Vehicle Description
In terms of future collectability, it's hard to go wrong with a
factory special-edition car like this 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS 35th
Anniversary Edition by SLP. Not only is it a limited-production
model, but it's also in fantastic condition, features tinted glass
T-tops, and shows just 30,536 original miles. If there's 'modern
classic' to keep for posterity, this just might be it.
All the 35th Anniversary cars were dressed very much alike, with
this one wearing familiar Bright Rallye Red paint topped by silver
stripes with a checkered-flag motif. The 4th generation Camaro had
just received a facelift a few years prior to this final-year car,
and even though the end of an era was in sight (until the
reintroduction of the model in 2010), the result was a very
sophisticated-looking car that didn't need a lot of excess
aggression to make a statement. The gaping hood scoop is
functional, compliments of the SLP ram air package, and there's
only a relatively modest spoiler out back that's neatly integrated
into the trunk lid. With so few miles, it's in outstanding
condition and the only three owners it has ever had seem to have
understood what it meant to be the caretaker of a car like this.
The paint shines brilliantly, the black trim hasn't been cooked by
the sun, and the decals are still firmly affixed to the bodywork.
One or two fine scratches show that it has, indeed, been driven as
it should, but the overall presentation is still incredibly
impressive, especially when you consider this car is almost 20
years old! One can only imagine how challenging it must be to have
a sweet ride like this in the garage and not drive it frequently;
lesser men succumb to the siren song of American muscle and go out
and whip this beauty into the corners every night. Thankfully, the
prior owners of this beauty employed great restraint, and the
result is one of the nicest 35th Anniversary cars on the
market.
The SLP Anniversary cars also received plenty of upgrades inside,
starting with those two-tone Ebony and Gray leather bucket seats
with custom anniversary embroidery on the headrests. It's
completely original and unmodified, and like the exterior, the
previous owners have taken extremely good care of the hardware.
Even the driver's seat shows little more than some minor stretching
that's all but inevitable, while the rear seat's probably never
been used. No scuffs, no worn spots, and the foam underneath is
still quite firm in all the seats. Anniversary cars came only one
way: loaded. That means you get cold A/C, power windows, locks,
mirrors, and seats, a tilt column, cruise control, and a
decent-sounding Delco AM/FM/CD stereo with big, easy-to-use
buttons. The leather wheel matches the leather shift knob for the
4-speed automatic transmission below and the factory gauges are all
easy to read. Camaros are also nice cars to own because they have
great storage space for a sports car, and there's plenty of room
for the T-tops when you're driving alfresco.
The only engine available for this Camaro was the venerable 5.7
liter LS1 V8, and this one is absolutely humming. GM always plays
games with the numbers to stay ahead of the DOT and insurance
companies, but it's safe to assume that this one is making every
bit of 350 horsepower. Despite two decades of upgrades being
available through the aftermarket, this one remains completely
stock and even features an SLP air cleaner in the ram air box up
front, which probably makes a difference when the air is being
force-fed into the engine. It's supremely torquey and smooth and
impressive acceleration is available at almost any speed and in any
gear. Of course, the 4-speed automatic transmission shifts so
nicely you'll probably do your best to make the most of it, and
with a towering overdrive gear, even the sporty gears out back
allow it to cruise serenely at highway speeds. The upgraded SLP
suspension is supremely competent but not harsh and thanks to so
few miles, and the undercarriage is essentially like new from front
to rear. Slick factory 35th Anniversary wheels are nicely designed
and carry 275/40/17 BFGoodrich performance radials.
Three owners, low mileage, and a lifetime of easy living. This is a
fantastic example of a car that's sure to become a hot property in
the years to come. Call today!