The year 1997 was the 30th anniversary of the Chevrolet Camaro, and GM naturally capitalized on this milestone with a special Anniversary Edition. It featured white paint, hugger orange stripes and either white leather interior or black and white houndstooth cloth inserts, reminiscent of the 1969 Indy Pace Car. A total of 4,533 30th Anniversary Editions were sold at a $575 premium.

In addition, the Camaro Super Sport (SS) package offered a 305hp 350 cid LT1 V-8 with hood scoop, different spoiler, 17-inch Corvette ZR-1-style wheels and stiffer suspension on the coupes. In all 3,137 buyers spent $3,999 on this package and a reported 957 buyers combined the 30th Anniversary Edition with the SS package.

SLP’s hottest versions were bought by 108 SS Camaro buyers who traded LT1 engines for the 1996 LT4 Corvette engine, boasting 330hp thanks to roller cams, a hot camshaft and 6,300 rpm redline. One hundred cars were built for the U.S, six for Canada and two were prototypes.

The 1997 Chevy Camaro production totals were 29,775 Base cars, 9,175 RS, and 21,252 Z28 for a total of 60,202. Of these, 25,445 were Base Coupes, starting at $16,215, while 4,330 buyers spent $21,770-plus on Base Convertibles. The RS Coupe attracted 8,154 buyers at $17,970 and 1,021 shoppers selected the RS Convertible. Finally, 17,955 customers spent $20,115 on the Z28 Coupe and 3,297 opted for Z28 Convertibles for $25,520 and up.

Base cars and RS models were fitted with the 200hp V-6, while the Z28s sported the 285hp 350 LT1 V-8. Two-thirds of buyers (43,703) spent an extra $815 for a 4-speed automatic transmission. V6-powered cars were fitted with a 5-speed manual as standard, while the Z28 carried a 6-speed gearbox as standard.

As usual, options concentrated on comfort and convenience. Air conditioning was now standard on all Camaros and other popular options (in declining popularity) included: cruise control, fog lamps, power hatch release, power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, alloy wheels, rear defogger and glass T-tops with sunshades.

Performance packages included the Base sleeper B4C Special Service (police) Package, chosen by 253 buyers and costing $2,474 with a 6-speed and $3,454 with automatic transmission. It featured Z28 handling, brakes and performance equipment. The Y87 Performance Handling Package applied some of the same equipment to V-6 cars and $6,918 buyers spent $400 on that. A total of 48 die-hards spent $1,175 for the 1LE bare bones track package.

Once again, 10 colors were offered on the Camaro for 1997, with Arctic White (14,228) narrowly favored over Bright Red (11,825) and Black (11,242). Sebring Silver (7,624) followed, then a string of less popular metallic colors including Polo Green Metallic (5,134), Mystic Teal Metallic (3,102), Cayenne Red Metallic (2,625), Bright Purple Metallic (883) and Quasar Blue Metallic