This 1998 Chevrolet Camaro SS is a rare bird, supposedly one of two built that received the full “tuned by Lingenfelter” treatment. This fourth generation Camaro is a standout regardless of the additional enhancements as it has just 22,000 original miles, but the Lingenfelter certainly improves the car’s out of the box performance and gives it a healthy dose of scarcity, especially if the seller’s claims of just two being built holds water. The list of modifications is quite lengthy, including a fully rebuilt and upgraded LS1 V8. The Camaro also wears sharp 17×11 Corvette Grand Sport wheels, and is listed here on craigslist for $25,000.
The fourth generation Camaro hasn’t exactly been red hot on the collector car market, even in time capsule form like this car. In a similar fashion, pristine SS and/or Pace Car tribute models still show up for sale on craigslist and other sites without much fanfare, usually for very reasonable money considering what you’re getting in return. The Lingenfelter package certainly makes the car more collectible, but in my limited research, it seems like the upgrade was simply chosen at the owner’s discretion rather than being a factory-authorized model you bought off the showroom floor. There’s no wrong answer either way, but it seems to me that cars that are upgraded by their owners are always a touch less desirable than those modified by the factory.
There’s also no one-size-fits-all spec sheet for the Lingenfelter modified examples. The most detailed info I’ve found indicates the car receives a rebuilt LS1 with the full assortment of porting and polishing and stronger internals, along with modified suspension, brakes, transmission, and more. Headers are also installed along with a full exhaust, and the one reference I’ve found to power input indicates the owner walks away with 425 horsepower for their investment of around $20,000 (according to one “window sticker” I found of a car with the Lingenfelter package.) I would assume you get to keep the factory warranty, too, or at least get a separate warranty on the parts Lingenfelter installed.
Of course, the interior remains rental car-grade Camaro inside, with cheap, gray plastics as far as the eye can see. General Motors used to be fairly committed to installing Recaros in its muscle cars, but the third- and fourth-generation Camaros and Firebirds seemingly did away with that trend as cars like this with their dramatically increased horsepower ratings made do with standard seats with weak bolsters. The seller notes his car has never seen bad weather and that the OEM SS floormats are still wrapped in plastic. The original tires and wheels are included, along with all necessary documentation. Is this unicorn worth the seemingly reasonable asking price? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex M. for the find.
I thought for sure when I clicked the Craigslist link that this would be gone, but as of now it’s still there. This seems like a good deal at $25k. Must say I know little about the Lingenfelter treatment but if this is a legitimate one of two builds it’s quite a rare piece of Camaro history. Somebody needs this!
Never really liked this body style….
Oh, c’mon. Who doesn’t love an overfed Cavalier with even less rear legroom?!
I had a 300HP ’99 Z/28 and thought it was fast enough. This car with 425HP is badass!
I guess that you would have to love the body style to pay up for this instead of a nice Corvette with the same amount of power.
The ad is about a bad as it gets, so a lengthy conversation with the owner would be required.
Unique yes, but not aligned with GM in any way though. Also, the body style is really a love hate thing. So that takes away a large percentage of buyers.
John Lingenfelter was still alive when this car was built. If you don’t know, John was THE top authority on building SBC’s…he even wrote a book about. His engines were 100% rock solid. He built the engines for the 900 HP Callaway Sledgehammer Corvette. He was also a very accomplished drag racer.
You are correct, you could not buy this off the showroom floor. And yes, Lingenfelter provided their own warranty for the work.
If I had the cash I would be on this car. Buying a car John had a hand in building is high on my bucket list. While LPE is still in business and building absolute beasts of engines, I always admired John and it’s one of his I want.
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Because I just “had to”…looked up on KBB value of pristine ’98 Z28 with this mileage. Top cash value $9,809.00. Trade in range from about 8300-11000.
I too have followed JL’s racing career and modification business. Don’t think this car being one of two makes it extra special, as he and team would modify most performance Chevys to anyone’s liking…from his fairly substantial list of upgrades. Which, in my memory, included interiors. So, what we have here is a 23 year-old performance upgrade on an apparently well-kept Camaro. Someone out there will love this far more than me…