Unfortunately, our time with the glorious sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is coming to an end. With the sixth-gen, we saw GM’s alpha platform flourish. In the midst of the global outlook on gasoline-powered vehicles rapidly changing, it appears there is a diminished place for the muscle car with Dodge also parting ways with the ever-thirsty Challenger. Back in 1967, Chevrolet brought out an instant icon. The project was codenamed “Panther” and it helped set the stage for the American muscle battle consisting of the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Charger (and later Challenger).
For more than 50 years the horsepower-fueled war has waged on between these three and that war will soon be over. Camaro has been a part of American culture bringing style, and performance throughout the decades. In its sixth generation, we say goodbye, but will never forget the lasting impact it has had on automotive enthusiasts, and how it drove competition to a degree of blending messy muscle cars, with all-out road-gripping sports cars.
From the lightweight 2.0 liter to the thunderous 6.2 supercharged ZL1, the Chevy Camaro impresses with its handling, and power, all in a handsome muscle car package. The latest Camaro truly is something special and here are 10 of the Camaro Six’s greatest hits.
10 Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition
As the name suggests, this special edition Camaro highlights the 50 bold years of one of America’s greatest muscle cars. Chevrolet celebrated 50 years with a classy appearance pack for the 2017 Camaro that included bespoke wheels, paint/graphics package, and chrome inserts in the grille of the SS Camaro.
The car also featured a slick “Fifty” badge on the side panels indicating the anniversary special. A Hot Wheels variant also came along in 2018. Anniversary cars tend to be popular with the Corvette crowd, however, considering this is the final generation of the Camaro, the 50th anniversary may prove to be increasingly collectible over the years as we transition to an electrically motivated society.
9 Camaro Garage 56 Race Car
You can take the American out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the American. This is incredibly rare, but the special project aims to take a Camaro ZL1 1LE NASCAR racer and modify it for Le Mans-style endurance racing. The Garage 56 Camaro is an impressive Frankenstein of specialty components all coming together to take on the impossibly difficult task that is endurance racing.
Key upgrades include carbon ceramic brakes, reworked tires, an increased fuel tank, as well as functional headlights and taillights. The rest of the car remains relatively unchanged, showcasing the capabilities that NASCAR vehicles possess with their “Next Gen” race cars. The Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 is aimed at bringing a NASCAR-flavored experience to Le Mans fans and is set to race at the 2023 Le Mans endurance race in June.
8 COPO Camaro
The iconic COPO Camaro (Central Office Production Order), has proved to be a popular car among racers wanting a factory-ordered drag racing special. COPO Camaros provide massive power and drag strip-ready equipment specifically ordered through dealerships with the intention of NHRA series racing. This is a track-only specialty car that was originally released in the 1969 COPO program but re-introduced in the 2012 model year.
Since then Camaro has been bringing big power to drag racing. In 2023 a special 632 cubic inch naturally aspirated big block V-8 was on offer that has since sold out. The two remaining COPO options are a 350 cubic inch supercharged LSX-based V-8 or a 427 cubic inch naturally aspirated LSX-based V-8, if you prefer the absence of forced induction. As always COPO Camaros are only available for racing or collection purposes.
7 Camaro GT4.R
Built specifically for racing in the GTS class, The Camaro GT4.R was crafted by Pratt and Miller for the Pirelli World Challenge Series. The car raced in the 2017 and 2018 seasons bringing home the championship in 2017 along with many podium finishes in the following year. The car utilized a tuned, cammed, dry-sump lubricated version of GM’s small-block LT1 V-8.
The interior is a typical stripped race car. The body has been reworked for increased aero including a massive rear wing, along with more aggressive dive planes. Lightweight wheels upgraded brakes and reworked suspension completes the car. Overall, considering the same basic architecture and power plant were used, we’d say the Camaro provided a great base on which to build this racer.
