Wednesday 8th December 2021

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 | Spotted

Well if the Z/28 is good enough for Top Gear presenters, it's good enough for us...

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Did you see the Camaro Z/28 on Top Gear the other week? Freddie Flintoff's own car, it was brought in as something to discuss alongside his review of the C8 Corvette. And though impressed by the new Stingray, the Camaro was clearly his preferred Chevy. So it must be pretty good, not least because Flintoff bought his Z/28 from fellow presenter Chris Harris.

This Camaro is not that car. But it is another Z/28, to all intents and purposes identical to the one owned by Freddie - itself the star of a PH Rise & Drive video - save for the modified rear spoiler. And, in case you hadn't heard already, the Camaro Z/28 is very far from your ordinary Chevrolet. Or Camaro, for that matter.

The Z/28 was aimed quite explicitly at track driving. That meant the modifications typical of the genre - a dry-sumped engine, uprated suspension, bigger brakes - but also a few that seemed extreme even for circuit cars, including the removal of any carpet in the boot and a standard stereo with just one speaker.

Moreover, Chevy used a host of really expensive parts to improve the Z/28. That uprated suspension was from Multimatic; specifically its DSSV dampers that have subsequently been used in the Ford GT and Ferrari SF90. The bigger brakes were carbon ceramic. And the dry-sumped engine was, of course, a giant V8, here the 7.0-litre LS7. With titanium con-rods and valves as well, it meant all 427 cubic inches (or 7,008cc) could rev to 7,000rpm, producing more than 500hp in the process.

Chevrolet even went so far as to fit 305-section Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres at each corner, which was also used as a the track day tyre option by McLaren. On the Senna. The Z/28 was a really serious thing in other words - albeit a villainously handsome one that came with the timeless appeal of a big V8 and a six-speed manual. No wonder a few went to the effort of importing the Camaro to the UK.

Chevrolet's hard work paid off, too, as the Z/28 recorded a 7:37 Nurburgring lap. Which doesn't seem all that fast in the days of seemingly regular sub-seven laps, but is impressive for a car that - even with the air-con binned - weighed 1,732kg. Or about the same as a new BMW M4. And it's just lapped the Nurburgring in 7:32 with an automatic gearbox. Told you it was a serious track car...

This Z/28, thankfully, comes with the air conditioning and normal stereo fitted. It's covered almost 11,000 miles since 2014, has had the Trofeo Rs switched for more suitable Cup 2s and looks in pristine condition; given everything - the sheer size and the steering wheel on the left, for starters - the Z/28 probably isn't a car to jump in for everyday errands. Much better to plan ahead and savour the experience on big roads or, even better, a racetrack. Might need to save up for a fuel kitty, too.

This Z/28 is on sale at Romans for £57,950; obviously it's hard to pinpoint values for something as rare as the Z/28 (it's believed just five came to the UK), but it might be worth knowing that Harris's car sold for £54,000 a couple of years ago. Not a cheap car, then, but then the good ones seldom are. And the Z/28 is a really, really good one - just ask Top Gear.

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SPECIFICATION | CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28

Engine: 7,008cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 505@6,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 481@4,800rpm
MPG: The ad says 15...
CO2: Erm
Year registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 10,836
Price new: $75,000
Yours for: £57,950

See the original advert here

[fantheman80]

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

[DFLR]

Beast. Massive presence in the flesh.

[thecremeegg]

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

I agree!

[cerb4.5lee]

I bet that is good fun in the wet on those cup 2's!

Very nice.

[TheMilkyBarKid]

My wife and I hired a fifth gen Camaro SS for a big Canadian road trip about 8 years ago, and although we enjoyed it and loved the way it looked for a 400 bhp car the performance was a bit underwhelming all told.

This does look a beast with bags of character though. I did have a chuckle about them removing 2kg’s worth of boot carpet to save weight in a car that still weighs over 1700kg!

[waynecyclist]

Beast of a car, always liked the look of this generation of Camaro

[Owlwood]

Very nice and very desireable. I was expecting the price to be higher, especially in the current climate.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Love it, and the price wasn't as high as I was expecting to be honest.

