[D.O.M.D1]

as you may know in the Chevrolet performance line-up since the 60s there is super sport(SS) and ZL1(currently), what holds more weight in the history of Chevrolet.

as you may know that the SS moniker has been around since the 1961 Impala and ZL1 is just an RPO code that has been used in the life of the Camaro(and also other models) for years and years

so what do think holds more weight in the history of Chevrolet

[Zaqwert6]

Z/28. :-)

[D.O.M.D1]

Originally Posted by Zaqwert6

Z/28. :-)

well technically Z/28 was exclusively for camaro

[50MileSmile]

Definitely the SS, which has a decades-long history for hundreds of thousands of Chevrolets across several different model lines.

[Scottyz]

Originally Posted by 50MileSmile

Definitely the SS, which has a decades-long history for hundreds of thousands of Chevrolets across several different model lines.

Very good point👍

[IH8WNTR]

What about the "Z" cars? z28, zr1, zl1, z24, z71. I'm sure i'm missing some. Just for conversation sake.

[pauly1119]

SS is a house hold term, most people have no idea what a ZL1 is. With that id have to say the SS. Better car is a ZL1 but SS would hold more weight.

[gtfoxy]

ZL1, hands down.

Here’s why. The SS was a trim/ performance package available, yet obviously individual, to each product line.

In terms of historical significance, rarity is by far more important. Being that only 69 ‘69 Aluminum Block 427’s were produced, & only 2 Corvettes, these are made virtually of unobtanium & therefore, in the collectors market the SS nomenclature is like beans at a dog food plant. The actual ZL1, to my recollection, had a specific cam spec to only that engine, a solid cam with like 260*deg@.050” lift, & a gnat’s ass tight LSA.

I remember a Super Chevy artical series where a guy had several & assembled a completely stock one & took it through modification stages on a dyno. It made the advertised HP, at like 4500RPM, but made like 500+ at just over 6K. After some minor bolt on mods it made 650HP.

That’s not to say you couldn’t have a ZL1/ w/ SS package, just like an SS/RS. How many COPO’s were actually built that way, I have no idea.

The use of ZL1 would not be used again until the 5th & 6th gen as Chevy had such high regard for that nomenclature it had to be a truly spectacular engine to hold that badging.

[He11bent]

Originally Posted by gtfoxy

ZL1, hands down.

Here’s why. The SS was a trim/ performance package available, yet obviously individual, to each product line.

In terms of historical significance, rarity is by far more important. Being that only 69 ‘69 Aluminum Block 427’s were produced, & only 2 Corvettes, these are made virtually of unobtanium & therefore, in the collectors market the SS nomenclature is like beans at a dog food plant.

That’s not to say you couldn’t have a ZL1/ w/ SS package, just like an SS/RS. How many COPO’s were actually built that way, I have no idea.

The use of ZL1 would not be used again until the 5th & 6th gen as Chevy had such high regard for that nomenclature it had to be a truly spectacular engine to hold that badging.

Until they named a sedan model “SS” which devalued the name in my opinion.

[wwiiavfan]

There have been some SS models over the years that probably shouldn’t have made it out of whatever decision meeting they were born in.

[95 imp]

Originally Posted by He11bent

Until they named a sedan model “SS” which devalued the name in my opinion.

Whoa!

The 94-96 Impala SS was worthy of the name. In it's day, a stock Impala would easily embarrass the mustangs of that era.

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by 95 imp

Whoa!

The 94-96 Impala SS was worthy of the name. In it's day, a stock Impala would easily embarrass the mustangs of that era.

The comment was directly in reference to a MODEL being called the SS as its "name", I believe. Not adding the SS moniker to another model in sedan form.

In other words, the Chevrolet SS as opposed to the Chevrolet Impala SS.

[MrChrisLS3]

https://musclecars.howstuffworks.com...camaro-zl1.htm

The ZL1 moniker comes from a legend. The link goes to a brief but accurate description. The ZL1 moniker has only been used on the most powerful production Camaros, even to this day.

There are actually two Z/28 monikers. There is the original, "Z/28" first used on Camaros equipped with the 302 engine with a suspension upgrade. Designed to be used in SCCA classes to beat the Mustangs.

Then there was the "Z28" moniker used in the third and fourth gen Camaro. In the third gen, the Z28 had a handling pkg and it got the 350 engine while the other v8's got the 302. It was the 80's and nobody was making great power then.

For the 4th Gen, Z28 held no special meaning as all the V8 cars were labeled with it.

It confuses some because in the 5th Gen, they brought the Z/28 back as a street legal race car, with the LS7 engine, DSSV suspension, reduced the weight, and even deleted air condition. A true track monster for it's time. It, so far, has been the last time we have seen that moniker on a production car.

The "SS" badge has been around forever. In the Camaro, on the 1st and 2nd Gen, it was the higher end of performance. During that time there were several engine choices, for V8's there was the 302,307, 327, 350, and the 396. Of course they made V6 version, but nobody ever talks about those.

Then in the 4th Gen, GM partnered with SLP and they made the SS Camaro, which was a slightly more powerful version of the Z28.

The SS badge has been thrown around GM vehicles a lot. Impala, Chevelles, Nova, and the Camaro early on. Then, early on in the 2000's they put SS on everything.

So, at the end of the day, up to current production, it is the ZL1 badge that remains the most true to it's roots, as it was and is, the most powerful of the line up.

[gtfoxy]

Originally Posted by 95 imp

Whoa!

The 94-96 Impala SS was worthy of the name. In it's day, a stock Impala would easily embarrass the mustangs of that era.

Agreed.

I almost bought one back in early 2k’s. The newer SS was actually the car I was going to by for practicality reasons, but they discontinued it before I was ready to buy.