Summary
- Camaros have a reputation for being powerful and iconic muscle cars, loved by car enthusiasts of all kinds.
- Camaros come in various models and trim levels, making them suitable for both track capabilities and daily driving.
- The Chevrolet Camaro has a rich history, with iconic models like the 1977 Z28, 1968 Z28, and 1970 1/2 Z28 standing out as some of the best of all time.
Since the dawn of muscle cars, Camaros have garnered the reputation of being among the very best regardless of their make or model. They are one of the most iconic lines of muscle cars ever made. Chevy introduced the Camaro to compete with Ford's Mustang and has since sold over five million examples to date!
Being an embodiment of power and class, Camaros have more than just looks. Several models have insane track capabilities, while many are also great for daily driving! In essence, Camaros are for everyone. Some of them are labeled as muscle cars that can shoot down the straight track in breathtaking times, while others are considered to be sports cars because they handle better on a curved, well-rounded road course.
Either way, the one thing that is for sure is that the Chevrolet Camaro has a model and trim level to fit your every need. The great thing about them is that they can even be used to compete in an underground street race one day and then on a sanctioned quarter-mile track the next. So, without further ado, here are the 15 best Camaros of all time.
Updated August 14, 2023: The Camaro is not a Chevy model that many of you will ever forget, so there is no point in letting a piece like this list get buried in the piles of articles that have become outdated. That is why we have decided to update this list with new information, to keep it fresh and new, so let's jump right in and get to it!
19 1977 Camaro Z28 Was Affordable And Handled Like A Dream
Top Speed: 103 MPH
The very first Chevrolet Camaro that outsold the Ford Mustang, the 1977 Camaro Z28, was one of the best. Given that this particular Camaro wasn't built for speed, its handling was second to none. It came with a 5.7L V-8 engine that could produce 185 horsepower and could reach 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds.
1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Specs
| Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 185 hp |
| Torque | 270 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.1 seconds |
Being a smog-era car, the '77 Camaro Z28 wasn't exactly quick. Where it shone is the handling department, thanks to revised spring rates, bigger sway bars, 15-inch wheels instead of the base car's 14-inch, and 3.42 or 3.72 rear gears, depending on the transmission. The Chevrolet 1977 Camaro Z28 was quite the massive car for a coupe. It would cost you nearly $5000 at the time, making it quite inexpensive and affordable.
18 1968 Camaro Z28 Had One Special Car Built During The Year
Top Speed: 131 MPH
A total of 7,199 '68 Camaro Z/28s were built, but just one special 68 Camaro was built for Pete Estes, the General Manager of Chevrolet; hence it was called the "Estes Camaro." Initially, it was designed to be a track-only Camaro, but later a decision was made to make it available to the public as well. The '68 Camaro Z/28 came with a V-8 engine (302 cubic inches) which was a powerhouse, churning out a whopping 400 horsepower, and it could do the quarter mile in 14.8 seconds.
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Specs
| Engine | 5.0-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 290 hp |
| Torque | 290 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.9 seconds |
This was the first homologation special, based on the Chevrolet Camaro, and was built to Trans Am specifications. The term "Racecar for the road" applies with full force to the '68 Camaro Z/28. Aside from this one special Camaro Z/28, another 9 were produced, resulting in a total production of 10 cars.
17 1970 1/2 Camaro Z28 Borrowed From The Corvette
Top Speed: 133 MPH
The very first car of the second generation Camaro, the 1970 1/2 Camaro Z28, was introduced in Feb 1970. The '70 Camaro was much wider and longer than the first-generation Camaros and offered better handling. Included in the 1970 1/2 Camaro Z28 was LT 350-cubic inch V-8 taken from the C3 Corvette. The 1970 Camaro Z28 could sprint down the quarter-mile in 13.9 to 14.1 seconds, depending on which transmission you got.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Specs
| Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 360 hp |
| Torque | 380 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.3 seconds |
The 70 Camaro could produce 350 horsepower, a step from what the first-generation Camaros had to offer. The 1970 1/2 Camaro Z28 was undoubtedly one of the most exquisite cars of its era.
