Every job requires a different tool, whether you are talking about fixing plumbing or driving a car. You wouldn’t try to tow an old Lincoln 1,500 miles with a Subaru wagon, would you? Didn’t think so. When it comes to cars, American muscle fits a very narrow bill; they are great for performance and fun, but most people wouldn’t dare take them off of paved roads for fear or ruining their rides.
We say most people, because there are still those out there who think muscle cars make better mudders than sports cars. Jalopnik stumbled across a great example of American muscle-turned-mudder on the Central Michigan Craigslist. For $4,000, would you get down and dirty with this jacked-up, 4×4 Camaro?
This Michigan “trar” (truck-car) is based off of a 1995 Camaro SS, which sits on the frame of a GMC Jimmy. Under the hood of the Camaro there still sits the ol’ “Cast Iron King” LT1 V8 engine, backed by a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. T-tops, long tube headers, 4:10 gears, and massive Super Swamper 40-inch tires are all included in the deal, though the seller will knock a g-note off if you leave him the wheels and tires.
Judging from the pictures and dates, this old warrior has seen a lot of good times, which is reassuring. There is nothing worse than buying someone else’s project, only to find out it was never fully functional. But this Camaro has been through the mud and sand, and it almost looks like it belongs out there.
It’s only a matter of time before the first 5th-generation Camaros start showing up with swampers and four-wheel drive, and after seeing this one, quite frankly, we can’t wait to see more.