- GM’s first pony automotive debuted Sept. 12, 1966
- The Camaro was discontinued after the 2003 and 2024 mannequin years
- Nice Camaro fashions embrace the ZL1, IROC-Z, and Z28
For the second time in its historical past, the Camaro is useless. Chevrolet killed the Camaro in 2002 after a 32-year run, then revived it once more in 2010 solely to kill it once more after the 2024 mannequin 12 months. Rumors say it’ll return as an electrical efficiency automotive, presumably a sedan. Solely time will inform, but when it does it might want to stay as much as the type and efficiency which have made the Camaro an fanatic favourite since 1966.
Over its lifetime, the Camaro has run by means of six generations, and every has produced its particular fashions which have elevated an already excessive baseline for efficiency. From the preliminary SS fashions, to the the malaise of the Seventies, to the revival of efficiency within the Eighties, to its return for 2 retro-inspired generations within the 2000s, listed below are the 12 greatest Camaros over the lifespan of this fabulous pony automotive.
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1967 Chevrolet Camaro
1967 Camaro
The Camaro made its debut on Sept. 12, 1966 as a four-seat coupe and convertible. It’s extensively considered as a response to the immensely in style Ford Mustang of 1964, however Chevrolet had been toying with the concept since 1962. The automotive was based mostly on the upcoming next-generation Chevy II/Nova unibody platform with a entrance subframe. The 1967 Camaro’s base value was $2,466, and just like the Mustang, it was a pony automotive with massive a alternative of inline 6-cylinder and V-8 engines stuffed right into a compact package deal. Probably the most highly effective standard-line Camaro was the 325-hp SS396, however a restricted variety of special-order SS396s cranked out 375 hp. Chevrolet bought 220,917 Camaros that first 12 months whereas Ford bought 472,121 Mustangs.
1967 Camaro RS
1967 Camaro Z-28
Although it wasn’t probably the most highly effective Camaro in that first 12 months, the Z-28 was one of the best dealing with alternative. Developed to qualify the Camaro for the Sports activities Automotive Membership of America’s new Trans Am class, the Z-28 featured a 302-cid V-8 that spun out 290 hp and wound to excessive rpms. It was primarily the 327 block with the crankshaft from the 283. The firmer F41 suspension improved dealing with, and exterior modifications included twin hood and trunk stripes and Rally wheels on red-stripe tires. Solely 602 Z-28s had been constructed for the 1967 mannequin 12 months, making it a fascinating collector automotive immediately. Z-28 Camaros gained three of the 12 Trans Am occasions in 1967, only one behind the championship-winning Mustangs, however the Camaros would go on to dominate the 1968 season.
1969 Yenko Camaro
1969 Yenko/SC Camaro
Via Chevrolet’s Central Workplace Manufacturing Order (COPO) program, Chevrolet supplier Don Yenko ordered specifically outfitted Camaros and bought them by means of his Pennsylvania dealership because the Yenko/SC (for “Tremendous Camaro”). The factory-built automobiles featured Chevrolet’s L72 iron-block 427-cubic-inch V-8 that formally made 425 hp, although Yenko claimed 450. In addition they had disc brakes, positraction, a cowl-induction hood, and heavy obligation suspension. The dealership added the stripes, badging, and “SYC” headrest logos. A complete of 201 1969 Yenko Camaros had been bought, and any remaining are fairly costly immediately.
The very first 1969 Camaro ZL1 Picture: Mecum Auctions
1969 ZL-1 Camaro
Probably the most highly effective and rarest Camaro of the Sixties was the legendary ZL-1, which was primarily a drag race-ready manufacturing unit automotive for the Nationwide Sizzling Rod Affiliation’s Tremendous Inventory class. Out there solely by means of the COPO program, the center of the ZL-1 was an aluminum block 427-cid V-8 racing engine that formally produced 430 hp, although precise output was seemingly greater than 500 horses. The automobiles additionally had cold-air induction, a Harrison four-core radiator, transistorized ignition, multi-leaf rear springs, and a heavy-duty 4.10 12-bolt rear finish—prime tools for drag racing. Solely 69 of those monstrously highly effective Camaros had been constructed, making the ZL-1 some of the priceless Camaros immediately. The automotive proven right here is the primary one ever constructed, and is completed up in full drag race regalia. It bought for $400,000 in 2012 at a Mecum Public sale. Think about what it could go for immediately.
