Camaro Named "Hottest Car" at SEMA for Second Year Running

Proving lightning can strike in the same place twice, the Chevrolet Camaro was named the “Hottest Car” during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show for the second straight year. The award goes to the most accessory-friendly vehicle at the event and was first given in 2010—which means the Camaro is the only car to ever win it.

“After more than two years on the market, the Camaro continues to inspire creativity and Chevrolet is thrilled to see that expressed in all the wonderfully personalized examples here at the SEMA Show,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy. “Camaro has always been a car customers love to personalize and we are doing all we can to support them and the aftermarket industry with parts and accessories that help turn their dreams into reality.” 

That was certainly the case this year, as Chevy brought a bevy of Camaros to SEMA, including the reincarnated “COPO” Camaro. Inspired by the rare Central Office Production Order Camaros of 1969—essentially dealer-designed, factory-fresh dragsters, each packing a 427-cubic-inch V8—the 2011 version was developed to meet the specs for today’s NHRA Stock Eliminator competition, with:

• Hardware capable of handling either the same kind of naturally aspirated big-time power plant as the original or a supercharged 5.3-liter V8
• Provisions for three different transmission setups, including a Powerglide two-speed, three-speed automatic or five-speed manual
• High-rise cowl-induction hood
• Custom Aeromotive fuel system, with a fuel cell and integral high-pressure fuel pump
• 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 x 9-inch rear radial racing slicks and 4.5 x 28 x 15-inch front tires
• Manual steering system
• Strange Engineering lightweight racing brakes system with standard line lock

“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.”

All of which helps explain why the Chevy Camaro is clearly a safe bet to take home its third consecutive SEMA award next year.

 

** Courtesy of Chevrolet in the News