MC&T Staff 
Whether it be from his work as a Top Gear host, a /DRIVE on NBC Sports presenter, or his own YouTube channel, Chris Harris has become certifiable automotive media royalty over the last few years. Though he is best known for his wit and undeniable skills when it comes to sliding a car around, Harris also has a reputation for having owned some seriously cool cars. One of those cars is a black 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, and it’s heading to auction at Collecting Cars. Which means you can own it.
Harris first became acquainted with the fifth generation Camaro Z/28 while filming for /DRIVE back in 2014, and was quite fond of the car’s analog nature. This particular Camaro was imported new to the U.K. back in 2015 by Litchfield Motors, and was purchased by Harris in the fall of 2017.
At the heart of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 sits the 7.0L LS7 lifted from the C6 Z06, rated at 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque in this application. Designed with the racetrack in mind, the LS7 V8 feature a durable forged-steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads, lightweight titanium intake valves and a racing-inspired dry-sump oiling unit. Backing up the mighty 427 is a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission, which garnered great praise from Harris back in 2014.
In order to put all of that V8 power to good use on the racetrack, the Z/28 carries a number of aerodynamic upgrades over the lesser Camaros. A large front splitter is affixed to the nose, as is a unique front fascia featuring the famous “flowtie” front grille. The functional carbon fiber hood extractor catches the eye right away, as does the large wickerbill rear spoiler. These tweaks add up to produce 410 pounds more downforce than the 2015 Camaro SS at 150 mph.
Other features include 19 inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber, and behind the wheels sit massive Brembo Carbon-Ceramic brakes for maximum stopping power. A rather trick suspension set-up with Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers is also included, which was a first for a volume production car when the Z/28 was released. Nowadays, they can be found on the Camaro ZL1 1LE, as well as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.
The fifth-generation Camaro Z/28 weighs nearly 300 pounds less than a contemporary ZL1, and its 3,862 lb curb weight results in a 7.6:1 weight-to-power ratio. Weight savings were achieved by tactics that would make the late Colin Chapman weep, such as removing the spare tire, deleting the A/C system, and even using thinner rear glass. All in the name of adding lightness.
This allows for the Z/28 to hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and run the 1/4 mile in 12.7 seconds. But this car really isn’t about straight line performance however, as shown by its 7:37 lap around the Nürburgring. That is a faster lap time than the V10-powered Lexus LFA and the exotic Ferrari 430 Scuderia supercars. Indeed, the fifth-gen Camaro Z/28 shocked the world, both in terms of its performance levels, and what measures were taken for it to get there.
While used examples can be found for far less than the original fifth-gen Camaro Z/28 sticker price of at $75,000, this particular car will likely cost a premium. That may be because the auction winner is invited to meet with Harris at an unnamed race track in southwest England to collect the car. And of course, during that afternoon there will be hot laps, and lunch will be provided.
