First 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible nets $205,000 at Barrett-Jackson

The very first Chevrolet Camaro convertible has sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, and it brought an astounding $205,000. Obviously, getting your hands on the very first of anything is going to cost you dearly, and quite a few were willing to pay the price of exclusivity.

But it's not just the new owner and proud papa Chevrolet that will be pleased with this sale. We're betting that this money will make some deserving youths very happy, as all proceeds are going to benefit YMCA of Southern Nevada.

Chevrolet to auction first Camaro convertible at Barrett-Jackson

Here's a shocker: GM will be auctioning off its yet-to-be-revealed first 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible at today's (September 24th) Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. While the act of auctioning off the first of a hot new model is certainly nothing new, the fact that Chevy has not even shown the car to the public yet, outside of a prototype and a couple of teaser pics (such as the one above). Those who want to see the real thing will want to tune in to the Speed channel tonight.

Press Release

Camaro Convertible Auction to Benefit Nevada Charity

LAS VEGAS – Car collectors on Friday will vie to become one of the first owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, several months ahead of its arrival in dealerships and even before the production car is shown to the public.

The winning bidder will receive the second 2011 Camaro Convertible produced for consumer sale. The car on the auction block in Las Vegas will be the Camaro Convertible Concept that has traveled the world's auto shows. The first production model will be used for historical purposes.

The production version will make its debut later this fall, prior to start of production in early 2011.

Chevrolet is partnering with Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, to offer one of the first Camaro convertibles at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Friday (Sept. 24) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Proceeds from the winning bid will go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

GM confirms Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production

Below you will find a normal looking press release for the 2011 Buick Regal. GM is announcing that it will produce the new Regal in the beginning of 2011 at it's assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

So what, you ask, does this have to do with the Camaro? Well, Oshawa is the same assembly line that builds the new Camaro. That, and GM subtly slipped in something about the upcoming Camaro convertible being produced there as well.

GM has been leading us back and forth on the issue of whether or not it would actually go through and produce a convertible version of it's pony car. This discreet little press release all but confirms it.

PRESS RELEASE:

2011 Buick Regal to be built at the Oshawa Car Assembly Plant

2009-11-25

o Second new car built on Oshawa's state-of-the-art flexible manufacturing line
o Production to begin in first quarter 2011

Oshawa, ON - North American production of the all-new 2011 Buick Regal was today confirmed for the Oshawa Car Assembly plant beginning in Q1 2011. The new 2011 Regal is a midsize sport sedan based on the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 "European Car of the Year" – and it brings all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the North American market.

"The new Regal gives Buick a modern performance sedan and its production here in Oshawa is terrific news for our employees, the CAW, dealers and suppliers," says Arturo Elias, president, General Motors of Canada. "Combining Buick's top position in the industry in terms of brand quality with the Oshawa Car Plant's long-standing reputation for top quality assembly means customers' highest expectations will be met with this midsize sport sedan."

Production of the new Buick Regal is the latest in a string of positive news for GM manufacturing in Canada including:

* Oshawa Car Plant running maximum overtime since June 2009 that will continue into the new year to keep up with demand for the Chevrolet Camaro
* Production of the Camaro Convertible in Oshawa beginning in Q1 2011
* The recent addition of a 3 rd shift plus scheduled overtime at CAMI Automotive to keep up with strong demand for the all-new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain
* The investment of $C90 million in CAMI Automotive which will add an additional 40,000 units of capacity to current production and result in full employment at CAMI
* The introduction of flexible transmission production at GM Canada's St. Catharines facility beginning with assembly of the fuel-efficient 6-speed front-wheel-drive transmission

The new Buick Regal joins the Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox and the GMC Terrain as the third new vehicle in the production commitment that was part of the agreement with the Canadian and Ontario Governments.

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario and employs 9,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through dealerships and retailers across Canada.

Spied: Camaro Convertible Preproduction models

Camaro5, the legion of all things Camaro, always seems to get the dirt first when it comes to news regarding GM's reborn pony car. And this time is no exception, as user isszy recently snapped some pictures of eight Camaro convertibles hanging out.

The cars were spotted outside the Holden factory in Fisherman's bend, Melbourne, Australia. It appears that they are all left hand drive. According to GM, the 'vert is still on track to arrive for sale as a 2011 model.