Hundreds of Camaro Owners at Historic Six Gen Detroit Event

Not even a brief bout with rain seemed to damper the mood for more than 300 Camaro owners who turned out for the celebratory unveiling of the new 2016 model in Detroit this past weekend on the grounds of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

From classics to concepts, practically every make and model of the Camaro imaginable was represented at the event that drew in people from as far as Louisiana and Canada.

In addition to the unveiling of the new Camaro covered here, events included hot laps in a Camaro Z/28 on the Belle Isle track as well as a display of some of the most ionic Camaros over the years. But it was the camaraderie among the Camaro enthusiasts who attended the event that people seemed to enjoy most.

Ray Breiding, who owns a 2012 Camaro, said it was clear that Chevrolet and General Motors put a lot of planning into the event.

“This is beyond my expectations in terms of what an auto manufacturer would do for their loyal customers,” said Breiding. “I don’t think there is anybody more loyal to a brand name. Chevy Camaro says it all.”

Rahul Zahiya, who drove more than 600 miles from New Jersey in his 2014 Camaro ZL1 to attend the rally, said it was nice to meet so many people who share the same passion for Camaro.

“This is a great event,” Zahiya, who owned a BMW E90 M3 before buying the Camaro. “I will be lucky if I’ll be able to do something like this again. It was worth the 12 hour drive.”

Nick and Melanie Grossman drove from Indiana for the new Camaro reveal echoed many of Zahiya’s sentiments.

“Everybody is so friendly,” said Nick. “Perfect strangers just walk up talking about your car and telling you about their car. It’s like a family.”

Breiding also spoke of the sense of togetherness he felt at the event.

“There is just a camaraderie among these people that is just incredible. Even at the hotel last night, people walking up to me seeing I had Camaro owners, people from Chevrolet, people that are contractors for them (Chevrolet) just stopping and talking to you. I haven’t met an unfriendly person today.”

Native Detroiter Walter Armstrong Jr., who owns a 2013 Camaro, attended the event with his father Walter Armstrong Sr. and spoke of the family connections tied to the car and the significance of Chevrolet hosting it in the Motor City.

“When I was a kid, my dad use to have a ’69 gray Camaro and I would ride in the back all the time and when this came out I wanted to own one,” recalls the native Detroiter. “Just being from the city of Detroit and have people come from all over the country and here to see Detroit coming back is a big deal.”

The younger Armstrong added, “I think it’s wonderful to bring people together that love Camaros especially in the city of Detroit…the birthplace.”