Introduction to the 1997 30th Anniversary Camaro LT4 SS
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To further celebrate Camaro’s 30th Anniversary, SLP Engineering offered to it's top dealerships an invitation to order what would become one of the most unique fourth generation Camaro’s ever built: A special content Camaro SS with a 330 horsepower, LT4 Grand Sport Corvette Engine.
Only 106 special 1997 Camaro SS 30th Anniversary LT4’s would be built. 100 would be for sale in the United States and 6 would be sold throughout Canada. Due to timing constraints for certification, the cars were not available for sale in California, New York or Massachusetts.
To purchase one of these special Camaro SS’s one needed to complete a SLP Sales Agreement Form and place a $5,000 deposit with their dealer. Once the deposit was received by SLP, the owner is notified of a production date. The first 50 cars were built between January and February 1997 and the second group of 50 cars was produced between March and April. Production date on HMS #5 was 3/26/1997
The Camaro 30th Anniversary LT4 SS required the following options from Chevrolet:
The LT4 SS included all of the base Camaro SS options and added the following:
SLP LT4 Alterations:
SLP LT4 Additional Content:
SLP Engineering could have installed the impressive LT4 crate engines directly into the Camaro SS as is, but they took it a step further. All 106 of the production LT4 engines were completely disassembled, balanced, blueprinted and honed with stress plates. Areas of the engine that were checked and adjusted included, the deck, line bore, bearing clearances, head surfaces and a multi angle valve job.
One in 5 engines was selected to be tested on a Superflow engine dynamometer, and if your engine was chosen, the performance sheets were included with the paperwork inside the car. My LT4 Camaro’s engine was chosen for a bench test and the dyno sheet indicated a maximum of 333 horsepower and 344 lb/ft of torque.
Every LT4 Camaro was tested on a chassis dynamometer in addition to performing a short six mile road test, the dyno results were also included with the car and a letter was sent to each purchaser to let them know this testing would be performed on their Camaro. The provided sheets with my LT4 Camaro showed an achieved 281 rear wheel horsepower and 311 lb/ft of torque.
The Introduction to the Hendrick Motorsports Special Edition Camaro LT4 SS
While SLP Engineering performed the LT4 SS upfits they worked with Hendrick Motorsports to take handful of the 100 LT4 SS designated for sale in the United States and make them just that more unique.
Hendrick placed an advertisement for their special Camaro in the April 1997 Hemmings Motor News publication.
The Hendrick Autogroup owns eight Chevrolet dealerships so each dealership sold one of the HMS Camaros to the public. The dealerships are: City Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Durham, NC), Hendrick Automall, Performance Chevrolet, Colonial Chevrolet, Superior Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Charleston, SC) and Quality Automotive. My LT4 SS was originally sold from Performance Chevrolet.
HMS # 1 (LT4 SS # 1) Sold From: City Chevrolet Charlotte, NC
HMS # 2 (LT4 SS # 3) Sold From: City Chevrolet Charlotte, NC
HMS # 3 (LT4 SS # 4) Sold From: Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Durham, NC
HMS # 4 (LT4 SS # 5) Sold From: Hendrick Automall Cary, NC
HMS # 5 (LT4 SS # 6) Sold From: Performance Chevrolet Chapel Hill, NC
HMS # 6 (LT4 SS # 16) Sold From: Colonial Chevrolet Virgina Beach, VA
HMS # 7 (LT4 SS # 23) Sold From: Superior Chevrolet Merriam, KS
HMS # 8 (LT4 SS # 43) Sold From: Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Charleston, SC
HMS # 9 (LT4 SS # 71) Sold From: Quality Chevrolet Olathe, KS
Included with the purchase price of the car were travel arrangements and accommodations to pick up the car. The delivery of the nine HMS Camaro SS was to occur at the Charlotte National Speedway but unfortunately it was booked, so the gala affair was held on June 25, 1997 at Hendrick Motorsports Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The vehicles were arranged around the checkered flag “Winners Circle” center plaza and covered for unveiling by their new owners. Adjacent to the cars were Quaker State duffle bags and a case of SynQuest Synthetic Motor Oil.
