Thursday evening there was a Pre-Woodward Dream Cruise Kick-off Camaro Car Show. I decided to make the trip down to the Dream Cruise a day early to attend the show and meet some of the local Camaro owners (being that I'm a new Camaro owner)
The event was top notch! And it was great to meet all the other Camaro owners who all gave me a very warm welcome!!! Thank everyone!
Mr. Oppenheiser had Q&A session and talked about the 5th gens... very cool. He then started walking through all the cars and chatting with the owners. Eventually Mr Oppenheiser (and I believe John Fitzpatrick was also with him... ) stopped at my car and were checking it over (I believe I was the only privately/non-shop owned V6 there... Martin Inc. did have one of there V6's there).
I was a few cars over talking with other members when I noticed they had stopped in front of my car... so I walked over to my car and stood kind of behind them and said "I really love my car.." Both gentlemen looked at me and they asked if this was my car. I told them, yes, it was mine. I explained how the car was a total impulse buy, that I had seen the pictures but I really didn't care for the car. And then I went and seen the car in person and I bought it! I told them I really love the car and have been very impressed with it!
At that point Mr. Oppenheiser asked what I liked most about the car. I told them the I really like the motor! I explained that I thought the LLT was a very nice package and I was very impressed with all the very interesting technology that went into the LLT. I think they were pretty surprised that I was so excited about a V6!
Mr. Oppenheiser then asked what I liked LEAST about my car. I quickly responded with "The exhaust... and we cut it out!" I think that kind of caught him by surprised too! He then asked if i put on an after market system. I explained that my friend owned a performance shop and that we had spent an entire day trying different setups trying to get a better sound.
At that pointed i pulled my car key out of my pocket and offered it to him. He grabbed the key and hopped into my car! He fired up my car... vroom! He looked over and said "That sounds good!" He then gave the car some REALLY HARD REVS!!! He then added "That sounds really good." Boy, was I SMILING!!
Mr. Oppenheiser got out of the car and handed back my car keys. He then went on to explain the V6 is designed for the masses... so a they really couldn't design the V6 to sound as loud and as aggressive mine. I told him I completely understood that!
So we talked just a bit more... basically talking about over coming the perception that Camaro must have a V8 sound... that in fact you can have a very aggressive, performance V6 sound coming from the Camaro!!! He nodded in agreement as we talked....
It was then time for awards... With a Best in Show award to going to each of the Generations. Mr. Oppenheiser started with the 1st Gen. and explained his talk with the owner of the winning car... and then the 2nd Gen, etc. It appeared that the owners enthusiasm toward their car played a big part in Mr. Oppenheiser's selection....
Well, I guess our talk about the LLT and my V6 made an impression on Mr. Oppenheiser... because much to my surprise (ok, I was shocked!) I came home with the award for the 5th Gen!!! WOW! WHAT AN HONOR!!!
