15 Rare Camaro Models We’d Love To Drive

Classic Camaros ‌trigger nostalgia in so many ways. Growing up, we had die-cast toys, self-painted models, and shiny Camaro calendars. Camaros were in our cartoons, movies, and comics–driven by action heroes and bold babes.

With a long history steeped in Americana, the Camero is one of the most iconic autos of all time. But some of the coolest Camaros are the ones we may never see up close.

Here are 15 rare Camaro models we’d love to drive.

1968 COPO Camaro Z28 Convertible

Let’s start with the rarest Camaro ever built, not just because I had the die-cast model on my dresser as a kid. The ’68 Z28 Convertible was a hand-built 1-out-of-1 situation designed for one of the higher-ups in Chevy’s management.

The Z28s weren’t street-legal in ’68 — they were only built for the SCCA Racing Circuit. To be clear, we’d love to drive any of the rare, 350-hp-pumping Z28s from 1968, but the one and only convertible edition is no doubt our top choice.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

Not many of us car geeks have had the chance to see an OG Camaro in real life, making it a prime choice for rare Camaros we’d love to drive. Chevy launched the Camaro ‌in 1967 as its entry into the growing “pony car” scene.

The 1967 Chevy Camaro Indy Pace Car specs varied depending on the build. Equipped with the Mark IV Big Block L78 motor, this baby hit the drag strip at 375 horsepower. But the standard SS stocked the fly paint job, signature racing stripes, nylon red tires, 14×6 wheels, and all the SS emblems in at least three places. We’d love to drive any of the ’67s, especially an Indy Pace Car.

1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car

As an Indy Pace Car, the Camaro evolved quite a bit in 14 years while remaining one of the coolest Cars ever. This slick special edition was manufactured in a limited run and is hard to come by.

Performance-wise, the ’81 Z/28 Indy stocked a power-packing V8 engine. A bold two-tone silver-on-back finish and fly Indy 500 paint detail enhance the signature Camaro body angles.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS

The 1969 Camaro SS/RS is one of the most recognized Indy Pace Cars in history thanks to its “white and higger orange” paint scheme. Chevy only manufactured two 375-hp-capable Camaro SS Pace cars used in the Indy races–one racer and one emergency replacement.

But Chevy also built 43 “festival” cars, 75 VIP/Press cars, and a few thousand replicas. In total, 3675 replicas of the 1969 Camaro pace car are floating around, and we’d love to drive any of them.

1996 Chevrolet Camaro SS SLP Firehawk

The 1996 SS SLP Firehawk looked like a life-sized Hot Wheels toy. Thanks to a collaboration between Chevy and Street Legal Performance (SLP), this variant stocked a V8 engine that screamed fire.

Only 41 ’96 SS SLP Firehawks were produced, and the offerings were advanced for the mid-90s. Upgrades included an Engine Oil Cooler Package, a Level II Bilstein Sport Suspension Package, and chrome-plated American Racing Equipment aluminum wheels.

1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z “McLaren”

The ’85 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z “McLaren” integrated the Camaro’s signature style with F-1-racer-inspired flare. “McClaren” references the McClaren race team, and its exclusive McClaren decals look fitting on this  mid-80s masterpiece.

The ’85 IROC-Z “McClaren” stocked a powerhouse of a V8, but not many were produced. Still, its singular style and impressive performance make it a rare Camaro we’d love to drive.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Hurst Sunshine Special

Another rare Camaro we’d love to get behind the wheel of is the Z/28 Hurst Sunshine Special, built exclusively for drag racer Richard Jesse. But before he could even race this beautiful ray of sunshine, Hurst tapped it as a prime candidate for experimental performance upgrades.

