The Chevrolet Camaro joined the ranks of iconic American muscle cars in 1966, when it joined the “Pony Car” wars. The marketing spin was that the name Camaro “was a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” And to combat its Pony rival, Chevrolet has made a few cosmetic changes for 2019. While remaining primarily the same technically and powerwise, Chevy has added new front fascias and grillework on several trims, moving the “Bowtie” logo to the upper grille opening, and a new rear fascia with sculpted LED taillamps. 

Also new for 2019 is a Chevrolet Infotainment system with 8-inch color touchscreen and available navigation. The system offers greater personalization and more intuitive user interface including voice recognition and apps. The 2019 Camaro also gets a full-display rear camera mirror with improved, high-definition view quality; Forward Collision Alert (on coupe models); revised ambient lighting with new blended color choices; improved wireless charging feature and Performance Data Recorder enhancements.

As I tested the ZL1 trim, my review level also received a Carbon fiber rear wing, specific air deflectors and dive planes on the front fascia that produce grip-generating downforce to help the car stick harder and drive faster in turns. As part of the package, ZL1 also gets Racing-derived, lightweight Multimatic DSSV® (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers front and rear; adjustable front-end ride height; adjustable camber plates; adjustable (three-way) rear stabilizer bar; dual-zone automatic climate control; a Bose premium audio system; heated/ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel, and several trim-specific items.

Available in seven trims and about 20 configurations when considering engines and transmissions, I tested the ZL1 Camaro Coupe, ostensibly to get my hands on (accelerator foot on) its 650 horses. But before getting behind the wheel, this beauty looks the part of an American street muscle icon.  

From its black carbon fiber weave hood insert to its rear air wing, the CamaroZL1 is muscular, aggressive, sporty and head-turning. The huge black undergrille, and slender overgrille with “Bowtie” badge charge ahead with a low and wide road-hugging stance, augmented by bold cooling ducts, ground effects wings and sculpted character lines.

The ZL1 Camaro is powerful and confident, measuring 190.2 inches long, 74.7 wide and 52.4 inches high, on a 110.7-inch wheelbase.  My test manual (stick) Coupe weighed in at 3883 lbs. (curb weight). 

Some may crave Camaro for its looks, but the legend has most often been about its power. The base Camaro is outfitted with a 2.0-liter Turbo engine (275hp/295 lb-ft of torque). However, my test ZL1’s standard 6.2-liter LT4 direct-injected V-8 engine is responsive and super-powered, with 650 horses/650 lb-ft of torque. That brawn does not disappoint. It is responsive, immediate and thundering above the musclecars of the “Pony War” past. Jetlike, my ZL-1 rocketed a zero-to-60mpg dash in 3.3 seconds during a quarter-mile run of 11.3 seconds. 

Track-reactive and street secure, Camaro attacks at all levels. The ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering was alert and precise, and the MacPherson-type front struts with dual lower ball joints, twin-tube struts and direct-acting stabilizer bar worked in collaboration with an Independent five-link rear to supply a level, yet driver’s feel for the surface.

Inside, my ZL1 Coupe was packed with infotainment, keyless access with push-button start, cruise control, power trunk release, manual rake and telescopic steering wheel, Black interior with Red accent stitching and suede inserts, suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob, Red seat belts, and  tech, tech and more tech.

Interior space was leg-roomy and head-tight, with a hunch-inducing 36.6 inches of front headroom and legroom of 42.7 inches. Rear accommodations are a snug 33.5 inches of headroom with only 29.9 inches of child-worthy legroom. Shoulder room is accommodating at 55.5 inches in row one and 54.5 behind.

Available in seven trim levels in both Coupe and Convertible configurations, the 2019 Camaro base prices in Coupe form are: 1LS -- $25,995 manual with a smaller 2.0-liter turbo engine; 1LT -- $26,495 (the larger engine adds about $1495); 2LT -- $28,495; 3LT $31,995; 1SS (only with the 6.2-liter supercharged engine) -- $37,995; 2SS -- $42,995 and  ZL1 -- $62,995. Automatic transmission adds about $1495 and Convertibles add about $6500.

