The fourth generation of Chevrolet's Camaro debuted for the 1994 model year on a heavily-evolved version of the third gen F-body platform. The driveline tunnel was big enough to accommodate a proper Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual, so the 5.7L V-8 was no longer limited to an automatic transmission. The repackaging involved relocating the catalytic converter, which now lurked under a large lump in the front passenger footwell.
Unlike the previous generations where a certain amount of fiddling with the option sheet could get you an extra fun version of the Sport Coupe or RS, the new Camaros came as the base model with only the V6 available (there was an RS appearance package, still), or the 5.7L-only Z28, with the 302 small block having exited the lineup.
For 1998 the Camaro got a mid-cycle refresh. The new snout was less pointy, had a more prominent grille, and swapped the deeply inset quad rectangular headlamps with more flush ovoid composite assemblies.
The base Camaro coupe or convertible had the GM corporate 3800 V-6, rated at 200 SAE net horsepower. The RS badge was gone. The '98 Z28 replaced the previous year's 285hp 5.7L LT1 V-8, a direct lineal descendant of the small blocks that had powered the first Camaros thirty years earlier, with the new all-aluminum 5.7L LS1, which was a whole new OHV V-8 that was rated at 305hp.
For the gnarliest Camaro in '98, Z28 buyers could opt for the SS performance/appearance package. It came with 17" wheels and tires, suspension upgrades, and an LS1 whose output was bumped to 320 horsepower by, among other things, a functional cold-air induction hood, like on the Navy Blue Metallic car in the photo.
When Car and Driver included a six-speed '98 SS in a group 0-150-0 test, it managed that feat in 43.7 seconds, actually edging out a contemporary 911 Carrera. It ran zero-to-sixty in 4.9 seconds and put away the quarter in 13.5 seconds at 107mph. Not bad for a car that was under thirty grand; C/D's as-tested price was $27,141, or just short of $53k in today's money.
The one in the photo was caught with a Nikon D800 and 24-120mm f/4 VR zoom lens in October of 2022.
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