Specialty File
Mercedes-Benz offers its cars in Germany with the option of deleting the trunk badges so the neighbors don't know if you have a diesel or a V-12. Add some snazzy wheels and chrome exhaust tips, and they'll likely assume the latter.
SLP offers a similar service for Camaro V-6 buyers. For an extra $849, option code Y3B gets you SLP's RS package, which includes the Z28's dual mail-slot exhaust and nifty black "heritage" stripes down the center line. The RS badges SLP adds to the fenders and dash might be a giveaway, but only to the sharpest eyes. Another $699 buys five-spoke 8-by-16-inch alloy wheels to complete the picture for something around $20,000, depending on the transmission and other options selected. SLP makes a range of suspension upgrades, for example.
The exhaust change dubs real snarl into the 3.8-liter V-6's song and adds five horsepower, claims SLP, bringing the total to 205. Our test car with an automatic managed to cruise the quarter in 15.8 seconds at 86 mph -- more than a second quicker than Burt's original Bandit Trans Am V-8. These days, that kind of power increase won't make you invulnerable on the avenue, but the looks and extra decibels might mean you never have to show it.
