Forty-four years after its release, Chevrolet Performance has paid homage to the original Hot Wheels Custom Camaro toy at the SEMA 2012. It introduces a LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system that matches the 430-horsepower LS3 engine with a 4L65-E four-speed automatic transmission.
Translating a 1:64-scale toy car into a 1:1 real car is complicated, as the proportions don’t exactly match a full-scale first-generation Camaro, but the designers tried to interpret the original toy. The concept vehicle is painted Kinetic Blue, just like the forthcoming Camaro Hot Wheels Edition production model.
Additional highlights include shaved door handles with remote keyless entry, hood that matches the design of the original Custom Camaro toy, Hot Wheels exterior badges and grille emblem
Stainless steel “zoomie” side-exit exhausts, and custom 18×9-inch (front) and 18×11-inch (rear) aluminum wheels with red-line accents. On the inside, the vehicle has 2012 Camaro front bucket seats with shortened head restraints trimmed in white leather with blue accent stitching, Silver vinyl-wrapped instrument panel, door panels and rear inner quarter panels, Silver perforated headliner and sunshades, custom instrument panel, custom console gauge kit and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
In addition to the new LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system, drivetrain and suspension components include a hydroformed front subframe with tubular control arms and adjustable coil-over shocks, a four-link rear suspension with adjustable coil-overs, rack-and-pinion steering and heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes featuring six-piston calipers.
[Photos by Effspot Photography]