People on hand at the delivery:
The new car owners had photo opportunities with the people on hand and had lunch with Rick Hendrick and Terry Labonte. Jeff Gordon; #24 and Ricky Craven; #25 unfortunately were not available on the actual day of delivery but they did arrive the following day. A few of the car owners had already left with their new cars, so only the new owners that had stayed around for the next day were able to meet them and have their cars signed, if so desired.
Other Info:
Breakdown of known RPO code options on the HMS Camaro LT4 SS’s:
HMS # 1 (LT4 SS # 1) Options: 10C,
HMS # 2 (LT4 SS # 3) Options: 10C, R1*
HMS # 3 (LT4 SS # 4) Options: 10C,
HMS # 4 (LT4 SS # 5) Options: 10C, UN0, C49, U1S
HMS # 5 (LT4 SS # 6) Options: 10C, UN0, C49, U1S, R1**
HMS # 6 (LT4 SS # 16) Options: 10C
HMS # 7 (LT4 SS # 23) Options: 10I, UN0
HMS # 8 (LT4 SS # 43) Options: 10C, R1*
HMS # 9 (LT4 SS # 71) Options: 10I
* SLP Additional Content of the R1 wheel and tire package
** The R1 package is indicated on the second sticker, although documented by HMS to be in error. I have since been able to acquire the R1 wheel and tire package.
Only 106 special 1997 Camaro SS 30th Anniversary LT4’s would be built. 100 would be for sale in the United States and 6 would be sold throughout Canada. Due to timing constraints for certification, the cars were not available for sale in California, New York or Massachusetts.
To purchase one of these special Camaro SS’s one needed to complete a SLP Sales Agreement Form and place a $5,000 deposit with their dealer. Once the deposit was received by SLP, the owner is notified of a production date. The first 50 cars were built between January and February 1997 and the second group of 50 cars was produced between March and April. Production date on HMS #5 was 3/26/1997
The Camaro 30th Anniversary LT4 SS required the following options from Chevrolet:
- Hard Top
- 1SJ - Z28 Preferred Equipment Group #2
- Z4C - 30th Anniversary Package
- WU9 - Camaro SS Package
- AG1 - 6-way Power Driver's Seat
The LT4 SS included all of the base Camaro SS options and added the following:
SLP LT4 Alterations:
- Second Sticker MSRP of $17,023.00 - On top of the Camaro sticker price
- 330 Horsepower LT4 Engine
- 330 Horsepower Tail Panel Decal
- Performance Exhaust System with Twin Dual Polished Tips
- Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifolds
- Lightweight Flywheel
- High Performance Pressure Plate
- Lightweight Drive Shaft
- High Strength Ring and Pinion Gear Set
- Hurst Short Throw Shifter
- Level II Bilstien Sport Suspension Package
- Torsen Limited Slip Differential with AAM Cast Aluminum Cover
- Engine Oil Cooler
- Quaker State SynQuest Motor Oil
- Performance Synthetic Lubricants Package ( Rear Axle Lubricant & Power Steering Fluid )
SLP LT4 Additional Content:
- Level III Bilstien Ultra Sport Performance Suspension Package
- BF Goodrich Comp TA R1 17” Tires ( shipped separately on a second set of wheels )
- 350ci (5,733cc) Displacement
- 10.8:1 Compression Ratio
- 330 @ 5,800 RPM Horsepower, Factory Rating
- 340 @ 4,500 RPM Torque, Factory Rating
- 6,300 RPM Redline, Factory Rating
- Cast Iron Block Construction
- 4.00 Inch Bore
- 3.48 Inch Stroke
- 282 Intake, 277 Exhaust Valve Duration
- .476 Intake, .479 Exhaust Valve Lift, Degrees
- 46 Degree Valve Overlap
- 2.00” @ 85 grams Intake Valve
- 1.55” @ 75 grams Exhaust Valve
- 3.5 gps, 28 lbs/hr Fuel Injectors
- Cast Aluminum Heads with 2 Valves per Cylinder
- Heads 240 CFM Flow with Higher Ports
- Intake Port Volume 195 CFM
- Combustion Chamber 54.4 cc
