If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. At least that’s how the saying goes, and while this may not be true for all things, there is no denying the unique experience you gain by doing something yourself, like building an engine. And automotive great Rick Hendrick is one person that should know.
[1]Images: GM News [2]
As we found out from GM News [2], the owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group has just completed his second GM Engine Build Experience, this time on a blown 327 LSX for his brand new COPO Camaro. Check out Hendrick building his engine in the video above.
Hendrick is an avid Chevy fan and collector, especially when it comes to performance cars. Just this February, Hendrick picked up three brand new ZL1 Camaros [3] (VIN 001, 002 and 069) to add to his massive collection.
But Hendrick isn’t just about buying performance cars, he’s also into being a part of their production. That’s why last year, Hendrick took part in the GM Corvette Engine Build Experience [4] for his brand new Z06. Having had an amazing time building his car’s engine, he opted to sign up for another build experience once GM introduced the option for the COPO Camaro.
[5] “Last year’s Corvette engine build was such a memorable experience that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it again with a COPO Camaro. As a Chevy enthusiast and collector, it’s a real privilege to do something like this,” Hendrick told GM News. “I want to thank everyone at the Performance Build Center for having me back. It means so much to spend time with people who share my passion for cars and work so hard to produce some of the best engines in the world.”
[6] On Tuesday, Hendrick completed his COPO Engine Build Experience with the helpful folks at the GM Performance Build Center. The engine will be used in Hendrick’s future COPO, one of just 69 being produced for the 2012 season. There is no word on which COPO Hendrick has purchased but we’re sure its VIN will have some significance like many of the recent vehicles he has purchased.
GM offers Corvette, COPO and Crate Engine Build Experiences for Chevy fans looking to have the experience of a lifetime building their brand new engine while having it backed by a full warranty and GM’s factory quality.
“Building an engine is a time-honored tradition in hot rodding, and this program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a GM Powertrain-engineered and factory-warrantied engine,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports in the GM News release. “For hands-on hot rodders, these programs truly enable them to say they did it all when it came to building their project. There’s nothing else like it in the industry.”