Final year of the fourth-generation F-body. 28,383 original miles. Great color combination, loaded with options, professionally maintained. No winters, no wrecks, no modifications—the Camaro you want to own!
By the time this 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible was built, the Camaro’s days were numbered. But they sent it out with a bang, creating what was (up to that point) the fastest Camaro ever while simultaneously making it more comfortable, more efficient, and more agile. The SS delivered in a big way, highlighted by a giant gaping hood scoop that would force-feed cold air to the intake. This particular red ragtop shows just over 28,000 original miles and has been expertly maintained its entire life. The bright Rally Red paint sizzles off the rounded bodywork and still looks spectacular even after nearly 20 years. Perhaps more importantly, areas like the low-hanging chin and rocker panels are in excellent shape and have not been blasted by the rigors of daily use. And if a bright red Camaro convertible with a rumbling V8 can be subtle, this is it—the design is remarkably clean and restrained for GM in the ‘90s. This is a really nice car, yes, but it has also been loved its entire life.
The tan leather interior is a little unusual for a red SS, and in a convertible it’s a better choice than the more familiar black. As the top-of-the-line Camaro, the SS is loaded with virtually every single option you could get, including power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cold A/C, cruise control, and a pretty potent AM/FM/CD stereo system. The leather remains in excellent condition with only minor signs of use on the driver’s chair and thanks to carpeted mats, the original carpets are unmarked. Overhead, there’s a tan power convertible top that folds itself out of sight in a matter of seconds and stows under a snug-fitting boot for a sleek look. It’s also fully lined to help make the Camaro feel surprisingly civilized inside when you’re forced to put the top up. And while the trunk isn’t huge, it has a deep well that carries more than you’d think.
It took a few years for the Corvette’s LS1 powerplant to migrate to the F-body, but it showed up big. GM played all kinds of games with the horsepower numbers, but the fact that this Camaro runs neck-and-neck with a C5 Corvette suggests that every one of the Corvette’s 345 horsepower made the transplant fully intact. The SS is a seriously fast car. Thanks to all aluminum construction, the final SS lost a lot of weight off its nose which improved handling in a significant way. And the LS1’s durability is legendary, so it will continue to entertain for many years to come. It is also worth noting that it is 100% stock, right down to the air filter and exhaust system, meaning that nobody has been racing or abusing this car. It’s been properly maintained its entire life, starts instantly, idles properly, and pulls hard in any gear. The LS1 was a big leap forward and if you haven’t driven one of these late 4th gen Camaros, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by how civilized it feels. There’s a big hit of torque at any speed, of course, but it also likes to rev and never feels strained.
The 4-speed automatic transmission is a great partner for the LS1, offering quick reflexes and a relaxed overdrive gear that lets the Camaro cruise all day at speeds that’ll get you arrested in all 50 states. Plant your foot on the floor and it snaps down two gears and barks the tires while it lunges forward, exactly the things a Camaro was designed to do. 3.23 gears with a limited slip ensures that both of those fat 17-inch tires is spinning at the same speed, yet it still pulls down decent fuel economy. The undercarriage has a bit of road grime but no rust or accident damage and it remains completely stock, including the factory-installed exhaust system. 4-wheel disc brakes are reassuringly powerful and in 2002, the Camaro included a rather sophisticated traction control system. 17-inch aluminum wheels are unique to the SS, and they’re wrapped in 275/40/17 performance radials, probably only the second set of tires this car has ever worn.
The latest Camaros might be faster and kind of retro-looking, but we’ve found they don’t have much of a soul. This bright red SS talks to you in a way that today’s wundermotor F-bodies just can’t, and thanks to a life where it was never asked to do anything more than a comfortable cruise on a sunny day, it remains in outstanding condition. Fully loaded, great colors, and in excellent shape, this is the 4th generation Camaro to own. Call today!
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