Chevrolet Camaro – one of the most popular cars for modifications in automotive history

The Chevrolet Camaro was a compact car introduced to North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors early in the 1967 model year as competition for the Ford Mustang.

Although technically a compact (by the standards of the time), the Camaro, like the entire class of Mustang competitors, soon became known as a pony car.

Although the car’s name was invented without meaning, General Motors researchers found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for “friend” or “partner.” Researchers at Ford Motor Company uncovered other definitions, including “a shrimp-like creature” and an arcane term for “loose intestines”! In some automotive periodicals before the official release, it was codenamed “Panther”.

Four distinct generations of the car were produced.

Generation 1

1967

Sharing mechanics with the next 1968 Chevrolet Nova, the Camaro featured a monocoque structure. Chevrolet offered the car in only two body styles, a coupe and a convertible. Nearly 80 factory and 40 dealer options, including three major packages, were available.

* The RS package included many cosmetic changes such as RS badging, hidden headlamps, blacked-out grille, revised taillamps and interior trim.

* The SS package included a modified 5.7 L (350 cu in) V8 engine (the first 350 cu in engine offered by Chevrolet), the 396 cu in “Big Block” L35 was also available. SS featured non-functional hood scoops, special stripes, and blacked-out grille. It was possible to order RS ​​and SS packages to receive RS/SS Camaro. In 1967, the 396 in³ Camaro RS/SS Convertible Camaro set the pace in the Indianapolis 500 race.

* Option code Z28 was introduced in 1966. This option package was not mentioned in any sales documents and was therefore unknown to most buyers. The only way to order the Z28 package was to order a base Camaro with the Z28 option, front disc brakes, power steering, and Muncie 4-speed transmission.

The Z28 package featured a unique 302 in³ “small block” engine, designed specifically for competition in the Club of America’s Trans Am racing series (which required sub-305 in³ engines and public availability of the car).

The advertised output of this engine was listed at 290 hp (216 kW), while actual dyno readings rated it between 360 and 400 hp (269 to 298 kW). Z28 also came with upgraded suspension and racing stripes on the hood. It was possible to combine the Z28 package with the RS package. Only 602 Z28s were sold.

Generation 2

The larger second-generation Camaro featured all-new sleek bodywork and upgraded suspension. The 1970-1/2 Camaro debuted as a 2+2 coupe; no convertible was offered and it would not appear again until well into the third generation.

Most of the engine and drivetrain components were carried over from 1969 with the exception of the 230 in³ (3.8 L) six-cylinder; the base engine was now the 250 in³ (4.1 L) six rated at 155 hp (116 kW).

The highest output engine was a 396 in³ (6.5 L) L-78 V8 rated at 375 hp (280 kW). (Starting in 1970, the 396 in³ big-block V8 actually displaced 402 in³ (6.6 L), but Chevrolet chose to retain the 396 badge.) Two 454 in³ (7.4 L) engines were included, the LS-6 and LS-7. on early spec sheets, but never made it to production.

In addition to the base model, buyers can select the “Rally Sport” option with a distinctive front end and bumpers, a “Super Sport” package, and the “Z-28 Special Performance Package” with a new 360-hp high-output engine. (268 kW) 350 in³ (5.7 L) cid V8.
1972

The 1972 Camaro suffered two major setbacks. A UAW strike at a GM assembly plant in Ohio halted production for 174 days, and 1,100 Camaros had to be scrapped because they did not meet 1973 federal bumper safety standards.

Some at GM seriously considered ditching the Camaro and Firebird altogether, while others were convinced the models were still marketable. This latter group eventually convinced those in favor of ditching F-cars to reconsider, and Chevrolet would go on to produce 68,656 Camaros in 1972, the lowest production numbers for any model year.

Generation 3

1982

The 1982 model year introduced the first factory fuel-injected Camaros, four-speed automatic transmissions (three-speed on earlier models), five-speed manual transmissions (four-speed manual transmissions on 1982 and some 83-84 models), 15 or 16-inch wheels, hatchback body style, and even a four-cylinder engine for a brief period (due to fuel economy concerns).

The Camaro Z28 was Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year for 1982.

1985

In 1985, Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro model, the famous IROC-Z, named after the popular racing series. The IROC-Z Camaro featured upgraded suspension, a special decal package, and a Tuned Port Injection system borrowed from the Chevrolet_Corvette. Third-generation Camaros also had a suspension system that was more capable in cornering than the previous generation.

The Camaro IROC-Z was on Car and Driver magazine’s top ten list for 1985.

engines

* 1978-1981 5.7 L (350 in³) Small-Block V8

* 1982-1985 2.5 L (151 in³) Iron Duke L4

* 1982-1984 2.8 L (173 in³) LC1 V6

* 1985-1989 2.8 L (173 in³) LB8 V6

* 1990-1992 3.1 L (191 in³) 60 Gen II V6

* 1982-1992 5.0 L (305 in³) Small-Block V8

* 1985-1992 5.7 L (350 in³) Small-Block V8

Generation 4

1993

1993 began the fourth and final generation of Camaros, which lasted through the 2002 model year. Production of the fourth and final generation moved from GM’s assembly plant in Van Nuys, California, to one in Ste. Teresa, Quebec in 1993.

Although the car would no longer be produced in the US, the new design that incorporated lightweight plastic body panels over a space steel frame and better suspension further enhanced the Camaro line.

From 1993 to 1997, the Camaro was available with the LT-1 engine, the same second-generation small-block V8 used in the Corvette, albeit slightly detuned.

In 1996, the long-discontinued “SS” option was resurrected and in 1998, the all-new LS-1 engine Generation III small-block was offered in the Camaro SS and Z28, marking the end of the Generation I V8. small-block that had its roots in the 1955 Chevrolet 265 cu in engine. Unfortunately, sales fell short of expectations and production of the Camaro ceased in 2002.
1998

1998 saw a new headlight design for the Camaro. The new design eliminated the previous recessed light design present on 1982-1997 Camaros. The false air intakes on the hood were also removed. Also, the LT1 engine was removed and an LS1 was put in its place.
engines

* 1993-1995 3.4 L (208 in³) 60 Gen III V6

* 1995-2002 3.8 L (231 in³) 3800 Series II V6

* 1993-1997 5.7 L (350 in³) LT1 V8

* 1998-2002 5.7 L (350 in³) LS1 V8

2002

2002 marked the last year of the Chevrolet Camaro and was also the Camaro’s 35th anniversary. This milestone was celebrated with a special factory-modified anniversary car by SLP. The Anniversary Package was only available on the SS (Super Sport).

Engine modifications were available in addition to the 325 hp (242 kW) engine that all Super Sports produce. Silver racing stripes on the hood and decklid made the car stand out more than ever, especially against the Bright Rally Red paint (the only color available with the anniversary package).

The car also had the slogan “Leave a Lasting Impression” attached to it and had the logo embroidered on the seats. The car was only available as a convertible or with T-Tops. 3,000 Camaros were produced with the anniversary package for the United States and 152 for Canada.

Although production Camaros were never as fast as the flagship Corvette, the car was less than half the cost and easily modified. If its frequent inclusion in auto enthusiast magazines is any indication, the Chevy Camaro is one of the most popular cars for modification in automotive history.

Throughout its history, the Camaro shared its internal body and major components with a sister car: the Pontiac Firebird.