Wednesday 5th November 2014

Chevrolet at SEMA 2014

A couple of special Corvettes from Chevy plus another crazy COPO Camaro

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If you don't like drag racing, best look away now. The COPO Camaro is an unashamed drag car. It really does live life a quarter-mile at a time, with every single facet of its construction focused on going as fast as possible in a straight line.

"On green, I'm going for it". Sorry

The Camaro you see here is the last COPO based on the current Gen 5 Camaro that Chevrolet will build. As previously just 69 will be made for prospective hot rod hot shots. Once your interest has been registered at the Chevrolet website a third party will select the lucky 69 who can then own and race a COPO.

Each one starts as a Camaro body-in-white but is built by hand to National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) regulations meaning the COPO is eligible for Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes as soon as it is built. So there's a cage, the drag tyres plus unspecified 'racing chassis and suspension components', the most notable of which being the substitution of the standard Camaro's independent rear suspension with a solid axle. Seriously.

Looks like a C3, drives like a C7. Hmm...

If you have never delved into the Chevrolet Performance engine catalog (sic), you really must. There are six crate engine choices for the COPO Camaro but it's so easy to get lost in cheap small block power and supercharged LS V8s. For the Camaro there is the choices between NA and supercharged 5.7 V8s, two supercharged 5.4s plus 6.5 and 7.0-litre atmospheric V8s. Decisions, decisions...

Another of Chevrolet's SEMA cars takes advantage of a new addition to the performance catalog. With the help of Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson, Chevy will show a 1971 Corvette with the latest C7 Stingray's LT1 V8 stuffed inside. The 460hp V8 is now available from $11,000 (£6,870) wet-sumped (part #19328728) or dry-sumped for another 250 bucks (£155). Chevy will even sell you an electronic controller and harness plus a front-end accessory drive system to support the engine integration. With a new six-speed manual, updated suspension and C6 Z06 brakes it's another classic with very modern performance. Chevy's Eagle E-Type if you will. With more NASCAR.

The red Corvette has been designed by Kiss frontman Paul Stanley. He opted for a unique candy red paint with 'Midnight Glaze Silver' on the roof, spoiler and front grille. It also runs the Z51 Performance Package and forged aluminium wheels from Chevy Accessories. Show and go then.

Finally, Chevrolet is using SEMA to launch a range of Corvette Z06 options. These are aero, chassis and suspension parts available for the standard Stingray to imbue it with some of the Z06's additional edge. They include but are not limited too the carbon ceramic brakes, uprated Bilstein dampers, transmission oil cooler, front grille and carbon underbody braces. By which time you probably could have bought a Z06. But there we are.

 

 

[Benjaminbopper]

In this case an american car that really can only be driven in a straight line very fast! Joking aside, great to see a manufacturer embracing the needs/wants of it's customers.

[UltimaCH]

$250.00 difference between the wet and sump LT1, guess that is a bargain. OK you will be needing some hoses, oil tank, etc. on top of that, but overall it certainly sounds sweet.

[BigBen]

Anyone at SEMA who cam help me with tickets? Much beer in it, will be in Vegas this eve.

[bobberz]

BigBen said:

Anyone at SEMA who cam help me with tickets? Much beer in it, will be in Vegas this eve.

Unless you own a shop or are a member of the press, you can't get in to SEMA. Probably the biggest car show not open to the public.

[B'stard Child]

PH article said:

So there's a cage, the drag tyres plus unspecified 'racing chassis and suspension components', the most notable of which being the substitution of the standard Camaro's independent rear suspension with a solid axle. Seriously.

Only in America!!!

[2ndclasscitizen]

B'stard Child said:

Only in America!!!

....would they fit a drag car with the more appropriate rear suspension?

[BigBen]

bobberz said:

Unless you own a shop or are a member of the press, you can't get in to SEMA. Probably the biggest car show not open to the public.

I know that, hence my appeal for help

[BigBen]

Sorted. A few dollars to a Chinaman in the car park and a name change to Scott and I am in.