Network
Back in 1999 gas averaged $1.22 a gallon, the 4th Gen F-body was in its seventh year of production, and the LS1 was already earning itself quite a reputation as the baddest engine on the street. But 14 years ago there was no YouTube, Facebook, or LSXMAG to spread the word about the LS1’s greatness. If you wanted the latest info on the automotive world but didn’t catch one of the rare car shows on cable, you had to wait until the monthly issue of your favorite print magazine showed up in the mail box. Absolutely barbaric, we know…
But we’re always curious to hear what journalists had to say about the LS1 cars when they were new, and we recently found this 1999 review from Car and Driver that pits the convertible versions of the Camaro SS, Trans Am WS6, and Mustang Cobra against one another.
Coming in 3rd place in the compro was the Trans Am WS6 30th Anniversary Edition. Even though we all know that the Camaro and Trans Am are essentially the same car, the WS6 had the quickest quarter-mile time and the highest top speed of all three cars. However, they gave it last place because of the $37,000 price tag, soft suspension, and looks that would make it the “most popular with 16 year old McDonald’s drive-in attendants”.
The Cobra convertible came in second mostly because of its disappointing handling and lack of power compared to the WS6 and SS. “It doesn’t have the really broad brawny torque band of the F-bodies, and it shows,” says Editor Don Schroeder. “You really have to wind this engine out to get the power out of it”
And finally, the champ of the convertible show down was the Camaro SS. The Car and Driver editors picked it mostly because of its “intoxicating” powerband, better control, and because they liked the looks of it better than the WS6.
Probably the most interesting thing about this test was a comment by Don Schroeder when he was talking about the engine in the Cobra. He says, “I’d still rather have the engine of the other two vehicles, [LS1] despite the fact that it’s not as sophisticated.” Interesting how things haven’t really changed all that much, don’t you think?