1970 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
1970 1/2 Camaro Z28
The second-generation Camaro made its debut on Feb. 26, 1970, supplied solely as a coupe. With styling cues from Jaguar and Ferrari, it’s considered as some of the stunning automobiles ever to come back out of Detroit. The brand new automotive was longer, decrease, and wider than the outgoing mannequin, and that gave it extra inside area. It dealt with higher and rode softer, too. All of the enhancements impressed Highway & Monitor journal to name it one of the best American automotive of the day. The Z-28 package deal got here with the 360-hp LT1 350-cubic inch V-8 from the Corvette. Automotive & Driver piloted a Z28 to a 0-60 mph time of simply 5.8 seconds. The beginning value for a V-8 Camaro was $2,726, and the Z-28 package deal ran one other $572.95.
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z convertible
1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Fuel shortages and authorities emissions rules sapped the facility from Camaros within the mid-Seventies, however energy returned a decade later. The Camaro IROC-Z supplanted the Z-28 because the Camaro efficiency chief beginning in 1985, however the 1987 mannequin was vital for 2 causes. First, the 305-cubic-inch V-8 gave approach to a 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V-8 making an additional 10 hp for a complete of 225. Second, the convertible physique type returned for the primary time since 1969. The 5.7 was a $1,045 possibility for the IROC-Z and it propelled the automotive to a 6.3-second 0-60 mph time. The IROC-Z was named after the Worldwide Race of Champions, which pitted star-studded drivers from all world wide in equally ready Camaros.
2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 thirty fifth Anniversary Version
2002 thirty fifth Anniversary Camaro
Dwindling demand for sporty coupes, induced partially by the proliferation of SUVs, spelled the top of the Camaro after the 2002 mannequin 12 months. Chevrolet gave it a correct send-off with a $2,500 Camaro thirty fifth Anniversary Package deal for the SS coupe and convertible. It was supplied solely in crimson and included silver stripes with a checkered flag sample, distinctive fender badges, embroidered headrest logos, and particular 10-spoke wheels with machined surfaces and black accents. Motivation was supplied by the LS1-V-8, now as much as 325 hp. Efficiency was thrilling. In Motor Pattern testing, the 0-60 mph run took simply 5.2 seconds and the quarter mile handed in 13.5 seconds. It wasn’t sufficient to maintain gross sales, although, and the Camaro went on hiatus for eight years.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 first drive
2012 Camaro ZL1
The Camaro returned for the 2010 mannequin 12 months as each a coupe and a convertible, and Chevrolet engineers rapidly got down to develop a automotive worthy of the revered ZL1 designation. Underneath the hood, they put in the supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 from the Cadillac CTS-V, right here making 580 hungry horses. Different efficiency upgrades included big-and-bigger Goodyear Supercar tires on light-weight alloy wheels, GM’s quick-acting Magnetic Experience Management dampers, and enormous Brembo brakes in any respect 4 corners. In Automotive and Driver testing, the ZL1 rocketed from 0-60 mph in 4 seconds flat and posted a blazing quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds. Priced round $57,000 (together with a gas-guzzler tax), the 2012 ZL1 was the costliest Camaro but, however it could be surpassed by a wholesome sum two years later.
