(February 2, 2011) OSHAWA, Ontario — Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Tuesday visited the Oshawa Assembly Plant to mark the start of regular production for the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, which will arrive at U.S. dealerships beginning in this month.

Hendrick, a Camaro enthusiast who purchased the first 2010 Camaro coupe offered for sale, has now also purchased the first Camaro Convertible available to the public.  In both cases, Rick Hendrick acquired the purchase rights through Barrett-Jackson auctions, with all proceeds benefitting charitable causes.

“I grew up loving the Chevrolet brand, and I’ve never raced anything else,” Hendrick said.  “As a Chevy enthusiast, it’s been exciting to see the Camaro return as such a world-class, high-performance car.  The folks in Oshawa make some of the best products on the road, so the opportunity to meet them and thank them for what they do is a real privilege.”

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
drives a Camaro off assembly line.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was also present at the celebration and added, “Chevrolet has been a great partner on and off the track, and I’m very happy to be here on this special day.  While I still enjoy my 1972 Camaro, I can’t wait to take home one of these awesome new convertibles.”

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible starts at $30,000.