Chevrolet Camaro was initially launched as a 1967 model in direct competition with Ford's Mustang. The introduction of Mustang caught General Motors, as well as everyone else, off guard. Therefore, the first Camaro, derived mainly from the Nova with changes in appearance and performance, could not beat the Mustang. However, it helped GM scrape through. Over the years, the Camaro, with its characteristic long hood and short tail, developed an identity and achieved massive success.
The first-gen Camaro was introduced in different versions offering an engine power range of 140 hp for the base Camaro to 375 hp for Camaro SS. Consequently, the price range, starting from $2,466 for the base model, gave buyers the chance to get a Camaro on their budget. The convertible Camaro also proved hugely popular. Overall, design, along with performance, has led Chevrolet’s stylish pony car to go from strength to strength.
Among lots of different models and generations of Camaro, its special edition have been occasionally introduced to meet the consumers’ demands as well as maintaining the success and popularity of the line. The following is a list consist of the greatest special edition Camaros.
9 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Convertible
Introduced on the 20th anniversary of Camaro, the IROC-Z was named for the International Race of Champions series. It was the first convertible Camaro since the 1969 model year. To produce this special edition, Chevrolet worked in collaboration with the American Sunroof Company to convert them from T-top coupes.
The IROC-Z featured, among other items, four-wheel disc brakes, and a specific aero kit package. Around 1,000 units of this edition were ever made, all of which trimmed with special badges on the dashboards in honor of the 20th anniversary.
8 2002 Chevrolet Camaro 35th Anniversary Edition
Chevrolet introduced this 2002 special edition Camaro in its 35th anniversary, putting an end to the production of Camaro. The 35th anniversary Special Edition was created by adding some distinguishing features to SS-package equipped Z28s.
With the 325 hp LS1 V8 engine derived from the Corvette, it came with an exclusive hood and roof. There were 3,369 units made, all of which presented in the popular rally red with Chevrolet’s classic two racing stripes. Furthermore, 934 units were kit up with an automatic transmission. Chevy Camaro’s farewell model is now a part of the GM Heritage Collection.
7 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition
Camaro Hot Wheels Edition, presented in Kinetic Blue only, became available in convertible and coupe body styles. The engine came in two different capacities: the more affordable V6 and the robust 426 hp aluminum LS3 V8.
In terms of design, some improvements were added to the classic alloy wheel and redline stripe of the original Hot Wheels. The RS package; matte black line on hood, roof, and trunk; ghost flames and the 21-inch alloy wheels represented the exterior of this Camaro. Overall, Chevrolet seemed to focus more on design and less on performance enhancements in this creation.
6 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Indy Pace Car
Smashing the Indy 500 records for the fourth time, Chevrolet celebrated its success by producing a Special Edition Camaro. There were a limited number of 645 units produced. The Special Edition offered a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 275 hp, which was considered a good deal at the time.
It was equipped with four-speed automatic transmission, T-top, power steering, seats, locks, and more. In terms of exterior design, this Camaro got a unique two-tone colored look with “Official Indy Pace Car” displayed on both sides of the car.
5 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Edition
The Camaro Transformers Edition was born after the appearance of Camaro as the hugely applauded movie character Bumblebee in the series. It came to the market featuring some fun options so that it could provide Transformers fans with their dream car. These options included the unique yellow color, Autobot shields on both interior and exterior parts, and Transformers logos on certain spots of the car body.
The package could be added to the LT and SS models. Therefore, the engine output power ranged from 304 hp for the V6-powered ones to 426 hp for the SS powered by a 6.2-liter V8. The new L99 V8 engine was also available on the SS models with automatic transmission.
4 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Shock & Black Edition
Camaro Shock Edition’s distinctive green-yellow color contrasting with the black 20-inch wheels and black badges, stripes, and black leather seats successfully set it apart. It's equipped with a V8, available with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It wasn't offered in Europe because of emission issues. Instead, it was released to the Russian market with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as the WLTP regulations don’t apply there. It also offers an updated infotainment system. Comparing the base Camaro model available in the United States with the Russian version, one figures that the engine power has been reduced by 37 hp.
3 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Hurst Sunshine Special
As few as three units of this edition were built in 1970, seemingly as experimental models. At the time, the production of 360-hp LT1 engines had led to Camaro’s huge success. This limited edition was the first and the last Camaro equipped with a well-reputed prototype power-sliding sunroof, which never made it to mass production.
Other than the sunroof experience, the car was used in wind tunnels to test the front and rear spoilers later used in a racing series. Purportedly, only one unit out of the three exists now.
2 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Three years into the introduction of Camaros, Chevrolet built exactly sixty-nine Special Edition Camaro ZL1, representing the year. The line was constructed through COPO particular order system. Its 427 big block all-aluminum engine made it possible for the car to compete against racing cars in NHRA Super Stock.
Twelve of the sixty-nine built were equipped with four-speed manual transmission, and only six of them were initially presented with Rally wheels. The 1969 ZL1 is considered as a precious yet hard-to-reach one to any muscle car collectors throughout the world.
1 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Convertible
Chevrolet’s ultimate special edition Camaro and the very first convertible Z28 was hand-built specifically for Pete Estes, the company’s manager at the time. To meet Estes’s demand for high performance as well as certain customized features, this Z28 had unique options not available on any other Camaros at the time. Among these features were a cowl-induction hood, a cross-ram intake manifold, and four-wheel disc brakes.
The history of this car made it a unique example of high value among muscle car collectors, leading it to be the first muscle car to be sold over $100,000 at an auction held in 1991.