Special Edition Vehicles - Are 96 & 97 SS camaros very rare?

Guy I worked with is looking for an LT1 SS camaro. He found one with SS badges but we confirmed its not real, just a Z28. I know they only made them in 96 & 97, most of what I have seen is the white & orange 30th Ann. cars but sometimes I see one thats not white but just dont hardly ever see these. I see LS1 SS cars everywhere. I dont think he wants to pay much more than 5k & I think he's gonna have a tough time finding one. Pretty sure he wants an M6 car too.

FLINTWRENCH69...the only real limited ones were the LT4 cars...they were '97 only...and all those older LT1 SS camaro's are going to be a little rare as they getting hard to find in great shape...but he'll never get a LT4 SS for 5 grand...i believe approx. 1000 were made and a few firebirds got the LT4...your SS is hot looking.

LT1 SSs are extremely rare when compared to LS versions.

FLINTWRENCH69...the only real limited ones were the LT4 cars...they were '97 only...and all those older LT1 SS camaro's are going to be a little rare as they getting hard to find in great shape...but he'll never get a LT4 SS for 5 grand...i believe approx. 1000 were made and a few firebirds got the LT4...your SS is hot looking.
Only 100 Z4C LT4 cars built

Per CompNine's database.....

1996 SS Production:
Coupes: 2005 (1332 w/ M6, 673 w/ A4)
- 686 of these had HT (479 w/ M6, 207 w/ A4)
'Verts: 264 (152 w/ M6, 112 w/ A4)

1997 SS Production:
Coupes: 2474 (1671 w/ M6, 803 w/ A4)
- 703 of these had HT (449 w/ M6, 254 w/ A4)
- 659 of these had Z4C/30th (445 w/ M6, 214 w/ A4)
'Verts: 476 (260 w/ M6, 216 w/ A4)
- 240 of these had Z4C/30th (128 w/ M6, 112 w/ A4)

100 (+2 prototype) Z4C (30th) SS HT M6 had LT4 swaps by SLP for US consumption, 6 more for Canada (although it is not clear that the Canadian SS HT M6s had Z4C/30th.

29 (+1 prototype) Firehawk Formula HT M6s had LT4 swaps by SLP.

Only 100 Z4C LT4 cars built

I didnt ask how rare is an LT4, duh knew they are rare. LT1 but I dont see many so theyre hard to find & not cheap when you do. Theyre asking around 10k.

I didnt ask how rare is an LT4, duh knew they are rare. LT1 but I dont see many so theyre hard to find & not cheap when you do. Theyre asking around 10k.
Never said you did, hence why I quoted the other guy

Never said you did, hence why I quoted the other guy
I noticed that after I made the reply.

LT1 SSs are extremely rare when compared to LS versions.

Thanks, figured that much. I am gonna tell him to look for a good deal on a 98-02 SS.

OP..you asked in the first place...''are 96 and 97 camaro ss very rare''...that was your question, not ours...hence i answered as best as i could...since LT1 SS only came out for two years, hell yeah there kind of rare...wouldn't you think ????....and the LT4 even rarer...i would have thought that a person with a gorgeous SS like you have would have known that...so duh..

Ill be looking at buying one of these cars soon. Few questions I know they are hardee to find than other lt1 cars and they seem to be holding there value well. My question is i want one with under 70k miles. I looked around and cant find hardly any under 10k. When I start looking what do I need to look for? They seem to be in the price range as a ls1 ss car right now. I thought they would be cheaper. What could is ss on the lt1 cars? Id like a auto car which will make it harder to find.

Actually I see more Auto's than T56 cars and they are usually a little cheaper too.

OP, in a thread not that long ago we figured out that the 96-97 Camaro SS have the lowest production numbers of ANY camaro ss made, from 1967-present.

Check out autotrader. You may be able to find one for about $5-6k, but they're probably not going to be in your local craigslist or swap sheet.

i remember an old issue of GM HIGH TECH PERFORMANCE magazine racing a '96 cobra vs. a '96 SS...it was the may '96 edition since i own every one since it's inception in '95...stock the LT1 SS ran 13.31@107mph vs the cobra's 14.09@100...then they put slicks on the cobra and changed gears, and it still lost...ran a 13.62@103...lolol...

jim scoutton on motor trend t.v. ran a LT4 SS and it ran a 13.1@109.00...the LT1 & LT4 SS were very stout...good luck in finding one , and yes i would also try autotrader.com + CAMAROKINGLA...that place has a sh!t load of f-body's for sale that seem in near mint shape, with a great price...

What is the rpo code on a lt1 ss? 96's will have z28 too right?

What is the rpo code on a lt1 ss? 96's will have z28 too right?

