hyperv6

Well We had the Bumble Bee Transformer 2009 Camaro at my work this weekend. That was cool enough but we had an added bonus. The tranport truck came to pick it up this afternoon and on it they had the Woodward G8 GT on it. I was able to see the outside and the under side of the car. I must say it is very striking. Even with the crowd there to see the Camaro many were distracted and were able to get the side dorr open so we could get a better look. After seeing the hardware under the car it sure makes my GP look like a pice of crap. If show to many people they would mistake it for a high priced European car and not a Pontiac. I just got a new camera and have not down loaded the pictures yet but I will post them if they came out as well a I think they did. With the racks in the Reliable truck it was hard to get one large picture so I took many small ones so we could see the under side of the engine, exhaust and rear diff. The tail lights look better than I expected in person. The clear did go well with the red. The car is a good size for todays market and the new wheels look fine. I also got the under side of the Bumble Bee so I could compare the old Holden parts to the new. Fbodfather was correcting people and saying this car was not a Zeta and was only an update of the old platform. Someone said like the GTO and I think he said kind of. He said this was to hold over till the next platform was ready and it shared nothing with the Camaro. If it had he said the Camaro would have been ready by now. So the Camaro will be the first true Zeta?

Toyota is just spinning the truth as they are now behind in battery technology. GM did the same with the stage one Hybrids. GM tried to make them sound better then they really were. I think Toyota fears GM as they are the one company that has the resouces to fight back. They also know if or when GM gets on track it can fight them toe to toe. Ford and Chrysler are both is a wold of hurt just keeping their head above water. Honda is a strong company but still not a very large comapny like Toyota and GM. As for Nissian they are not really leading in anything right now and seem to be struggling a little.

Even if they relocate the Cobalt you could still get something new. You know the UAW at that plant is willing to talk and do what they need to do. GM knows that too and I think they will come to terms on some platform. The L town people already know what happened at the Steel mills so they are smart enough to work with GM. Something is better than nothing.

The 2010 1/2 Z28 will be the top 550 HP Camaro Shelby fighter car. The SS will just be the 430 HP performance model. The Z name looks to be a trend for limited edition performance.

It all comes down to terms. GM is going to make their offer at their terms and If the UAW meet them they will get a new car. If the UAW wants to hard line GM they will close and move production. GM is doing this else where when contracts and new lines need hammered out. The UAW has little to stand on and if thery want the jobs they need to deal.

The first car ride I got coming home from the hospital was in my dads old 1960 Ventura vista roof. 1961 buble tops are still my favorite too. With 8 lugs, tri power and 4 speed.

I am just glad most people have forgotten about the last ZR1. It started off good but really did not end well. I do know Chevy was glad many forgot about it when they wanted to boost HP on the regular cheaper Vette. My boss has one today and they are very good buys if they are in good condition. Just don't go looking for parts cheap.

They only ran limited in Europe and not in the American Lemans series where the CR6 went head to head with them every week last year. The only race they went head to head was Lemans I believe. Aston did not even come to Sebring this year. As it stand now in AMLS there are two cars in the Vettes class and both are Yellow. Will have to see what and who comes to their class. If no one challanges them I look for a move to a class where they can beat someone other their team mate. The Pratt and Miller team and Chevy had looked to run in Europe but I think they know they still need to be in a top series here in their largest market. My hope is the return of the VIper may bring back a old challanger but with Chryslers sales and the many cust they will see I will not get much factory backing is my fear. Even the Mopar parts division is in risk of being cut.

There may not be a C6R next year. With no other car in the class it is pointless to run the car where it is now. They are considering moving the car down and run it in a lower GT class against the 911. Now if they run the SC or not may be up to the series leaders as they make the rules and try to keep everyone close. If someone steps up to race the CR they may stay but as of now with Aston being gone and no word yet on a new Viper racing it is not a sure thing.

The recent Pontiac's I have has has the model name on the left and series name as in GTP on the right. I also had the series name in the middle with no Pontiac On my SSEi. The Fiero had the model name on the right with the sub model also on the right. Or just GT with Pontiac in the middle of the bumper. Others had GP in the middle and GTO on the right. GMC is on the right and Sonoma is on the right. Pontiac has no real patteren to where they put the name so is there really a correct side? This is something to make it different and does it really matter? I find it just another petty excuse for those who want to complain. There was a stir up when Pontiac put the front plate off to the side on the 1969 when it came out as that was just wrong because no one did it just as the door handles were another picking point. Both have become hallmarks so I think we will lmake it though this too.