- Graphoil with Stainless Steel Fire Rings Head Gaskets
- 7/16” Rocker Studs
- Forged Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
- 1.6:1 Ratio with Lock Nut and Set Screw
- Oval Section Valve Springs with Higher Closing Force
- Eutectic Aluminum/Silicon Alloy Pistons
- Main Bearings 4-Bolt Centers, 2-Bolt Ends
- Powdered Metal Connecting Rods
- Cast Iron Crankshaft with Undercut and Rolled Fillets
- Roller Timing Chain with Steel Sprockets
- Dual Mass Torsional Damper
- Solid Cam Sprocket
- Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifolds
- Heavier Pistons
- Smaller Valve Reliefs
- Balanced Crank
- Rolled Crank Journals
- Wider but Shallower Head Combustion Chambers
- Lighter Hollow Stem Valves
- Positive Twist Compression Rings
- Nodular Iron Main Bearing Caps
- Teflon Rear Main Seal
- Fuel Cut Off @ 6,400 RPM
SLP Engineering could have installed the impressive LT4 crate engines directly into the Camaro SS as is, but they took it a step further. All 106 of the production LT4 engines were completely disassembled, balanced, blueprinted and honed with stress plates. Areas of the engine that were checked and adjusted included, the deck, line bore, bearing clearances, head surfaces and a multi angle valve job.
One in 5 engines was selected to be tested on a Superflow engine dynamometer, and if your engine was chosen, the performance sheets were included with the paperwork inside the car. My LT4 Camaro’s engine was chosen for a bench test and the dyno sheet indicated a maximum of 333 horsepower and 344 lb/ft of torque.
Every LT4 Camaro was tested on a chassis dynamometer in addition to performing a short six mile road test, the dyno results were also included with the car and a letter was sent to each purchaser to let them know this testing would be performed on their Camaro. The provided sheets with my LT4 Camaro showed an achieved 281 rear wheel horsepower and 311 lb/ft of torque.
The Introduction to the Hendrick Motorsports Special Edition Camaro LT4 SS
While SLP Engineering performed the LT4 SS upfits they worked with Hendrick Motorsports to take handful of the 100 LT4 SS designated for sale in the United States and make them just that more unique.
Hendrick placed an advertisement for their special Camaro in the April 1997 Hemmings Motor News publication.
- There are a total of nine Hendrick Motorsports Special Edition Camaro LT4 SS's.
- The 1997 30th Anniversary Camaro LT4 SS's are SLP car #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 23, 43 and 71 of the 100.
- The #1 LT4 SS was Rick Hendrick's personal car (I believe this car is now in possession of Jim Perkins, former GM General Manager, and the current COO of the Hendrick Company).
- MSRP was $47,250 - I believe they all sold for over $50,000.
- Changes to the car are mostly appearance
- Embroidered Hendrick LT4 Floor Mats
- Hendrick LT4 Dash Plaque
- Hendrick Key Fob
- Hendrick LT4 & SS Car Cover
- Hendrick LT4 Special Edition Sail Panel Badges
- Performance Exhaust System with Twin Dual Polished Tips
- Level III Sport Suspension
- Came with a short video of them being built at SLP
- Each car was provided with a signed Certificate of Authenticity
The Hendrick Autogroup owns eight Chevrolet dealerships so each dealership sold one of the HMS Camaros to the public. The dealerships are: City Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Durham, NC), Hendrick Automall, Performance Chevrolet, Colonial Chevrolet, Superior Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Charleston, SC) and Quality Automotive. My LT4 SS was originally sold from Performance Chevrolet.
