Before you feast your eyes on the pro-touring, second-gen Chevrolet “ZL-70” Camaro featured in this video, we’d like to emphasize the following statement made by House of Muscle host Mike Musto,
I would go so far as to say: if we could get our hands on a new [2017] ZL1 and run that together with this, I’m pretty sure the difference would not be that great. And when I say ‘difference,’ I don’t know which car would win. That’s how good this car is.
Surely this must be a gross exaggeration, right? It’s common sense that no 47-year-old car can hang with one of the best, most-capable pony cars on the road today, isn’t it?
But then, when you consider how much time and money (so much money!) went into this car, this claim doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. Musto praises the car for its balance, saying it doesn’t have any particular tendency toward oversteer or understeer, but rather remains steady and neutral at the limit. That’s not to say you don’t need to be judicious with your right foot, but it does give the driver a strong sense of confidence.
But while the ZL-70 Camaro is the total package in the performance department – what with its carbon fiber panels, 650-horsepower from its supercharged LS V8 (not an LT4), Detroit Speed components, and other top-shelf equipment – it’s not necessarily a comfortable ride. That’s at least one area in which the 2017 Camaro ZL1’s got this vintage pro-tourer beat; it’ll compete at the drag strip, around the track, and still offer a sound ride around town.
And if we’re being honest, we’d put our money on the ZL1 being quicker around a track, too, even though the ZL-70’s owner does use it to compete in the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Invitational.
In any case, have a look at this Camaro for yourself, then give us your thoughts in the comment section below. What you rather have in your driveway: the ZL1, or this ZL-70?
Comments
Nice car but it’s ridiculous to say a customized classic is the same or better than a modern day oem vehicle. A new vehicle goes through years of engineering and validation with a team of hundreds of people.
George… you honestly believe that companies like Detroit Speed, Speedtech, Ridetech, UMI, BRM fail to use that same level of engineering and validation when making aftermarket race application components?. think a little. And check the results. They out run modern MODIFIED corvettes, camaros, challengers, mustangs… Factory vehicles… regardless of age… will always be subpar to a vehicles build upon the specific purpose to race.