RARITY AND COLLECTIBILITY (Continued)

The SLP Factor

In 1970 Ed Hamburger patented a quick-change cam timer and found himself in the racing parts business. At one time Hamburger's oil pan was used on every NHRA Pro Stock car and all but a handful of NASCAR Winston Cup cars. In 1987 he started Street Legal Performance ( SLP ) to supply hot-rod parts for the high-tech GM fuel injected cars. But what he wanted to do was to build specialty vehicles for the street, and approached Pontiac because it was "the performance division" of GM. After three years of lobbying, Pontiac finally let him try to breathe some life into the 1991 Firebird.

SLP's Firehawk was a sub-5-second-to-60 sprinter that produced 350 hp at a time when the factory's strongest version made 245. But SLP's options doubled the price of the $20,000 sports coupe, and only 25 were sold. Two years later, SLP was back with a 300-hp Firehawk built on the new fourth-generation F body - and priced at $24,500.

In 1996 GM gave SLP the nod to revive the Camaro SS, which had been absent since 1972. The 1996 and 1997 LT1 SS Camaros started life as Z28's and were sent to SLP for the SS Package then back to GM for final inspection and shipping. GM dealers had to order the SS package directly from SLP as a seperate invoice. The SS was still a Regular Production Option (RPO) code WU8, which designated the SS package from 96-02. 2,263 SS's were sold in 1996, and 3,434 were sold in 1997 ( 957 were 30th Anniversary Editions pictured ).

1998 marked changes. A different nose housed a brand new all-aluminum LS1 V8 from the Corvette. The base SS package was easier to order because it was now a factory option, invoiced directly by GM. They were still sent to SLP for the base SS package. Owners could choose to have SLP go beyond the base SS package using RPO Y2Y and dealers would be invoiced directly by SLP for those additional items. GM/SLP sold 3,025 SS in 1998, with about 20% choosing additional SLP options (Y2Y).

In 1999, production increased to 4,829 cars with roughly 26% choosing Y2Y options. In 2000 it had risen to 8,913 with 31% choosing Y2Y. In 2001, the number was 6,332, a shorter model run as the 2002's came out early. When production started for the 2002 model year, SLP knew that it was the final year. GM commissioned SLP to build 3,369 special 35th Anniversary SS's (Z4C), 57 Brickyard 400 Pace Cars (Z7D), as well as 7,765 base SS's for a total SS production of 11,191 over 18 months. All 2002 SS's came with Y2Y code for tracking, even if no additional SLP options were specified.

2001 and 2002 saw more Y2Y options. GM had SLP install the '1LE' factory race suspension as a Y2Y option, where it had been a GM option since 1988, although in very low numbers. SLP also added as options their grille, CME center mount exhaust system, a chrome version of the 10 spoke SS wheel ( the 5 spoke ZR1 SS version was the only chrome option from 1996-2000 ), and an embroidered rear deck mat. In 2002 you could couple the CME with a Donaldson 'Blackwing' air filter and housing for a 345hp rating.
When GM stopped production of the F-Body in 2002, SLP Engineering was dissolved and SLP closed their assembly plant in LaSalle, Quebec. SLP Performance Parts in Toms River, NJ still remains.

SLP had become GM's #1 niche model supplier in the history of the Camaro. Never before had another supplier taken over such a high profile performance project. No other SS has ever been 'out of house'.

The documentability of the SLP Y2Y options makes them a collector's dream.

The Y2Y option code is on the door, signalling that the car went to SLP:

The SLP options were listed on a seperate sticker on the passenger door:

The SLP DOT sticker is right under GM's on the driver's door:

SLP issued a secondary window sticker for the options:

They also had warranty cards:

Warranty application for the Synthetic lube:

SLP even issued Birth Certificates upon request, documenting that car's SLP build number and options:

Unlike sending a car out for modification to a 'tuner', SLP had factory backing and credentials that will secure its place in history. Sending a Camaro to Doug Rippie, Lingenfelter, TPIS, or any number of great tuners still results in a modified customized car. The only other factory blessed GM performance car in modern times was the RPO 'B2K' Callaway twin-turbo Corvette. SLP's SS was FACTORY BLESSED with the RPO 'WU8'.

In Twenty Five years, who knows..... maybe it will be worth the $ 37191 it stickered for new. Certainly not a good investment ( so far ), but a rare and powerful piece of GM performance history.

MORE TO COME