One of the most iconic vehicles from the muscle car era, and from General Motors as a whole, is the 1969 COPO Camaro ZL1. Built in extremely low numbers, many people consider this model to be the greatest Camaro ever made, and as such, the ZL1 nameplate carries a significant amount of weight. Today, we’re taking a look at another ZL1, a vehicle some people didn’t even realized existed, the 2002 Chevy Camaro ZL1.
Before you get too excited, it’s important to note that GM never manufactured a ZL1 variant of the fourth-generation Camaro. Instead, GMMG Inc. – the company behind the 2001 Dale Earnhardt Intimidator SS, among other performance Camaros – offered a ZL1 version in three phases.
The first two phases features 400- and 475-horsepower variants of the 5.7L V8 LS6, while the Phase III version – which this particular Camaro is – features a C5.R-derived powerplant pushing out a naturally aspirated 600 ponies. A six-speed manual transmission handles the shifting action, while a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio sits out back. Rumbling through a cambered exhaust, this Camaro ZL1 is one of 31 Phase III vehicles built by GMMG, and one of 69 ZL1s built in total.
Finished in an eye-popping Lemans Blue paint color, this 2002 Chevy Camaro ZL1 is adorned in special ZL1 graphics and badges all over. Suspension modifications include Penske adjustable coilovers, Eibach front and rear lowering springs, larger sway bars and modified link geometry.
As for rollers, this ensemble rolls on chromed-out C5 Z06 wheels. On the inside, the seats have been furnished in a black houndstooth appointment, while a switch at the bottom of the center console offers drivers a mild or wild exhaust note. This Camaro currently resides at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida.
What do you think of this unique Camaro ZL1? Is it as cool or special as the original 1969 COPO Camaro ZL1? Vote in the poll below, and fire off in the comment section to let us know what you think!
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Comments
The fourth generation Camaro shouldn’t be called a Camaro. They’re gawd awful ugly!
Yeah I was never crazy about this model Catfish… err I mean Camaro. The Firebird though looked rather nice. Too bad the interiors were literal garbage bags and 90’s GM build quality came standard.
The styling of this generation is almost excellent but for the short wheelbase giving the front end way too much overhang. Move the front wheels forward ten inches and it would look much better balanced.
I wouldn’t mind it in my driveway. Great color.
The 4th gen Fbody was a redesign adaption of the Canceled 1990 Fiero GT.
They adapted it to a front engine hatch package when the GM80 was canceled,
The dash layout is the same as the Giero had too. It can be seen in the hero center.
The interiors were bad as the F. Body team put the budget into the engine and chassis. GM would never give them money to finish the car. They had to keep the price close to ford with their cheap Fox platform
Interesting comment. I was the Pontiac Materials Engineer on both the Fiero 1977-1983 and the GM 80 Camaro Firebird 1984-1987. I worked closely with Hulki Aldicacti Fiero Chief Engineer to concept the Fiero as an all composite body car and subsequently with John Seaton GM 80 Chief Engineer and later the ill fated 1990 3.1L Fiero while I continued on the GM80 with Fred Schaafsma to concept the GM80 as an all composite body similar to the Fiero body. John Shinella was Pontiac Exterior Studio Head for all 3 cars as I recall so no surprise they had many similar design cues. I also owned both a black 1988 Fiero GT 5 spd and a 1996 Camaro black convertible and 2002 Camaro SS Z28 35th Anniversary LE . Loved them all.
I would rather have a Gen 4 than a Gen 3 any day of the week. My favorite is still the Gen 2 that I bought new and still have. My Gen 1 was a great car but that one is long gone.
Know how you feel. I owned a 1971 Camaro SS RS 350, a black 1974 Camaro LT 350 4spd, a 1979 Trans Am TA 6.6 WS6, a black 1996 Camaro convertible and a 2002 Camaro SS Z28 35th Anniversary LE. Wished I’d kept them all. GM-retired engineer after 45 great years.
Despite whether or not you like the Camaro, at Mecum auction, it would bring premium prices. Love to own this car.
Not the best looking front end for Camaro but not bad enough to turn on down. SS SLP with center exhaust looks pretty good. LS1 ran good for the day. With the SLP suspension options it handled great and stuck to the road well. I’d take one and wouldn’t think twice.
2002 Chevrolet had a weird since of design.It was called ugly with horse power,600 Horsepower never did make it look better.So that was 2002 ugly meets 427 cubic inches.
I have a 2002 Chevy Camaro ss. It’s a very great car. I think they should have put the 6.0 in instead of the 5.7
Alot of ugly cars in 2002 but not many ran or handled that good.
Well you obviously never owned one of these.
I had a 69 Z28.
I had an 85 IROC.
I had a 97 LT1 Z-28.
The 97′ was easily the best all around out of them.
I was an engineer on Gen1 – Gen 5 Camaros loved m all. Owned several. Drove Gens1-4 as my assigned company cars including a test drive an awesome Gen4 427 Camaro development car at the Milford Proving Grounds – Don’t know why GM didn’t green light it for production. GM-retired after 45 fun years.
I’m sure I seen this car back in 2017 in Florida at the muscle car museum. Had the 427 in it. Beautiful car. Got few pictures of it.