Chevy has resuscitated the heartbeat of America with the new 2011 Convertible Camaro. Bold lines of retro styling and state-of-the-art technology are the key components in this recipe for modern-day muscle.

Check out the picture of General Motors of Canada President Kevin Williams and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. drive one of the first convertibles off the assembly line at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada.

Add a drop top to this mix, and you get one incredibly cool ride. This ragtop raises the bar for the pony car rivalry between the Chevy Camaro, the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger.

The victory red Camaro I tested is equipped with a 3.6-liter v6 making 312 horsepower. But if you have a need for speed, there is the SS option with a 6.2-liter V8 bringing 400-plus ponies to the table.

All of the models come with a long list of standard equipment. This LS model has dual exhaust, 18 x 7.5-inch wheels and of course, the convertible option.

Enjoying the open air adds an extra 250 pounds or so to your ride, but there are no significant drawbacks I noticed because of the added weight.

On the road, this Camaro draws a lot of attention. But its good looks are more than just skin deep. The balance and tuning of all the versions are impressive, especially the v6, which has strong acceleration and handling, and is sporty, but not too bumpy.

This is a great option for the enthusiast who wants the look without the hefty price.

Inside, the sport seats are comfortable, keeping you snug in tight corners. The electronic gadgets are as cool as this drop top option. I really like the interior lighting and layout.

There is some room in the truck cargo area, but who cares when you easily lose the top in about 20 seconds?

To find more information, or to schedule a test drive in the 2011 Convertible Camaro, visit www.chevrolet.com.