2002 Chevrolet Camaro

2002 was the final year of the Chevy Camaro's fourth generation. All indications signaled this to be the final year for the Camaro, and Chevrolet offered several choice packages for fans of the sports coupe. Two trim levels were available in either coupe or convertible body styles. Base Camaros were equipped with a 3800 Series II V6 that offered 200 horsepower. They came with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission (coupes only). An optional performance-handling package added dual exhaust, tighter steering and a limited-slip differential on V6 models.

The Z28 was given the 5.7-liter LS1 V8 which had 50 more horsepower than the Mustang GT, with 310 hp. The SS performance package brought horsepower to 325 hp, thanks to forced air induction and an aggressively looking hood scoop. Zero-to-sixty was accomplished in a little over 5 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds.

Revisions to the 2002 Camaro were few; Z28 convertibles and coupes rode on P245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle RSA tires as standard equipment, and all V8-equipped models got an auxiliary power steering cooler. Sebring Silver metallic paint was a new addition to the exterior color palette, while Mystic Teal metallic was dropped.

57 examples were built as Festival Cars for use at the 2002 NASCAR Brickyard 400 race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 5 of that year. The Chevy Camaro's history as a Pace and Festival Car dates back to 1967, when Chevrolet built four convertibles for use as Pace Cars at the Indianapolis 500 and approximately 100 pace car editions for use by race officials and dignitaries during the month of the race. They were the first Camaro Indy 500 Commemorative Editions and were later sold to the public. Two years later, the Camaro returned to pace the Indy 500, with distinctive orange-on-white paint scheme that was also used on pace car editions sold to the public. That was the same paint scheme used on the Camaros that served pace and track car duties for the NASCAR Brickyard 400 in 1996. The new Monte Carlo was the official pace car of the 2001 Brickyard 400, followed by the Camaro a year later, all of which were very early production models with identical trim and equipment. Power was sourced from the all-aluminum LS1 346 CID V8 with 325 horsepower and backed by a console-shifted 700R 4-speed automatic with a limited-slip differential. They had special 35th Anniversary Edition wheels and Goodyear Eagle RS tires that were standard on Brickyard Camaros. Other amenities often included power steering, power windows (A31) and mirrors, power door locks (AU3), disc brakes with ABS, cruise control, 7,000 RPM, air conditioning, tilt steering, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat (AG1), dusk-sensing headlights with daytime running lights, front fog lights (T96), keyless entry (AU0), Theft deterrent system(UA6), and a power-operated black convertible top. Other available or standard items included electric remote mirrors (DG7), body side moldings (B84), steering wheel with radio control (UK3), performance rear axle (GU5), black leather interior (192), posi-traction (G80), limited slip, traction control (NW9), speed control (K343), instrument cluster with tachometer (UB3), Z28-performance package, ride handling, remote 12 disc changer (U15), and FE2 suspension. The 1SD Preferred Equipment Group added power windows, door locks and mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering column and six-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Code WU8 was for the SS package, and cars with the Y2Y code were sent to SLP (Street Legal Performance), an aftermarket company that added various performance options to a limited number of Camaros. 984 examples were fitted with the LS1 engine, automatic transmission and T-tops. The Z28 package included the 5.7-liter V8 engine, 16-inch alloy rims and the option of a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

3,369 examples of the 35th Anniversary Edition Camaro were built, and demanded a price tag of $33,000. They added sport stripes, blacked out wheels, and numerous cosmetic add-ons. 45 examples were 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th Anniversary Edition with RPO Z4C designation. They came with front and rear festival plates, painted Bright Rally Red with 35th Anniversary emblems and a unique set of dual silver stripes that faded into a distinctive checkered-flag pattern on the hood and rear deck. They had the Corvette-sourced 5.7-liter LS1 V8 backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. Stopping power was provided by special anodized brake calipers and black painted machine-finished wheels with high-performance compound radial tires. There was a power convertible top, leather-trimmed two-tone black and pewter interior. The 35th Anniversary-embroidered sport bucket front seats and rear seats featured pewter inserts.

Approximately 13,614 examples of the Z28 or B4C Special Service Police issue Camaros were built for the 2002 model year. 12,906 had the Z28 package. A total of 42,098 Camaros were built in 2002. 69 examples of the GMMG built 2002 ZL1 coupes were built. They had the all-aluminum LS6 engine and heavy duty clutch assembly from the Corvette Z06, the Z06's larger disc brakes, spoked aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. 4.11 gears were installed and the suspension was upgraded with Penske triple adjustable shocks, bigger sway bars and progressive rate springs. A nod to the 1969 ZL1, there were special graphics recalling the Stinger hood and SS 'hockey stick' stripes of old, and special ZL1 fender badges identified the cars as the new generation of Camaro supercars. Additionally, buyers could installed the Stage III version (a total of 37 cars were fitted with this option) which added the C5-R-based 427 CID V8 with 600 horsepower. It included a unique dash-mounted switch to open the headers and allow the engine to breath freely.

After the 2002 model year, the F-body Chevrolet Camaro went on hiatus until the fifth generation Camaro with retro-styling made its debut in 2009, built on an entirely new platform.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019