Camaro convertible coming in Q1 2011, but no Camaro sedan or Regal GNX

General Motors recently had a Q and A session over at FastLane blog, and there were some interesting tidbits.

Specifically, CEO Fritz Henderson was asked if GM would build a credible contender to the BMW 3 series, like what GM had previously in the G8. Henderson responded, "[We] do not see a [four door] Camaro in our future. We will continue to look for performance opportunities across our lineup, including in sedans."

The good news concerns the convertible version of the Camaro, of which one participant said "Been patiently waiting for Camaro Convertible. Best guesses are 2012 model in 1st quarter of 2011. With surging popularity of this model is there any chance of GM considering a push for earlier release?" To which Henderson replies, "Good guess and no."

And surprisingly one person asked about a possible GNX version of the new back from the dead Buick Regal, to which Henderson responded "Think you will like what you see in the future Regal alternatives, but do not look for GNX." Bummer.

Hurst SEMA Camaro auction underway

SEMA, Chevy, eBay and Hurst have teemed up to auction off a Hurst-tuned Camaro with the proceeds going to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, "a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket."

The winner of the auction will not only receive an all expense paid trip to this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas, but also gets the very first Hurst Camaro. The car features a nice array of aftermarket upgrades, and you can view the auction here.

PRESS RELEASE

Hurst/SEMA Camaro Auction

In a nutshell, SEMA, in cooperation with Chevrolet, eBay Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced that it will auction a special pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show. The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

This very special HURST/Camaro is serial #3 and is the first HURST/Camaro to be offered to the public. This 445 Horsepower beauty is finished in Hurst's best bad-boy colors; brilliant black with honest-to-goodness real painted silver and red stripes. Hurst hardware could pass for art; especially the massive 20" polished forged aluminum HURST T-2 wheels, a Hurst Billet/Plus short-throw shifter with a special red anodized HARD-DRIVE® billet pistol-grip shift handle, a Hurst AIR-SPEED® rear deck spoiler. The Eibach suspension and Magnaflow stainless performance exhaust system deliver more attitude and performance to match the looks of this stellar performance machine. The interior has a personalized HURST/Camaro dash plaque and logo embroidered floor mats. Signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and "Doc" Watson will be on the car and documentation is provided to complete the car's provenance guaranteeing that it is truly one-of-a-kind.

The winning bidder gets:

HURST/CAMARO EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

HURST Billet/Plus HARD-DRIVE™ with red anodized aluminum shift handle
HURST 20" polished forged wheels with black and red center cap "H" logos
BFG KDW Performance tires
HURST AIR-SPEED™ Rear Deck Spoiler
HURST Exterior logo graphics: red and black "H" logos
HURST Silver and Red body graphics
HURST/Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system
HURST/Eibach Suspension
HURST embroidered logo Floor mats
HURST/CAMARO personalized "SEMA Special" interior identification badge
Certificate of Authenticity confirming that this is serial #3 HURST/Camaro
Vehicle signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and "Doc" Watson
HURST logo car cover

SEMA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO INCLUDES:


Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3 - 6
Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show Banquet on November 5
Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show eBay Party at the Bellagio on November 4
Two (2) nights at the Las Vegas Hilton during the SEMA Show
An American Airlines flight voucher worth $1000
Transportation to and from the airport, hotel and SEMA Show
Two (2) SEMA Show t-shirts
A photo opportunity with industry celebrity and former spokes model for Hurst Shifter, Linda Vaughn

Yenko to make a comeback?

It's been 45 years since Don Yenko used GM's COPO (Central Office Production Order) program to build his first hot rod, the Yenko Stinger Corvair. But it's not the Corvair that Yenko is famous for, rather the Nova's and Camaro's he built with the sole purpose of dragstrip (and street light) domination.

And now General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) owner Jeff Leonard has just taken control of the Yenko name and brand with the promise of new product. Now seems as good a time as any, with American muscle cars alive and kicking.

PRESS RELEASE

ON IT'S 45th ANNIVERSARY - THE YENKO NAME IS ALIVE AND WELL

Avid Car Collector and Yenko Enthusiast Recaptures Yenko Magic with Possible New Yenko Models, Fresh Product Lines

Westminster, Calif. – (October 14, 2009) As the 45th Anniversary of the Yenko legacy draws near, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced today its ownership of the classic trademark and its plans to revitalize the brand.

To jump start this effort, Yenko owner, enthusiast and GMCI CEO Jeff Leonard, is consulting with several notable limited production vehicle companies in the automotive industry on possible new Yenko project cars as well as upcoming Yenko product lines.

GMCI will also launch a brand-new online home for the Yenko brand in the upcoming weeks, where owners and enthusiasts can find information about upcoming cars and products, access historical information about the brand, register to be a part of the site's forums and much more.

"The muscle car era has made a huge comeback this year and we expect this trend to grow," said Leonard. "The Yenko name is very much a part of that magnificent history and we plan to resurge its magic and its historical significance. Through GMCI's efforts, Don Yenko's name will be kept alive with the highest degree of integrity and respect."

Growing up in Detroit in the shadow of the famous Woodward Avenue during the muscle era heyday, Leonard always had a keen interest in Detroit muscle culture. As a muscle car enthusiast and owner of an original 1968 Yenko Camaro, Leonard shares the enthusiasm and excitement of many towards owning a unique piece of Yenko history.

Originally, the 60s era Yenko car was a special order vehicle, available only through Don Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA. Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, a program GM used for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxi cabs, etc. to special order the most powerful vehicles available.

Yenko modified his first vehicle, the Chevrolet Corvair, in 1965 for the Sports Car Club of America racing team. Yenko later went on to build the Yenko Super Camaro, Yenko Deuce, Yenko Chevelle, Yenko Super Nova, Yenko Vega Stinger and the Yenko Camaro Turbo Z among the fastest SCCA racing cars ever produced.