The Chevy Camaro has officially been retired. The once-iconic model from Chevrolet will not make a comeback as a gas-powered pony car, although its future in an electrified form remains uncertain. This news has understandably upset racing driver Kenny Habul, especially after learning that a service technician at a dealership reportedly crashed and totaled his Camaro ZL1 1LE, valued at around $97,000.
As reported by Automotive News, Habul had his limited-edition ZL1 towed to H&L Chevrolet in Darien, Connecticut, because it would not start. He explicitly instructed the dealership not to drive the vehicle off the lot under any circumstances. Habul is now suing the dealership after service technicians did drive the car and allegedly crashed it.
According to the lawsuit, service advisor Matthew Sebastian and a colleague took the Camaro ZL1 onto I-95 and collided with a guardrail while traveling at 89 mph, despite the car having only 989 miles on the odometer. The Camaro’s track data recorder indicated that Sebastian accelerated aggressively just before the accident and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time. He also received a citation for failing to remain in his lane. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the incident, and no one was injured.
Habul’s lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, holding the dealership accountable for the actions of its employees. Even if he wins the case and receives compensation equivalent to the car’s value, Habul will still be without a Camaro ZL1. While he may consider purchasing another one, it would likely be a used model.
Despite the possibility of using any financial settlement to buy a new Corvette—an option that offers greater speed and an exotic appeal—the Camaro remains beloved among automotive enthusiasts. It is one of the last rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered manual sports cars made in America, with the ZL1 1LE being particularly cherished for its 650-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, specialized dampers, and carbon-fiber components. The loss of such a rare vehicle to reckless behavior is disheartening for many..