2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
2013 Camaro 1LE
When it returned as a 2010 mannequin, the Camaro did not journey or deal with all that effectively. Nevertheless, Chevrolet made steady enhancements, and the 1LE package deal of 2013 was the results of a lot of that work. Impressed by a little-known race-ready package deal from the late Eighties, 1LE was a $3,500 possibility package deal for the Camaro SS. In got here with the sticky entrance tires and light-weight entrance wheels from the ZL1 (although right here in any respect 4 corners), thicker entrance and rear stabilizer bars, monotube rear shocks, a entrance strut tower brace, a high-capacity gas pump, and a short-throw shifter. Beauty modifications included a flat black wrap for the hood, a black rear spoiler, a black entrance splitter, and a steering wheel with V-shaped spokes. Moderately priced, 1LE turned the Camaro into one of the best dealing with pony automotive underneath $40,000.
2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
2014 Camaro Z/28
With a midcycle design refresh got here what turned out to be one of the best dealing with Camaro but. That is as a result of this automotive was outfitted with track-focused tools. The revived Camaro Z/28 featured the suspension tweaks employed by the Camaro 1LE package deal, however with stiffer shocks, thicker anti-roll bars, distinctive monotube shocks, and even lighter 19-inch wheels and tires. Weight was down 300 kilos in comparison with the ZL1 efficiency king, and a physique package improved downforce. The massive observe enablers, nonetheless, had been the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, which had been principally street-legal racing tires, and the usual carbon-ceramic brakes. After all, the 7.0-liter, 505-hp V-8 from the Corvette Z06 additionally contributed to the exploits of this observe athlete. The 0-60 mph dash took 4.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile time was 12.7 seconds. That meant the Z/28 wasn’t as quick the ZL1 in a straight line, however it was faster round a observe due to the all that grip and the large brakes. It value extra, too, with a hefty $76,000 price ticket.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
2017 Camaro SS 1LE
Chevrolet redesigned the Camaro for the 2016 mannequin 12 months. A brand new platform derived from the Cadillac ATS stiffened the physique and lower weight by at the very least 223 kilos. The sublimely tuned electrical energy steering made turning the wheel a pleasure, and the Corvette-sourced LT1 V-8 supplied efficiency figures that had been solely potential with specialty engines in earlier Camaros. It spun out 455 hp within the SS mannequin, which enabled a 0-60 mph time round 4 seconds and a quarter-mile time within the low 12s. The SS actually got here into its personal, although, for the 2017 mannequin 12 months when Chevrolet added the SS 1LE package deal. It got here with fantastic magnetic dampers, an digital limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers and 14.6-inch two-piece rotors, Recaro bucket seats, and most significantly for observe runs, further cooling for the oil, differential, and transmission. We favored the redesigned Camaro a lot that we named the SS the Motor Authority Finest Automotive To Purchase 2016, and it solely bought extra sturdy, extra agile, and faster because the 2017 Camaro SS 1LE.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2017 Camaro ZL1
Chevrolet saved its greatest for final. The head of Camaro efficiency arrived with the 2017 Camaro ZL1. It featured a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 that that made a whopping 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, lower the 0-60 mph time to three.5 seconds, lowered the quarter-mile time to 11.4 seconds, and raised the highest pace to 198 mph. It got here with a slick-shifting 6-speed handbook transmission or a 10-speed computerized with rev-matched downshifts. Not solely was it scary quick, however it was additionally sure-fotted on its 285/30R20 entrance and 305/30R20 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. Its suspension had all of the upgrades of the SS’s 1LE package deal, plus further warmth exchangers (11 complete) and bigger 15.35-inch two-piece entrance rotors. Those that needed one thing much more hardcore might go for the ZL1 1LE package deal, which substituted in Multimatic DSSV dampers with adjustable ride-height entrance struts and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires (305s up entrance and 325s within the again). This final observe performer additionally benefitted from a lighter rear seat, bigger grille openings for extra airflow, entrance dive planes and a carbon-fiber rear wing for extra downforce, and an aluminum hood with a carbon-fiber insert.
