Earlier this month, the official production of the new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible started at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Oshawa. Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. were on hand for a special ceremony. The first 2011 models are expected to reach dealerships later this month.

Rick Hendrick purchased the first 2011 Camaro Convertible available for public sale. He also bought the 2010 Camaro coupe offered for sale, and both times he acquired the purchase rights through Barrett-Jackson auctions, with all proceeds benefiting charitable causes.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver for Hendricks Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and CARCHEX spokesperson 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.”

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

Check out this video to see the new 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible and hear what Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to say about his new ride.

It has been pretty amazing to come out to the plant and drive this car off the line with all the workers here. They take a lot of pride in what they do, the product they make and I feel very honored to be able to be here, and pull a car off the line and take it home with me. Excellent product by Chevrolet. Glad to be a part of the team and I look forward to a successful season in 2011.