My ZL1 Coupe in clean and classy Summit White and Jet Black interior with red inserts, tweaked up with an overly expensive, but very cool $7500 ZL1® 1LE Track Performance Package upgrade that included: Black hood wrap; unique front splitter; front dive planes; exposed carbon fiber weave hood insert; exposed weave carbon fiber rear spoiler; low-gloss black outside rearview mirrors; dark tail lamps; 19-inch low-gloss Black-painted forged aluminum wheels with Goodyear® Eagle®F1 SuperCar 3R 305/30R19 front and 325/30R19 rear, summer-only tires; Red calipers with 1LE logo; performance suspension with DSSV™ dampers, adjustable camber plates, rear stabilizer bars (3 positions) and front spring seats. This option came with my test set-up, and looks great, but if I were ordering, I’d save the $7500. Chevrolet MyLink® with an 8-inch diagonal Color Touch Screen and Navigation added $495 and a really sweet carbon-fiber instrument panel added $500. With Destination and Freight charges of $995, and a Gas Guzzler Tax of $1700, my 2019 Camaro ZL1 Coupe/1LE was priced-as-tested at $73,190, but some cash allowance incentives could bring that down by $500.
 
Camaro fans can see 52 years of Camaro, and a thousand other Chevrolet and GM vehicles, at the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals at Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds, June 21-22. Home to a diverse group of General Motors vehicles, from vintage muscle to the modern 6th-Generation Camaro, this event was formerly known as the GM Nationals. While focusing on 108 years of the Chevy brand, the weekend isn’t limited to “Bow-Tie” branded cars and trucks and includes a “Smokey and the Bandit” Firebird TransAm fly-through-the-air jump. The Chevrolet Nationals also includes any and all makes and models produced by General Motors and will showcase 50th birthday celebrations of The Blazer and the GTO Judge, a 60th anniversary of the El Camino and special displays on Nova, Hurst and more. But for Camaro enthusiasts, be sure to check out the 2019 Camaro ZL1.


<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

With winter gone and spring here, it is fun car time. For some, it is Supercar time, and while I try to avoid over-use of the term, one car that arguably seems to fit the Supercar niche is the Nissan GT-R. For me, a Supercar could be a daily driver, around town or on long cruises, and while fewer than 600 GT-Rs are sold in north America each year, the car that its fans call “Godzilla, “ is certainly a car to behold … powerful, sexy, track-handling, tech-advanced, a head-turner and a very fun drive.

Called “unique” by Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, who compares it to the giant robots of the sci-fi “Gundam” series, Nakamura says “The GT-R is not simply a copy of a European-designed Sports car; it reflects the Japanese culture.” To that end, GT-R has been co-designed by Nissan's American designers, European designers and Polyphony Digital – creators of the “Gran Turismo” motor racing video games.  Emerging from the Nissan Skyline badge that began in 1969, with an unveiling in 2007 as a high-performance sports car, the GT-R last had a facelift in 2011, and continues with cosmetic and engine tweaks for 2019 as it now niches into the luxury sports car market. 

There are no significant changes for this year, but I finally got around to test driving it and it was worth the wait. Nissan says its team is working on an all-new edition with a new platform and powertrain, which he said will likely feature electrification, and technology borrowed from Nissan’s LMP-1 GT-R hybrid race car. While that version is still several years away, the 2019 Nissan GT-R is super as it is.

Staring with its architecture, GT-R is aggressive, sexy, fluid and functional. The V-motion grille, one of Nissan's design signatures, features a matte chrome finish and mesh pattern. The hood, with its pronounced character lines flowing flawlessly from the grille, is reinforced to enhance stability and aerodynamics during high-speed driving. The curving profile of the front under spoiler is slightly extended and lowered to maximize airflow at its lower edge; the C-pillars' upper portions are shaped to deliver better airflow management by preventing the generation of a smaller vortex; and the rear of the GT-R is defined by its iconic round taillights and character line that separate the lower black section from the body panel.  The GT-R is also outfitted with 20-inch wheels and massive 15-inch brake rotors. GT-R’s unibody construction, steel, carbon fiber, die-cast aluminum body on a Premium-Midship platform measures 185.4 inches long, 64.6 inches wide and 53.9 inches high on a 109.4-inch wheelbase weighing nearly two tons, at 3933 lbs.