My idea was this planted the seed to my son that the cars in the movie were cool and he now knows what this car is [i Noted the Solstice]. He and many other kids in the 12 and under are in ther formative years where they decide what is cool and what is not. Most marketing firms know this and are tageting these group. That is why GM and Ford both did Tonka show trucks and many Hot wheels are made due to request of MFG. Look at the free Hot Wheels they are giving away in Kellogs cereal right now and all are stock Fords. It is all marketing to win em early. As for the T bird it failed as it was expensive and had no performance what so ever. It also was not a real luxury car. A Chrysler Sebring did what it could do for half the money. If Ford has stepped up the performance and added more Luxury it would have sold better. Hell for the same price or less you could get a Vette and there is no comparison. Ford needed to target the Vette with the T bird. You would be suprised outsider most enthusiast circles the Camaro is a great unknown. I have even spoken to many people at Chevy dealers that really know little to nothing about the car. You would think they would at least it is coming and few even knew that. The Camaro will do well and the performance V6 version will be the key to better sales numbers as it will be cheaper and get better mileage but perform like a 4th gen SS.

Once...........? You changed teams? Sorry, I don't think Scott is not looking for any volunteers.

Any one in Ohio will have a chance to see the Bumble Bee 09 Camaro Movie car at Summit Racing Equipment in Akron Ohio. the car will be on display late Friday till mid day Sunday to go with the Camaro show they are having. Scott Settlemire will be on hand spreading wisdom and facts on the Camaro history past, present and future. I have seen the other two {orange and silver} cars so it will be nice to see the Movie car. I know my kid will love it. The movie marketing should not be underestimated as my 6 year old know all about the new Camaro and Solstice. He points out Solstice ever time we pass one. Thsi movie has planted the seed in the young and it is up to GM to keep it going.

The last I heard GM would like to stay and the Union is willing to talk, [but I think you alrwady knew that by your address]. I too have heard Astra looks like a good bet it they get things worked out. I take it you work there. Work you know the time frame on the Turbo Cobalt SS that is coming?

Pontiac should just ship them over with no badging and just offer emblems of your choice. It's the You Bought it You Name it kind of thing. It could just be sold as the full size Pontiac and then you would have 5 dealer installed names to stick on it. I would like to get the GXP edition when it arrives and stick Royal Bobcat emblems on it. This car should do well. Many here claim it is too plain to be a Pontiac while over at AutoBlog.com many claim it is too over done in a Pontiac way and should have been left a Holden. If public opinon is going this way this way then GM nailed it and it will do well.

Well I refuse to buy this car because Holden screwed it up and put a red emblem on it and not the new one. ....... Just Kidding... It looks great! I just though I would say this just to get it over with before one of our Anti Holdenmites said it. Now that it was said continue to enjoy the view uninterrupted. [Camino this was no way intended for you!]

It is no different than Michelin using Pilot and BFG using Comp TA on 14 tires with varing degree of performance and quality. GM did the same when they put Cutlass on how many cars in their lineup. Not all marketing people are real smart and when they get a good name they can kill it with over use on too many products. Smart people look before they buy because you get what you pay for some times and other doen't get what they pay for. I am running the Assurance Triple Treads and they are some of the best tires I have had in overal performance and tread wear. But paid less than I did for the last set of Eagles I had. I don't expect the Triple Treads to make any OE aplications as they are too expensive for the car companies and Goodyear is getting away form low profit poor quality OE tires. Also the last set of Comp TA VR were as bad as the last set of Eagle GA tires that came on my Truck. Both were OE and both were not as good as other tires of the same line [Eagle and TA] that I have owned. The Michelins on my buddys GTP were no better than the Comps that came on mine. Again OE. If you see the TPC on the side wall they are OE ouality tires and most times are not as good as most others you can get. Car companies don't want to pay much for tires and tire company can move a lot of tires on OE sales. But to make money thingds get cut. OE tires to the tire compnys are the same as fleet sales to a car company a dumping ground to get your name out with little profit.

