Upgrade your Camaro (or any other Chevy)
Customizing isn’t just about wild paint jobs and furry dice.
It’s about making your car or truck your own.
Yes, you might want to dress up the outside, but you could also personalize the interior—or maybe just make it a little more suited to your lifestyle.
The SEMA Showcase
SEMA—named for the Specialty Equipment Market Association—is an annual show for the auto industry aftermarket.
Historically it’s been about go-faster goodies for hot-rod enthusiasts.
In recent years though, manufacturers like Chevrolet have started using it as a way to show off their range of accessories.
Chevy’s SEMA Camaro is one example of what can be done. The vivid paint is bound to grab attention, but there are also mechanical changes that improve the way it drives.
This Camaro started life as a 2019 SS model.
Now that’s a pretty special car, which means some owners won’t want theirs looking every other SS Camaro.
To show what can be done, Chevy has painted their show car an incredibly bright yellow-green color they call “Shock.” There’s also a black “wing” spoiler, special black badges and a carbon-fiber insert in the fuel door.
The bigger changes are underneath the startling bodywork.
They’ve upgraded the front brakes to six-piston Brembo units, there’s a cold-air induction kit, and it rides on the suspension from the 1LE Camaro.
Meanwhile, inside, the seats are Recaros. (Presumably to hold driver and passenger in place should they go someplace where they can actually use all that extra performance.)
Incidentally, this is not Chevy’s only offering at the show.
They’ve also shoehorned the LT5 engine from the 2019 Corvette ZR1 into a 1973 Chevelle Laguna. There’s also a 6.0L 1978 Silverado, and a modded-up 1967 C/10 Short Box.
Now we’re not suggesting you rush out and make these kinds of upgrades, but they certainly do illustrate the high end of what you can get from your friendly local Chevrolet dealership.
(And if you’re interested, yes, the dealership can fit all these parts for you. And no, they do not affect your new car warranty.)
Less dramatic (but more practical) upgrades
A wide range of accessories is available from your Chevrolet dealer.
Appearance
“Dress-up” accessories range from new wheels to mirror caps and decal and strip packages.
Want to sharpen your 2018 Colorado pickup? How about some 20” wheels in gloss black with a split-spoke design? Then there are front recovery hooks, (in red or chrome finish,) grilles in various designs and a whole range of badges.
And whether you want to add the classic “Chevrolet” font or an illuminated bowtie, you can do it.
Utility
Let’s take a different tack here. Say you’ve just picked up your 2019 Equinox, (good choice by the way,) and you realize you could use a little help in the load-carrying area.
Under “Interior Cargo Management” the Chevy accessories website shows cargo nets, cargo organizers and a cargo area shade.
Alternatively, if you need a way of transporting your bikes or skis, Chevy has partnered with Thule on a range of carriers for both tow hitch and roof mount.
(But don’t forget to add a tow hitch or roof cross rails to your ride first!)
Performance
Let’s say you want to unleash the beast that lurks within your 2017 Sonic. Well, you could improve how it breathes with a new cat-back exhaust kit. Alternatively, lower the suspension for less body roll through the curves. The choice is yours.
Of course, there’s a wider range of upgrades for out-and-out performance cars like the Camaro. Want to add a strut tower brace or stiffer anti-roll bars? Yup, your Chevy dealer carries them, (or can get them if they’re not on the shelf.)
Make it yours
Your car or truck is not an appliance. It’s an extension of your personality and it should suit your lifestyle.
You probably don’t need a track-ready Camaro in ticket-me green, (though we can dream.)
But wouldn’t it be fun to make your ride more individual?
Cargo-carrying accessories, floor liners, and fun little badges are all great ways to upgrade and make your car a little more… “You.”