2002 Camaro

The final production date

Camaro production ended on August 27, 2002. GM Canada's September 25, 2001 release, read through The Auto Channel's reproduction, announced the end of Camaro and Firebird production in 2002 and planned a September plant closure. It cited a shrinking sports-car segment, excess industry capacity and no economically viable alternative for the plant. Separately, NHTSA's August 1995 upper-interior head-protection rule set a phase-in beginning in 1998 and ending in September 2002. That schedule is not a Camaro compliance finding, and GM's release does not say that a failed head-impact test forced the August 27 cutoff. No source we have gives the precise reason for that day.

The Send-Off

The 35th Anniversary Package (RPO Z4C) was the fourth generation's farewell, offered on SS coupes and convertibles. Every one was Bright Rally Red (GM's 2002 product information spells it "Rallye"), with wide dual stripes that faded from solid silver into a checkered flag and ran from the front fascia over the hood to the deck lid and spoiler. Coupes had T-tops and a body-color roof halo, and convertibles a black top. The package added black machine-faced SS wheels, a silver debossed "Camaro" name front and rear, and commemorative fender emblems. Inside were Ebony leather seats with gray inserts (called Medium Gray in the product information and Pewter Gray in the sales brochure), anniversary logos embroidered on the headrests and rear shelf mat, and a special owner's portfolio. Every 2002 Camaro carried a 35th Anniversary badge on the dash. See the fourth generation for the production figures and the pattern of 25th, 35th and 45th anniversary cars.

The Aftermath

One retrospective account describes an organized fan letter and petition campaign that helped bring the Camaro back, leading to the concept car revealed at the Detroit auto show in January 2006. It is one account, and no other source confirms it. The revival itself is covered on the 2010 model year page.

The last lineup, better equipped

Chevrolet's final product information called the Camaro "America's honest sports car" and offered four models: coupe and convertible, each as a base V6 or a Z28. The SS package, on the Z28, brought 325 hp against the Z28's 310, a forced-air composite hood, a unique spoiler and a larger dual-outlet exhaust. Dealers could add a grille insert, a cat-back exhaust with center outlets and special suspension packages. The RS package was offered on the V6 coupe, and a Sport Appearance Package on every model except the SS.

For its last year the standard equipment grew. V6 cars got painted 16-inch aluminum wheels and P235/55R16 tires in place of wheel covers, and V8 cars got speed-rated P245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. The automatic became standard on V6 convertibles, every Z28 got a power steering cooler, and V6 coupes got a CD player. The Monsoon premium system was standard on V6 convertibles and all Z28s, and carpeted mats came front and rear. Sebring Silver Metallic replaced Mystic Teal. The body was still a mix of materials: galvanized steel quarters and hood, sheet-molded composite roof, doors, hatch and spoiler, and RIM plastic fenders and fascias. Every car was built at Boisbriand, Quebec.