My 97 SS has these 2 RPO's:

WU8 = SALES PACKAGE Z/28 SS UPFITTER Z/28 SS UPFITTER(WU8)

Z28 = SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PACKAGE,(MERCHANDISING OPTION) SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PKG(Z28)

According to The White Book:
RPO R7T (non-Chevrolet modification)

1996 = 2257 built
1997 = 3137 built

I wouldn't call them rare.

OP..you asked in the first place...''are 96 and 97 camaro ss very rare''...that was your question, not ours...hence i answered as best as i could...since LT1 SS only came out for two years, hell yeah there kind of rare...wouldn't you think ????....and the LT4 even rarer...i would have thought that a person with a gorgeous SS like you have would have known that...so duh..
I asked because I rarely see one, did know about the LT4 though but it makes sense only a 2 yr run.

OP, in a thread not that long ago we figured out that the 96-97 Camaro SS have the lowest production numbers of ANY camaro ss made, from 1967-present.

Check out autotrader. You may be able to find one for about $5-6k, but they're probably not going to be in your local craigslist or swap sheet.
I am not looking to get one of these, a friend come close to buying a Z28 with SS badges & doing a lil checking for him. I should tell him about this site cuz he's never been here.

According to The White Book:
RPO R7T (non-Chevrolet modification)

1996 = 2257 built
1997 = 3137 built

I wouldn't call them rare.

Not super rare but like 01redss said compared to LS cars they are.

According to The White Book:
RPO R7T (non-Chevrolet modification)

1996 = 2257 built
1997 = 3137 built

I wouldn't call them rare.

I would certainly call them rare. They made about 5,000 1961 Bel Air 2 door hardtops (bubbletops) like mine and about the same amount in 1962. Try looking for parts (not repro) for those these days. I'd say any car with production of under 10,000 is pretty rare.

According to The White Book:
RPO R7T (non-Chevrolet modification)

1996 = 2257 built
1997 = 3137 built

I wouldn't call them rare.

That's the least amount of Camaro SS's made in any year (in the years they were made of course). Less than 5,500 between the two years.

To put it in perspective, in 1995 alone over 8,400 formulas were made, and over 13,000 trans ams.

Lets talk rare Gents........

2000 Berger SS: 31 built
2001 Berger SS: 28 built
2001-2 Tom Henry SS: 32 built
2002 ZL1 Supercar: 69 built

and finally...I have to mention these because I own one..

2001 Dale Earnhardt Intimidator SS: 84 built

THE ABOVE CARS ARE RARE! A 96 or 97 Camaro SS is not IMHO.

Lets talk rare Gents........

2000 Berger SS: 31 built
2001 Berger SS: 28 built
2001-2 Tom Henry SS: 32 built
2002 ZL1 Supercar: 69 built

and finally...I have to mention these because I own one..

2001 Dale Earnhardt Intimidator SS: 84 built

THE ABOVE CARS ARE RARE! A 96 or 97 Camaro SS is not IMHO.


IMHO the cars are special, but not THAT special. Everyone and their brother has an LS1 Camaro, and people have taken much better care of them since they were produced. I doubt your gonna find a beat to shit Tom Henry SS or ZL1 Supercar. Even the highest end LT1 cars..were driven hard and beat on.

All of the cars that Berger and GMMG did seem so damn similar to me, loses the effect of being special(the whole point to begin with).

The DEI SS...thats rare, it looks different, and I would love to have it- rather have one of the ~~6 LT1 DEI cars though :)

LT1 SSs are extremely rare when compared to LS versions.

I agree, you can still find them but they are not as common as LS1 SS cars, I can't even remember the last time I've seen an LT1 SS on the street. However, for whatever reason, it does seem like when I do come across a decent one, they are usually not that pricey at all.

Lets talk rare Gents........

2000 Berger SS: 31 built
2001 Berger SS: 28 built
2001-2 Tom Henry SS: 32 built
2002 ZL1 Supercar: 69 built

and finally...I have to mention these because I own one..

2001 Dale Earnhardt Intimidator SS: 84 built

THE ABOVE CARS ARE RARE! A 96 or 97 Camaro SS is not IMHO.

Pshhh. Let's talk really rare.

1969 Corvette ZL1 2 built
1983 Corvette 1 existing
1998 WS6 Formula Convertible 2 built

See what I did there? ;)

I'd still say that the 96-97 Camaro SS's are pretty damn rare compared to most other 4th gens.

IMHO the cars are special, but not THAT special. Everyone and their brother has an LS1 Camaro, and people have taken much better care of them since they were produced. I doubt your gonna find a beat to shit Tom Henry SS or ZL1 Supercar. Even the highest end LT1 cars..were driven hard and beat on.

All of the cars that Berger and GMMG did seem so damn similar to me, loses the effect of being special(the whole point to begin with).

