Build code sticker in the glove box.

 

There is a book by Robert Casey which states there were 122 Coupes built in 1997 with the RPO LS1. 119 were automatics with a 3:23 rear axle and 3 were six speeds with a 3:42 rear axle. It also states that "the history and intent of these cars are unknown, but they were likely tested and crushed".

The screenshot below shows the index of the book which list a chapter on 96-97 Z28 LS1 and Z28 LB9 Test Cars. This information is supposed to have come from the CompNine website using the RPO data bank. Here's if anyone is interested.

 

Better yet, please message me your VIN number and I will be able to determine your car's configuration.

 

Vin: 2g1fp22g4w2113025

 

 

According to the search results, your car is listed as a 1998 model and it was built on 10-02-1997 (the "W" in your VIN is a dead giveaway, the 1997 cars have a "V")

Below are all of the VIN attributes:

Model designator: 1FP87 : CAMARO 2 DR

Build Date: 19971002

Year: 1998

Major Division: C :

Car Division: 1 : CHEVROLET

Series code: FP

Bodystyle code: 87

Book: F

Catalog Code: 18F : CHEVROLET

Primary Color Code: 9567 : Arctic White

MOLDING COLOR: 10Q : MOLDING COLOR,ARCTIC WHITE

PRIMARY COLOR: 10U : EXTERIOR COLOR,ARTIC WHITE

PRIMARY COLOR: 10U : EXTERIOR COLOR,PRIMARY

TRIM COMBINATION: 142 : TRIM COMBINATION LEATHER, LT GRAY

TRIM COMBINATION: 14I : INTERIOR TRIM LT GRAY

VEHICLE APPLICATION: 1AZ : SOLD ORDERS

PACKAGE/SALES PACKAGE: 1SG : PACKAGE OPTION 07

FINANCIAL PROGRAM / FLEET PROCESSING: 1SZ

PACKAGE OPTION- COMPONENT FRONT LEFT: 6ZL

COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (6ZL)

COMPONENT FRONT RH: 7ZL : COMPONENT FRT RH SUSP

COMPONENT REAR LH: 8TH : COMPONENT RR LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (8TH)

COMPONENT REAR RH: 9TH : COMPONENT RR RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (9TH)

WINDOW, POWER OPERATED: A31 : WINDOW,ELECTRIC OPERATED,SIDE

WINDOW, POWER OPERATED: A31 : WINDOW,POWER OPERATED,ALL DOORS

LOCK CONTROL, REAR CMPT: A90 : LOCK,REAR COMPARTMENT LID,REMOTE CONTROL,ELECTRIC RELEASE

ADJUSTER FRONT ST: AG1 : ADJUSTER FRT ST POWER, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL, DRIVER

RESTRAINT SYSTEM: AK5 : RESTRAINT SYSTEM,FRONT SEAT,INFLATABLE,DRIVER AND PASSENGER

SEAT: AR9 : SEAT,FRONT BUCKET,DRIVER,PASSENGER,MANUAL RECLINING(EUROPEAN STYLE)

LOCK CONTROL, ENTRY: AU0 : LOCK CONTROL,REMOTE ENTRY(KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM)

LOCK CONTROL, DOOR: AU3 : LOCK,SIDE DOOR,ELECTRIC

FLOOR COVERING: B35 : COVERING,FLOOR MATS,REAR,CARPETED INSERT(COLOR COORDINATED)

MOLDING - B/S: B84 : ORNAMENTATION,EXTERIOR,BODY SIDE MOLDING

DEFOGGER: C49 : DEFOGGER,REAR WINDOW,ELECTRIC

HVAC SYSTEM / INTERIOR HEATER: C60 : AIR CONDITIONER,FRONT,MANUAL CONTROLS

ROOF: CC1 : ROOF,HATCH,REMOVABLE PANELS,GLASS

MIRROR O/S: DE4 : SUNSHADE,REMOVABLE HATCH ROOF

MIRROR O/S: DG7 : MIRROR,OUTSIDE,RH & LH REMOTE CONTROL,ELECTRIC(PAINTED)

DECAL: DL5 : DECAL ROADSIDE SERVICE INFORMATION

SUSPENSION SYSTEM: FE2 : SUSPENSION SYSTEM,RIDE AND HANDLING

CERTIFICATION: FE9 : FEDERAL EMISSION CERTIFICATION

AXLE POSITRACTION: G80 : AXLE,REAR,POSITRACTION,LIMITED SLIP

AXLE REAR: GU5 : AXLE,REAR,3.23 RATIO

INTERIOR TRIM PANEL: IP2 : TRIM,INTERIOR DESIGN

BRAKE SYSTEM: J65 : BRAKE SYSTEM,POWER,FRONT AND REAR DISC

CRUISE CONTROL: K34 : CRUISE CONTROL,AUTOMATIC,ELECTRONIC

GENERATOR: K68 : GENERATOR,105 AMPERE

ENGINE: LS1 : ENGINE GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, SFI, ALUMINUM ENGINE

TRANSMISSION: M30 : TRANSMISSION,AUTOMATIC 4 SPEED,4L60E,ELECTRONIC

MERCHANDISED TRANS: MX0 : TRANSMISSION,AUTOMATIC,OVERDRIVE(MERCHANDISING OPTION)

WHEEL: N96 : WHEEL,16X8(CAST ALUMINUM)

