62000 MILES 5.7 LT-1TAXED AND TESTED. METALLIC GREEN WITH CLOTH INTERIOR
£4250
Fourth Generation (1993-2002)
While the 1993 fourth-generation Camaro was very much new, it
was shy of all-new; much of the floor stamping and all of the rear suspension
was shared with the third-generation car. But with plastic front fenders, a new
short-arm/long-arm front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and a sleek new
profile, the '93 was new enough.
For '93, the Camaro lineup was pared to two models: base sport coupe powered by
a 160-horsepower 3.4-liter version of GM's V6 and the Z28 with the Corvette's
5.7-liter LT1 small-block V8 underrated at 275 horsepower. Once again, the
convertible was gone.
The black-roofed (no matter what the body color) '93 Z28 was a stunner. The LT1
was easily the most powerful small-block installed in the Camaro since its
namesake, the 1970 LT-1, and, considering the move from gross to net power
ratings, probably even more powerful than that legend. Behind it was either a
four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission and 16-inch wheels and
tires; and four-wheel antilock disc brakes were standard. With Z28 prices
starting under $17,000, the value was just amazing. The most desirable '93?
Probably the black Z28 replicas of that year's Indy 500 pace car. These replicas
were identical to the actual pace car which, in stark contrast to the '82, led
the race with no mechanical changes.
As expected, the convertible Camaro returned with the 1994
model year. Designed and built by GM at the St. Therese, Quebec, plant where all
F-cars were assembled, the '94 ragtop's chassis was significantly stiffer than
the previous convertible's. Otherwise it's almost impossible to tell a '94 coupe
from a '93 unless one opens up the automatic transmission and finds that it is
the electronically controlled version of the 4L60.
While the 1995 Z28 received only minor changes (all-season
tires and traction control were now available), the base Camaro added GM's
"3800" 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 as an option. The 3800 was both significantly
more powerful and refined than the 3400, and by 1996 would become the only V6 in
Camaros.
With the adoption of the 3800 as standard power, the least powerful 1996
Camaro still had more power than the most powerful 1984 Camaro. Somewhat in
celebration, the RS name reappeared on the V6 coupe as a spoiler and ground
effects package. Meanwhile on the Z28 side, the V8's output jumped to 285
horsepower and SLP Engineering brought back the SS name by adding engine tweaks
and 17-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped with P245/40ZR17 BFGoodrich Comp T/A
tires. The SS, with its 305 horsepower rating was the first factory Camaro to
break the 300 horsepower barrier since 1971, and the first of any year using net
ratings.
To celebrate the Camaro's 30th anniversary, Chevy introduced a specially
optioned white Z28 with orange stripes and orange houndstooth upholstery
(evocative of the '69 Camaro pace car) for 1997. Otherwise,
there were new "tri-color" taillamps for all models, and SLP produced an
extremely limited run (106 cars) of 330-horsepower Corvette LT4 5.7-liter
V8-powered Camaro Z28 SS models.
The fourth-generation Camaro's first (and only) extensive visual update came for
1998 with a new front fascia design. But the real news lay
behind that face where the C5 Corvette's new-age all-aluminum small-block LS-1
V8 took up residence in the Z28. The 5.7-liter LS-1 was the first all-aluminum
engine offered in a Camaro since the '69 ZL-1 and carried a thrilling
305-horsepower rating (base Camaros kept the 200-horsepower 3800 V6). GM took
over production of the SS itself this year, as well, with the ram-air induction
system boosting the LS-1 to 320 horsepower.