Doubt your gonna find a hard driven TH or ZL1 Supercar?

Go to http:www.gmmgregistry.com and look around.

Berger didn't 'do' any 4th gen cars in house. They were modified by GMMG, returned to the dealership and sold to the public.

Pshhh. Let's talk really rare.

1969 Corvette ZL1 2 built
1983 Corvette 1 existing
1998 WS6 Formula Convertible 2 built

See what I did there? ;)

I'd still say that the 96-97 Camaro SS's are pretty damn rare compared to most other 4th gens.

Yes, those are rare cars. Kevin Suydam owns the only documented 69 ZL1 Vette which is white in color. The where-abouts of the other one is questionable.

Rare? Arlen Vanke recently sold the only documented 1968 factory built Hemi Barracuda four-speed wth a solid NHRA racing history but I digress. No need to get into a pissing contest about factory anomalies.

This thread began with the question, Are 1996-7 SS Camaros rare and I said no. With over 5000 produced, they are certainly not rare - doesn't matter how many you may or may not see around.

The production numbers don't lie.

rare is rare , bruce hawkins owns a '92 firehawk in green of which only 2 were produced...and as far as the '69 ZL1 corvette , heard years ago that a guy named wayne walker in VA. owns the other one..yellow in color...just read all about it in corvette fever magazine...the ''other'' 3rd ZL1 engine was stolen en-route to the factory, at least that is what the book said...i guess a SS LT1 is rare, since so many have been trashed, and in a sense they were only made for two years and finding a really nice, low mileage example would be hard to do...so it's not as rare as MASTER TOMOS found, but still rare, depending on what you compare it to.

rare is rare , bruce hawkins owns a '92 firehawk in green of which only 2 were produced...and as far as the '69 ZL1 corvette , heard years ago that a guy named wayne walker in VA. owns the other one..yellow in color...just read all about it in corvette fever magazine...the ''other'' 3rd ZL1 engine was stolen en-route to the factory, at least that is what the book said...i guess a SS LT1 is rare, since so many have been trashed, and in a sense they were only made for two years and finding a really nice, low mileage example would be hard to do...so it's not as rare as MASTER TOMOS found, but still rare, depending on what you compare it to.

Well said.

rare is rare , bruce hawkins owns a '92 firehawk in green of which only 2 were produced...and as far as the '69 ZL1 corvette , heard years ago that a guy named wayne walker in VA. owns the other one..yellow in color...just read all about it in corvette fever magazine...the ''other'' 3rd ZL1 engine was stolen en-route to the factory, at least that is what the book said...i guess a SS LT1 is rare, since so many have been trashed, and in a sense they were only made for two years and finding a really nice, low mileage example would be hard to do...so it's not as rare as MASTER TOMOS found, but still rare, depending on what you compare it to.

In the grand scheme of 4th gen's, it's one of the rarest (if not the rarest?) trim...so, yes, it's a rare 4th gen, but no, it's not a '69 Vette ZL1 or a GMMG car.

i learn something everyday, never knew that they did indeed build a corvette in '83 ...thanks MASTER TOMOS for that info..in the new HIGH PERFORMANCE PONTIAC MAGAZINE they show a red '72 trans-am with a shifter on the steering wheel column...3spd. auto...they said it was ordered for some higher brash like this...wow.. a red '72, red wasn't offered until '73 and never seen a trans-am with a 3spd auto on the steering wheel column before...i still have to agree with MASTER TOMOS on the rarity of the ZL1 'vette & the '69 ZL1 camaro in which only 69 were built and they were the ultimate sleeper as they looked plain and 6 cylinder-ish...

Im not trying to say the the 96-97 SS's compare to any single or double digit production cars, but in the world of 4th gen's and even just as a Camaro SS (just a model/trim aspect-not specific options), you'd be foolish to say they weren't rare.

They're about as rare as a 4th gen model gets aside from WS6 formula's

MASTERTOMOS...now that was well said...rarity is how one percieves something...you're personnel conception of what you believe is rare...how about the GRAND NATIONALS...those with the intercooler were only made in '86 & '87...and the GNX...those have to be rare in some way, as was the '89 turbo trans-am...there are a lot of rarity's out there, just some more so then others....i still believe though that time itself will help with the rarity of LT1 SS...not to mention the LT4's in the SS and wasn't there a few LT4's put in the trans-am 's ??????

MASTERTOMOS...now that was well said...rarity is how one percieves something...you're personnel conception of what you believe is rare...how about the GRAND NATIONALS...those with the intercooler were only made in '86 & '87...and the GNX...those have to be rare in some way, as was the '89 turbo trans-am...there are a lot of rarity's out there, just some more so then others....i still believe though that time itself will help with the rarity of LT1 SS...not to mention the LT4's in the SS and wasn't there a few LT4's put in the trans-am 's ??????

