When the fourth-generation F-body was introduced in 1993, General Motors had contracted performance outfit SLP to build the high-performance models like the WS6 Firebird, Camaro SS and the Pontiac Firehawk. Of the fourth-gen Camaros built by GM/SLP, the rarest by far was the LT4-powered 30th anniversary 1997 Camaro SS with only 106 units produced.
SLP had taken the potent LT4 engines that were left over from the production of the Corvette Grand Sport and stuck them into a limited number of 30th anniversary Camaro SS Coupes. Not only did they place the already-potent LT4 in the Camaro, they also completely disassembled, balanced, blueprinted and enhanced the engine with stress plates. The compression ratio was increased from the 10.5:1 in the Corvette to a stout 10.8:1 compression ratio to produce 330 HP at 5,800 RPM with a redline of 6,300 RPM. Among enthusiasts, it is widely known that this advertised horsepower number was seriously underrated and produced closer to 350 HP.
The 30th anniversary Camaro was already special enough with a paint scheme that paid homage to the 1969 Indianapolis 500 pace car Camaro, with Arctic white paint and Hugger orange stripes, white wheels and an Arctic white leather interior. The result of this combination was one of the most powerful and special fourth-generation Camaros ever built. Few, if any, of these cars ever hit the showroom floor, since they were spoken for well before getting to dealers.
This example offered here for sale is No. 84 of only 106 ever built and was sold new at Riverside Chevrolet in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as per the original window sticker. The MSRP of the 30th anniversary Camaro SS was $24,590 plus an additional $17,023 for the LT4 alteration package, which was almost as much as the car. Since new, this example has been in climate-controlled storage and has accumulated a mere 2,360 miles from new. The original owner had ordered a second set of wheels and tires to drive on and kept the originals in brand-new condition. The last fastidious owner even kept the car in a true “bubble” to control temperature and humidity, which is evident when you look at the undercarriage of this special Camaro.
This car also has plenty of documentation to go with it, such as the original window sticker, SLP LT4 window sticker ($17,023), build sheet, owner's manuals, SLP accessory checklist, two keys still in the plastic and more.
With only 106 ever built, the rarity and uniqueness of this factory Corvette-powered LT4 Camaro SS puts it in the same category as the ZL1 and COPO Camaros from the pinnacle of the muscle car era. This is the ultimate fourth-gen Camaro, a must for every muscle car enthusiast's collection, and a true future collectible.