What is the difference between a Z28 Camaro and an SS Camaro?

The difference between a Z28 Camaro and an SS Camaro depends heavily on the generation. There's no single, consistent answer across all Camaro model years. The names have been used interchangeably, and their meaning has shifted over time.

Here's a breakdown by generation to clarify:

* First Generation (1967-1969): The Z/28 was a distinct performance package available for the Camaro, initially focusing on Trans-Am racing homologation. The SS (Super Sport) was a more broadly available option package that included cosmetic and performance upgrades, but generally wasn't as focused or extreme as the Z/28. The Z/28 was considered the higher-performance option.

* Second Generation (1970-1981): The SS and Z/28 existed concurrently, often with some overlap in performance features depending on the model year. In general, the Z/28 maintained a sharper focus on handling and performance, while the SS leaned more towards a balance of performance and comfort. Sometimes the distinction was minor, and other times it was more pronounced.

* Third Generation (1982-1992): The Z28 became the primary performance model for much of this generation, eclipsing the SS in terms of features and performance. The SS typically had a less aggressive appearance and performance characteristics. Sometimes a low-output version of the Z28 was available and close to the SS in terms of performance.

* Fourth Generation (1993-2002): The SS returned as the top-tier performance model, surpassing the Z28. The Z28 was still a performance car, but the SS had more power and performance features.

* Fifth Generation (2010-2015): No Z28 was offered. The SS was the highest-performance Camaro model.

* Sixth Generation (2016-2023): Again, no Z28. The SS was the top performance option, although it was later renamed the 1LE and ZL1 to differentiate different levels of performance.

In short: There's no simple answer. You must specify the generation to understand the difference. Generally, the Z/28 usually denoted a more focused performance package, particularly early on, while the SS was sometimes a broader performance option or the top-of-the-line model, depending on the generation. In many cases, the differences between them were subtle or significant performance enhancements would be added to either trim over the model's lifespan.