Top Ten Fastest Production Camaros Of All Time

With the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro already hitting the streets, we thought it would be a good time to conjure up a top ten list of the fastest production Camaro's of all time. Keep in mind that times vary greatly depending on the car and who is driving, along with environmental variances. The list is purely for comparisons sake, so please don't send me threatening emails or comments.

10) 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
LS1 V8 305hp, 13.9 1/4 mile @ 102.5 mph

1998 was the first year for a much anticipated styling change, adding some curves to go along with the muscle. It's 305 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque was a nice gain of 20 hp and 10 lb-ft of torque over the previous model, and was good enough to propel the car into the high 13's.

9) 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
LS1 V8 310hp, 13.8 1/4 mile @ 108.5 mph

In what was the swan song for the mighty Camaro, 2001 also brought us the last (until now) SS. The parting was sweet sorrow for Camaro fans everywhere, but it wouldn't be a final goodbye.

8) 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
302 V8 290hp, 13.75 1/4 mile @ 107 mph

This "Z" was built strictly to satisfy class rules so that Chevrolet could race in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am sedan racing class. The 302 cubic inch V8 was created by mating a 327 block with a 283 crank.

7) 2000 Chevrolet Camaro SS
LS1 V8 325hp, 13.5 1/4 mile @ 107.3 mph

Back in the day, the SS package was a $4000 option. It was certainly one of the fastest cars you could buy from the factory, and without the high price tag of other cars that it happily left in the dust.

6) 1996 Chevrolet Camaro SS
LT1 V8 310hp, 13.46 1/4 mile @ 106.48 mph

Sensing a trend here? Yea, me neither. Admittedly, the newer SS's were probrably faster, but we're going strictly off official test data here.

5) 1997 SLP Camaro SS
LT4 V8, 330hp, 13.20 1/4 mile @ 108.8 mph

The SLP Camaro SS started life as a regular 'ol stock Z28 which Chevrolet then shipped to SLP for some modifications. Surviving examples are beginning to gain collector car status due to their limited production.

4) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
L78 V8, 375hp, 13.0 1/4 mile @ 108.6 mph

The '69 Camaro may be the most recognized and loved (or hated) muscle car of all time. A one year only style, the 69 SS could be outfitted with an L78 complete with aluminum heads, creating this, the 375hp model.

3) 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
6.2 V8, 426hp, 13.0 1/4 mile @ 111.0mph

The noob debuts high on our list, thanks to it's potent 426hp 6.2L monster. The debut of the new Camaro completes a full on return to the glory days of muscle cars, joining the Challenger and Mustang. This Camaro bested both of them in a recent Motor Trend test.

2) 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
LS1 V8, 310hp, 12.89 1/4 mile @ 109.18mph

Yet another SS breaks the list. It's funny how almost identical cars can test so differently. This one must have been one of the better SS's to roll off the assembly line.

1) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
427 V8, 430hp, 12.76 1/4 mile @ 107mph

The ZL1 was one seriously purpose built car for the enthusiast who needed a blank canvas to work with. Only 69 were produced. The car was created when Chevy performance guru Vince Piggins authorized the factory to fit a batch of '69 Camaros with a version of the 427-cid V-8 used by the all-conquering Can-Am Chaparral.

The cars began as 396-cid/375-bhp Super Sports with the F4l suspension. Engine and SS trim were deleted, and the cars were equipped essentially as other 427 COPO Camaros, with cowl-induction hood, front disc brakes, a choice of heavy-duty four-speeds or Turbo Hydra-matic, and a 4:10.1 Posi in the strongest axle Chevy could muster. But instead of the iron-block and head L72 427, these Camaros got a 427 called the ZL1.

It was similar in design to the most-potent iteration of the aluminum-head L88, but it was the first production Chevy engine to also have an aluminum block. It shared the L88's 430-bhp factory rating, but actually had over 500 bhp -- making it likely the most powerful engine Chevy ever offered to the public. And it weighed just 500 pounds -- about the same as Chevy's 327-cid V-8. And that's what made - and still makes - this ride the king of Camaros.