Just look at Goodyears web site and you will note There are a range of Eagle F1 tires is a whlole subset line under the Eagle line that have the following. Different names after the F1 Different compounds Different tread Some run flat some not Some all season some not Some winter only and some not Some street performance some track only with shaved tread. My point is just because you say F1 it is not just one line of tire it is a whole range of different performance tires even under the Eagles sub set. The F1 tire on the Corvette and the the GS-D3 are two totally different tires that only share the F1 letter on the side wall. The GS-D3 were tested 2 years ago by most of the magazines and showed they were a top performer vs Michellin and many other top brands. These are not OE tires nor are they track only. The bottom line is you can't compare the OE Vette tire and say it represents the entire line. Just as you cant Compare the TA radial and say it represents the best Comp TA. Read up on all the different F1 tires offered under the F1 name and you will catch on that F1 is only a name for the better line of performance tires good year offers and the Vette get the cheaper comprimised ones to GM spec. If you want you can just look at the pictures in a Tire Rack add in the magazines. It might be easier at the pictures will just point out a few of the entirely different tires they offer under the F1 name. A good example they made a Goodyear Eagle F1 GS Fiorano as OE for the F-50 Ferrari. It can still be purchased and is not a tire GM would ever offer on the Vette do to cost and tire noise. It only shares the F1 anme just as the GS-D3 does.

I meet with Don Kefee 3 weeks ago and if you like his present book he has another coming out next year. It is going to be on many of the project X stories he did over the years in High Perfomance Pontiac Magazine. If not familier with the Project X storied they were all directed at prototype Pontiac and Pontiac parts. He also road drives cars like the restored X400 and highlights many cars no longer around. IF you like Pontiacs and love the history this is a must book to buy. I was thrilled to know there will be a story in the book that I helped with on my finding of some 1990 Fiero nose emblems a friend of mine found and my getting the documented. The nose of my car made the magazine and I hope it and one of my emblems and blue print make the book. Don today is Editor of Smoke Signals magazine for the POCI. I miss his writing in HPP but POCI will be so much improved with his work in their magazine. If you don't have the GP book it is a good book. Not rea in depth but still packed with very interesting stories and many fact.

Not the top line F1 tires. the Vette has the lesser F1 and not the F1 DS-D. Just saying F1 means nothing but when you add GS-D to it it is a whole different animal. The SRT I think are the all season F1 that are the same as the Vette that are nothing but OE F1 grade tire that are no where near the same or as good as the F1 GD-D3. The Z06 I think gets the F1 Supercar but they are even a lesser F1 than the F1 GS-D3 When you say Eagle or F1 it is like saying Pilot with Michelin or Comp TA with BFG and it narrows it to about 6-12 different tires of varing performance, price and quality.

Chrysler has been know to take acception with tread wear requirements in shearch of performance. The Michelins on my buddys Viper were only good for 17,000 , miles with few burn outs. GM on the other hand put Comp TA radials on my GP that were not near as good as the Comps I bought for my other car. I replaced them with Goodyears with 70,000 rating and they have been great in wear and traction. The Comps only got 24,000 miles with my wife driving around town. Comps are like Eagles there are good and bad in the same line. Note BFG is owned by Michellin and they suffer the same thing. Tire lines are like car companys. They have goods, old, new and bad in their lines. After working with engineers from BFG, Goodyear, Firestone Michelin, Bridgestone, General, and Hankook I can tell you some things that would amaze you on what goes into to OE tires and how the engineers hate them.

The Goodyears were taylored to GM's spec at the price they wanted to pay. Goodyear is getting away from OE sales as there is little profit and the performance can not be all it can be due to drive by sound regs and compund not as good due to milage regs. The Run Flat requirement is a real killer too. Notice the best Eagles as well as most of the best perfomance tires regardless of MFG are never OE for these reasons. The new F1 Eagles have been great performers and one of the best rated tire in many independent test but are not a OE tire. The bottom line will be the lowest bidder not the best tire no matter the claim and car companys want cheap tires no matter the application.

Camino, I will just have to respectfully agree to disagree. But I do agree this should not be a Pontiac. Take a short rest. Oh Camino, I will see Scott S in about 2 weeks I will quize him on this as see what I can find out.

