OSHAWA, Ontario — You plan and hope, but never really know how family gatherings are going to turn out… Sometimes it’s all good, sometimes nobody shows up, sometimes somebody throws soup.
GM’s family gathering for Camaro, held recently at the Oshawa (Ontario) plant where the current-generation model is built, proved to be better than anyone could have expected — record-breaking in fact. Close to 600 Camaros were strategically parked in the plant’s big parking lot to break a Guinness record for the “largest car mosaic”.
New 2011 Camaros, built in the plant across the street, were put in place to form a gigantic Chevrolet bowtie. Camaro owners of current and previous-generation models were then invited to place their cars around the bowtie to form a huge frame. And then someone took a picture from a crane.
How did so many Camaro owners happen to show up? In addition to the record attempt, they had two other great reasons to hang out with their cars in Oshawa for the June 9-to-11 weekend.
“In order to thank Canada and America for loaning us money, to keep us in business, GM decided to open all of our plants to the public,” says Scott Settlemire, GM’s manager for Special Vehicles and Special Events. “As soon as we found out about this, we talked to Dan Hermer, the [Camaro] plant manager, and thought about opening the plant in conjunction with the Ontario Camaro Club’s Nationals. It worked out perfectly.”
The Nationals are the Ontario Camaro Club’s big annual blowout party, which includes social get-togethers, vendor shows, best-in-show competitions and cruises. The club usually holds the event in Niagara Falls, Ontario. “When GM invited us to come back here this year, we said of course,” remarked club president Dale Oldham. “Why would you not want to be involved here? It’s a dream come true”.
While the majority of the Camaros on the premises this weekend were from the Ontario club, the homecoming festivities were open to anyone. Cars came from as far away as Louisiana.
“It’s a great time to be a Camaro person,” says Oldham. Oldham had two Camaros at the show, both limited edition pace cars; a 1969 Indianapolis Pace Car, and a 1997 Brickyard 400 Pace Car. He also owns a 2010 Pace Car and has a deposit down for a 2011 one.
“I have a really soft spot for the pace cars,” admits Oldham, though he didn't have to…
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| Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com |
GM’s family gathering for Camaro, held recently at the Oshawa (Ontario) plant where the current-generation model is built, proved to be better than anyone could have expected — record-breaking in fact. Close to 600 Camaros were strategically parked in the plant’s big parking lot to break a Guinness record for the “largest car mosaic”.
New 2011 Camaros, built in the plant across the street, were put in place to form a gigantic Chevrolet bowtie. Camaro owners of current and previous-generation models were then invited to place their cars around the bowtie to form a huge frame. And then someone took a picture from a crane.
How did so many Camaro owners happen to show up? In addition to the record attempt, they had two other great reasons to hang out with their cars in Oshawa for the June 9-to-11 weekend.
“In order to thank Canada and America for loaning us money, to keep us in business, GM decided to open all of our plants to the public,” says Scott Settlemire, GM’s manager for Special Vehicles and Special Events. “As soon as we found out about this, we talked to Dan Hermer, the [Camaro] plant manager, and thought about opening the plant in conjunction with the Ontario Camaro Club’s Nationals. It worked out perfectly.”
The Nationals are the Ontario Camaro Club’s big annual blowout party, which includes social get-togethers, vendor shows, best-in-show competitions and cruises. The club usually holds the event in Niagara Falls, Ontario. “When GM invited us to come back here this year, we said of course,” remarked club president Dale Oldham. “Why would you not want to be involved here? It’s a dream come true”.
While the majority of the Camaros on the premises this weekend were from the Ontario club, the homecoming festivities were open to anyone. Cars came from as far away as Louisiana.
“It’s a great time to be a Camaro person,” says Oldham. Oldham had two Camaros at the show, both limited edition pace cars; a 1969 Indianapolis Pace Car, and a 1997 Brickyard 400 Pace Car. He also owns a 2010 Pace Car and has a deposit down for a 2011 one.
“I have a really soft spot for the pace cars,” admits Oldham, though he didn't have to…
 |
| Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com |