Not sure I'd have black personally, but what a thing all the same.

[daytona111r]

thecremeegg said:

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

I agree!

Yep

[Spiros115]

TheMilkyBarKid said:

My wife and I hired a fifth gen Camaro SS for a big Canadian road trip about 8 years ago, and although we enjoyed it and loved the way it looked for a 400 bhp car the performance was a bit underwhelming all told.

This does look a beast with bags of character though. I did have a chuckle about them removing 2kg’s worth of boot carpet to save weight in a car that still weighs over 1700kg!

I hired one in Florida, thought exactly the same, awesome to look at, really spacious and comfortable, great to cruise around in but despite the wonderful noise didn’t feel all that quick, sure this is quite different!!

[DodgyGeezer]

thecremeegg said:

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

I agree!

I actually like FF & PM doing some of the reviews - they're FAR nearer my level of driving ability (certainly Paddy) which adds a fun element.

As for the Z/28.... rather predictably I love it (would prefer not black but... meh, I'd live with i )

[ddom]

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

Not to turn this into a TG critique but….

I’d take ‘giddy kids’ over;

‘POWER’
‘CLARKSON’
‘WATCH THIS HAR, HAR’

I appreciate that’s the entire new and old scripts

[minipower]

Like that although as I don’t need 4 seats I’d save money and go for this Z06 instead:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

[Chubbyross]

daytona111r said:

thecremeegg said:

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

I agree!

Yep

I was a bit irked by their reviews as well. Probably a bit nerdy for the average car buying public but it’s useful to know if an engine if N/A or forced induction, rather than simply bellowing to the camera about how many litres and cylinders. Anyway, this series has been great overall.

Right, back to the topic. This is my favourite muscle car at the moment. Brutal looking and suits the colour very well.

[nismo48]

+1 Couldn't agree more..
It's a good fun programme..

Back on topic...
Absolutely loving this..
An absolute beast and must be a hoot to drive.. :

ddom said:

fantheman80 said:

Flintoff reviewing the corvette like a giddy kid, missing all the negatives other reviews have picked up on....then paddy driving the Victor, deary me. I know its an entertainment show with cars in and has been for years, but at least may or Hammond driving it wasn't like someone had won a competition to present. Please let Harris review all cars and the other two get together to do the stupid challenges i fast forward.

Not to turn this into a TG critique but….

I’d take ‘giddy kids’ over;

‘POWER’
‘CLARKSON’
‘WATCH THIS HAR, HAR’

I appreciate that’s the entire new and old scripts

Edited by nismo48 on Wednesday 8th December 11:34

[Jcwjosh]

Never been a fan of the newer American muscle cars but i have recently found myself looking at these and the Hellcat and thinking that they look great value for money for the theatre.. Funny how taste changes over time..

[SidewaysSi]

I went to look at a house last year. Nice place and guy was obviously a car man (spotted the various Ferrari and Porsche books on the bookcase and copies of EVO lying around).

Got chatting about cars and he has had plenty of interesting stuff. Went to the garage and in there was one of these and next to it a Murcielago under a cover. Was looking at getting a new Bronco too. Legend.

[QuattroDave]

DFLR said:

Beast. Massive presence in the flesh.

Isn't it just. It makes my 2019 Mustang look fairly tiny when seen side by side. It's enormous with much more presence than most other muscle cars.

[DFLR]

QuattroDave said:

DFLR said:

Beast. Massive presence in the flesh.

Isn't it just. It makes my 2019 Mustang look fairly tiny when seen side by side. It's enormous with much more presence than most other muscle cars.

An acquaintance has the more common but still rare ZL1. It's absolutely insane. Almost cartoonishly aggressive in person.

[unpc]

minipower said:

Like that although as I don’t need 4 seats I’d save money and go for this Z06 instead:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

That is seriously tempting and I doubt it will depreciate anymore either. The yellow console would have to go though I do love the 5th gen Camaro but they are massive and the visibility is dire. I also rented an SS in Vegas and didn't think it was that quick but it would smoke the tyres on demand so not all bad.