Reversomod 1991 Chevy Camaro RS Tries To Pull A 2010MY Impersonation

Chevy’s third-generation Camaro has been picking up a little steam in the collector market recently thanks to our collective love for the 1980s and 1990s. But that rekindled romance didn’t happen soon enough to save this Camaro RS from a very strange transformation.

Originally a 1991 model, it has been modified to look like the fifth-generation Camaro introduced for 2010, with a touch of 2011 COPO Camaro, the rare limited edition GM pony car built to compete in sanctioned drag racing events and named after the legendary aluminum-block 427 Camaro from 1969.

There’s a real irony here: an old Camaro modified to look like a newer Camaro whose own retro styling cues were cribbed from an even older Camaro. Anyway, whoever was responsible for this RS’s metamorphosis clearly spent plenty of time and money to make it happen. But as with other examples of this kind of update (incredibly, it’s not the only one) the results aren’t exactly happy.

Related: This is How Chevrolet Camaro Design Evolved through Five Generations

The back end looks pretty good, the 2011 rear lights and bumper fitting in nicely with the third-gen’s fastback design. But it’s a different story at the front. The 1982-92 F-body cars had long hoods, but because the nose tapered away, everything was in proportion. But this modified front end looks even longer and much squarer, and completely messes up the proportions. It’s like looking at one of those plastic-bodied funny car drag cars that are designed to very loosely resemble vehicles you can actually buy.

You’ll want to pick and choose your quarter mile battles in this car carefully, however. The gigantic hood scoop appears to be making promises the 5.0-liter engine probably can’t keep. The 305-cube V8 was only rated at 170 hp (172 PS) that year, although things could be worse – it could have come with a 140 hp (142 PS) 3.1-liter V6. And at least it’s hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission.

Unfortunately, that five-speed shifter is probably the highlight of this Camaro’s interior. Although in good condition, like the skinny five-spoke wheels, it’s bone-stock and very, very gray, so not exactly in keeping with the flamboyant exterior. But then this car is all about that exterior. And at $7,900, this mixed-up Camaro from Michigan City, IN, is a cheap way to turn heads.