In the late-1980s, GM in short taken into consideration discontinuing its iconic Camaro and Firebird — pony vehicles as we recognise them — in desire of transferring the automaker`s whole product line towards smaller, the front-wheel pressure platforms. But after witnessing Ford's debacle of looking to update its Mustang with the Probe, GM determined to live the route with a V8-powered rear-wheel pressure muscle machine. And so died the ill-fated GM80 platform, meant for the fourth-era pony vehicles. Instead, the brand new Camaro could experience on a closely revised model of the third-gen's F-frame chassis.
Unlike the outgoing car, the fourth-gen Camaro became simplified with handiest engine choices, one V6 and one V8. If you are studying this article, you are likely inquisitive about the overall performance-orientated V8 model, dubbed the Z28, so we're going to consciousness on that. The new-for-1993 Z28 featured Chevy's similarly new 5.7-liter LT1 which debuted withinside the Corvette simply twelve months earlier. In the Camaro, it became barely detuned to make 275 horsepower. After all, you cannot have the Camaro making the equal or extra horsepower than GM's halo car, the Corvette. Z28 shoppers should pick among a four-velocity computerized transmission or a brand new six-velocity guide transmission at no more cost.
The 275 horsepower LT1 placed the Camaro mild years in advance of competition like Ford's Mustang, which had a four.6-liter V8 that made handiest 215 horsepower. In a Car and Driver contrast take a look at of the 1994 Camaro Z28 as opposed to a 1994 Mustang GT, the Z28 despatched the Mustang GT to the glue manufacturing facility with a 0 to 60 time of 5.four seconds as opposed to 6.1 for the Mustang. A dimension of pinnacle velocity had comparable outcomes with the Z28 accomplishing 156 mph whilst the GT should handiest muster 137 mph.
1998 brought the actual catfish
The fourth-era Camaro's appears had been constantly fairly polarizing. For the primary time ever, GM used sheet molded compound (SMC) panels for the Camaro's fenders, doors, roof, and rear hatch. Similar to fiberglass, the molded SMC panels stored weight and gave the 1993 Camaro its specific rounded shape, which a few fanatics criticized as bulbous and plasticky as opposed to the clean, angular traces of the third-gen vehicles.
But not anything could put together enthusiasts for 1998's mid-cycle refresh, which brought a hideous new the front clip that earned it the nickname "catfish" Camaro. And searching at photos, it is smooth to peer why — the oversize radiator grill and rounded flush headlamps truly do resemble the bottom-feeding lake dweller. To be fair, many vehicles of this period are responsible of shapeless styling that looks like had been left withinside the solar too lengthy and melted. But what the 1998 refresh lacked in appears, it made up in horsepower. A new LS1 aluminum V8 became delivered onboard that churned out 305 horsepower, decreasing its 0 to 60 mph time to 5.2 seconds.
It's in the end getting liked
Another purpose to love the "Catfish" Camaros is the go back of the lengthy-defunct Super Sport (SS) moniker to the Camaro. Depending at the year, the SS package deal became both an choice package deal for the Z28 or its very own awesome trim level. In both case, the SS became a collaboration among GM and Street Legal Performance (SLP) in Michigan. The SLP contact generally consisted of accelerated overall performance thru engine modifications, suspension tuning, large wheels, and look components like a scooped hood.
The fourth-era Camaro soldiered on till it became discontinued in 2002 because of a drop in call for for sports activities vehicles. However, those as soon as under-liked muscle vehicles are experiencing a surge of hobby lately. And why not? They're fairly quick — even via way of means of contemporary-day standards — and possibly fanatics are mellowing on their disdain for the novel styling. If you are inquisitive about selecting one up, Classic.com reviews a 12-month common rate of $17,337 for the Z28 and $25,077 for the rarer SS. Of route, mint examples with low mileage will command larger bucks.
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