Backdated 2002 Camaro Has All The Details, None Of The ’69 Classic’s Proportions

It’s quite the conundrum. You love the look of classic cars, but you also like your modern creature comforts, brakes, and handling, too. So do you update an old car or backdate a new one? Whichever way you go, you’ll still end up with a compromised vehicle.

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In a way, the auto industry made things a lot easier for us starting in the mid-2000s when first Ford introduced an overtly retro-style Mustang, which was soon followed by the equally retro Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. But in 2002, none of that had happened, which is why someone spent a reported $100k turning the last of the then-new catfish Camaro SS Z28 convertibles into a clone of a 1969 RS Z28 convertible.

It must have been an epic job because leaving aside the inconvenient fact that Chevy never offered a ’69 Z28 ragtop, the detail is impressive. View it from the front, where it proudly displays the hidden headlights that came with 1969’s optional RS package, or the back, and you might actually think it’s the real deal. And then, you shift position, clock the angle of the front screen, and recoil in horror.

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Related: This 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Is An Example Of The ‘Reverse Restomod’

It’s the windshield, always the windshield, that ruins these backdated muscle cars. You’ve probably seen the oldified Corvettes that were also built in the early 2000s and look equally awkward. Of course, the screen rake doesn’t look awkward on a stock 2002 Camaro. It looks modern and sporty and works with the long tapering hood. But try to slap on the boxy bodywork of a 1960s vehicle and the car suddenly looks like it’s tried, and failed, to drive underneath a semi.

The buying situation is further complicated 20 years on from the conversion date by the fact that the ‘new’ portion of the Camaro is no longer remotely new, which kind of removes the whole USP. Yes, this example up for sale at Volo Cars has covered only 5,625 miles (9,000 km) from new and is in immaculate condition. But the interior looks laughably dated and the 325 hp (330 PS) the top-of-the-line SS Z28’s V8 makes is outmuscled by the 335 hp (340 PS) of a 2023 entry-level V6 Camaro.

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One of those, by the way, starts at less than $39k in convertible form, while $46k nets you a 455 hp (461 PS) V8-powered SS. Volo Cars, on the other hand, wants $62k for the backdated ’02, money which wouldn’t get you an original 1969 RS Z28 coupe (they’re more like $90k), but it might secure a respectable ’69 350 convertible. And, just to further complicate matters, Volvo also has a stunning 2002 Z28 that hasn’t been butchered and has just 27 miles (44 km) on the clock for $64k. Which would you pick?