
17 of 36: Matt Avery Documents his 17th GMMG Widebody Camaro
The only example custom painted in the heritage 1969 Chevrolet color, Garnet Red. In his quest to see, experience, and properly document...
17 of 36: Matt Avery Documents his 17th GMMG Widebody Camaro
Updated: Dec 8, 2022
Hot on the trail of this 4th-gen legend, the author has captured another DHS Camaro.
In his quest to see, experience, and properly document each and every widebody 4th-generation Camaro built by GMMG, including the production run of 2002 Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition Camaros, journalist Matt Avery has checked another one off his list, this time encountering DH #15.
The vehicle's foundation is a 2002 Camaro Z28 with T-tops and was painted in Sunset Orange Metallic. It received a Phase III engine upgrade adding an all-aluminum 427ci C5R V8 along with the optional Hurst line lock, selling for $112,024 when new.
About Matt Avery's GWC Documentation Registry
After one GM show car (which served as the inspiration for the project), just 32 Berger Supercar - Dick Harrell Edition Camaros were built: 2 prototypes followed by 30 production vehicles.
An additional four related vehicles are connected to the program: the GM show vehicle that inspired the project, the 'clay car' used to create the molds for the wide body treatment, one convertible prototype, and a third coupe prototype.
All told, they are arguably the ultimate 4th-generation Camaro, redefining the availability of showroom performance at the turn of the millennium.
PRODUCTION RUN* | |
---|---|
CONCEPT (COUPE: PR1 & PR2) | 2 |
PRODUCTION RUN (#1-30) | 30 |
RELATED VEHICLES | |
GM SHOW CAR** | 1 |
CONCEPT (COUPE: PR3) | 1 |
CLAY CAR (DC1) | 1 |
CONCEPT (CONVERTIBLE: PRCV) | 1 |
TOTAL | 36 |
*Part of the heritage personality signing event taking place at GMMG
**Build completed by General Motors
Inspired to uncover and celebrate their full story, automotive historian Matt Avery has made it his mission to document each and every one, creating the most up-to-date Registry. This undertaking has taken him around the country as he captures new images along with close examinations of build practices and accompanying documentation. This run of special Camaros was commissioned by Berger Chevrolet, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with modifications and conversion work taking place at the GMMG performance shop in Marietta, Georgia. Final assembly on three vehicles (#09, #18, and #21) was completed at Berger Chevrolet. Matt's new book, Camaro: Special Editions, showcases these historic vehicles' story and features one (car #25) prominently on the cover.
His research is on-going with updates provided as they come to light.
Updated: May 7, 2022
Automotive author and journalist Matt Avery will debut a brand new high-octane seminar at this year's Bloomington Gold 50th Corvette and Camaro Show, held June 10th and 11, 2022, in Bloomington, Illinois. As part of the event's educational 'Gold School' classes, Avery will present an hour-long seminar entitled the 'Rise and Fall of GMMG', based on his in-depth research for his new book, Camaro: Special Editions.
In this foundational session, he'll examine the heritage and highlights of one of the most prolific powerhouses of 4th-gen Camaro performance, detailing the GMMG's origins, their rapid scaling to team up with top-tier dealer partners like Berger Chevrolet and Earnhardt Chevrolet and the legacy left behind of their pedal to the metal F-body ambitions.
Pulling from his robust image archive, Avery will closely detail hallmarks of each of their Camaro programs, examining the likes of the milestone-celebrating Berger SS, the red-hot Hot Rod Edition, the inspired by heritage ZL1 Supercar, the bad to the bone Intimidator SS and the radical, all-out wide-body Dick Harrell Edition. GMMG experienced nothing short of a meteoric rise to stardom in the early 2000s with a fall equally as abrupt and their wild ride and lasting impact makes this one seminar attendees will not want to miss.
Learn more about Gold School and see the full seminar schedule here. During the two-day event, Avery will also be presenting his popular 'Origins of COPO: The Quest for 427' seminar, in which he explores the legendary muscle cars produced through Chevrolet's Central Office operations of the 1960s.
About Bloomington Gold
Bloomington Gold is an annual automotive gathering celebrating its 50th year in 2022. Held in Bloomington, Illinois, at the Redbird Arena, the two-day event spotlights Chevrolet's Corvette and Camaro models, including festivities like a Historic Route 66 Road Tour, an evening Gold Gala and prestigious judging for the iconic models.
Learn more at BloomingtonGold.com
Updated: Sep 12, 2022
Author Matt Avery's highly anticipated follow-up to his award-winning book, COPO, was unveiled at this year's Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA Show) in Las Vegas, Nevada, held Nov. 1-4th.
The new book's cover artwork was on display in CarTech Books & Manuals booth and shows three legendary Camaros; a late-model Yenko coupe built by SVE, an iconic 1967 Indy 500 pace car convertible and a street-rumbling wide body Berger Supercar Dick Harrell Edition, built by performance shop, GMMG. All three are covered in the book.
The cover image was photographed by Avery, who secured exclusive permission for the waterfront locale and specifically selected the trio of featured vehicles to celebrate the iconic red, white and blue colors Camaro is known the world over for.
"A lot of planning went into the setup but in the end, it was worth it,' said Avery, who included background vehicles and even a sailboat in the arrangement. "My vision was to recreate the striking and colorful marketing images of the 1960s that Chevrolet used so often. I wanted this to have a touch of retro but with a modern flair. My aim was to create something Camaro enthusiasts and fans will truly appreciate."
The author was on-hand at SEMA, talking with eager spectators and attendees about the project, detailing his nearly four years of research that has gone into making this book the most authoritative and complete look at over 90 different Camaro models.
Covered in the extensive piece is everything from factory models such as Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 pace and festival cars to ZL1s, anniversary editions, IROC-Zs, Player's Challenge, both Hot Wheels editions, Z/28s and RS/SS cars. Avery also covers the legendary 1960s COPO cars and dealer go-fast specials from builders including Yenko, Nickey, Berger, Baldwin-Motion, Gorries and Dick Harrell. A detailed spotlight is also shown on more modern performance editions like Callaway, LG Motorsports, SLP, GMMG, SVE, Nickey Performance, Dale Earnhardt, and more.
Avery's CAMARO: Special Editions book is set to release in later this year.