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12k-Mile 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS

Beginning in 1996, Chevrolet collaborated with aftermarket parts manufacturer Street Legal Performance (SLP) to revive the SS trim of the Camaro muscle car. With 2,140 Camaro Z28 SS models manufactured for the first year of its return, this 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS that Barn Finds reader Pat L. found here on Craigslist is a clean and low-mile specimen of this relatively rare Camaro.

This SS is available in Reno, Nevada with a clean title. It is number 230 of 2,140 vehicles produced for 1996, and the seller lists the vehicle for their grandfather, who is the original owner. This Camaro was garage kept in a temperature-controlled space its entire life and babied whenever it saw usage, with the seller stating that their grandfather “never drove it fast.”

As you can expect, the body of this meticulously-kept Camaro is in fantastic shape, with no noticeable imperfections or issues. This one features a T-top roof, which has factory sun shades, and the seller also includes a factory SLP car cover with the sale.

Things are in great shape inside the cabin, especially the leather seats. Everything functions without issue, and there’s also a Bose audio system to pump out the tunes.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine, which made 300 horsepower from the factory. The engine pairs to a 6-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels, and while a Torsen limited-slip rear differential was available as an option for these Camaros, the seller does not specify if this model features one. The drivetrain has a mere 12,118 miles on it and the only noteworthy modification is an SLP short shifter.

The seller hopes to receive $17,000 for this Camaro, and they mention that they are firm on the price. Would you add this low-mile SS to your collection?

Comments

  1. Avatar unclemymy Member

    It doesn’t fit my needs, but it would surely fit my wants. Pedigree is everything. It is essentially a new car from a time period where the engines and components were relatively domestic, and unquestionably more reliable. Less regulations and less attempt to squeeze gas mileage at the expense of reliability. You try to find the same quality (you won’t), for twice the price. There’s a vehicle out there from an earlier time that does fit my needs, that’s still almost new, and I will buy it the moment I find it. No new vehicle made today is worth the cost, in my opinion, and I’ve abandoned the quest for a newly manufactured vehicle. I can put together Chinese stuff myself, and not have to turbocharge a lawnmower engine made in Mexico to power it. This car is a safer bet, if you need a new car, and far cheaper than any new car you would want.

    Like 14
  2. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    I don’t know anything about the value of the SLP additions, but this looks really nice and a whole bunch of fun to drive. Good luck to both seller and buyer!

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Don H

    Last of the real body style Camaros , before all the retro crap 🙄

    Like 0
  4. Avatar ccrvtt

    Given how poorly received the last black Camaro was it’s surprising that the first two comments are positive. At this point it’s pretty much a matter of personal taste and I’m in the camp that likes these cars.

    Our local sheriff (a real local sheriff) had the police version of one of these as his personal/official vehicle, complete with a manual transmission. He’s now in his 80’s and still kind of a hot rodder so he bought another last year just because he liked the first one so much.

    I’m also in the camp that admires octogenarians who still drive street rods and Corvettes and hot Camaros.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Don H

    The last of the real Camaros ,in my book ,hate all the retro crap 🙄

    Like 7
  6. Avatar AW

    I’m the original owner of a ‘01 SS with the LS1 motor. That ‘96 has the LT1. Not quite the high RPM revver as the LS1, but a great engine with lots of low end torque. If it was a WS6 Trans Am or SLP Firehawk he might get a little more money, but that price he’s asking for is about max. Hope someone who appreciates that car for what it is buys it. Good luck.

    Like 7
  7. Avatar Ed Faille

    You can’t afford replacement headlights for these cars!

    Like 3
    • Avatar Douglas Threlfall Member

      They are just the smaller rectangular sealed beams. Same as the Grand Prix’s and the Cutlass Supreme’s. They are $30 at Autozone (& $35 for the “Extra Vision” version)

      Like 3
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      Huh? As little as $5.68 for a low beam!! – but why are the high beams so much more money?!! …
      http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1996,camaro,5.7l+v8,1035931,electrical-bulb+&+socket,headlamp+bulb,11701
      I thought the high beam bulb on all 4 headlite cars ever made was simply another low beam that also came on with the low beam. lol

      I’m sure sales took a hit with this gen due to the gigantic windshield(& the latest Camaro has too little glass & sales are even worse – go figure Chevy), engine halfway under the cowl(mechanics & gearheads must love that), & possibly the loss of hidden wipers.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar kworthin

    I had one of these. Should come with a case of power window motors.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar irocrobb

    I think these are one of those cars in 20 years it will seem to have been a hell of a buy. A lot of money but a terrific car and you sure do not see them where I live.I would far sooner this model than a new one.

    Like 6
  10. Avatar 68custom

    nice but I would rather have a 98 or newer with the LS and no t-tops!

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Lynn Member

    Maybe the guy with the 69 RS-SS-Z28 got his numbers backwards. 96 not 69. If I wasn’t holding out for a 2023 I’d be bidding on this one.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar shanahan

    LT1 engines in Camaros and SS Impala had 275 HP. A little less than the LT1 Vette.

    Like 3
    • Avatar A.J.

      Sorry to disagree but the SLP cars had 300HP or 305 with the extra cost exhaust.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Anthony

        Correct. SS gave you that more power from the ram air hood.

        Back in the cool days when Chevrolet Actually boosted power more than their usual Super Sport packages that consisted only of badges and silly wheels. Bigger brakes, better suspension, 17inch wheels, transmission cooler for autos, better aero and spoiler. SLP really accentuated the car over a stock Camaro

        base Camaros had 275 and 16inch wheels. In 93 Ford was blown away as an LT1 Camaro walked all over their Mustang

        Like 0
  13. Avatar tony k

    Kevin, it does indeed have the Torsen LSD (check the SLP window sticker) . It also has the optional exhaust system and the Level II Bilstein sport suspension. In other words, pretty much every option offered by SLP. I have a ’97 SS with all of those options — been driving it for 18 years, and have always managed to scathe daylights out of myself on occasion, though never a scratch!

    Like 4
  14. Avatar George Mattar

    So much better looking than the butt ugly 2020 POS. And far cheaper. Go for it.

    Like 3
  15. Avatar Anthony

    As a current owner of a 2002 and once owned a 1997 SS these cars are bargains. Affordable horsepower with fabulous reliability.

    The LT1 wasnt amazing but hand me down Corvette parts arent a bad thing either.

    This car is cherry and worth the 17,000.

    96 gave you a centre console plaque showing your SLP number. Not a fan of the dash layout as 97-02 was soo much nicer and clean.

    Firebird WS6 prices also very strong. Almost always 17-25% higher than Camaro SS values

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Bakyrdhero Member

    I for one was taken aback by how reasonable the price is IMO. This car is worth the money.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Claudio

    I had a 96 convertible lt1 with a 6 speed , a ton of mods, body , exhaust etc , nice car , good handling and great look , made the mistake of test driving a german car , the life has been bimmers and boxsters ever since …

    Like 0
  18. Avatar michael

    yes its a SS Z28 SLP there going for more than that online.

    Like 1

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