Getting to the super aspect of GT-R, its 3.8-liter 24-valve twin-turbocharged V-6 engine delivers 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. That super power delivers rocketlike acceleration. The manufacturer claims a 2.7-second zero-to-60mph capability, and my test runs on less-than-perfect surfaces and without special tuning, delivered a blazing sprint in 3.1 seconds during an 11.2-second quarter-mile, and I think it can go quicker than that. And the special NISMO-tuned engine can gallop out 600 horses and faster launch times.

The Electronic Nissan Direct Injection System and engine are rated at 16mpg in the city, 22 mpg/highway and 18mpg/combined. My week of tire smoking, hard-cornering and some lane-changing cruises still averaged 17.9mpg.

On the pavement, GT-R’s vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion, aluminum steering rack, four-point mounting, with stiff insulators was an auto-cross champ, and the independent double wishbone aluminum, integral tube-frame front suspension and independent multi-link aluminum rear suspension are track sticky with super driver’s feel.

Inside, the well-appointed and tech-savvy interior is adult comfortable up front and child-roomy in the rear, with 38.1 inches of front headroom and a neck-bending 33.5 in the rear seats; a roomy 44.6 inches of legroom ion row one and a child-worthy 26.4 inches on row two; and 54.3 inches of front shoulder room with 50.0 inches in back. Seamlessly wrapped in one continuous hide of the highest quality Nappa leather, the instrument panel adopts a “horizontal flow” while occupants sit in the leather-and-suede covered cushioned seats; and the 8.0-inch touch panel monitor features large icons on the display screen to allow the user to easily manage the audio system, navigation system, telephone controls and other infotainment functions.  

The 2019 Nissan GT-R is available in four trims. The PURE starts at $99,990; the Premium (my test ride), started at $110,540 and added Titanium exhaust with Exhaust Sound Control, Bose® audio system, Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement; the Track Edition started at $128,540 and added a NISMO-tuned suspension, carbon-fiber trunk lid, 20-inch NISMO black super-lightweight RAYS® forged-alloy wheels and a Black/Red interior treatment; and the track-worthy NISMO trim based at $175,540 and added a NISMO-tuned engine and about 35 more horses, aerodynamic body design, and more carbon fiber cosmetics, and NISMO Recaro® leather-appointed front seats with synthetic suede inserts.

My GT-R Premium added Super Silver Quadcoat exterior paint for $3000. The All-Weather Package was included for no charge, with Dunlop® SP Sport® 7010 all-season run-flat tires; Premium Sport floor mats with carbon fiber inserts added $1085; and Destination and handling added $1695, for a sticker-as-tested of $116,320.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I> 

Ford Nationals weekend has come and gone, and this year’s event ranks right up there with the all-time greats that have come before it. Presented once more by Meguiar’s, the National Parts Depot Showfield welcomed a record breaking total of cars spanning 112 years of Ford and Ford family production. From cars to trucks, rare to daily drivers and everything in between, the event showcased once more why this is THE car event for Ford lovers from around the world.

Every year at Carlisle it seems the cars, people and vendors are showing up earlier for Ford weekend. This year was no different as people were showing up and setting up on Memorial Day Monday, days in advance of the weekend start. Indoor displays were also loading in early, with nearly all buildings filled by mid-day Thursday, while the Showfield, automotive flea market and midway were all coming to life on Thursday as well. As an added bonus to the decades of classics on grounds, Ford wowed crowds with a great array of new products. These cars and trucks weren’t only on the midway and in front of the stage, but were also at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center. There, show goers could not only see the vehicles, they could get behind the wheel and drive many of them too.

