Alas, Z/28, we hardly knew ye

The all-new Camaro we've been waiting on for two years is just a few days from showing its production face, and we've already got some bad news. The General has dumped plans for the Z28. The highly anticipated Camaro variant was rumored to feature the same supercharged 6.2L engine that powers the brawny Cadillac CTS-V with well over 500 ponies. Without the Z28 in the picture, the still powerful SS edition will be the range-topper for now, and we're expecting power to be just under that of the base Corvette's 436 hp.

While this is certainly bad news for Camaro enthusiasts, it does make sense in the face of $4.25 per gallon gas to cancel a supercharged monster that's likely to be eligible for a hefty gas guzzler tax. What doesn't make sense is canceling the Z28 moniker when it means much more to Camaro fans than SS ever will. There goes the aftermarket for louvers and mullet wigs. Thanks for the tip, Doug!

stolen car alert: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

So in this year alone, car thieves in California have stolen a 1955 Nomad, a 1956 Nomad, a 1957 Nomad, a 1955 210 two-door coupe, a 1956 Bel Air coupe and a 1957 Bel Air convertible. And now we received word from firemangordy on the Hemmings Forum that a 1957 Bel Air coupe has gone missing from sunny SoCal, specifically the Westminster Mall in Westminster, California, on July 8. As Gordy describes it:

1957 Chevy Belair sport coupe.
California black plate number PLL 062.
VIN VC57L197166
Matador red with black interior.
Lowered in front with Super Bell disc brakes.
American Torque Thrust wheels with Kelly tires.
Has original power pack 283 with powerglide.
Rocker molding missing on left side.
New dual exhaust system installed the day it was stolen.
Original wheels and hubcaps in the trunk.

This car belongs to my wife’s cousin. I took it to the muffler shop for him today and stopped at Sears on my way home. It was gone when I came out. He got this car when he was a senior in high school 23 years ago.

And pictures:

If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this car, contact the Westminster Police Department at 714-898-3315 and reference file number 08-06243.

And if this isn’t further proof that somebody is targeting tri-five Chevies, I don’t know what is. Southern California residents with a 1955 Bel Air coupe, 1955 Bel Air convertible and 1956 Bel Air convertible should keep a close guard over their cars until these crimes are solved.