Being among the top players in the global automobile industry, Chevrolet released several amazing vehicles over the decades. However, two Chevys really stand out: the Corvette and the Camaro. When it comes to the Camaro, it is fair to say that the nameplate went through several life-changing events. Despite having gone through several ups and downs, the Camaro remained one of America’s best sports cars.
The Camaro is one of the greatest pony cars ever made. After six generations, the Camaro became the go-to alternative to the Mustang. In the process, Chevy released several editions of the Camaro that will one day be worth their weight in gold. These are the Camaros that gearheads would blow their savings on once they realize how breathtaking those Camaros are.
10 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car
The first generation Camaro hit the streets in 1967. During its two-year production, the Camaro rapidly became the second best-selling muscle car in the United States. Given its success, the Camaro took part in a variety of sporting events, including the legendary Indy 500. In 1967, the Camaro was already showing that it was a legend in the making.
The ’67 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car is one of the awesome special edition Camaros every gearhead should drive. The Indy 500 Pace Car comes at best with a 396 cu in V8 rated at 375 hp. It is 100{09e594db938380acbda72fd0ffbcd1ef1c99380160786adb3aba3c50c4545157} classic muscle power. No electronics. With only 104 pace cars made in 1967, it is safe to assume that the value of this legend will keep on increasing.
9 1970 Chevrolet Camaro SS
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Following a major facelift in 1970, the Camaro came back larger and meaner than before. Regarded as one of the best projects cars for a restomod build, the second generation Camaro is an amazing all-American beast that should not always be customized to extreme levels. Some trim levels are best left in their original condition.
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The 1970 Chevy Camaro SS may seem like an average SS, but things can rapidly become interesting. Chevy offered the Camaro with the legendary 396 L78 V8 combined with Holley four barrels. The combination created 375 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Chevy made only 600 Camaros 396 with the Holley four-barrel option in 1970.
8 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
When it comes to muscle cars of the ’80s, the Camaro IROC-Z is one of the first cars that pop up. Available with a T-top, the IROC-Z is a true ’80s icon that was sadly grossly underpowered. Despite its sheer lack of power, the Camaro IROC-Z was a fun car to drive. Its physique combined with some of the most interesting Chevy units would turn the IROC-Z into a neck breaker.
The Camaro IROC-Z may not be the rarest Chevy Camaro ever made, but it is by far one of the best Camaros made in the ’80s. In 1985, Chevy offered the IROC-Z with a 5.0L LB9 V8 developing 215 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The true gem comes with a G92 performance axle ratio. Chevy made only 205 IROC-Zs with the LB9 engine and G92 axle ratio.
7 1996 Chevrolet Camaro SLP Z28 SS
In 1996, muscle heads nationwide witnessed the creation of several remarkable muscle cars. Chevy came out with the incredible Impala SS, but it also worked on special projects that even Ford fans would admire. Even if the fourth-generation Camaro is a snooze fest, it can become a true monster after some basic mods.
The 1996 Camaro Z28 comes with a 5.7L LT1 V8 rated at 285 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. That is acceptable given what was roaming the streets during that era. Chevy partnered up with SLP to provide the muscle with a legitimate Camaro. After installing various performance parts including SLP’s exhaust system, the total power output of the Z28 SS goes up to 305 hp.
6 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th Anniversary
The Camaro is one of the oldest nameplates in the world. Although Chevy discontinued production of the Camaro for several years, it remains the second best-selling and American-made sports car. To pay tribute to the very first Camaro, Chevy released a special edition based on the controversial Catfish Camaro. Dubbed “the ugliest Camaro ever made,” the 35th Anniversary Edition is worth looking into.
In an effort to close the fourth generation chapter with a banger, Chevy released the 35th Anniversary Edition. Easily recognizable by the red paint job and white stripes, the 35th Anniversary Edition comes stock with a 5.7L LS1 V8 that produces 325 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Though nowhere as insane as the Cobra Terminator, the 35th Anniversary remains the best Catfish Camaros.
5 2010 Chevrolet Camaro HTR750
Numerous iconic Camaros are originally products of a given dealership. The perfect example would be Yenko. Located in Canonsburg, PA, Yenko Chevrolet was originally a dealership owned by a serious muscle head. Yenko is not the only car dealership that offered souped-up Camaros. Much less popular shops, such as Denooyer Chevrolet, also created amazing machines.
Built by Redline Motorsports, the RS/SS HTR750 can only be purchased at Denooyer Chevrolet in Colonie, NY. The HTR750 comes with a supercharged 427 L71 V8 rated at 669 hp and 661 lb-ft of torque. This is far more powerful than the 550 hp SLP550 of the same year, and the subsequent ZL1. The HTR750 is the type of Camaro that will rock anyone’s socks off.
4 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Transformers Edition
Everybody is aware of product placement in movies. Being one of the most obvious marketing techniques, product placement earned a bad reputation over time. While the practice may get under some people’s skin, it is still widely used in the entertainment industry. At Chevy, it was clear that the fifth-generation Camaro had to become a superstar.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Transformers Edition is a must-have for hardcore Transformers fans. Though the Camaro received nothing in the power department, it gained several badges as well as the typical yellow paint with the two black stripes. Chevy manufactured less than 2,000 Camaro Transformers Edition in 2010.
3 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The fifth generation Camaro underwent a facelift in 2014. Looking fiercer than its previous self, the updated Camaro gave Chevy something to think about. The ZL1 trim was already a huge success, but it felt as if something was missing. Looking back at some earlier successes, Chevy noticed that bringing back the Z28 would not be a bad idea.
Muscle heads nationwide lost their minds when Chevy announced the return of the Z28. The beast was unlike previous Z28s. In 2015, the Z28 came with a plethora of performance parts. The front and back spoilers combined with the larger rims gave the car an aggressive look. Things got even spicier when Chevy moved ahead with the 7.0L LS7 V8. With a power output of 505 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque, the Z28 goes from zero to 60 mph in four seconds.
2 2020 Chevrolet COPO Camaro
Most car fans are aware of the COPO Camaros. Having been around since the late ’60s, COPO Camaros are today long-awaited by the public. The Central Office Production Number, known as COPO, was a system made available to dealerships nationwide. Dealerships could order specific parts and alterations for fleet accounts. Several dealerships took advantage of this system to transform the Camaro.
As it is common with COPO Camaros, the 2020 edition came with more power than most people can handle. The COPO Camaro is not even street legal. However, the COPO can compete in NHRA events. Underneath the hood sits a Magnuson supercharged 5.7L LSX V8 that pumps out 1,050 hp. Only 69 COPOs were made in 2020.
1 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible
Back in 1969, Vince Piggins okayed what would eventually become the ZL1. The very first ZL1 came with the infamous 427 cu in V8 used in Can-Am racing. Using a modified version of the L88 engine, the ’69 Camaro ZL1 is until today one of the best Camaros ever made. Despite not being as rare as the original ZL1, some of the latest ZL1s should be seriously considered.
There are several reasons why every gearhead should drive the Chevy Camaro ZL1. Not simply because it is the base for the Exorcist by Hennessey Performance, but also because it is simply an impressive muscle car. As in most cases, Chevy manufactured the ZL1 1LE Convertible in limited numbers. Consequently, very few gearheads will have the chance to utilize the 650 hp developed by the supercharged 6.2 LT4 V8 in style.