16 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Bill Thomas “Cherokee” Was A V-8-Powered Eye-Candy
Top Speed: 135 MPH
Over its 56-year history and six generations, the Chevrolet Camaro has had many special editions. One of the first special Camaros was dubbed the “Cherokee”. In 1967, right after the Camaro had made its debut, GM shipped a single Camaro convertible to Bill Mitchel, who was, for Chevrolet, what Carrol Shelby was for Ford. He also built the Cobra-rivalling BTM Cheetah.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Bill Thomas "Cherokee" Specs
| Engine | 6.5-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 375 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | ~5.8 seconds |
When Bill “Mr. Chevrolet” Thomas finished customizing the Camaro, it received a cherry red paint and rear quarter panels eight inches shorter that featured an integrated ducktail. The car was a precursor to the ’69 Camaro design. Other notable features were the Corvette-style, split rear bumper, and a hood with a clear power bulge that showcased the factory, moon intake with the Weber carburetors, on top of the Mk IV 396 V-8. GM intended for the “Cherokee” Camaro to be a striking show car that would be exhibited at shows and hype up the crowd. Only a single example was made.
15 1967 Camaro Was Produced To Take On The Pony Car Rivals
Top Speed: 140 MPH
It was offered with V-8 engines or an inline six-cylinder. While the standard '67 Camaro equipped with a 5.7-liter V-8 was capable of 325 horsepower, the '67 Camaros fitted with a 6.5-liter big block could put out 375 horsepower.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 Specs
| Engine | 6.5-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic/ 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 375 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.4 seconds |
Roughly 220,906 Camaros were sold, *rendering Chevrolet's strategic release of this muscle car highly successful! Without a doubt, the 1967 Camaro was one of the most beautiful cars you could get your hands on!
14 1985 Camaro IROC-Z Was The Hot Wheels Car That Made You Wonder
Top Speed: 145 MPH
If you're an '80s kid, you might remember this car as part of your Hotwheels collection. The 1985 Camaro IROC-Z was the first of the third-generation Camaros. The name came from the "International Race of Champions," which is befitting! Being one of the best cars of its decade, the 1985 Camaro IROC-Z came with a fuel-injected TPI, V-8 engine that could produce a respectable 215 horsepower.
1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Specs
| Engine | 5.0-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual4-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 215 hp |
| Torque | 240-275 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.1 seconds |
As of today, it still is one of the most recognizable Camaros out there because of the prominent door tag, and it brought back the convertible body style, which wasn't seen on the Camaro since 1969.
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13 1969 Yenko Camaro Was Rare And Hard To Get
Top Speed: 147 MPH
With only 201 models of the 1969 Yenko/SC Camaro, this rare one was special for many reasons. These models were specially ordered via COPO (Chevrolet's Central Office Production Order program) by Don Yenko, a renowned racer and the owner of the Pennsylvania Chevrolet dealership. This beauty came with an L72 engine (425 horsepower), two exhaust systems, better cooling, and revised suspensions.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko 427 Specs
| Engine | 7.0-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed auto/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 425 hp |
| Torque | 460 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.4 seconds |
The L27 472 engine, as we know, could produce 425 horsepower, but with free-flow exhausts and extra headers, the Yenko could churn out 450 horsepower. The 1969 Yenko Camaro needed only 5.4 seconds to hit 60mph.
12 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Could Be Attained By Regular Means
Top Speed: 150 MPH
In 1969, the most powerful Camaro you could buy over the counter was the SS 396. However, a few dealers neatly exploited a loophole and ordered special versions of the Camaro through GM’s Central Office Production Order (COPO) system, which allowed you to order cars in special colors or trims, as fleet vehicles. The COPO 9560 Camaro 427 was one such a car. It got an all-aluminum version of Chevrolet’s 7.0-liter Big Block V-8, featuring forged steel rotating assembly (crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods). Each of the ZL-1 427 engines was assembled by hand – a process that took 16 hours for each engine.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Specs
| Engine | 7.0-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed auto/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 430 hp |
| Torque | 450 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
The 427-cubic-inch V-8 was rated a 425 to 430 horsepower and 450 to 460 pound-feet (610-624 Nm), depending on whether you ordered the COPO 9560 or 9561 packages, but a few minor adjustments bumped output to over 500. Total production for ZL-1 COPO Camaros was 270 cars, with 201 being the COPO 9561 package (L72 block), and 69 being the COPO 9560 package, with the all-aluminum V-8.
