We don’t often think of the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro when considering cheap, modern muscle cars, a story not entirely unlike that of the SN95 Ford Mustang. It seems these generations were sandwiched between two eras that found immense favor among enthusiasts, leaving them slightly forgotten as a result. This 1995 Chevy Camaro Z28 checks all the right boxes, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the 275 b.h.p. LT1 V8, shared with the Chevrolet Corvette. It’s a stock survivor all the way through, with sharp black paint and graphite leather interior. Find it here on craigslist for $8,700 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
The preceding Camaro generation may not have been particularly exceptional, but it was certainly long-lived and left an impression on enthusiasts. The newer car was certainly a fine evolution of the model, but it never seemed to be the fan-favorite that the third generation was. This example wears great colors, and the red accents that Chevy used around the bowtie was one of my favorite features of the design. The looks were downright handsome, if not slightly intimidating, and they looked particularly fierce when wearing the colors of whatever police department they were affiliated with, as many of them found favor with the state troopers.
The bodywork looks very clean, and there’s no sign of rot in the lower sills or fenders, an important consideration for vehicles from New England. With just 54,000 miles, it seems likely that this Camaro was used as a Sunday-driver only, and based on the cosmetic condition of parts like the wheels and door panels, it’s clear someone loved this car. The seller notes it has all of the features you’d want in a Camaro of this generation, from Preferred Equipment Package #2 to an engine oil cooler to T-tops with sunshades, and even the factory Bose radio. Someone checked most of the boxes when they were ordering the Camaro off the showroom floor.
And of course, that six-speed manual transmission: like so many Camaro generations, finding a manual transmission model is alone cause for celebration. The impeccable condition really sets this car apart, as you can see the leather shift boot and emergency brake handle are in excellent condition, and even the console plastics appear to be in near-new shape. There’s no sign of cosmetic flaws anywhere, even in the storage cubby behind the shifter. Overall, this is an excellent choice for a modern classic that you can use with daily-driver levels of comfort and convenience, all the while appreciating as the forgotten fourth-generation models begin to pick up steam.
Radwood baby! Totally from my (semi) formative (at least automotive wise) years, I’d own this!
8700 for a stout runner that will probably never be valuable compared to the early Camaros. That’s good news for speed hungry folks without a big bank account.
I never liked the looks of these from day one, but man they could go. Put the Mustang on its heels so to speak.
The 98-03 Camaro/Firebirds are the ones to get. The LS-1 engines make them significantly faster, thus sought after. Their prices are already appreciating, especially compared to LT-1 powered F-bodies like this one. It’s like comparing a 3rd generation IROC to a 305 TBI Z28.
Steve R
I’ve owned two of these gen 4 LT1 Camaros and I can say that the LT1 is just as good as the LS1 equipped gen 4 Camaros. The LS1 Camaros may be a touch fasted than the LT1s but not by much. With a little tuning the LT1 can hang with the LS1 and more. Also I think the 1993-1997 Camaro front ends look way better than the catfish front end of the 1998-2002 Camaros. Lastly to all you “Opti-Spark” Nay-Sayers I can attest to the fact the Opti-Spark ignition works just fine. I’ve owned several LT1 equipped vehicles and have had zero issues with the Opti-Spark ignitions. The reason why the Opti-Spark ignition gets dogged is because they are a pain to work on, other than that they work just fine.
I’d say 3/4 of a second in the 1/4 mike is a bit more than a touch faster. Ive raced nearly every Wednesday night and weekend race at the local track since 2002 in the street class. I’ve got friends that race both, it’s no contest. They may feel close on the street, but that difference works out to about 75 feet of 4 to 5 car lengths going through the lights.
Steve R
I think the perception is the LT1 felt just as fast because it developed its torque at the bottom end where it’s more usable on the street. But top end,the LS pulls like a freight train and pulls away. I’ve owned both.
A buddy of mine bought this exact same car around 1998. Same color combo, same leather, same six-speed, and same year.