Featured vehicle displays included those dedicated to the Fox Body and Fox Platform, Mach 1, Boss, Eliminator and Maverick. While many of those cars had that preserved and classic look that we all love, some showcased top of the line restoration work, wowing all who walked by. 

The aforementioned weren’t the only featured rides. Dating back to 2015, Ford weekend has hosted the Ford Nationals Select display. Annually, 12 cars anchor this display, each for a specific or unique reason. This year was no different. Cars 51-62 took their rightful place within the building and included the likes of an original 1982 Escort with less than 900 miles on it, 1959 English Ford, a 1961 Country Squire and more.

Ford Motor Company brought a lot of great new products to the table this year.  With each new ride came a walk around at the stage. Carl Widmann, the Chief Engineer of Ford Performance shared the details of the new Shelby GT500. Roush and Saleen offered product walk arounds too, with Roush showcasing not only one of its new trucks, but its Stage 3 ROUSH Supercharged Mustang.  In addition, Saleen gave attention to its 2019 SA35 edition Mustang.  Gateway Classic Mustang delivered an experience for Ford Motor Company on the autocross track throughout the weekend. New rides like the 2.3L High Performance Mustang and the GT350 furthered the fun on the track as guests could go for hot laps in the latest performance offerings from Ford Motor Company

What’s a show at Carlisle without special guests? Of course, there were many, including Mike Finnegan of “Road Kill” on MotorTrend TV. Finnegan was joined by Al Joniec, Steve Saxty, Don Farr, John Clor, Charlie Morris, Tony Alonso, Scott Hoag, Jake Jerrell and the artistic talents of David Snyder. 

While many guests simply admired the parked cars, others had installs handled via A&A Auto Stores, participated in the burnout contest, autocross rides or open runs and even hit the streets of downtown Carlisle for the parade and street party.

In all, hundreds of awards were doled out, with everyone walking away eager for next year’s fun. Speaking of next year, save the date. The 2020 Carlisle Ford Nationals take place June 5-7. Registration is now open at www.carlisleevents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

A new car!  Sure, the announcer guy on a TV game show says it best, but it’s true…you really could win a NEW 2019 Corvette Stingray.  Once again, the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation with the help of their friends at Lancaster County Corvette Club are raffling off a 2019 Corvette!  The always popular giveaway is up and running and would-be winners are invited to purchase tickets early so as not to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tickets available have 3 digits – 000 through 999, meaning 1,000 opportunities exist for this 2019 Stingray.  The winning number, well that will be determined by the evening Pick 3 drawing via the Pennsylvania Lottery.  Those 1,000 tickets are available now!  The price for a shot at a “free” car?  Just $100!

The Pick 3 drawing takes place twice daily, so hopeful winners will want to keep an eye on the evening drawing on Saturday, August 24.  This is the date and time frame when the winning numbers will be pulled at random.  At that point, the winner will be notified and subsequently recognized at the event.

The prize itself is indeed a Corvette.  Coming direct from Kerbeck Corvette in New Jersey is a 2019 Corvette Stingray.  The car retails for over $50,000 and is brand new.  Each ticket sold is another $100 towards the Chip Miller Amyloidosis foundation, though the value of the car does come out of money raised.  Once all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed, the CMAF tallies about $50,000 which is earmarked for donation and research purposes.  Monies also benefit Clare House, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania based organization serving homeless women and children in a caring environment.  This is done through life skills training and support, leading to self-sufficiency.

“The Lancaster County Corvette Club has been an amazing group to work with,” said CMAF President Lance Miller.  “Their passion to help two wonderful charitable organizations by promoting ticket sales and the raffle and being so energetic about their efforts is great to see,” continued Miller.  “The CMAF can’t thank them enough for all of their efforts.  I also want to thank the many supporters that purchase raffle tickets to help the CMAF.  We really enjoy being one of the lucky charities behind the effort, plus who wouldn’t want to win a BRAND NEW CORVETTE?”

