2007 Chevy Camaro Concept

The 2007 Chevy Camaro Concept was unveiled to the automotive world during the recent 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The silver retro rocket rolled down a roped off area of floor space, renamed Main Street USA and onto a rotating platform where it had been feted minutes earlier by the likes of auto racing icon Roger Penske and car racing reporter Jack Arute, who hosted the festivities.

It is no accident that the car bears a distinct resemblance to the original 1969 models shown to the crowds in attendance, at least one was in fact owned by Ed Welburn, vice president of global design for GM. Ed said his car spent most of the past year in the GM Design studio providing inspiration for the current concept.

The sheet metal appears to have inherited a fair share of Corvette DNA as well. The view from behind suggests a strong likeness to the C6 Corvette’s rear clip, not surprising as the same team penned that model. The engine planted in the Camaro Concept, was the 400hp, 6.0 litre model sold in the C6 Corvette.

The Retro love-in was continued inside the car where the display gauges, although modern, were based on the familiar conical design of the original model.

Much was made of the term Concept when referring to the Camaro, but given the attention it received at the show as well as the limelight played on it by General Motors, there is little doubt this modern adaptation of the original pony car contender, will be rolling down a Main Street near you as a 2009 model, if not sooner.