It just all boils down to what you're comparing said car to, in this case, I was comparing it to 4th gen trims and thats it.

Tere were 29 LT4 Firehawks built in '97, but I believe only 27 were sold to the public. 100 LT4 Camaro SS's were made and sold. Those are both very rare cars.

It is rare but not super rare. When I see an LS1 SS go by, not to much of a big deal. When I see an LT1 SS go by, I do a double take. LT1 SS gets more attention for the fact there are much fewer than LS1 SS. If I owned both, I would drive the LT1 far less.

Sebring00

You gotta give us early 4th gen guys some props these cars aren't exactly common.

Try this on for size if you don't believe me......it is sitting in my garage as we speak.....

97 SS 30th anniversary...pretty rare....3100-something made

Last year of SLP conversions...cool and rare

6 speed not auto...getting rarer since there was a strike with the trans supplier


To top it off 1 of 100 Hendricks Racing Editions..# 63 if i remember correctly

.....i have only seen one other one besides mine and i live in charlotte........it maybe in the junk yard for all i know....haven't seen it in years

Does that make it ultra expensive for collector values.....nope
But ss lt1 4th gens are hard to find

To find a LT1 SS with low miles is not easy but there are a few out there. There is a 1996 Teal convertible SS for sale on E-Bay right now with less than 3.500 miles on it and it's a 6 speed. I like the looks of the LT1 SS and while there production numbers might not be low finding one in good shape can be hard to do. If there is a market for them then the prices will go up as the years go by.

______________________________
Year One Blackbird #4 380 HP
35th Anniversary edition #9 380 HP

I never finished this page of my site (and don't know when I'll have the time to finish it) but I have many production numbers for '96 and '97 SSes on here.
http://sites.google.com/site/brangeta/productionversioncamaros/9697ss

I think the biggest deciding point between whats rare and whats not, is to ask what the differance between rare, and valuable is. In the end it all comes down to prospective as someone said earlier. JMHO. Eric L

To find a LT1 SS with low miles is not easy but there are a few out there. There is a 1996 Teal convertible SS for sale on E-Bay right now with less than 3.500 miles on it and it's a 6 speed. I like the looks of the LT1 SS and while there production numbers might not be low finding one in good shape can be hard to do. If there is a market for them then the prices will go up as the years go by.

______________________________
Year One Blackbird #4 380 HP
35th Anniversary edition #9 380 HP

That the one for sale in Ohio? It's been all over craigslist out here for months, not moving at all, but for a T56 convertible SS it's definitely a good buy, even at 15k

I did not realize rare LT-1's had gotten to this point but I am glad to see it ( I have a 94 25th, 95 6spd hardtop hawk, 97 formula WS6 vert) but rate is a very relative term. 89 TTA's are rare to see on the road but if you have 18k you could easily own one any day of the week on eBay.

A nice LT SS car is harder to actually find and it could be argued it is just as rare.

If you look at the link I posted to my website, the total production of '96 and '97 SSes adds up to only around 5217 cars total. (The production records are a pain in the butt and it's hard to say which should be believed. I don't want to get in a debate about it right now because it's been about 8 or 9 months since I've looked at them.)

When you stop to consider just how low that production number is, you start to realize "hey... these are really rare!" Just for comparison's sake for those who don't have a point of reference for production numbers... In 2002 alone, there were over 10,000 Camaros painted bright rally red. That number is nearly twice the amount of SSes made in ANY color from '96-'97.

The SSes from '96-'97 will probably one day be some of the most collectible 4th gen Camaros. There were only 77 or 78 '96 SSes in Bright Teal Metallic, and when you compare that to what was supposed to be a limited edition like the 2002 35th Anniversary Edition... well... it's obvious which one is rarer. You'd be lucky to see a Bright Teal SS in your life at this point, and they are incredibly beautiful.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/CallawayC8/website/96-02SS/96/96ss-teal-ttops-unknown2.jpg

Well...............after reading through this thread................I'm glad I have one of eech. My 1997 30th Anniversary LT1 SLP convertible has 17,777 miles on it (as of today) and my 2002 Phase II ZL1 GMMG Supercar has 1,985 miles on it (as of today also). :nod:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/02zl1_97ss/1997%2030th%20Anniversary%20Camaro%20SS/MICCPicnicPhotoShoot2005044.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/02zl1_97ss/1997%2030th%20Anniversary%20Camaro%20SS/HawkeyeCamaro-Fest2005118.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/02zl1_97ss/2002%20Phase%20II%20ZL1Supercar/IMG_1409.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/02zl1_97ss/2002%20Phase%20II%20ZL1Supercar/ShopInteriorPictures019.jpg