Camaro

The 2000 Camaro has the spirit and performance of a ’60s muscle car in a contemporary package, especially when it comes to the high-performance “SS” trim. When you compare the Camaro to other cars it seems like a large car, and, if its available 350-cubic inch V8 engine is a touch smaller than the 427s and 454s of the past, it is not exactly anemic. If the regular Z28’s 305 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque aren’t enough, the SS uses ram-air induction and other modifications to make 320 hp and 345 lb-ft.

The most sought-after muscle cars were those with limited production runs, and the Camaro SS may well qualify as a future classic. It’s based on the standard Camaro Z28, itself no weakling in the performance department, and adds a host of drivetrain and cosmetic modifications. It’s expensive for a Camaro, but an excellent value for a high-performance, limited-production car. Obviously it is not a car for everyone, but that was never the plan.

The Camaro was a given a makeover in 1998, with a shortened nose, kidney-shaped headlights, and restyled front fenders. It is a more than cosmetic improvement, as the shorter nose has better clearance on steep driveways and curbs. The SS sports a special fiberglass hood, with a prominent, fully-functional NACA duct scoop. It also has unique spoked alloy wheels and a larger, more highly- arched rear spoiler with two support struts instead of the regular Camaro’s one.

A Camaro was never designed to be a luxury car, but it might seem to be when compared to the appointment level of the classic muscle-car era. The $4,000 SS package buys raw power, not flash. The leather wrapping on the steering wheel is functional, aiding the driver’s grip. The same goes for the shift knob, which, in honor of the Hurst linkage is embossed with the “H” logo. The front buckets are thinly-padded but offer good side bolstering, an important consideration since the car is capable of generating high cornering force.

Instruments and controls are well-placed for the job of driving, and interior sound levels are appropriate for a high-performance bad-boy muscle machine. This is a car for engine lovers. Two bucket seats are found in the rear, and, although they offer more room than is found in some coupes, they really aren’t meant for long-term use.

The Camaro SS and the Z28 from which it is derived use the 346 cubic inch aluminum-alloy LS1 V8. With 320 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 345 lb-ft of torque at 4400, it moves the 3500-lb car quickly. It’s a touch lighter than the old cast-iron “small block” V8, and has a very different power curve. The old engine had gobs of low-end power but ran out of breath at higher engine speeds; the LS1 has a bit less punch right off the line but a healthy midrange, and pulls strongly right to the redline.

The ram-air inducted SS engine feels just like the regular Z28’s, but with more power everywhere. The 6- speed manual gearbox is suited very well to the Camaro’s character and power delivery. The controls are on the heavy side, but appropriately so. A high overdrive sixth gear means that highway cruising (at around 1500 rpm) is remarkable economical, and new enhancements give the LS1 a low emissions rating, so even the Camaro SS has some social responsibility.