WE WEPT WHEN GM announced that a right-hook version of the 2010 Chevy Camaro would not be built, but now there’s reason for Australian pony car fans to smile again.
Queensland-based car importers Performax International has announced that it will be bringing in left-hand-drive Camaros, converting them to right-hand-drive and offering them for sale to Australian motorists.
Performax will take delivery of its first car in the next few weeks, which will be used by the company to set up all the tooling and parts needed to convert the Camaro to RHD and comply it for road use.
Once the converted Camaro is approved, Performax expects to start selling them to private buyers by Christmas this year.
Why the delay? In order to satisfy Australian design rules and import requirements, the LHD-RHD conversion process is a lengthy one.
Performax will be spending coming months taking the test car apart, studying it and figuring out how best to do the swap, as well as manufacturing their own OEM-quality replacement parts.
“The whole process will take time,” said Performax General Manager, Nicholas Vandenberg.
“Tooling up for the conversion process which will involve digitally scanning and reverse engineering of the OEM dash to suit RHD then moulding the dash for our plastic injection machine.
“Every aspect of the retooling process will take time to reverse engineer the components that need to be remanufactured. This also extends to brackets, clips, mounts, and all of the steel components will have to be CAD drawn then laser cut and folded.
“We are very fortunate to have the technology in house such as the laser scanner, 3 dimensional printer and plastic injection machine to assist with the process giving unprecedented quality for RHD vehicles. We are very experienced in this process and don’t expect any unusual difficulties.”
Under the Federal Government’s Registered Accredited Workshop scheme, Performax will be allowed to bring in 100 Camaros per year once approval is granted; and initial interest is already high. The order books aren’t open just yet, but Mr Vandenberg says it has received a large number of inquiries from interested parties.
Performax will be focusing its efforts on getting approval for its LS3-powered Camaro SS manual, but the company plans on eventually offering other Camaro variants in the near future.
“The intention is that we will offer various models such as the V6,” said Mr Vandenberg.
“However this will be subject to change depending on some ADR test determinations that may rule out some of those vehicles.”
It’s still far too early to talk about pricing, but don’t think the Camaro SS will be anywhere near as cheap as its mechanical cousin, the HSV GTS.
Current estimates place the cost for an imported and converted Camaro to be in excess of $100,000. Considering the car’s rare-bird status and iconic looks, we’d wager there’d be at least 100 people out there who reckon that’s money well spent.
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I guess it is an option for people who want it that badly! What a shame it was developed in Australia, but not see the Australian roads in production form (and official sale).
This is the equivalent of selling our ore to China and buying back the steel.
Great engineering by Performax but you could 3 of these in the States for this price.
I’ve seen two of them (or maybe the same one, twice) here on the roads in Melbourne. I don’t know if it’s an old development mule or not, but it was undisguised. Didn’t see which side the steering wheel was on, though.
Not really bound for Australia. Just a private importer bringing them in and ripping off people who realyl want this car. $30K US does not equal to over $100K in Australia with or without the need to make it left hand drive. You would need to be a mug to pay that kind of money for the Comaro. Come on Holden pull the finger out and make this car part of the line up. Holden should be doing the conversion and selling them for $55K-$60K even same price as the previous Monaro.
If you saw them in Australia they would probably be mules being road tested (Left hand drive?). I heard they didn’t have any coverings on them as they were interfering with the results in testing (probably aero or cooling?)
who would want something that ugly anyway..
the pricing is ridiculous to move a steering from one side to another holden should just build a right hand drive version the cars look beautiful, it should not triple in price.
I don’t know if my idea is too stupid or not but, if Holden could design a new car with a new amazing classic form like Mustang or Camaro (I don’t mean the exact the same form) and sell it cheaper than that import and swap to RHD car, a lot of people’s gonna buy. As we all know that most of the people are buying cars depending on its look. If your car is super luxury, comfort, high performance but looks like a coffin, who’s gonna buy it? so if Holden will make the attractive american look cars, I would be very glad and very happy to buy Holden cars just like a lot other people. Cheer up Holden!
I was really excited to get this car, but if all we get is imports and conversions for over $100K, I’d rather buy a 2nd hand porche not a car that’s worth US$35K … what a joke, and I pity the suckers who actually pay the cash for one!
can anyone tell me, when they gonna start selling and taking orders?????
As the old saying goes, a fool and his money are easily parted
I love this car…not only in looks but performance….ive been waiting and waiting for it to come to Aus…. Do i love it enough to spend 100k… I dont think so… wonder what it would cost to import one (43K Aus dollars) my self and then get it converted…. a whole lot cheaper than 100k i bet
I tought you were able drive LHD cars in Australia as i have seen couple of cars driven around with LHD… Anyways I wont be paying tha much money Ill just import it my slef and drive with LHD. No one will say anything or do anything because they wont have the guts mate…
TurkishMafia, any LHD car less than 30 years old that’s imported into Australia must be converted to RHD in order to be road-legal.