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Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill



The crew at freshly-minted The Detroit Bureau is reporting that while the Chevrolet Camaro has started rolling off off production lines, there are some serious hitches with future model plans that could result in a substantial delay - or outright cancellation - of two hotly-anticipated models.

According to Paul Eisenstein (veteran auto journalist and founder of TheCarConnection), the Camaro convertible and Z28 are both in jeopardy. As the story goes, budget crunches for both General Motors and its suppliers could grenade products that were seen as foregone conclusions.

At the moment, TDB says that saving the droptop is the most pressing issue, as the German supplier responsible for the convertible top is having money problems. GM is seeking alternate suppliers, but that process is likely to take six months or more, meaning that the model will likely miss most of the 2010 convertible's prime selling seasons (Spring and Summer).

The high-performance Z28 is a different story, however, with GM's own costs reportedly being the culprit. TDB quotes Gene Stefanyshyn, the car's Vehicle Line Executive as saying that, as it sits, the model "would cost too much" - about $50 million. Thus, the Z28 could either come to market carrying a prohibitively expensive price tag or face some "creative engineering," and it's likely to do the latter - if it can be saved at all. For now, TDB is calling the Z28 "cancelled" with a potential resurrection still in the cards.

So, assuming these revelations are true, Bowtie faithful, if you were planning on holding on to your purse-strings for a while longer, you may just want to get in line now for an RS or SS hardtop and consult the aftermarket. Us? We're going to hold out hope and drop a few dimes on our sources at The General just in case.


Gallery: Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept



[Source: The Detroit Bureau]REPORT: Chevrolet's Camaro convertible delayed, Z28 facing cancellation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Sholt_c33

The crew at freshly-minted The Detroit Bureau is reporting that while the Chevrolet Camaro has started rolling off off production lines, there are some serious hitches with future model plans that could result in a substantial delay – or outright cancellation – of two hotly-anticipated models...


http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/r...-facing-cance/

JasonD

This isn't good news, obviously. One glimmer of hope is that I know that a lot of people think that just because GM may not be able to do it right now doesn't mean that someone else cannot. We'll see how this pans out.

2010_5thgen

not good news at all. i figured if they made the z it was going to be a little pricey. hope everything turns out well for it. id love to see that drop top out on the streets. but.....at least we have our camaro back!

jg95z28

Dang. I fully intended to buy an SS initally and later a LT/RS convertible for my wife. Then when/if the Z/28 rolls out, trade in the SS coupe.

Looks like I won't be spending as much money as I thought.

centric

No vert, no sale. It's that simple.

Sad that GM and Chrysler have to leave the Mustang convertible all by its lonesome.

Z284ever

Funny, notwithstanding my other issues with this car, my original plan was to buy a Z/28 and a convertible.

Maybe someone's trying to send me a message....

8Banger

If you haven't notice, things aren't going so well in the auto industry right now. It's not that they don't want to build it. It's probably just not going to happen for now. If GM is able to come out of all this and get healthy again, then you will see it. Yes that is a big if. I'm pulling for um and ALL of you who want the converible and Z28.

John_H

At least with such a great aftermarket and tuner companies, it won't be hard at all to make your own version of the Z28. I'm just ecstatic that Chevy was able to produce such an incredible platform in the SS.

Its not that far fetched to say its possible to build a 600+ hp Camaro for about $46,000. How do you think a 2010 Shelby GT500 would far against that in either the 1/4 mile or around a road course? So what it doesn't have a Z28 badge.

99SilverSS

When you say origional plan was that before you had the info on the production car?

Z284ever

Yes, when I thought it would be 3500-ish pounds, 185" long, and have a different interior.

Z284ever

What I think you don't get is, a Z/28 is not simply a price point + a horsepower number.

99SilverSS

IF Chevy never does the Z28 then I hope some of parts they had planned for it make their way into the SS in years to come. Engine obviously not withstanding.

John_H

I understand the concept of a Z/28, as far as its origins. A true Z/28 hasn't happened since the first few years of Camaro history. The closest version of a original Z/28 in recent times have been the 1LE. But since everyone has been clamoring that the top dog Camaro must be called a Z/28, well, as of right now that's not going to happen. I just wanted to point out that for the price of a GT500, you can turn an SS into something that would embarrass a GT500.

95GRNZ

Ouch...