If you’re in the market for a sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro and all you want is to enjoy the muscle car life at its finest, finding a used ZL1 is still probably the way to go. The ZL1 is a well-rounded machine, and you can get a nice, 2022 or 2023 low-mileage example for around $65,000, maybe less if you don’t mind it being older than just a couple of years.
Of course, as nice as the ZL1 may be, some people look at it and all they see is untapped potential. That’s where aftermarket specialists such as Specialty Vehicle Engineering (a tuner out of New Jersey) come in with their performance packages.
What you’re looking at here is a 2020 Camaro 2SS 1LE Coupe model with just 28 miles on the clock, that’s been fitted with the Yenko/SC Stage II package by the previously mentioned firm. If you can’t understand just how desirable this car is right now, understand this: It just sold for $125,000, which is more than the base MSRP of a brand-new Corvette Z06.
It also matches what you might spend today on 2024 Camaro ZL1 ‘Collector Edition’, although I would argue that the Yenko/SC Stage II car is worth more because of the massive performance gains.
Visually, we’re dealing with a vibrant exterior finished in Crush, to go with the black Yenko/SC stripes, Yenko badging, a carbon fiber hood (with scoop), custom front splitter, a rear blade spoiler, and a set of black-finished 20” five-spoke alloy wheels with machined lips, Brembo brakes and staggered-width Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.
Meanwhile, interior highlights include the Jet Black bucket seats by Recaro, which also happen to be heated, ventilated and power adjustable. Then you’ve got amenities such as dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a head-up display, rearview camera, a performance data and video recorder, a Bose sound system, Yenko-branded door sills, a suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel (heated), and a serialized plaque on the center console that identifies this car as Yenko/SC #20.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
As for the power unit, it’s a 6.8-liter LT1 V8 boasting a color-keyed supercharger, forged steel crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons, CNC ported heads, long-tube headers, stainless steel exhaust and an upgraded fuel system.
So, what's the "damage"? Well, this thing is putting down no fewer than 1,000 horsepower and 875 lb-ft of torque, with everything going to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Just last month, we saw a similar Camaro fitted with a pretty much identical package, selling for $110,000. That one had a bit more muscle (an extra 100 hp), but more miles on the odometer. Ultimately, a little over $100k should be the ballpark for this type of vehicle – an ideal weekend ride, I’d say.
Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration. Full profile
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