11 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Dick Harrell 454 Was A Hand-Built Monster
Top Speed: 150 MPH
When it comes to performance versions of the Camaro, the SS, Z/28, and ZL-1 models are the first to come to mind. However, not all Camaros were as pic from the factory. Luckily, Chevrolet worked with a number of renowned custom shops, and Kansas-based, Dick Harrell Performance, was one of them. The shop was known for putting engines in places they weren’t, originally, designed to fit, and in 1970, a 350 Camaro, received the Chevelle SS 454 LS6 engine.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Dick Harrel 454 Specs
| Engine | 7.4-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 450 hp |
| Torque | 500 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | ~4.8 seconds |
Like Bill Mitchell, Dick Harrell's favorite lightweight cars with big engines, and before he did the Camaro 454, he was responsible for the first 427 installed in a Camaro. The Dick Harrell Camaro 454 also benefits from bigger intakes and a specially-tuned Turbo 400 automatic with 4.88 rear gears. Dick Harrell, apparently, made a handful of these cars, to be sold by various Chevrolet dealers, but folklore suggests only one LS6-powered Camaro 454 still exists.
10 1991 Chevrolet Camaro B4C Is A Limited Production Classic
Top Speed: 152 MPH
This may be one of those models that you never heard of, especially if you avoid the police force like the plague. However, if you were ever pulled over on the highway in the '90s, you may have seen a Chevy Camaro B4C in your rearview mirror. The top engine was a 35o TPI V-8, which was rumored to be slightly underrated with regard to the output.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro B4C Specs
| Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic/4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 245 hp |
| Torque | 345 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.3 seconds |
The Highway Patrol that used the Special Service Police Package (B4C) Camaro benefitted from using a car outfitted with a 5.7-liter V-8 with a high-power alternator, strobe lights, front, and rear radar systems, and of course, a mount for a center kept shotgun for emergency use.
9 2016 Chevrolet Camaro RS Is a V-6, Or Is It A 4-Cylinder
Top Speed: 165 MPH
If you are looking for an all-out muscle car, a Chevrolet Camaro RS with a V-6 powering it may not even be on your radar, but maybe it should. For the 2016 model year, the new direct-injection 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine slid under the hood produces a decent 335 horses and 278 pound-feet of torque.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro RS Specs
| Engine | 3.6-liter V-6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 335 hp |
| Torque | 284 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.1 seconds |
That is decent enough for the occasional race off the line at a green light, but what is cool about the engine is how it can shut off two cylinders. When cruising, the car can sense when all the power is not needed. When it isn't, two cylinders will be shut down to conserve fuel and decrease emissions.
8 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS Celebrated 35 Years
Top Speed: 168 MPH
In 2002 something remarkable happened to the Chevrolet Camaro SS. The company decided to celebrate Camaro's 35th year by creating a special edition car offered only in one exterior color; Bright Rally Red.
2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS Specs
| Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 325 hp |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
The car also came with exterior and interior graphics, SS wheels, Ebony leather seats, a black accented hood scoop, the 5.7-liter V-8 borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette, and every other special feature associated with the upgraded SS package. It was a special edition car that looked good and meant business on and off the track.
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7 2014 Camaro Z/28 Is A Force To Be Reckoned With
Top Speed: 177 MPH
Considered to have outstanding track capabilities, the 2014 Camaro Z/28 is an absolute beast. The 2014 Camaro Z/28 offers great stability and can go from 0 mph to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds. A big credit for that goes to the 427 cubic-inch LS7 V-8 shared with the Corvette C6 Z06.
