1994 Chevrolet Camaro

Camaro resurrected the convertible for 1994 after a one-year absence.

The biggest news for the 1994 Chevrolet Camaro was that it was no longer strictly a sports coupe, as a new convertible was added at midyear. Camaro's Firebird cousin also got a droptop, but it didn't appear until late spring.

Base and Z28 versions of the Camaro returned, both offering coupe and convertible models. Convertibles came standard with a power top and glass rear window, the latter of which allowed for a rear defroster -- a nicety many ragtops lacked. Meanwhile, Removable Roof Panels, more commonly known as T-tops, also made a comeback after a one-year absence.

Engine choices remained the same. Base models got a 160-horsepower 3.4-liter V-6, which ran on regular fuel, while Z28s had a 275-horsepower 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 that demanded premium. As before, the base Camaro with its V-6 came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, offering a four-speed automatic as an option.

But in an effort to increase performance while remaining above the government's gas-guzzler limits, Z28s now came standard with the Corvette's CAGS (Computer-Aided Gear Selection) six-speed manual mated to a shorter 3.42:1 axle ratio.

The latter gave better off-the-line punch than the previous 2.73 and 3.23 rear ends, but many enthusiasts bemoaned the adoption of the CAGS transmission with its forced first-to-fourth-gear shift under light throttle. Those who really disliked it, however, could still opt for the four-speed automatic.

Announced at the beginning of the year was the addition of traction control as a midyear option on Z28s with automatic transmission. It would be Corvette's ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) system, which could be turned off by a dashboard button. But it didn't arrive at midyear, nor even by the end of the year; in fact, it wouldn't be offered until late in the 1995 model run.

The Z28 performance model offered a snarly 275 horses.

For more picture-packed articles about Chevys and other great cars, see:

• Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles.
• Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance.
• Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world.
• Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy, and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickups.
• All Chevrolet Camaros: From the original 1967 to the last-of-a-breed 2002 model, learn all about one of America's favorite sporty cars.
• 2009 Chevrolet Camaro: It's back, and badder than ever! Check out this article and pictures to discover what Chevy has in store as it revives the Camaro for the 2009 model year.