2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible - 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

Before the ZL1 Convertible’s unveiling, I walked around the car with Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser, whom I had ridden with at the launch of the Camaro Convertible. Back then, we discussed the challenges posed by infusing the ZL1’s 580-bhp supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 engine into the droptop—apparently it wasn’t so hard.

Chevrolet has made the Camaro convertibles stiff from onset. They feature extra steel stampings in the unibody to maintain rigidity relative to the coupe, and there are some underbody braces. It’s enough to allow the coupe and convertible versions of both the SS and ZL1 Camaros to use the same suspension and tuning. This is a convertible that has not gone soft, like some of its competitors.