This Was the Ugliest Camaro Ever Made
Hannah DeWitt
Updated onApr 27, 2022· 4 min read
It's not unusual for cars with
eye-catching designs
to be given a nickname. Most of the time, this name is flattering or endearing, like the Toyota Tacoma “Taco,” BMW “Beemer,” and Volkswagen Beetle “Punch Bug.” Others are not so gratifying, like the
Chevrolet
"catfish Camaro.”
But why would someone name a Camaro after a catfish? And was it really all that bad?
MotorBiscuit
thinks there's a lot to love about this awkward little car, if you'll just give it a chance.
What’s wrong with the fourth-gen Chevy Camaro?
The
Camaro
is typically well received among Chevy fans. Even those who prefer another brand can't help but admire this fast, powerful little car. Except for the fourth-generation catfish Camaro, that is.
Some might wonder where the name comes from, especially if you've only ever seen one passing by. It's not hard to figure out if you take a good long look from the front, however.
The grille is long, wide, and thin, looking sort of like an open fish mouth. The headlights are shaped like eyes, and appear sort of bland. With all of these features together, the car has a very catfish-esque fascia.
The catfish Camaro has speed
Say what you want about the fourth-gen Camaro, but don't forget that it had some serious speed. While the hood may look a little sad, it wasn't designed to look good. It was designed to fly, and thanks to its odd features, this Camaro had the lowest drag coefficient of any other Camaro on the market.
Add in a seriously powerful engine, the 5.7-liter LS1 V-8, and this Camaro might start looking a bit better. The V-8 engine can easily generate 325 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. There were two choices of transmissions—a four-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission.
As for its speed, the ability to go from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds was pretty good considering the fourth-generation Camaro was produced from 1993 to 2002.
This engine was also the same one used in the C5 Corvette, which means you're getting the same power for less money. For those who could look past that sad little face, it might be worth giving the catfish Camaro a chance. Is it really worth overlooking its flaws, however, or should you give this model a hard pass?
Should you give the catfish Camaro a chance?
With all this in mind, you might be trying to decide if the catfish Camaro is a good enough investment.
If you're going for looks, probably not. Given the fact that there are used Camaros out there with astonishingly good looks, why waste $4,000-$10,000 on one that comes with such an unpleasant nickname?
On the flip side, the specs are pretty spectacular. If you're going for power, speed, and a great ride, the catfish might just show up anyone poking fun at it. Besides, it's not like you'd be spending a lot of time looking at it from the front.
Whether you decide to give this Camaro a chance or go with something a little more pretty, you'll need car insurance.
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