1997 Chevrolet Camaro Review

Some long-lived cars survive for decades with lukewarm popularity. But Chevrolet's 1997 Camaro can look back at being highly popular for decades as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Chevy didn't begin formal development of the Camaro until August, 1964--months after the first, instantly successful Ford Mustang was introduced. And the Camaro didn't debut until the fall of 1966 as a 1967 model.

General Motors thus got beaten badly by Ford because the Mustang had most of the small sporty sporty car field to itself for years. At least the Camaro always has been a strong Mustang rival.

Some 5,000 names were suggested for the new Chevy before the automaker decided on ``Camaro'' shortly before production began. ``Camaro'' means ``pal'' or ``comrade'' in French.

Detroit automakers love tradition, so all 1997 Camaros have a ``30th Anniversary'' heat-stamped logo on seat headrests.

Detroit also loves to make money on tradition. Thus, Chevy offers an optional 30th Anniversary Apppearance Package for the zoomy Camaro Z28 models.

The package contains anniversary embroidery on front floormats and Arctic White seats with retro black-and-white houndstooth inserts that might cause some to grimace--besides five-color 30th Anniversary embroidery on headrests.

The anniversary package--on the Camaro Z28 coupe I recently tested--also has center stripes in ``Hugger Orange'' paint. That's in keeping with the orange stripes on the 1969 Camaro Indianapolis 500 pace car. (The 1967 white Camaro Indy 500 pace car had no orange stripes.)

And the package contains Arctic White paint with white door handles, front fascia air intake and white five-spoke aluminum wheels. The anniversary package generally makes the Camaro look extra-racy, although brake dust might continually blacken the white wheels.

Too bad the package isn't available for base or RS model Camaros, which have prices ranging from $16,215 to $23,170.

Be careful: the package lists at $575. But it adds $2,336 to the price of the $20,115 Z28 coupe and $2,301 to the $25,520 Z28 convertible's cost because of extra items that must be bought to accompany it. For instance, those extras for the coupe are a $1,266 option group, $270 power driver seat and $225 low-profile (50-series) tires. The group contains items such as cruise control, power door locks and remote keyless entry.

The hot Z28 model has been king of the Camaro line since the car's introduction and often has been a good alternative to the Chevy Corvette.

The Camaro always has been more practical than the Corvette, which only has contained two seats and hasn't had a regular trunk since 1962. At least, the Camaro has had a cramped rear-seat area and small trunk.

New for all 1997 Camaros is a ``sweep-around'' instrument panel that puts controls within convenient reach and contains easily read analog instumentation. There also are a new console with auxiliary power outlet, wider front bucket seats and a more user-friendly parking brake. Also new are daytime running lights.

Standard Camaro items include dual air bags and anti-lock brakes. The Z28 adds air conditioning and--most importantly--a 5.7-liter, 285-horsepower version of the Corvette V-8 and performance suspension.

My test Z28 had a slick-shifting four-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is offered at no extra charge. The manual works with a clutch that's a pain in heavy traffic, so opt for the automatic unless you can avoid congested areas or plan to drive the Z28 only occasionally for sport.

Fuel economy is an estimated 17 m.p.g. in the city and 25 on highways with the automatic and 16 and 27 with the manual.

City fuel economy is poor because, despite its snug cockpit, the Camaro is a big, heavy car that takes a lot of energy to get moving from stoplights.

But the boisterous Z28 is a rocket once under way. It storms from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in 5.7 seconds and can hit 150 m.p.h. The ride is firm, but it's supposed to be that way for a car goes that fast. And it's not uncomfortable.

A key option for the rear-drive Z28 is the $450 traction control system, which greatly enhances traction on slippery roads.

The Z28 isn't as nimble in town as a small, light sports car like a Mazda Miata, and some will find its precise power steering to be too heavy.

There is no independent rear suspension, so bumpy curves taken at higher speeds can cause the Camaro's solid rear axle to bounce around a bit. But handling is exceptionally good on smooth roads, and the car's all-disc brakes stop it quickly and surely.

The Z28 simply offers more sheer performance for the money than any other car--with or without the anniversary package.