General Motors officially started the production of the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, during a ceremony attended by NASCAR superstars Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Camaro Convertible will arrive at dealerships later this month.

The first Camaro Convertible available for public sale was purchased by Rick Hendrick. He had also bought 2010 Camaro coupe offered for sale, and both times he acquired the purchase rights through Barrett-Jackson auctions, with all proceeds benefiting charitable causes.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will be available with two engines, first a a 3.6L V-6 delivering 312 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque and then a a 6.2L V-8 delivering 426 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s also a new V6 engine in the works which will be first introduced in the coupe, but will eventually make its way to the Convertible as well. It’ll be more efficient and will have a little bit more power.

The Camaro V6 has a starting price of $30,000 and the Camaro SS V8 $37,500, both including destination.

“I grew up loving the Chevrolet brand, and I’ve never raced anything else,” Hendrick said.  “As a Chevy enthusiast, it’s been exciting to see the Camaro return as such a world-class, high-performance car.  The folks in Oshawa make some of the best products on the road, so the opportunity to meet them and thank them for what they do is a real privilege.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was also present at the celebration and added, “Chevrolet has been a great partner on and off the track, and I’m very happy to be here on this special day.  While I still enjoy my 1972 Camaro, I can’t wait to take home one of these awesome new convertibles.”