The much anticipated Camaro ZL1 is officially a real deal production car now with the first examples rolling off the assembly line in Canada at GM’s Oshawa yesterday. The 180mph capable Camaro retails for a hair under $55,000 and has a 580hp blown LSA engine and buyers can opt for a six speed manual or automatic transmission. Dealers have been taking orders for the car for some time and Camaro fans have been waiting to get their grubby paws on what will be the most powerful production Camaro made by Chevrolet.

Ford counter punched with their announcement of a 650hp GT500 Mustang and the two companies have been sniping back and forth ever since. GM has released powerpoint presentations stating that their car, albeit with less horsepower will be faster and more capable than the Mustang. Ford has not said a whole lot but there have been a couple of well placed jabs back at GM.

Rick Hendrick was the BMOC at the Oshawa plant during the ceremony introducing the first ZL1s to the world. There’s good reason for that, too. Hendrick bought the first production 2010 Camaro, the first production Camaro convertible, and now he has the first production ZL1. We think that a Barrett Jackson auction in 50 years will be selling the trio for a staggering amount of money. Either that or we’ll have all switched to flying cars and the Camaros will have been rendered virtually worthless. Who really knows.

We’re burning up the phone lines and back channel communication methods to get some seat time in one of these beasties. Will it really run from        0-60 in 3.9 seconds? Will the IRS hold up to some good ol’ fashioned drag strip abuse? These questions demand answers and we want to bring them to you!

Ford…are you listening?

Link: First ZL1 Camaros produced at Oshawa