Camaro ZL1 Convertible

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Compact

Many out there believe the perfect car has modern underpinnings, with 1960s styling on top. We saw plenty of fine examples in 2021, including the E30 M3 Enhanced and Evolved by Redux and the Kingsley Cars modernized Range Rover.

This year we kick off with a bang with the Vision Retro Designs (VRD) 1969 Chevelle SS based on a 2013 5th generation Camaro.

The car you see here is the prototype example of what will hopefully be a limited run in 2022. It will be sold at a Mecum auction this week, and it will be interesting to see what the market is willing to pay for such a car. It could very well establish the pricing on the models built after.

On top, the design is an interpretation of the 1969 Chevelle A69. It's not a direct copy, and you can still see hints of the 2013 Camaro it's based on. All of the carbon fiber body panels are custom fabricated by Vision Retro Designs.

The heritage design features include the dual-dome hood, quad lighting (now with LED lights), and a period-correct paint known as Sparkling Burgandy. For a bit of contrast, the car has carbon stripes and large 20-inch chrome wheels with Pirelli P Zero Sport tires. It has six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers at the rear. And it needs all that stopping power because the donor car is quite a beast.

The donor car is a 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 580 horsepower. It's mated to the optional six-speed heavy-duty 6L90 automatic transmission. Some would have preferred the standard manual, but the automatic transmission is better suited to the car's relaxed top-down nature. Most owners will likely only use the 580 horses to scare off any boy racers they might encounter.

Under the hood, you'll also notice a carbon strut brace and a numbered data plaque to show your friends.

The 2013 ZL1 could sprint to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 185 mph. We doubt this car will be able to do that, given the '60's aerodynamics.

On the inside, it comes with custom Nappa leather with red accents. The headrests are also a modern interpretation of the headrests found in the A69. Vision Retro Designs also added carbon accents to the steering wheel and door sills. Finally, you get another serialized data plaque mounted on the dashboard.

The modern steering wheel and touchscreen are a bit out of place, but we understand why they're there. VRD's old-school bodywork still incorporates the rearview camera, and the steering wheel houses an airbag.

Still, a three-spoke aluminum steering wheel with a wooden rim would have been perfect.