2001 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Description

The Camaro has always represented affordable performance, and this 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 SS convertible delivers on all fronts: performance, style, and, most importantly, reasonable price. In fact, this might be the most affordable LS1 powered convertible you'll ever find, and it's a car that still makes big performance seem effortless.

This is actually a rather rare car, mostly because it's a full-dressed SS that isn't red or black. The Z/28's clean looks are smooth and chiseled, and it arguably wears the facelifted headlights and grille quite well, with their softer look offset by the massive ram air hood scoop. It's still easily identifiable as a Camaro, of course, but it keeps a lower profile, and in white with no stripes, it has a very grown-up look that's less boy racer than you'd expect. The beautiful white paint is original, and with just 51,024 original miles, it's in great shape considering that it's also 16 years old. Perfect? No. But the car has the look of a machine that has led an easy life and few Camaro convertibles have been subjected to the daily grind, including this one. For a convertible, this one is rock solid, so the doors close with reassuring solidity and it shows off rather nice build quality with tight gaps and good attention to detail. Out back, you get distinctive three-element taillights as well as the neatly integrated rear spoiler and a modest chin spoiler that makes the SS look long and low.

The beige leather interior has a great look for being 16 years old and despite the open-air motoring it has experienced over its lifetime, it's in very good condition. The seats have some slight comfort marks, which only makes the leather that much more inviting and there's no denying that it was built for speed as well as comfort. There's some light fading on the floor mats, which is pretty typical on convertibles, but things like the back seat, door panels, and dash pad are excellent with almost no wear at all. Big, bold gauges were part of the Z/28 package and this car comes loaded with just about every option, including power seats, windows, locks, and mirrors, plus cold A/C, cruise control, and a powerful AM/FM/CD stereo system. It's also got a quick-shifting 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission that makes this a great point-and-shoot machine in traffic and allows you to focus on the road. The brand new power canvas convertible top is in excellent condition and stows under a neat boot that gives it a clean profile. And for a convertible, the trunk is deep enough for all your gear and includes an amplifier for the stereo system.

Chevy's all-aluminum LS1 needs no introduction, and its installation in the Camaro created one of the best performers of the early 21st century. GM downplayed the horsepower, but testing at the time pretty much confirms that this is a Corvette-spec motor. Modifications are common but this one remains entirely stock (SLP mods can be considered "factory-issue" at this point), which assures you that it hasn't been abused or treated to questionable upgrades. It starts easily, idles smoothly, and still yanks the clean ragtop up to speed with effortless ease. It's been well-maintained and the LS1 has proven itself to be virtually indestructible, so it's got plenty of life left in it. Someone has kept up with the detailing under the hood, so it's quite clean and the chassis is equally clean. It's still running its stock exhaust system, complete with catalytic converters, so it's emissions legal just about everywhere and the unique chrome 17-inch SS wheels and 275/40/17 Goodyear tires are ready to go.

If you're looking for affordable top-down fun with a V8 engine, you just found the all-time champion. Clean, fast, and nicely maintained, this Camaro more than lives up to the hype. Call today!