6 Camaro Turbo AutoX Concept
Although it’s just a concept, the Camaro Turbo AutoX was a neat take on showing how versatile the Camaro platform can be. In autocross, you want a light, but still a relatively powerful vehicle that can swiftly change direction as autocross courses are designed to incorporate intense directional changes. The key is to be smooth and carry as much speed as possible through every turn.
Since it is a relatively low-speed driving scenario, the lightweight 4-cylinder Camaro is what the Chevrolet Performance team based the Camaro Turbo AutoX Concept car on. With a host of 1LE-style handling upgrades, a 20 psi boost tune, and a short-throw shifter, the AutoX concept proved to be an autocross scalpel. It’s unfortunate we never officially saw the concept become reality, but it is within the same competitive spirit we know so well from Camaro.
5 Camaro ZL1 1LE Cup Car
For NASCAR’s next-gen series of race cars, Chevrolet has taken the ZL1 1LE racing. Obviously, a purpose-built race car from the ground up, this new NASCAR racer features a ZL1 1LE body style. For generations, NASCAR has built upon the idea that factory cars can be built into full-race versions. The history of the sport started with vehicles much closer in specification to factory cars.
These days regulation and advancements in racing leave very little if any factory parts on the actual race cars other than a factory look-alike body package. It, too, has been modified to keep up with NASCAR safety and aero regulations. The Chevrolet Camaro Cup Car remains competitive in NASCAR racing.
4 Camaro V-6 1LE
The entry to the 1LE family is certainly not a terrible place to start. The V6 1LE Camaro is grossly underappreciated. Given its upgrades in the handling department and manageable power from the familiar 3.6 liter V-6, this 1LE Camaro remains one of the most approachable sports cars in the business.
Newcomers to the manual transmission will instantly feel at home in the V-6 1LE as it is easy to modulate the power and input effort is minimal, yet feedback is responsive. Anybody looking to enter the Camaro world, but is hesitant about V-8 power should seriously consider this little gem of a car. Even experienced drivers will be rewarded by the V-6 model.
3 Camaro SS 1LE
For those wanting to spice things up from the V-6 world, you can opt for the SS, but this one, in particular, seems to be the sweet spot in all things Camaro. The SS 1LE provides a combination of the things you’d expect out of a V-8 muscle car, including the linear power of a naturally aspirated 6.2 liter V-8, with the sports car handling that comes with 1LE upgrades.
Like the V-6 1LE, the SS version adds a healthy serving of power, up to 455 horsepower from the SS, while the 1LE aero, suspension, brake, wheel, and tire upgrades make sure the added power can be properly deployed from the beefy chassis. Recaro performance seats are also a part of the package. This really is one of the best bang-for-your-buck track-capable sports cars available.
2 ZL1
Maybe you’ve had your fun with V-8 muscle cars in the past and need a palate cleanser. Something slightly more exotic and way more powerful. A true American sports car, the Camaro ZL1 brings true heavy-hitter power to the Camaro experience. ZL1 means forced induction. Chevy takes that wonderful 6.2 liter V-8 and supercharges it for an output of 650 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque.
Camaro ZL1 is for the power-hungry. If you want to put down impressive numbers at the drag strip or have incredible reserves in power as a fitting nod to the Camaro’s muscle car past, this is the car for you. With upgraded cooling, wheels, and brakes & tires, the ZL1 also offers over-engineered components keeping all that power in check.
1 ZL1 1LE
If you want an absolute track weapon, the Camaro ZL1 1LE combines the highest power available, with all the 1LE-specific handling and aero upgrades to provide an uncanny level of on-track performance. With a massive wing attached to the trunk and far stiffer springs, the 1LE is much of a track-only type of car. While it is still street legal, its rough ride and super-wide tires don’t make for the most forgiving ride. On track though, the ZL1 1LE highlights the very best of GM’s alpha platform.
Using its potent supercharged small block to hurl a massively capable chassis around a circuit at alarming rates is what this car does best. It can routinely humble the competition, and then some putting down numbers that could compete with Chevrolet’s own Corvette.