HMS # 1 (LT4 SS # 1) Sold From: City Chevrolet Charlotte, NC
HMS # 2 (LT4 SS # 3) Sold From: City Chevrolet Charlotte, NC
HMS # 3 (LT4 SS # 4) Sold From: Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Durham, NC
HMS # 4 (LT4 SS # 5) Sold From: Hendrick Automall Cary, NC
HMS # 5 (LT4 SS # 6) Sold From: Performance Chevrolet Chapel Hill, NC
HMS # 6 (LT4 SS # 16) Sold From: Colonial Chevrolet Virgina Beach, VA
HMS # 7 (LT4 SS # 23) Sold From: Superior Chevrolet Merriam, KS
HMS # 8 (LT4 SS # 43) Sold From: Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Charleston, SC
HMS # 9 (LT4 SS # 71) Sold From: Quality Chevrolet Olathe, KS
Included with the purchase price of the car were travel arrangements and accommodations to pick up the car. The delivery of the nine HMS Camaro SS was to occur at the Charlotte National Speedway but unfortunately it was booked, so the gala affair was held on June 25, 1997 at Hendrick Motorsports Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The vehicles were arranged around the checkered flag “Winners Circle” center plaza and covered for unveiling by their new owners. Adjacent to the cars were Quaker State duffle bags and a case of SynQuest Synthetic Motor Oil.
People on hand at the delivery:
- Rick Hendrick
- Jim Perkins; CEO Hendrick Motorsports and former Chevrolet General Manager
- Terry Labonte; #5
- Ray Evernham; Crew Chief
- Chuck Mac; HMS Designer
- Reg Harris; SLP Engineering
- Matt Murphy; SLP Engineering
The new car owners had photo opportunities with the people on hand and had lunch with Rick Hendrick and Terry Labonte. Jeff Gordon; #24 and Ricky Craven; #25 unfortunately were not available on the actual day of delivery but they did arrive the following day. A few of the car owners had already left with their new cars, so only the new owners that had stayed around for the next day were able to meet them and have their cars signed, if so desired.
Other Info:
- Cars # 7 (SLP SS # 23) and # 9 (SLP SS # 71) are the only two Hendrick Motorsport Camaro SS’s have the optional all white leather, the other seven have the standard white leather with houndstooth inserts.
- The Hendricks crew did not like the exhaust, it was too quiet, but it could not be changed in time for delivery.
- The dual twin tip performance exhaust is interesting, it has extra resonators AFTER the muffler just before of the tail pipes.
- The cars were delivered with a case of Quaker State SynQuest Oil & other QS, stuff - of which I do have the QS bag.
- HMS #4, #5 and #6 were sold to mutual friends from Utah, two have been resold, the other is still owned by the original purchaser.
- Car # 9 (SLP SS # 71) the owner had the outside of the hood signed and clear coated.
- I have made contact with only one other HMS owner #4 of 9.
- At time of the delivery the Hendrick LT4 SS car covers, dash plaque and exterior sail panel badging were not available, and were shipped to the owners at a later date. Cars were delivered with the standard Hendrick SS car cover, dash plaque and sail panel badges.
Breakdown of known RPO code options on the HMS Camaro LT4 SS’s:
HMS # 1 (LT4 SS # 1) Options: 10C,
HMS # 2 (LT4 SS # 3) Options: 10C, R1*
HMS # 3 (LT4 SS # 4) Options: 10C,
HMS # 4 (LT4 SS # 5) Options: 10C, UN0, C49, U1S
HMS # 5 (LT4 SS # 6) Options: 10C, UN0, C49, U1S, R1**
HMS # 6 (LT4 SS # 16) Options: 10C
HMS # 7 (LT4 SS # 23) Options: 10I, UN0
HMS # 8 (LT4 SS # 43) Options: 10C, R1*
HMS # 9 (LT4 SS # 71) Options: 10I
* SLP Additional Content of the R1 wheel and tire package
** The R1 package is indicated on the second sticker, although documented by HMS to be in error. I have since been able to acquire the R1 wheel and tire package.