Tickets for this cool car and great cause are available now!  They can be obtained a few different ways.  Tickets can be ordered by downloading the raffle form at https://tinyurl.com/y2drr2mc, by calling the CMAF at 717-243-7855 x113 or in person at the Chevrolet Nationals in June or Corvettes at Carlisle in August.

Complete details about the CMAF and all of its events are available at www.ChipMiller.org.  There, not only can you download the form to buy a ticket to win the car, you can also register for other summer fun events, donate or simply learn about all that the CMAF offers.  Good luck and thanks for the support! 

There has been Hurst representation at Carlisle in some form or the other since the inception of the Carlisle Events brand. The Hurst spotlight in 2019 shines directly on the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  Spanning two days, June 21 and 22, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds comes to life with not only all things Chevrolet, it also plays host to a Hurst Showcase!  The showcase will feature a few dozen Hurst branded GM cars and welcomes some amazing guests.

New for 2019, guests at the Chevrolet Nationals can expect a visit from Linda Vaughn.  This is Vaughn’s first trip to Chevrolet weekend in over 10 years and by coming to Carlisle in June, offers event guests a chance to meet THE first lady of Motorsports.  In addition, Hurst enthusiasts have a chance to connect with Jim Kerr, also known as “The Hurst Shifty Doctor,” former Hurst engineer Don Glover, former Hurst sales manager Steve Weiner, former PR and sales guy Howard Maseles, former O.E.M. salesman Don Morton, former production engineer Marty Danko, former engineer & designer Don Lane and former manager of manufacturing & quality control, Joe Barone.

Jim Kerr was the ORIGINAL Hurst Shifty Doctor (the guy who installed and repaired Hurst shifters at the races)!  Jim was involved almost since the beginning and is one of the key people who developed the Carlisle Hurst Nationals.

Don Glover was an engineer with Hurst starting in 1967. In his time at Hurst he worked on the team that developed many of the products and specialty cars. Don is basically an encyclopedia for all things Hurst. Don will be available all weekend with many of his blueprints, products and more. 

Steve Weiner is probably one of the oldest Hurst employees, having started with the company in 1960 at the age of 18. Steve was at Hurst almost from the beginning and he was deeply involved in the business, so he knows it well.  

Joe Barone will join his former Hurst co-workers for the 2019 Hurst Showcase.  Joe worked for Hurst Performance in Warminster, Pennsylvania from 1971 to 1986.  During his time, Joe served as the Manager of Manufacturing & Quality Control for various hallmark products.

Marty Danko started with Hurst at the age of 19 and spent 18 years with the company. During his time with Hurst, Marty was involved in both production and engineering as the R&D Engineer. Marty’s primary duty was to make prototypes and then fit them into the vehicle applications.

Don Lane began his career with Hurst in 1955 which makes him one of the earliest employees of the company. Don designed the Hydrogate, Lenco shifter and the Quarter Stick as well as many other shifters that never made it into production. He was also involved in the early stages of the Jaws of Life.

Joe Barone worked for Hurst Performance from 1971 to 1986 as the Manager of Manufacturing & Quality Control. Some of the key products during Joe’s watch were Roll/Control, Jaws of Life as well as the Competition/Plus, Dual Gate, Super Shifter, Lightning Rod and Quarter Stick shifters.

Howard Maseles was part of a team of Detroit racers who were contracted by Hurst to help build the ‘69 Hemi Super Stock cars. Howard went full-time with Hurst in 1969 to help build many prototype vehicles, race cars and more. In 1970, he moved to Pennsylvania to become the Hurst Shifty Doctor until 1981.

Don Morton was in charge of OE sales and experimental vehicles at Hurst. Essentially, Don was the guy who worked with each OEM when they wanted to outsource a special project. This included cars like the Hurst/Olds that made more sense to send to Hurst for the transformation rather than build a limited run on Oldsmobile’s assembly line.

Each guest will be part of seminars, pose for photos and sign autographs too.  Complete details about the Hurst aspect of Chevrolet Nationals weekend as well as on the Chevrolet event itself can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855 .