The 70 Z28s were already styling. With a low dash, bucket seats, and a fat steering wheel, we’d jump at the chance to drive any of them. But the Hurst Sunshine Special also features a crank-action retractable fabric roof and a newly designed automatic/stock shifter, allowing the transmission to switch between a generic drive mode or to shift into single gear for burst driving.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE “Extreme Track Performance Package”

Chevy engineered the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE to hit the track ready to rip, hence the “Extreme Track Performance Package” moniker. This rare variant stocked a supercharged V8 capable of intense, accessible power, a fine-tuned suspension package, and aggressive handling.

The “Extreme Track” ZL1 blends the recognizable Camaro aesthetic into a sleek, aerodynamic, modern body shape. Its unique look and the fact that this rare variant features lightweight components for weight reduction and increased speed and acceleration means we’d love to drive it.

2012 Camaro COPO (Central Office Production Order)

Retro car revivals were trending between 2010 and 2015, and Chevy jumped on the bandwagon by bringing the Camaro back after an eight-year break. They started by reviving the SS, Z/28, and ZL1 Camaro trims, but by 2012, Chevy was back to designing track-ready Camaros.

Chevy released 69 Camaro COPOs per year between 2012 and 2015, and we’d be stoked to drive any one of them. The ’12-’15 Camaro COPOs all look mean, but the performance package under the hood was left to the discretion of the original buyer—Chevy manufactured the Camaro COPOs in a true made-to-order fashion.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 “Penske Trans AM Racer”

The ’67 Penske Trans-Am Camaro is a quintessential aspect of the Camaro’s race-track reputation. Chevy engineered this beast for pro racer Roger Penske to ice the competition, and they didn’t disappoint.

The ’67 Z/28 Penske Trans-Am Racer stocked a 302ci V8 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. Test drivers claim this track-lapping legend cranks out 440hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque.

1969 Berger Double COPO Camaro

COPO stands for Central Office Production Order. The acronym references ‌the Camaros special-ordered for cop cars, taxi cabs, racers, wealthy car collectors, etc. But in 1969, a dealership in Berger, Michigan, figured out they could special-order Camaros with souped-up specs and sell them to customers.

The Berger dealership ordered some of these “Double COPO Camaros” custom with a 427 big-block V8 that pushes 420hp. Other Berger special orders are ZL-1 Camaraos modified to hit 550hp.

2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE “GT4.R Special Edition”

True to Chevy’s commitment toward putting race-ready cars into street-legal packages, the 2022 Camaro ZL1 1LE “GT4.R Special Edition” is inspired by the GT4.R race car.

This rare 2022 ZL1’s distinct body shape splits the difference between the Camaro’s beefy muscle-car lineage and the sleek, modern stylings of contemporary high-performance supercars. It also features a supercharged V8 engine enhanced for peak power.

1997 Camaro SS 30th Anniversary LT4

SLP has collaborated with Chevy on more than one Camaro, so it’s no surprise we have another one of their projects on the list of Cams we might never see in person.

In 1997, SLP manufactured 100 unique Camaro SS models stocked with a re-tuned LT4 Corvette engine. With a sleek, sporty body type and an engine that seems too big for its britches, the ’97 Camaro SS LT4 is a rare and expensive Camaro, and we’d jump at the chance to drive one.

2020 Chevrolet Camaro COPO “John Force Edition”

John Force was a drag ‌legend, just like the Camaro. So it makes perfect sense that Chevy designed a limited-production COPO Camaro to pay homage to Force back in 2020.

Chevy built this baby to conquer the drag race track, so its focus is quarter-mile mayhem. With a tweaked performance package, a bold Camaro-striped finish, and special-edition graphics, driving the 2020 John Force Camaro would be a rare treat.

2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS “Green Flash Edition”

The 2015 “Green Flash Edition” SS flexed a futuristic Emerald Green Metallic paint job with silver race stripes in a way that updated the Camaro’s muscle-car legacy for the modern age.

Somewhere between sleek and beefy or refined but aggressive, the Green Flash packs the signature V8 punch we’d love to experience. But like all the items on this list, this rare and special edition is hard to find.