AFTER ANNOUNCING back in June that it would commence development of parts to convert the new Chevrolet Camaro to right-hand drive, Queensland importer Performax International has now released the finished product to Australian muscle car fans.
Designed to comply with Australian Design Rule requirements, the first RHD-converted 2010 Camaro was revealed today at the SuperGP race on the Gold Coast.
The car is believed to be the first Camaro in the world to have its steering wheel swapped from left to right.
Performax claims a factory-fitted level of quality.
“We understand this is the first RHD 2010 Camaro built anywhere in the world and we’re proud to be bringing such an eagerly-awaited new car with an iconic badge back to Australia,” Performax General Manager Nicholas Vandenberg said.
“It’s certainly the best RHD car we have ever produced in both engineering and appearance.
“Thanks to our industry-leading computer-aided-design and plastic injection moulding technology, we have been able to re-create the fascia, door panels, centre console, ventilation ducts, wiper cowl and other parts with total accuracy of fit and finish.
“The Camaro SS drives just like it does it does from the factory, meaning it has the same outstanding handling, tactile steering and powerful V8 performance noted by American reviewers.
The Performax-converted Camaro range starts at $129,000 for the 3.6 litre V6 model, with the 318kW 6.2 litre LS3 V8-powered Camaro SS costing $139,000 - a significant step up from the base Camaro’s Stateside sticker price of US$22,680.
However, the converted Camaro’s big pricetag hasn’t dissuaded buyers: Vandenberg says six orders have been received so far, and more are expected in the wake of the car’s local launch.
“For something that will be an absolute standout on Australian roads - and drive as good as it looks - it’s great value for money,” Vandenberg said.
Customer deliveries are slated to begin in December following official ADR certification.
Loading ...
Comments
Click here to jump to Add Comment box
How do you get a picture next to your name?
Get a Gravatar. Click here to find out more.
Great value for money? When a GT-R Skyline can be had for $150k and leaves this thing for dead in every single aspect other than posing perhaps.
130k for a Commodore engine(3.6) in a coupe with American plastic interior?? Australia has a wealth of performance cars half the price of this that would blow it into the weeds and manufactured at a greater standard. Only those with more money than ’sense’ would even take a second look.
Overpriced yes, but its not rice.
Its a proper car with culture and history.
The Skyline has a long culture and history.
I wouldn’t buy one of these though. I hope Holden can resurrect this as the replacement for the Monaro.
Nice work, not worth $150k though. That’s insane.
Yeah steve the Skyline has a long history of being ugly as sin.
Having copied technology, and appealing to certain groups.
Skyline indeed has a long culture and history… how about dominating Bathurst if we’re talking in Australia alone. An F6 would outperform it at less than half the price, so your paying 80k to be looked at. Whatever floats your boat…. nice looking car, Americans still build rubbish though.
Beautiful car but no way is it worth what they’re asking.
Good on Performax for doing these conversions, at least they’re passionate about what they do and their work is of such an incredibly high standard.
FrankL> “Yeah steve the Skyline has a long history of being ugly as sin.
Having copied technology, and appealing to certain groups.”
Some Skyline owners do have an interesting take on what is “tasteful” with regard to modifications. I know styling is subjective but I doubt you could ever call the pre-R35s “ugly”. They’re a mean, purposeful looking car. As for “copied technology”, you know that’s just rubbish. In the late 80s they slated the Porsche 959’s four wheel drive system as a benchmark for developing the R32 GT-R (I think that’s a pretty good benchmark in any case) but the 4WD system had several key differences to the 959’s system. Therefore they innovated and evolved it into their own design, it wasn’t a mere ‘copy’. The R33 GT-R was the first production car to go round the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes, back in 1995. You gotta give credit where it’s due.
Frank L says: “Its a proper car with culture and history.”
I imagine you’d the same thing about the Volkswagen New Beetle then. Because that’s all this car is, a modern rehash of an old idea. And now as a bonus it’s ridiculously overpriced.
With that price tag the car would definitely be unique. But then again I have seen plenty of Camaro’s on the road.
… true on the posing front. Even males with the smallest of penises have a chance of attracting women for a measly $139k.
With the current exchange rate that’s over $100,000 extra for what is basically a few bits of plastic molded in reverse - that is obscene!
$129k? Some people do have more money than sense.
If you are after attention, spend $10k on huge new boobs for your girlfriend (and lipo for her bum if need be) and get her to lay across the bonnet of whatever car you have now in a bikini
I’m not a big fan of American (or Australian) cars, so I don’t really like this car much and the price tag REALLY deters me. In saying that, I would definitely buy one of the Ford or Holden vehicles long before I buy one of these. If it were around the $60,000 mark then I’d begin to consider it.
I have had a Corvette converted by Performax and their work is exceptional. Have any of you that are saying the price is ridiculous considered: The exchange rate, the shipping, the governent import duty at port, the GST at port, the possible luxury car tax at port and finally the conversion price which includes things that are required for ADR compliance like fitting brand new tyres (no matter how new the vehicles is) etc, etc etc… Ad it all together and it doesnt seem so overpriced all of a sudden.
And yes, exactly right you can get a few other cars that may be better then teh 2010 Camaro for less money - but thats no the point - its a Camaro, the first one in many, many years…its for those that love it. Just like with ‘vette’s and ’stangs.
Frank L, don’t be a F’n tosser and descrimnate against rice cars, Toyotas utes and Lcruisershas been an integral part of the outbackl’ then holden or ford for reliable transportation. In regards to copying technology, ignorance & stupidity is in your blood. No suprise you didn’t elaborate on what technology was copied. Lets start with the combustion engine ….. The rotor engine of Dr wankel was his idea but Mazda worked on it and improved it better then any other automotive manufacture..
No need to compare the GTR to the Comaro. The GTR is a supercar, the Comaro is not. It is priced due to it’s compliance and conversion. Keep telling yourself that being a redneck is a culture
Look at whose the tosser John, its you.
Toyota used range rover chasis to copy its landcruiser.
Yes the combustion engine, The Japs have never had an original idea in their lives.
The Camaro will be a classic, the Gtr wont.
In a few years time they will be able to be bought second hand for certain demographics to put greddy stickers and milo tin exhasts on.
Oh and btw the fastest Camaro posted a respectable nurburgring time.
Following marques that have over 100 years of manufacturing history is a culture. The Aus and American muscle car history is a culture.
being a sell out like u isnt.
Frank L we both know you don’t like the Camaro engineering prowess you only like it for the fact of being of the West.
Your the Wank job
The Camaro be a classic? they had such good ideas where they couldn’t think of another exterior shell to design so they just tweaked the original shape. Pathetic.
I’m a sell out to what? To petrol guzzling cars when the only engineering advancement of V8s are to increase the displacement to make them go faster..5ltrs to 6.2lts to 7ltrs 10ltrs etc etc. Real car enthusiest like genuine advancement with technology furthering efficiency without compromising speed, not a scrap heaps being rebuilt.
Toyota copy the land cruiser chasis..boo hoo
& general motors invented the combustion engine. You’re an idiot. Plain and Simple. Literally.