With Chevrolet Europe seriously considering bringing the Camaro to this side of the Atlantic, it's possible we could see the much-loved American muscle car on UK roads in the next few years. But Chevrolet will need to sustain buyers' interest during the three years from the Camaro's unveiling last January until it goes on sale in 2009.
Our best guess as to how it will do that is the Camaro convertible concept. If GM follows the industry formula of revealing a coupe then a convertible, a drop-top Camaro should be due next year. The most likely stage for its first airing is the Detroit show next month.
Building a convertible version of last year's concept shouldn't take much work - the company that built the coupe concept already has the tooling for a second concept, according to an insider. Then it's just a matter of engineering and fabricating a canvas top that doesn't detract from the styling.
While folding hardtops are all the rage, don't look for one on the Camaro, which will probably draw its cues from the same late-60s era cars that designers looked to when they created the coupe.
Powertrains for the Camaro, as well as other new rear-drivers from General Motors, are already available. Look for everything from entry-level 3.6-litre V6s to 6.0-litre V8 high performance SS versions packing 400bhp.
The convertible reportedly already has the green light from GM bosses and should go into production a year after the coupe.
Bob Gritzinger
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