Toyotas of the world, but enough to where you can't just say "yeah, looks good, but will be trash in 2 years when all the parts fall off" The Challenger looks like a Charger with about 4 inches cut out of the middle in pictures - it looks a bit better in person. I don't know about the most exciting in the world, I am personally on the edge of my seat waiting for the first import of the Chinese Sunny XR1T which will be an exact copy of a 1965 Zil :wink:

, but the ZR1, Cobalt SS, or some of the Pontiacs and Saturns are world class. Heck the Malibu :shock:

looks good and not like a rental any more.

All these cars look/are too heavy. If you put the Mustang next to the original 67 version or the Camaro up next to the 69 they are so much bigger. While I would like to see them lose some serious weight, I don't think that will happen for a lot of the reasons Jim said. Plus, we Americans like big cars. And all cars are too heavy. Seen any BMW,Audi, or Merc (other than the Mini) that weighs under 4000lbs lately?

I still like the BMW 1 series, Ferraris, I need the Aston Martin Vanquish , or the Alfas and other cars too, but the General's cars are competitive and usually less $$$

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:58 pm

Just an FYI, the yellow one above isn't real (look at the brakes), it was just a prop-car used for the transformer movie. It was based off the Camaro Show car, but is missing a lot of Production items.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:44 pm