Introduction

After years of hints and rumors, the show is finally over. 2002 will be the last model year for the Chevrolet Camaro, at least for the seeable future. The Camaro is a big-engine, heavy-metal throwback to another time. That, of course, is the source of its appeal. The Camaro is leaving in style, featuring a dazzling 35th Anniversary edition in its final year.

Walkaround

Rounding the corner of the new Millennium, the final Camaro still retains the long hood/short deck pony car proportions of the 1967 original. Only everything else has changed. With a sloping nose, deeply raked windshield, the Camaro sports a dart-like profile. Alloy wheels with painted surfaces freshen the 10-year-old body style. Up front, a wide, blacked-out grille gapes between narrow, oval headlamps. The hood is crowned by a functional fresh-air scoop, giving this aging muscle car an appropriately menacing look. A distinctive black roof treatment marks the Z28 coupe. The SS-specific, low-rise rear spoiler sets off its tail end nicely.

Interior Features

The cockpit of the Chevy Camaro, especially Z28 and SS models, is oriented around the driver. The six-way power driver's seat provides good support for spirited driving. The speedometer and tachometer form two large, overlapping arches centered in the instrument panel, framed by supporting gauges. Lights and HVAC controls are of a straightforward, rheostat style. The sound system is a little button-busy to deal with while driving, but redundant controls mounted in the steering wheel lie within easy reach of one's thumbs. Speaking of sound, a Monsoon AM/FM/CD stereo with 500 watts, eight speakers and an auxiliary amplifier is now standard issue on all Camaros. A great feature that's been around a long time is GM's speed-compensated volume, which turns down the sound level as you slow down. We found this particularly handy in the convertible, where wind, engine and traffic noise could otherwise have you constantly fiddling with the loud knob. The front passenger must contend with a large hump in the floor that cuts into available leg room. The back seats are best thought of as a nicely upholstered parcel tray, just about useless for the transport of people. Coupes offer slightly more rear seat room than convertibles, but not enough to make a difference. Trunk space measures 7.6 cubic feet in convertibles, which turns "pack light" from a suggestion to a mandate. Coupes fare a little better than ragtops, with 12.9 cubic feet in a multi-level trunk. However, the Coupe's trunk also holds the optional T-tops when they are not in place, thereby eating up more space, and there's a "watch your back" alert posted for the high lift-over height. Camaro convertible drivers must contend with large rear blind spots, a problem common to many drop-tops. Fortunately, it's easy enough to fold the top out of the way: Just pop the two release latches and press the button. A hard plastic boot lends a finished look with top down. It is a three-piece unit, which stores in a bag in the trunk when not in use; although we suspect that most of these boots and bags will be given the boot, out of the trunk and into the garage, preserving scarce cargo space. A brochure included with our Camaro Convertible advised owners to avoid high-pressure "touchless" car washes, as they might induce leakage. They do. A trip through such a wash will lead to water dribbling in along the side window seals. Those Camaro owners who can't resist brushless automated washes will learn to take a towel along.