2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Dormant since the late Sixties, Chevrolet revived the "ZL1" moniker for the top performance spec of the Fifth Generation Camaro from 2012 to 2015. After a one year hiatus, a ZL1 option was released for the new Sixth Generation Camaro as a 2017 model.

Like the previous iteration, the 2017 ZL1 was powered by a supercharged version of Chevy's LS-series V-8. This time, it was the 6.2L LT4, rated at 650 SAE net horsepower. A six-speed manual was available, as well as an all-new ten-speed 10L90 automatic transmission. Racy aero, MagnaRide suspension, 20" alloys, and honkin' big Brembo brakes completed the package.

Car and Driver tested the 2017 Camaro ZL1 coupe with the ten-speed auto and recorded a blistering 3.4 second sprint to sixty. The quarter mile was put away in 11.5 seconds, blowing through the traps at 125mph. The electromagnetic suspension and meaty Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires let the car circle the skidpad at 1.04g.

Price as tested was $67,000 in 2017 money, which is $92,000 in today's coin.

This Garnet Red Tintcoat example was photographed in January of 2023 using a Nikon D2X and an 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II zoom lens.

2000 Acura Integra LS

The third generation of the Acura Integra, which had debuted for 1994, received a light refresh toward the end of its life cycle. Most notably, the snout was made more aggro by removing the horizontal bar that had previously broken up the yawning intake. The embossed "INTEGRA" name was also moved downward and outboard, now located below the driver's side headlamps.

Power for this 2000 Acura Integra LS sedan in Vogue Silver Metallic came from an all-alloy 1.8L DOHC 16V inline four making 140 horsepower and backed by either a 5-speed manual or, if you were dead inside, a four-speed slushbox. This was good enough to propel the LS sedan to sixty in the high eight second range.

This one was photographed using a Nikon D3 and 85mm f/1.8 lens in September of 2023. 

1996 Ford Mustang Convertible

The fourth generation of Ford's pony car only came in two basic flavors: the base Mustang and the performance-oriented Mustang GT. Both could be had in coupe or convertible form. The car in the photo is a base convertible in Opal Frost Clearcoat Metallic riding on the optional 15" cast aluminum wheels.

Unlike the previous generation, where the lower-zoot LX could be ordered with the 5.0L small block and all the performance goodies, the base Mustangs now were all V-6 powered while the V-8 was exclusive to the GT.

The base motor was a 3.8L sequential fuel injected version of Ford's Essex pushrod V-6 engine family which put out 150 net horsepower.

This one was photographed in August of 2023 using a Nikon D3 and an 80-200mm f/2.8D zoom lens.

1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS Convertible

For the 1991 model year the third generation of the Camaro was nearly a decade old, but its replacement was still a couple years off, so it was treated to a mild styling upgrade.

With the Camaro having lost its spot as the car of the International Race of Champions, the old Z28 moniker was brought back for the top-of-the-line sporty model, while the entry level version remained the RS.

The Z28 got a prominent wing-type decklid spoiler and aggro... albeit non-functional ...hood bulges. The RS got the IROC's old ducktail spoiler. Both versions got new, more prominent ground effects packages.

The '91 Camaro RS coupe came with a standard 3.1L LH0 pushrod V-6 with multiport fuel injection rated at 140 SAE net horsepower, or an optional throttle body injected 5.0L L03 V-8 that put out 170 horses. The V-8 was standard on RS convertibles, like the Ultra Blue Metallic one in the pictures.

The V-8 could be backed with either a three-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox. The lackluster output of the TBI small block and extra weight of the convertible structure made for zero-to-sixty times in the high eight second range. But, hey, people bought RS Camaros for the looks; if they wanted to go fast they'd have ponied up for the Z28, right?

Even with the added gingerbread, the basic shape of the 3rd Generation F-bodies was still great looking. If they’d come out of Italy instead of Detroit you wouldn’t be able to get the Professional Car Likers at R&T and C/D to shut up about how perfect their lines are.

The domed hood and chrome wheels on this one are aftermarket. The top photo was made using a Nikon D3 and 24-120mm f/4 VR zoom lens in May of 2023, while the lower one was with a Nikon D3 and 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G zoom lens in July of 2022.