OREANDA-NEWS.  A caravan of Chevrolet high-performance production and concept vehicles will be led by the Hot Wheels® 1967 Camaro Concept at the start of the Hot Rod Power Tour® – the weeklong road trip that kicks off the summer cruising season for thousands of car enthusiasts.

Other production performance cars on the tour include a Camaro ZL1 Convertible, Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition and a Corvette 427 Collector Edition Convertible.

The Power Tour starts this Saturday, June 1, in Arlington, Texas, and wraps up six days later, in Charlotte, N.C. Chevrolet Performance representatives will go for Long Hauler® distinction – driving the entire 1,200-mile distance in the Hot Wheels® Camaro Concept. It’s a full-scale tribute to the Custom Camaro that was part of the original 16 Hot Wheels toys issued in 1968 and a rolling demonstrator of Chevrolet Performance’s new, emissions-compliant LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system.

“Chevrolet Performance has been part of the Hot Rod Power Tour for more than a decade and we’re excited to demonstrate our performance vehicles, crate engines and other performance products out on the highway,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles & Motorsports. “The Power Tour also gives car builders and other enthusiasts a closer look at our products and the opportunity to discuss with our engineers and product experts how to integrate them in their projects.”

Approximately 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles are expected to descend on Arlington for the kick-off activities, with tens of thousands of additional spectators. The tour route will include stops in Texarkana and Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., which will unfold into large cruise-in events for each host city. Thousands of additional spectators and local hot rods are expected at each stop.

Spectators can inspect the Hot Wheels® Camaro Concept in each city at the Chevrolet Performance trailer and ask representatives for tips and advice for replicating a similar LS-engine conversion in their project vehicle. Its LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system – part number CPSLS34L65E – includes a 430-horsepower LS3 engine and 4L65-E four-speed automatic transmission; and is available from any Chevrolet dealer or authorized Chevrolet Performance retailer.

Additional engines and components on display at the Chevrolet Performance trailer will include LSX454R, ZZ572 and ZZ383 crate engines; a partial chassis with an LS376/575 engine and 4L85E transmission installed; an LSA engine/4L85E transmission Connect & Cruise powertrain package; and a parts board with critical components like engine controllers and vehicle-specific parts.

At the trailer, spectators can also pick up a complimentary copy of the 2013 Chevrolet Performance catalog, filled with thousands of engines, parts and accessories, and earn a T-shirt by registering for the FUEL e-newsletter. Additional merchandise giveaways will take place each day and Long Haulers will receive a special recognition award from Chevrolet Performance at the conclusion of the Power Tour.

Details on the other Chevrolets making the trip and on display at each stop include:
Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition – a limited-edition model for 2013 that represents the first production car ever licensed by Hot Wheels®
Camaro ZL1 convertible – featuring a 580-horsepower supercharged engine, track-capable suspension and distinctive exterior. It’s the fastest Camaro convertible ever from Chevrolet
Corvette 427 Collector Edition Convertible – the marriage of the Corvette Convertible with the Z06’s 505-horsepower LS7 engine is a high-performance sendoff for the C6 generation
All-new 2014 Impala – the 10th generation of the historic nameplate
Sonic RS – featuring a turbocharged engine and specific suspension tuning, it’s a small car that introduces Chevrolet’s performance-car heritage to a new generation.

“Several vehicles will be equipped with products from Chevrolet’s expansive line of vehicle accessories, just like the ones customers can purchase from their local Chevy dealer,” said Campbell. “On the Power Tour, you can see how they look and improve the styling and function of each respective vehicle.”

Chevrolet Performance will also drive the uniquely outfitted “Motor Medic” Silverado support vehicle, which is equipped with tools and parts to help Power Tour drivers keep their cars on the road. Last year, assistance was given to approximately 300 cars and their drivers.

The BLOCK team will be at every stop, as well, covering the show grounds and finding the best examples of Chevrolet Performance-built vehicles. The BLOCK is the Chevrolet Performance-powered social media site by and for car enthusiasts.