Not so much venom as just frustration that GM is finally giving us a great car we have begged for and a few are acting repulsed that it has an emblem not of their choice when it is the same car regardless of the emblem. The small fact you leave off of the 10% is there were so many fewer GMC dealers vs the Chevy store on every corner and the fact GMC really never promoted these cars to start. This argument is every bit as bad as the Z28 vs SS getting top billing. GM can not please everyone and have to make the hard choice to do what is best for GM. In other words we are not always going to get everything we wish for and for a good reason. The fact Pontiac and GMC dealers are product starved, the fact the G8 and Holden Ute share a common bond, the fact GMC it trying to seperate it's self from Chevy after years of many asking GM to do so. All of this adds up to a deal where a limited specialty car at a dealer that is going to specialize in niche cars would benifit by this car as would the car it's self not getting lost in a dealer with so many other models already offered. It just seem silly to sell a car that looks like a Pontiac in a Chevy dealer. IF they would rebody the nose which they won't I could see Chevy getting it. I can understand your being upset on not getting your name of choice and that is ok but to diss the car and say you would not buy because of a simple emblem says to me you really don't want one bad enough. There has never been a perfect car made and there is always something you want changed. But if a name is all that would prevent you from buying?? I think we all have made bigger consessions than just a name on cars we already have owned. Does a simple piece of plastic really change this car that much? Does it run and perform different? Does it other than a few emblems look different? Does the load capacity change? This is like turning down a good piece of cake because the frosting is brown and not white while the cake looks and taste the same. If you don't like the frosting color scrape it off. At this point the Camino has been gone so long you have a whole generation of new buyers who really know little about them anyway and many other who just plain forgot them. It is time to let go of the past as things have to change to improve GM's future. GMC will more than likely give this car more promotion than Chevy would as it is more important to them than it is at Chevy with money already going to the Camaro, HHR, Malibu, New RWD Impala, and other high volume cars that will bring in more money than a limited pick up. I see Chevy treating this car no better than the SSR. Big a launch and lost from sight after. GMC is a niche marketing unit perfect to keep and let a limited import thrive along with a sister sedan in a shared divison. Also price may also be a factor where importing this car in limited numbers may move this higher than a Chevy price ranged car. That would not be good to have a Camino for 35K next to a Camaro that is 28K. many would forgo the bed at that price in a Chevy store. This is a limited market car and need to be treated as such that other than the Vette is not Chevys market. Lord knows the Tahoe SS and Silverado SS are hard sells at the higher priceses they see as was the SSR. Now the HHR at the price it is goes like hot cakes. Chevy is a value leader for a reason. For a Camaino to sell at Chevy it wouldf have to be under 30K and the closer to 25K the better. I just don't see that happening unless it is a V6 stripper and I don't expect many stippers to make the boat. In buisness it's like gambling on football, you have to bet with your head and not your heart if you want the odds in your favor. I think "Professional Grade" fits this car well as it does Denali. This is not a beater truck kind of car anymore. It is more a gentalmens pick up. GMC is a work truck only anymore and many models are near Cadilacs. Sorry but I am frustrated! It is not aimed at anyone and I don't mean to ruffle anyones feathers. The car is available to those who want it and they will know where to get it. This is not a car for everyone. Never has nor will ever be.

What is the BIG fricken deal????? As a past owner of a GMC Sprint SP with an original 402 Big block I feel I can make a rational observation. The only differance between my Sprint SP and the El Camino want the stinking emblems! Even the factory rallys that came on it were Chevy. I loved my car and thought no less and no more of it being a GMC because it was the same stink'in car. If GM wants to make this a GMC I say go for it as GMC and Pontiac can use all the new product they can get. I even considered that since this truck will be a rebadged Holden that it would fit with the G8 as a GMC much better than ploping it in Chevys line up. The only advantage of it being a Chevy was the name only. The cold truth is if you like the this vehicle and realy cared about the vehicle you would really not care what GM calls it or what dealer sells it. If they would bring it back as an Oldsmobile I would be a willing buyer. I have been driving ZQ8 S series trucks as it is as close as I can come to a Ute as I can get in this country. I would like to hope there are enough buyers to justify bringing this vehicle is but if not better to try it at GMC vs Chevy as GMC can absorb a failure better and needs a secsess even more. I say if you don't like the name if it is a GMC just call Year one and buy your own emblems. If your not going to buy this car just because it is a GMC and not a Chevy you didn't want one that bad to begin with. What is more important the Vehicle or the name? To me the Vehicle is what ai want and they can call it what ever they like. Besides as a GMC a better chance a busniess case could be made to bring it here as a limited import in a specialized dealer adn division. Hard choices have to be made and not all are going to be the way you want them. Just be glad they can bring this vehicle in.