EMISSION SYSTEM: NF2 : EMISSION SYSTEM,FEDERAL,TIER 1

STEERING WHEEL: NP5 : STEERING WHEEL,LEATHER WRAPPED

TRACTION CONTROL: NW9 : TRACTION CONTROL ELECTRONIC

TIRE ALL: QFZ : TIRE ALL P245/50ZR16 BW R/PE ST TL AL3

FINANCIAL PROGRAM / FLEET PROCESSING: R7A : CONTROL SALES ITEM NO. 26

FINANCIAL PROGRAM / FLEET PROCESSING: R8T : CONTROL-SALES ITEM NO. 69

FINANCIAL PROGRAM / FLEET PROCESSING: R9U : CONTROL - SALES ITEM NO. 95

FINANCIAL PROGRAM / FLEET PROCESSING: R9Z : CONTROL - SALES ITEM NO. 100

PLANT CODE: STE : PLANT CODE- ST THERESE, PQ, GM OF CANADA

HEADLAMP CONTROL: T82 : HEADLAMPS,AUTOMATIC ON/OFF CONTROL

FOG LAMP: T96 : LAMP,FRONT FOG

ANTENNA: U73 : ANTENNA,FIXED

THEFT DETERENT SYSTEM: UA6 : THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM

CLUSTER: UB3 : CLUSTER,INSTRUMENT(OIL,COOLANT TEMPERATURE,VOLTMETER,TACHOMETER,TRIP ODOMETER)

RADIO: UL0 : RADIO AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC SEARCH CASS, AUTO TONE, CLOCK, ETR.

: UZ7 : SPEAKER SYSTEM 8, QUAD FRT DR MTD, DUAL SAIL PNL, DUAL RR HATCH, AMPLIFIER

VEHICLE STATEMENT: V73 : VEHICLE STATEMENT - US/CANADA

LICENSE PLATE, FRONT OR REAR: VK3 : LICENSE PLATE,FRONT MOUNTING PACKAGE

LABEL: VM3 : LABEL INFORMATION CONSUMER, CONTAINS BPR IMP STANDARD FOR FRT 5 MPH & RR 5 MPH

MERCHANDISED PACKAGE: Z28 : SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PACKAGE,(MERCHANDISING OPTION)

Submodel: 450 : Z28

Wheel Base (Inches): -

Wheel Base (Metric): -

Region: 1 : USA United States

Engine Designation: 115 : LS1

Engine VIN: 29 : G

Valves: 3 : 16

CC: ECC#- : -

CID: ECD#350 : 350

Liter: ENL#5.7 : 5.7

Engine Bore (Inches): EBR#3.90 : 3.90

Engine Bore (Metric): EBM#99.0 : 99.0

Engine Stroke (Inches): EST#3.62 : 3.62

Engine Stroke (Metric): ESM#92.0 : 92.0

Cylinders: CYL#8 : 8

Fuel Delivery Sub Type: 5 : MFI

Fuel Delivery Type: 5 : FI

Fuel System Control Type: 5

Fuel System Design: 6 : SFI

Aspiration: 5 : Naturally Aspirated

Cylinder Head Type: 7 : OHV

Fuel Type: 5 : GAS

Ignition System Type: 6 : Distributorless

Engine Manufacturer: 11 : General Motors

Engine Version: 5 : Chevrolet

Power Output (Horse Power): U/K

Power Output (Kilowatt Power): U/K

Body Number of Doors: 7 : 2

Body Type: 9 : Coupe

Bed Length (Inches): N/R

Bed Length (Metric): N/R

Bed Type: 3 : N/R

Brake Type (Front): 5 : Disc

Brake Type (Rear): 5 : Disc

Brake System: 5 : Power

Brake ABS: 8 : 4-Wheel ABS

Spring Type (Front): 5 : Coil

Spring Type (Rear): 5 : Coil

Steering Type: 6 : Rack

Steering System: 5 : Power

Transmission Type: 5 : Transmission

Publication Stage: 4

Engine Block Type: BLT#V : V

 

So..............then its not a 1997 year model?

 

Somebody actually told you this was a 1997, and you believed them?

 

Why would I care either way. I just bought the car as a doner, for a really good price. I really didnt care what year it was. But when we were looking for the year model, the door sticker said 1997.........My buddy said that it was impossible, and the LS1 didnt come out in a Camaro till 1998. So............ while doing some research, I happened upon this thread, and here we are. And if it was something special, I did not want to tear it apart, and regret it later.

 

So technically it was built in 1997, but for the 1998 year model. Right? And so its no big deal to strip this car, and scrap the rest...........?

 

But surely you are aware that the new car “model year“ usually starts building many months earlier in the previous year. Common for almost all production vehicles.

The build date has NOTHING to do with the model year. Your car is NOT a 1997 with an LS1 engine. There are 2021 model year vehicles already being built, and in some cases sold.

 

Yes sir.
The 1998 model year production probably began somewhere around August of 1997 (plus or minus a month).

 

All documentation appears to say it is a 1998. So, does the exterior look like a 93-97 or 98-02?

 

I'm not sure. The frontend s different than the 95 I have.The 98 has bubble looking headlights. I don't know too much theses Camaro's. Anything I know about theses cars, I"ve learned from reading old threads from you guys. Thanks for all the help, and input. Even the sarcastic input. If anything, I'll have alot spare parts if anyone is interested. I'll be using most of the mechanical parts. But all of the body parts will be up for grabs. Thanks again guys.

 

98 Camaro had a new front end, compared to 93-97. Often described as a “fish mouth” grill.

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/camaro/1998/pictures/