2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible Review: Most Powerful Chevrolet Convertible Ever!

While the new Chevrolet COPO Camaro is NOT street legal, the 2013 ZL1 Camaro convertible is coined as "Barely Street Legal" and will exceed the power output of nearly all 2+2 soft-tops being produced today. In fact, the ZL1 Camaro convertible and coupe are the most powerful production Chevy Camaro muscle cars ever made. 
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Picture placeholder for first 2013 ZL1 Camaro video where the tester was allowed to drive vigorously
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible video review with burn-outs!
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ZL1 Camaro convertible summary: The 2013 General Motors Chevrolet ZL1 Camaro 4-passenger convertible (soft-top, rag-top, drop-top) includes a 6.2L (LSA) supercharged front engine rear wheel drive V-8 connected to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with Tap-Shift controls. It takes only 18 seconds to fully retract the convertible top electronically. General Motors says: "Top Down + Supercharged Engine = Ultimate Excitement".  Steve Hammes was the first ever to make a good video review of the 2013 ZL1 Camaro convertible being driven with vigor.

Note: Do not mistake or confuse the official General Motors Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe or convertible supercar with the SLP (Street Legal Performance) ZL1 coupe or convertible aftermarket tuner packages. SLP also makes ZL427, ZL454, ZL465, ZL560, ZL585, and ZL600 Camaro tuner packages, and a line of Corvette ZL badged performance packages. SLP trademarked ZL®. View our extensive tuners listing for more aftermarket performance and styling ideas.

Picture of a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible drivers front view with glowing skyline background
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible drivers front view

ZL1 vs. ZL-1 vs. ZR1. The ZL1 is GMs model designator for the supercharged Chevrolet (ZL1) Camaro described in this article: The ZL-1 was an engine designation for the legendary aluminum high-performance Chevy big-block (ZL-1) 427 of yesteryear (1969 in particular): The ZR1 is Chevrolets supercharged (blown) (ZR1) Corvette supercar.

ZL1 convertible structure: All 5th generation Camaro automobiles were designed from the beginning to accommodate a convertible model.  The Camaro ZL1 convertible gets additional reinforcement via a tower to tower under-hood brace, reinforced bracing around the transmission, an additional tunnel brace underneath, an X-brace, stiffer cradle, rear V braces, a hydro-formed tube in the A-pillars, reinforcement brackets in the windshield frame, reinforcements in the rockers, and other assorted additional strengthening enhancements.

Camaro ZL1 Camaro power plant (engine): The standard 2012-2013 Camaro convertible sports car with the 3.6L 323-hp V6 engine, or the naturally aspirated 6.2L 426-hp V8 engine, is available in addition to the ultra-high performance ZL1 Camaro convertible, with the super-natural 6.2 Liter 580-hp motor. The 2013 ZL1 Camaro convertible became available in late August / early September 2012 as a 2013 model.

Front view of the ZL1 Chevrolet Camaro convertible demonstrating the huge air intake available in the front end, along with the hood cowl breathing vents
The Camaro ZL1 redesign allows for increased engine cooling air flow


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