Camaros Are Already Well-Loved, but These Are the Best Models Ever Made
The Camaro is one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced. A legend of the muscle car era, it’s gone through several iterations and continues to endure today. Here, we’re going to take a look at its most successful releases over the years.
1967 Camaro Z/28
Specifically designed to compete in the legendary Trans Am race, the 1967 Camaro Z/28 featured one of the most powerful engines available at the time, a high-revving 302 cubic-inch V8 capable of producing over 290 hp. Only 602 separate units were ever built, making it an exceptionally rare and legendary bit of automotive history.
1969 Camaro ZL1
Potent doesn’t even begin to describe the 1969 Camaro ZL1. Whereas the ‘67 Z/28 was built for the Trans Am, the ‘69 ZL1 was designed as a powerful drag racer. It featured an engine that could produce more than 430 hp, making it one of the most ferocious machines on the road. Not that there were many, of course: only 69 units were ever produced.
1969 Camaro SS 396
1969 also saw the final year of the first generation of the Camaro nameplate in the form of the SS 396. Featuring that distinct, aggressive styling that defined the muscle car era, the SS 396 was also performance-ready thanks to its heavy-duty suspension and upgraded brakes.
1970 Camaro Z/28
Somehow, Chevrolet managed to capture lightning in the same bottle again with the second-generation Z/28. Even more potent than its predecessor with a 360 hp engine to back it up, the ‘70 Z/28 also incorporated some of the ‘69 SS 396’s more aggressive performance components.
1971 Camaro SS 454
Fitted with the largest engine to ever grace the inside of a Camaro, the ‘71 SS 454 was another potent performer in Chevy's lineup. In fact, it was one of Chevrolet’s last great performance monsters before emissions regulations hit the automotive industry like a stack of bricks.
1973 Camaro Z/28
The 70s were not a good time for performance vehicles like muscle cars, but Chevrolet managed one last hurrah before emissions regulations really took effect. The ‘73 Z/28 would be the last of “the old guard” of Camaro models - no other models in that decade could ever match its potential.
1979 Camaro Z28
Of course, that didn’t stop Chevrolet from trying. The ‘79 Z28 was definitely the high point of the company’s output during the late 70s. While it was nowhere near as potent as earlier models, the ‘79’s aggressive styling made it incredibly popular.
1982 Camaro Z28
Once the 70s were behind them, the Camaro nameplate could finally get back on track, beginning with the release of the third-generation Z28 in 1982. Featuring a lighter body and overall more aerodynamic design, the ‘82 Z28 was a fantastic return to form for the nameplate.
1985 Camaro IROC-Z
Named after the International Race of Champions, the IROC-Z was actually a higher-performance trim of the classic Z28 nameplate. It featured the same aggressive styling as before, but with improved suspension and upgraded wheels to give it more of an edge.
1990 Camaro IROC-Z
The IROC-Z had only launched five years before, but was already on its last legs at the turn of the decade in 1990. The Camaro brand as a whole had struggled to recapture the performance standards of the late 60s and early 70s for the better part of two decades, but the ‘90 IROC-Z, as the last of the third-generation Camaro, finally delivered the performance everyone had been waiting for.
1993 Camaro Z28
The first of the fourth-generation Camaros, the ‘93 Z28, marked a big shift in the nameplate’s identity. Whereas previous models emphasized aggressive styling, this one opted for something more sleek and modern, and even shared an engine with the Corvette.
1996 Camaro SS
By the time 1996 rolled around, the Super Sport (SS) designation had been absent for quite some time, but - with the help of SLP Engineering - Chevrolet was more than happy to restore it to a vehicle whose performance was more than worthy of the badge.
1998 Camaro Z28
1998 brought with it a huge upgrade for the Z28: an all-aluminum, 305-horsepower LS1 V8 engine, which gave the model a much-needed boost to its performance capabilities. This came alongside a few cosmetic changes as well, like flush-fit headlights, emphasizing this Z28 as one for the 90s.
2002 Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition
2002 was a special year for the Camaro for two reasons: it was the last of the fourth generation and was also the nameplate’s 35th anniversary. Chevrolet was quick to capitalize on this with the release of a special edition Camaro SS to celebrate this milestone, featuring an iconic red paint job with white stripes that is now synonymous with the badge.
2010 Camaro SS
The Camaro nameplate wouldn’t be revived until 8 years later in 2010, with the Camaro SS making a grand return to the streets with retro-modern styling and superior performance upgrades that made it a menace its 60s forefathers could be proud of.
2012 Camaro ZL1
When the 2012 Camaro ZL1 was released, it was the fastest production Camaro ever built, thanks to its supercharged LSA V8 engine, which could produce up to 580 hp. Despite the staggering speed it could travel at, the ZL1 could also handle itself sharply.
2014 Camaro Z28
Designed to conquer the tracks, 2014’s Z28 featured a 7.0-liter 505-horsepower LS7 V8 engine and ceramic brakes, as well as a more lightweight body, all of which led to such accolades as Motor Trend's Best Driver's Car.
2016 Camaro SS
2016 heralded the sixth generation of the Camaro, much faster than the fifth but also much easier to handle and more refined to boot.
2017 Camaro ZL1
A so-called “supercar killer”, the 2017 ZL1 could handle the race track just as well as the highway. Powered by a 6.2L LT4 supercharged V8, it could deliver up to 650 hp, practically able to break the sound barrier.
2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE
Last but certainly not least is the 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE, which is easily one of the best-handling Camaros ever built. It’s powered by the same engine as the 2017 ZL1 and features more aggressive aerodynamics, allowing it to conquer any track with ease.
