[Eldi Z]

Being a newcomer to the world of GM and the Camaro, while cruising around today and enjoying the ride, I began thinking of the "1LE" designation and where it comes from and why.

Can anyone educate me (and others, who might be interested to know)?

[Ichabod]

http://ve3eie.ncf.ca/1le_history.html

[Eldi Z]

Originally Posted by Ichabod

http://ve3eie.ncf.ca/1le_history.html

[Boost Creep]

So the 1LE option became more than just a brake upgrade. And in order to keep these specially-equipped race Camaros as light as possible and out of the hands of just any buyer, Chevrolet decided to delete air conditioning and all power amenities from the 1LE-equipped Camaros. This, they thought, was surely enough to turn away all but the most devoted racers. (true)

In March of 1987 I went into the Buick dealer to order my first new car, I thought I wanted a Grand National. Ended up getting a Turbo T (same thing but without the interior and badge package) because it didn't get loaded down with all the power seats and other options.
I tried to order it without AC and the sales manager laughed.

[IH8WNTR]

Thanks for the lesson!

[Kairles]

The original 1LE was more than a brake package. It also had a baffled tank, that later became standard on all F-bodys. Aluminum driveshaft, hollow 36mm front swaybar, 23mm rear swaybar, "special" shocks/struts(88/89 only). No A/C, no fog lights, no power, some even deleted the radio.

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by Boost Creep

In March of 1987 I went into the Buick dealer to order my first new car, I thought I wanted a Grand National. Ended up getting a Turbo T (same thing but without the interior and badge package) because it didn't get loaded down with all the power seats and other options.
I tried to order it without AC and the sales manager laughed.

I came sooo close to getting a new Grand National.
Many moons ago now but i still regret it

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Originally Posted by Ichabod

http://ve3eie.ncf.ca/1le_history.html

.............


Becky

[pkincy]

And why call it 1le? Supposedly it meant 1 less equipment due to the lack of AC and creature comforts. Driving one regularly on the street was somewhat embarrassing and hot. My 96 was black and a black car w/o AC is no fun, but the other issue is that you could not roll down the passenger window without getting out of the car. So every time I would pass a coworker in the parking lot, they thought I was a snob because I wouldn't (couldn't) lower the passenger window to talk with them given the roll up windows. Even after AC was added in 97, the roll up windows were the only choice even into the 98/99 cars. Got my 98 window sticker here and the only 3 items for options were the 1le ($1,175); Summer Tires ($225); and Ca emissions ($170) for a total price with destination charge of $22,565. That option price of $1,175 was a steal since a set of double adjustable Koni sport shocks was about $1300 alone and they were included in the 98 and 99 packages.

[metros11]

Originally Posted by pkincy

And why call it 1le? Supposedly it meant 1 less equipment due to the lack of AC and creature comforts. Driving one regularly on the street was somewhat embarrassing and hot. My 96 was black and a black car w/o AC is no fun, but the other issue is that you could not roll down the passenger window without getting out of the car. So every time I would pass a coworker in the parking lot, they thought I was a snob because I wouldn't (couldn't) lower the passenger window to talk with them given the roll up windows. Even after AC was added in 97, the roll up windows were the only choice even into the 98/99 cars. Got my 98 window sticker here and the only 3 items for options were the 1le ($1,175); Summer Tires ($225); and Ca emissions ($170) for a total price with destination charge of $22,565. That option price of $1,175 was a steal since a set of double adjustable Koni sport shocks was about $1300 alone and they were included in the 98 and 99 packages.

[pkincy]

The 96 with Bill Herron who codrove the car with me for several years

The 98 when it was in Autox ESP form


The 98 after it got its LS2 402 and note the cage installed.


The 93 CamaroMustangChallenge car on good and bad days.

[TJay74]

The 3rd gen 1LE cars were super rare and hard to find as GM only built what was needed in order to race the cars in their respective circuits. Every generation has added more of the creature comforts back into the 1LE package to where we have what we do now in the current 1LE package.

[JeffFox]

Originally Posted by Ichabod

http://ve3eie.ncf.ca/1le_history.html

Thanks for posting

[Eldi Z]

Originally Posted by pkincy

The 96 with Bill Herron who codrove the car with me for several years

The 98 when it was in Autox ESP form


The 98 after it got its LS2 402 and note the cage installed.


The 93 CamaroMustangChallenge car on good and bad days.

Regarding the name " 1 L E" what does it stand for?
"One Less Equipment" seems a little awkward, but who knows?