Camaro ZL1 vs Sutton Mustang: 1600bhp mega-muscle showdown
Muscle cars are an American obsession that more Brits ought to indulge in, as these highly tuned coupés offer real thrills for relatively modest bills
I’m not looking for a winner in this test. We don’t all have the time or energy that Gary does, but the method does appeal to me. It’s clear he has lavished a lot of time and love on his Camaro, getting it to look the way it does and feel the way it does. The CS850 feels less individual, which is a peculiar thing to say about a Mustang, given that they’re rare and special in the UK in the first instance, even before they get bespoke modifications and 850bhp. And it’s a very complete, very competent, well-rounded package: a proper product.
If it were my choice, I could more easily imagine my car’s bonnet open, outside a big garage on a warm summer’s evening, with a bunch of my own tools resting on the wing with the golden-hour sun warming my face, happy if envious of warmer winters and wider open spaces.
Gary Handa’s modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Price £75,000 (estimated)
Engine V8, 6162cc, supercharged, petrol
Power 770bhp
Torque 737lb ft
Gearbox 10-speed automatic
Kerb Weight 1760kg
0-62mph 3.5sec (estimated)
Top speed 180mph (estimated)
Economy 20mpg (estimated)
Clive Sutton CS850GT Ford Mustang
Price £115,000
Engine V8, 4951cc, supercharged, petrol
Power 847bhp
Torque 665lb ft
Gearbox 6-speed manual
Kerb weight 1720kg
0-62mph 3.5sec (estimated)
Top speed 180mph (estimated)
Economy 20mpg (estimated)
Muscle cars are an American obsession that more Brits ought to indulge in, as these highly tuned coupés offer real thrills for relatively modest bills
www.autocar.co.uk






