While there’s no doubt that Aussies take kindly to the tire-shredding awesomeness that is the Chevrolet Camaro, there’s still a good deal of work that goes into converting the U.S.-spec vehicle into something appropriate for sale in Australia. Taking responsibility for the conversion is Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), Holden’s officially designated performance vehicle partner that is responsible for such heavy-hitters as the VZ Maloo R8 and Gen-F2 GTS-R. And now, we’re getting an inside look at the process that goes into creating a Chevrolet Camaro ready for service Down Under thanks to this new video.
Clocking in at four minutes and 45 seconds, the video leads us through each step of the conversion process. Hosted by HSV’s Camaro Production Line Manager, Andrew Wills, it’s a fascinating look at what it takes to turn the Chevrolet Camaro into a global product.
Once the Camaro arrives at HSV, the interior and rear trunk area are immediately stripped down to the bare metal, followed by various exterior body components. A new wiring harness is then added, and the lengthy process of reinstalling all the various wires and connections can begin, including a right-hand-drive conversion with a new dash.
Later on, the engine and front suspension are removed, allowing the steering rack and other components to be swapped for right-hand-drive replacements. Then, the firewall is re-welded to accommodate things like a new pedal box. With everything buttoned up and repainted, the engine is then mounted back into the vehicle.
From there, various Chevrolet Camaro interior components are reinstalled with right-hand-drive replacements. The engine is then re-plumbed, and the body is reinstalled. There’s also a set of new tires to meet Australian road-going regulations.
Final details include a computer check to ensure the digital systems are working as intended, plus a test drive to resettle the suspension and make sure the mechanicals are up to snuff. If everything comes back clean, then the freshly-converted Chevrolet Camaro gets its final inspection stickers.
Watching the whole process completed in just a matter of minutes is impressive, and certainly fosters respect for HSV’s contributions to getting the muscle car onto the road.
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Comments
One thing I read elsewhere is the difference between us/au abs testing, us test is on consistent ground, the au test is one side Tarmac the other tiles to test the abs if one side of the car is in the dirt, this is why the tyres are changed, the oe Goodyear tyres fail.
Seems would be more efficient to send un-completed Camaro versus stripping down and replace/rebuild? All the stuff that gets junked. Waste of money and components?
When Holden built cars for HSV they had to be roadworthy to current rules before shipment.
CKD (completely knocked down) is only feasible when local content rules or import duties on full vehicles prevent a viable sell price.
W hat was the process when they turned Commodores into SS’s?
commodore SS / SSV were standard models, Clubsport/GTS/Senator were by HSV
it involved shipping cars from Adelaide to Melbourne, stripping exterior bumpers/wheels/tailgates if a ute (Maloo) and fitting unique HSV parts. a few bits and bobs on the interior too, seats/strg wheel etc
Chevy SS is a factory car built along the same line with other variants.
HSV cars had take of parts required for roadworthy which where returned to Holden for reuse.
Returning secondhand parts may not be worth shipping cost.
When will GM decide to build right hand drive versions in the factory as Ford does with the Mustang which means it can be sold for $Aus 20000 less than the Camaro. In percentage terms, Australian sales of the Mustang represent the world’s highest market share for the car – opportunity missed for GM. Will the C8 Corvette be available in RHD ex-factory?
JB
Australian has a long history of doing simply outstanding right hand drive conversion work. While there is no questioning that HSV are doing a wonderful job with the RHD conversion of Chevrolet Camaro’s they are by no means pioneers in this work. They are simply the latest in a very long line of RHD conversion companies down under.
HSV try to push the line that these Chevrolet Camaros are being “re-manufactured” but call it what you like, in the end they are being converted to RHD. Simple as that.
During the 1950s and 1960s at least two Australian capital city GM-Holden dealers were famous for the simply outstanding RHD conversions they did to Cadillac Devilles, Buick Electra 225s and the like.
Perhaps the most challenging and impressive RHD conversion I have ever seen was the RHD conversion of 1964 Ford Thunderbird. The work on this conversion makes the current model Camaro’s look simple.
Sadly many of the really skilled Australian RHD conversion people have now retired or are lived in nursing homes! Australian no longer requires cars over 30 years old to be converted to RHD and as result we now have thousands of LHD cars. The really rare cars are the expertly converted RHD examples or older cars.
The fact that HSV has disassembled these Chevrolet’s on arrival in Australia, then reassemble them in RHD form adds considerably to the asking price. Americans would not believe what we Australians have to pay to own a current model Chevrolet Camaro. But this situation is not new to Australians.
Chevrolet has always been an expensive luxury brand in Australia. But nevertheless, its still wonderful to finally see the Chevrolet brand officially back in Australia for the first time since 1970. And its all thanks to HSV.