2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition

With apologies to the late, great Dylan Thomas, Chevrolet is not quite ready to let its venerable muscle car "go gentle into that good night." Although the Camaro will be mustered out of production at the end of the 2002 model year, the Bow Tie Brigade is celebrating its last lap around the fast track with a limited-edition model that suitably recalls 35 years of past glory.

Available as either a T-top coupe or a convertible, the 35th Anniversary package expands on a loaded Z28 SS with Bright Rally Red paint, silver graphics, special wheels and anodized brake calipers.

The 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Package is based on the SS version of the Camaro Z28. You can order it up in either coupe or convertible models and with a 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission (we opted for the former in both cases). And all come finished in Bright Rallye Red topped off with a pair of wide silver central stripes that transition into a checkered flag motif which runs all the way back to the tail. Chevy plans a production run of 3,500 cars, including 252 for the Canadian market.


Acquiring one of these commemorative Camaros is actually a two-step process. Prior to plunking down an additional $2,500 for the bespoke Z4C option, you must first pony up an extra $3,625 to add the WU8 SS Performance/Appearance Package to either the basic Z28 coupe, which opens at $22,495, or drop-top, which starts at $29,590. While not cheap, that preliminary kit does raise the excitement ante by a considerable margin. For openers, it nets an SLP-spec version of the Z28's 5.7-liter LS1 V-8. Bolstered by a forced-air induction system and a freer-flowing dual-exhaust system, this LS1 makes 325 horsepower—15 more ponies than the standard-issue engine. Torque remains unchanged, although at 340 lb.-ft. it's hardly in short supply. Rounding out the SS Performance/Appearance kit are an even tauter version of the Camaro's already sporty suspension, a special rear spoiler, and 275/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS tires on unique alloy wheels.

The LS1 V-8 puts out 325 horsepower, thanks in part to improved air induction and a freer-flowing exhaust.

With that basic hardware secured, the official 35th Anniversary trappings can be put into place. From a performance standpoint, they include Acceleration Slip Traction Control, special machined-face blackout rims and a short-throw Hurst shifter on models fitted with the manual gearbox. On the creature-feature front, the Z4C pack includes unique black-with-gray leather upholstery, removable T-top roof panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio-system controls, a full array of power assists, keyless remote door/trunk locking, cruise control, rear-window defogger, 12-disc/trunk-mounted CD changer to go along with the standard Monsoon premium sound system and the requisite gaggle of 35th Anniversary indicia, inside and out.


All of this would mean nothing to dedicated Camaro fans is if didn't translate into meaningful performance gains. There, the package does not disappoint. Dip into the throttle and the breathed-on LS1 beneath its crimson foreflanks wakens with a throaty rumble that helps get the adrenaline flowing and the tach and speedo needles swinging skyward. Even backed with the 4-speed autoshifter, 60 mph comes up in about 6.0 seconds, and the 6M trans should easily crack the 5.5-second mark.