While there are plenty of performance cars on display at the ongoing 2016 Chicago Auto Show, no vehicle is represented as well as the Chevrolet Camaro.
The 6th generation Camaro is in the spotlight in Chicago thanks to the debut of the new 1LE package for both V6 and V8 models, and those higher performance models are joined by their basic V6 and V8 counterparts – including a bright red Camaro convertible.
However, the Camaros on display in the large Chevrolet display account for less than half of the Camaros at the Chicago Auto Show.
Across the hall from where showgoers will find the official Chevrolet display is the Chicagoland Chevy Dealer area, which is also chock full of Camaros from both the present and previous generations. Most notably, there is a 2016 Camaro SS that is covered in a Chicago Blackhawks livery, which will be given away as part of their annual contest at the Windy City show.
Next, there is a pair of 6th gen Camaro SS coupes from Lingenfelter – one sporting their naturally aspirated package and the other with the supercharged package – and a bright orange unit dolled up by the folks at Nickey Chevrolet. Nickey also brought out a white 5th gen Camaro 1LE with a unique look and the final Camaro in the Chicagoland area is a blue 5th gen COPO car.
Check out our gallery below for a look at all of the Chevrolet Camaro coupes and convertibles on display at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
