Collector Car Corner – Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification 

Collector Car Corner - Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification Reader Dave Cronk from Montrose, Pa., owns this beautiful 1996 Chevy Camaro Z28 SS conversion by the former SLP engineering company in Toms River, N.J. The car carried a full Chevrolet warranty. (Cronk collection photo)

Q: Greg I read your column every week in the Susquehanna County Weekender and your columns bring back memories of the muscle cars my friends, family and I owned back in the day. Being born in 1949, I was able to enjoy the vehicles of the 50s, 60s and 70s and I took my driver’s license test in my brother’s yellow and white 2-door post 55 Chevy. 

Then I got married, and after raising four kids I started looking for another car. I bought a 1996 Camaro Z28 SS convertible, white exterior, with a six speed. It has a Torsen rear and 40,000 miles. This was the first production year of the SS Camaro since 1972. I added striping and changed the silver painted ZR1 wheels for chrome ZR1s. 

The car was born a Z28, then shipped to SLP where they made it into an SS, hence why it is called a Z28 SS. The car is stamped in many places as a Z28 SS, and I don’t see this on any other Camaro SS models from 1997 to 2002.

So, is the 1996 Z28 SS the only year that can claim this dual title? Keep up the great work on your feature stories. Dave Cronk, Montrose, Pa.

A: Dave, the answer is yes because SLP had the blessings of the Chevrolet division to make the necessary high-performance upgrades on its Z28 to turn it into an official Z28 SS with full factory warranty.  

First, let’s explain who and what SLP is, right from its homepage.

Collector Car Corner - Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification 

Promotional literature and photos from 1996 clearly identify the special SLP conversion Camaro as a Z28 SS. (Compliments Chevrolet)

“Established in 1987, SLP has stood for quality performance enhancements for late-model American muscle cars from the beginning, and it continues this commitment today. SLP’s initial claim to fame says it all: It was the first company in the performance aftermarket to develop and manufacture a 50-state emission-legal performance package – specifically for V8 Camaros and Firebirds. True to its name (“Street Legal Performance”), the vision of SLP’s part program is to not just provide performance, but to do so with the best engineering practices and quality possible, far exceeding the industry standards.

Located in Toms River, N.J., SLP became a leader first in performance cold air intakes and then grew quickly into what is still one of the most respected names in total performance conversions, exhaust systems, and cold air intakes for many muscle cars, past and present. 

Zeroing in on your 1996 Z28 SS, things got very interesting back then as the company continued its good relationship with General Motors, converting its Z28 that year into the official Camaro Z28 SS.  

Your Camaro underwent a very impressive SS conversion for a base price of $3,999. Additionally, SLP options your Camaro include SLP performance exhaust ($499), Torsen Torque Sensing rear ($999), Hurst six-speed shifter ($349), engine oil cooler ($299), Z28 SS floor mats ($99) and a Z28 SS car cover ($159). These enhancements brought the final retail SLP upgrade to $6,403 over and above your Z28s regular retail price. 

Collector Car Corner - Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification 

The only year that a Chevrolet Camaro came with both Z28 and SS designation was 1996, proven by this badge that is attached to the interior console. (Cronk Collection photo)

A total of 2,263 1996 SLP Z28 SS models were built and most important for you is that just 264 were convertibles. Your SLP conversion was number 904 that year according to the Z28 SS production plate photo you included with your letter.

In 1997, SLP also offered the similar SS package, but I don’t see any Z28 SS logos on items like the floor mats, engine cold air assembly, or the car cover listed on the option sheet that link these two famous badges. 

To further strengthen your feelings that 1996 was the only Z28 SS year, I found this 1996 press release by SLP founder Ed Hamburger, a noted drag race champion and businessman noted initially for his Hamburger’s racing oil pans. 

“When SLP received approval from Chevrolet in 1996 to offer the SS base package and other options on the Camaro Z28 model, it marked the re-introduction of the SS nameplate after a 24-year absence. Right from the start, response from the entire Chevy team and its dealers, performance enthusiasts and media has been, and continues to be, overwhelmingly positive,” said Ed Hamburger, founder and president of SLP Engineering, Inc.

Collector Car Corner - Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification 

Ed Hamburger’s former Street Legal Performance (SLP) Company is now called Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE). It still specializes in all types of muscle car conversions. It’s latest masterpiece is this 1,000 horsepower, supercharged, 2020 Yenko/SC Camaro. SVE owns the modern day Yenko naming rights. (SVE photo)

“The 1996 Camaro SS instantly became the new benchmark in affordable F-car high performance. Even though the overall sports car segment experienced double-digit sales declines in each of the past two model years, Camaro SS increased its momentum,” said Hamburger.

So, these quotes confirm that the Z28 and the SS badges were indeed united in 1996, solidifying that for just one year there was an official Z28 SS Camaro.

In summary, one of the most important benefits about these special vehicles is the fact that Chevrolet and Pontiac offered full warranty on the SLP upgrades. SLP has been in the business of Firebird and Camaro conversions dating back to 1991 with the Pontiac Firebird Firehawk and extending right on through GM’s 2002 F-Body final year when they ended its 4th generation run. 

Today, SLP is now called SVE (Specialty Vehicle Engineering) and is still located in Toms River, N.J. The company continues its fabulous conversions, especially with its latest Yenko/SC (supercharged) current day 2020 Camaro. See specialtyvehileengineering.com for more on current SVE offerings and Ed Hamburger’s impressive business history.

Thanks for your letter and photos Dave, and your kind words. Good luck with your rare, SLP 1996 Camaro Z28 SS.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader questions or comments of collector cars, auto nostalgia and motorsports at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840 or email at greg@gregzyla.com.)    

1 Comment on "Collector Car Corner – Rare 1996 SLP Camaro shares both Z28 and SS identification "

  1. hi there i have a red 1996 z28 /ss slp car with tops and auto my first comaro its 041 off the assmbly line and one of 72 with atuo and ttops im wondering the atcual hp it puts out and how many were sold in canada this is a canada car from ontario canada slp dose not no how many cars were sold in canada and gm did not give me the number ethier this is a aberta car now

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