Spend a few days away from The Garage and the local news goes wild with automotive stuff. First, some kid crashes into BMW Canada’s lobby and then GM awards production of the new Camaro to the number 2 plant in Oshawa, just 10 minutes from The Garage.

For many years, this plant has had the highest quality ratings of any plant on GM’s roster. Not only a source of local pride, this history of quality surely influenced the decision to build the car in Oshawa. The early retirement of some 2500 employees may have saved the jobs of another 2700 workers who will now be working on the Camaro and other projects. Those other projects may come quickly, due to a 740 million reno that will allow flex production program that will allow multiple models to be built at the same time. As a casual observer who lives in the area, methinks this plan has been in the works for some time, as the expansion and building at the south Oshawa facility has been moving forward at a furious pace.
Is it a coincidence that GM chose to announce this on the eve of the annual Autofest car show at GM of Canada? I somehow doubt it. We are racing this weekend, so the schedule will be tight, but i’m hoping to drop by Autofest to grab a few pics of the Camaro as I’m pretty sure it will be on display.

Source The Star

Vacations can be wonderful, but there’s always a bit of a mess to clean up when you get back. I thought it might be fun to post some of the cooler things that seem to have happened while I was gone. In no particular order, here are a few:

Nick Mason, drummer of Pink Floyd traded his 250 GTO for an A1GP car for a day. I bet that created a bit of a pucker.

Jalopnik tells us that GM has finally announced that it will build the new Camaro. It’s about time they follow Ford & DC on this. I can smell a new Trans Am.

Our thoughts go out to Christiano Da Matta who is currently in critical condition in hospital following hitting a deer in his Champ car during testing at Elkhart Lake. Wildlife and race cars just don’t mix.

Brock Yates may revive the Cannonball Run!

And finally, how about some phone sex when your Honda breaks down?

Imagine the excitement last Friday when the new Camaro Concept rumbles up to the weekly cruise at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank(say that 5 times fast). But wait, who’s that driving? None other than Jay Leno of course. Being a rich and famous car guy sure has it’s perks.

Visit Leftlane News for more pics

With news coming last weekend that DaimlerChrysler has given the new Challenger concept the green light, plant workers all over North America must be drooling at the thought that they may get to build the beast. The blogosphere is alive with the news and so is traditional media. Over at Leftlane News, they have reported that the Brampton, Ontario plant will built the Retro Rocket, but hold on a minute there bucko. They’ve actually misread the Globe and Mail article they are quoting from. The globe reports that the Brampton plant is the leading contendor in the race to win the gig. Their production numbers, along with the fact that the other models on the same platform are built here. As sales on the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300C have dropped, the extra 30-40,000 Challengers would allow the plant to add another shift.

Now, if GM would just announce that Camaro production will come back to Oshawa, all will be right in the muscle car world.

Hey Mr. Gentilozzi….. I’ve got an idea that may just revitalize Trans Am! Why not go back to the grassroots history? Just think, the North American series with the most history needs something new & a bit of history may be just the thing.

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