2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Specs
| Engine | 7.0-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 505 hp |
| Torque | 481 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.9 seconds |
The 2014 Camaro Z/28 was nearly 300 pounds lighter than the Camaro ZL1 and had even better downforce. It came with a modified suspension, a part of the Camaro 1LE package, but with lighter tires and lightweight, 19-inch wheels, bigger anti-roll bars, and upgraded shocks.
6 2012 Camaro ZL-1 Was Innovative Before The Rest
Top Speed 180 MPH
Well known for its speed, the 2012 Camaro ZL-1 is powered by an LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine with an output of 580 horsepower. The 2012 Camaro ZL-1 came with two transmission options. You could either choose a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic or Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 580 hp |
| Torque | 556 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
While the manual transmission takes four seconds to reach 60mph, the automatic transmission only takes 3.9 seconds. On the tech front, the 2012 Camaro ZL-1 was ahead of its time with a rearview camera and universal remote transmitter, which included the option of "remote start."
5 2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS Came In Two Versions
Top Speed: 183 MPH
The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS has the 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine stuffed under the hood. Paired to it was either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which could get the car from 0 to 60 in four seconds or less. The strange thing is that there were two versions of the vehicle when ordering it, the 1SS and the 2SS.
2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 455 hp |
| Torque | 455 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
The 2SS was more of a luxury model, with heated leather seats that were ventilated, a heated steering wheel, interior spectrum lighting, blind-spot monitoring, wireless charging, and a Bose stereo system.
4 2022 Camaro SS 1LE Is Safe And Fun
Top Speed: 183 MPH
The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE has a lot of upgrades owing to the incorporation of the 1LE Track Performance Package. This Camaro has a naturally aspirated V8 engine that can produce up to 455 horsepower.
2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 455 hp |
| Torque | 455 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
The 2022 Camaro ZL1 had multi-matic suspensions, and the 1LE came with a magnetic ride suspension, ensuring your ride is as smooth as it gets! Although muscle cars aren't known for their safety, the 2022 Camaro SS 1LE managed to get a 5-star rating in the crash safety section.
3 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LT Is A Pure Athlete Without The Gimmicks
Top Speed: 185 MPH
The sixth and final generation of the Chevy Camaro came out in 2016 and carried on for seven years before the Gm pulled the plug on the iconic nameplate, as we know it. With that said, 2016 was one of the most important years for the model since it evolved into a proper rival to European performance models like the BMW M3. This was thanks to GM’s Alpha platform, which infused a much-needed dose of athleticism, turning the Muscle car into a car that was as capable in the corners as some of Europe’s greatest offerings.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LT Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter V-8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 455 hp |
| Torque | 455 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
Moreover, you could get the 1LT package, which was essential, for people that wanted the L1’s V-8 power, without the unnecessary weight of optional equipment. The 1LT package came with a single-zone, semi-automatic climate control, and no leather seats. This made the Camaro SS 1LT the lightest, V-8-powered Camaro you could get. The 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet were managed by a Tremec, six-speed manual with 3.73 rear gears, resulting in a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.0 seconds.
2 2021 Camaro ZL1 Is A Tech Filled Short Track Beast
Top Speed: 200 MPH
With the capability of producing a mind-blowing 650 horsepower, the 2021 Camaro ZL1 stands out as one of the most track-capable cars. The 2021 Camaro ZL1 comes with a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 650 hp |
| Torque | 650 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.4 seconds |
You can also include a 10-speed automatic. It can hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, making it an absolute beast on the track. In addition, the 2021 Camaro ZL1 has a decent amount of tech upgrades, including Android Auto integration and Wireless Apple CarPlay.
1 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Is A True Modern Day Muscle Car
Top Speed: 201 MPH
The top line of the Camaro today is the ZL1, which of course, can be hopped up even more by adding the 1LE package, but if you want any semblance of a daily driver, that option needs to be ignored.
2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Specs
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Power | 650 hp |
| Torque | 650 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.5 seconds |
The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 comes right off the assembly lines with a track-ready supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that pounds out up to 650 pound-feet of torque at 3600 RPM and produces 650 horsepower. From 0 to 60, the modern-day muscle car can accelerate in a mere 3.5 seconds.