Driving the Chevrolet Camaro SS with the 35th Anniversary package is pure sensory overload. Bright rally red with silver graphics, a black hood scoop and an LS1 pushing 325 h.p. Our test model had the no-charge optional 6-speed manual transmission and the optional Hurst, short throw shifter. Yes, the Corvette heavily influenced the power train of this car.

The concept is simple; but easy to get away from. Take a car and drive it for a weekend and record your impressions.

We have no speedway, no 1/4 mile times, no dyno-meter. but we do have gas money and a hearty appetite for driving, anywhere and anytime. We can't all drive like Price Cobb; but we can drive.

Saturday, we started by loading the optional 12 disc CD changer and then lowered the top by releasing two latches and pushing the power top switch. Putting on the 3 piece hard shell tonneau cover was easy and freed up enough room in the trunk for our two stuffed weekender bags.

I started the car, put the car in 1st gear and drove away from the curb - my next shift went straight to 4th gear - I was locked out from 2nd gear because of lack of throttle. That only happened once.

We hit I-80 running and never looked back. The feel of the car was superb in all respects - steering response, road handling, acceleration and braking. (More about braking later.)

The Monsoon stereo system handled all of our musical needs, effortlessly playing through our selection of CD's. (Note: a typical 5 CD trip can become a 4 CD trip when you don't use the cruise...if you know what I mean.)

By no means did we just drive the interstate - this was a weekend and we had to have the heady mix of hills, straights, and curves. So what happened after topping a hill, in a curve, and readying for the straight away?

Well, I had forgotten a lesson Vince Bodiford tried to instill in me early on in our association. I was driving a BMW roadster, rather quickly I might add, late one night on a deserted roadway. He slapped me on the shoulder and said, "Brake!"

"Huh," I said cleverly.

"Brake. They all go fast but you have to see how they stop." Which led me to mash the brake and come to a rather impressive stop.

Which leads us back to the hill.

The next moment had me trying to shove the brake pedal through the floor board while down-shifting to avoid six deer which were crossing the road, nose to rump, effectivly closing the road in front of us.

I stopped short. Not even close. Not even a story really, because there was no flying haunches of venison, no airbags popping off, no 911 calls.

I do know this, having had a drivers license for 37 years and having hit a deer before, I estimated in that short time before stopping I was going to cream two of them. I am a believer in the Camaro's stopping power. A real world experience. I don't know how you can test cars for this. Getting the cars, lining up the deer, measuring the stopping distance. You don't have to put a car into the wall at Indy to appreciate good braking or in appreciating a lesson that I had forgotten.

I had a night-time spin and the lighting from the Camaro was impressive. I had to check to see if I was on high beams because of how well the road was lit up. Although, no one flashed their highbeams at me to dim, I kept expecting it. The instrumentation was well lit and easy to read.

It was on this ride that I had two full sized adults in the back. Were they comfortable? No. Did anyone expect they would be comfortable? No. Did anyone complain? A little. A side note, no one on the passenger side could seem to get comfortable with the leg room up front either. Catalytic convertor hump or some thing.

Sunday afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable. Wide open roads, light traffic and a warm sun made for a pleasant trip home. Although not born to the throttle, I really enjoyed this car.

The Camaro SS with the 35th Anniversary package is a limited edition. MSRP as tested was $37,660. I am saddened at the passing of the Camaro nameplate. If you are one of the lucky few to own one of these cars, do not hurry to store it away. It was not made to languish under a dust cover on blocks. The Camaro heritage is rich and I hope that wiser heads will prevail and bring this car back to market.

2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 35th Anniversary Edition
Standard Equipment & Technical Specifications

Exterior
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Foglamps
Dual electric remote sport mirrors
Body-side moldings
Bright Rally Red exterior with graphics package
Special black SS wheels with machined edges
35th anniversary badging on exterior
Anodized brake calipers
Special Red roof band on coupe models
Black accented hood scoop
Silver debossed Camaro nameplate on grille and rear fascia
Special Trophy Mat in Ebony vinyl with embroidered 35th anniversary emblem

Powertrain
5.7 Liter Corvette-derived LS1 V8 engine
325 hp at 5200 rpm 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm
Four-speed automatic transmission (standard)
Six-speed manual transmission (optional at no extra cost)

Interior
Monsoon 500-watt (peak) premium sound system with stereo and CD player
Power door locks and power windows
Power trunk/hatch release
Six-way power driver seat
Remote Keyless Entry with alarm
Electronic cruise control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with duplicate radio controls
35th anniversary badging on instrument panel
35th anniversary emblem embroidered into front seats
Special Ebony/Pewter leather
seating surfaces
Special owner’s portfolio

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Chevrolet vehicles, and to locate a dealer near you, visit www.chevrolet.com

ENJOY THE DRIVE...Remember, always buckle-up, drive safely, obey all highway laws and never drive impaired. Driving maneuvers, impressions, and statements of the author are that of a middle aged, puttering around type of driver; do not ever attempt high-performance driving.

COPYRIGHT © 2001, The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved. Chevrolet, Camaro, names and logo, registered trademarks of Chevrolet. Test vehicle, photographs, specifications and some information provided courtesy of Chevrolet. Used by permission.