Mattel and Chevrolet have been in a prosperous relationship since 1968, when Mattel first began producing matchbox-sized replicas of the Camaro. At the 2012 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, Chevrolet introduced the first production version of the Chevrolet Camaro to bear a Hot Wheels badge.

Chevy has been embracing the Hot Wheels theme for several years, making Hot Wheels its main SEMA theme. Chevrolet has taken the next big step and actually created a Hot Wheels-themed Camaro. You can have one of these Hot Wheel Editions for a $6,995 upgrade on both the 2013 Camaro and Camaro Convertible. Look for this option to be available early in 2013.

What will the extra $6,995 get you? The Hot Wheels Edition Camaro will come with a bright metallic paint scheme, special graphics, red-lined 21-inch wheels and Hot Wheels flame badges on the fenders and trunk lid.  It will also feature matte-black touches around the hood and taillights. You can expect to see the rear spoiler, front grille, and front splitter that the high-performance ZL1 package currently has. The black leather interior will have Hot Wheels Logos embroidered in black and red on the front seats, and the door interiors will bear the Hot Wheels flames. Finally, Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment package will come standard.

The Hot Wheels Camaro can be ordered either with the Chevy 2LT package ( 3.6 liter V-6), or the 400-hp 2SS package (with a 6.2 liter L99 V-8). The 2SS has a dual-mode exhaust system, and the 2LT will be equipped with a manual gearbox.

Keep your eye out for this unique model. Hot Wheels aren’t just for kids anymore!

On Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28) in 1895, Frank Duryea won the first motor-car race in the United States. Frank and his brother designed the winning “horseless carriage” in an effort in increase publicity for the burgeoning American auto industry. It worked. The Duryeas sold 13 of their Motor Wagons, more than any other car maker that year.

The race was originally supposed to be 92 miles from start to finish, but was cut short last minute due to a blizzard. The race ended up being 50 miles from Chicago to Evanston, Ill., and back.  Vehicles were required to have at least three wheels, which had to be wrapped in twine to help with traction in the snow. Cars also were required to hold two people, both the driver and a race-appointed umpire who would guard against cheating.

Due to the weather, only six of the 89 racers showed up for the big race. Ten hours after the race began, Duryea made it across the finish line, followed only by one other car, two hours later. The other vehicles did not finish the race: Two were electric vehicles whose batteries died shortly after the race began while others got into accidents.

The Duryeas won $2,000, plus enough publicity to establish themselves as the number one auto manufacturer. From then on, car making became a serious business venture, not just a hobby, and the American love affair with cars blossomed.  

As we approach Thanksgiving (10 more days, in case you were wondering), we thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the car features we are most thankful for. GPS and navigation systems have had quite the impact on our lives in the short time they have been available to us.

Several companies claim to have made the first navigation systems for automobiles in the 1980s, but the first one available for commercial use wasn’t available until 2000. Since then, as with most technologies, the usability and price have improved drastically. Today, you can find a variety navigation systems, and many are sure to fall in your budget.

Navigation systems have helped increased safety by giving us step-by-step voice commands, eliminating the need to write or print directions and try to read through and follow them while driving. They have also improved efficiency, saving you from wrong turns, or having to stop and ask for directions! Even if you do take a wrong turn, the navigation will quickly recalculate your route, getting you where you need to go in the shortest time possible.

New navigation systems are even going a step further and including different routes depending on your preferences. Shortest distance? Least amount of time? How about even a green route option - getting you where you need to go while incurring as little of an effect on the environment as possible. Yes, please!

Today, almost all cars come with the option to have a navigation system built in, and if your car doesn’t, it’s easy to head to your nearest electronics store and grab one! When it comes to car accessories, we think a navigation system is a good investment, and we sure are thankful for ours!