He was looking for a lightly used one for a long time and he found this with 5,000 or so miles on it. I remember it was really cool and really fast. I have a distinct memory of racing a modified FD RX7 and getting killed. But it was still a pretty fast car.
Don’t recall what he paid for it but I seem to remember it was expensive. Hard to believe how cheap it is now. But I guess in retrospect the styling was not all that good IMO. It looks too jellybean, and thus too ’90s. But I do think the 1993-97 front end looks better than the 1998 on up version in hindsight.
Upgrading the LT1 exhaust, larger throttle body, air intake, and a tune and I can assure you that the LT1 will hang with the LS1 at the low end and top end! And at a minimal cost to do it.
In think styling is the main culprit regarding the lack of favor with these cars. It wasn’t great to begin with and hasn’t worn well. The Thirdgens were much better looking. Handling was about on par with the earlier cars. The 4th generation did offer a nice power increase though. If you like jelly beans…and who doesn’t!…they make a great bargain muscle car.
I agree. It’s definitely aged very poorly. Right up there with the C4 Corvette and Buick Reatta. That’s really too bad as under the skin, these were great cars. Excellent handling and great motors, particularly later LS1 cars. The Third-Gen F-bodies still strongly remind of the ’80s but they’ve aged better and they’re better looking cars. I realize all this is subjective but the market does reflect it.
I think you’re absolutely right, I like fast, but I also like something worth looking at. The SS from these years look better with the hood scoop, but these are “butter faces” to me. That’s why I own an 06 mustang GT convertible, semi fast, but the look makes up for lost hp.
To get styling as clean and coherent as this the designers flirted with blandness, but overall it’s a pleasing look with no jarring warts. Certainly not as butt-ugly as the new Supra.
The LS motors are definitely more powerful but the LT-1 still had a lot of grunt. GM said they detuned it from the Corvette-spec 300hp though there are some doubters.
This really is a gorgeous car with an inviting cabin and a row-your-own gearbox. It’s a great deal at $8,700.
LOL! I think the new BMW Supra is a great looking car, so we’re polar opposites on that one. But seems most concur on here that this one isn’t all that good looking. It looks like a giant Easter egg to me. Blah.
Pull up to any stoplight and you’ll be hard-pressed to tell if the car next to you is either a really good looking BMW or a really ugly KIA.
While not a particularly good looking car, one can not argue this is a hell of bang for your buck.
Fun car at a good price, no need to overthink it. This particular one has been on CL for at least a little while now.
Small nit to pick- The Camaro did not “share a 275 hp LT-1 with the Corvette” in 1995. The Corvette LT-1 was 300hp in 1995. No way Chevy would sell a $40,000 Corvette with the same horsepower as a Camaro in 1995.
I personally drove up to Tewksbury, MA from Delaware today to view this one in person. Really a beautiful car, has couple of very minor flaws (and easily corrected) but the big thing is, it’s all original. Never been modified, not been messed with and has the original owner pedigree with full documentation. I already own a dark purple ‘95 base convertible w/ the 3.4 SFI V6. They were not on my radar back when they were new, but now I really like them. I’ve owned Mustangs prior (a ‘79 pace car & ‘89 GT convertible). The convertible versions of these both are like night & day (or boneless chicken vs. bone in) in body flex & twist. The fox body Mustangs are like boneless chicken where the F bodies were designed right from the start to be actual convertibles, not “cut up” line the Mustangs. I’ll take the ‘93-‘97 version Camaro.
It looks like you didn’t buy it. Did you make an offer that wasn’t accepted?
Just curious.
Yes I did purchase it. Going back this weekend with a truck & trailer. Made a reasonable offer that was accepted.
I had a ’99 Z/28, manual with every option.
My future wife at the time and I really loved that car. When the first kid came along, we did the “smart” thing and traded it for an A4 Avant.
We both still miss that car.
I did purchase it and picked it this weekend. Drove up from Delaware to Massachusetts with a truck & trailer.
Enjoy! Here is me with my ’99 Z/28 back in ’02 or so.