Chevrolet Camaro - One of the Most Popular Cars for Modification in the Automotive History

The Chevrolet Camaro was a compact carfor any model year.
introduced in North America by the ChevroletGeneration 3 1982
Motor Division of General Motors at the start ofThe 1982 model introduced the first Camaros
the 1967 model year as competition for the Fordwith factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic
Mustang.transmissions (three-speed on the earlier models),
Although it was technically a compact (by thefive-speed manual transmissions (four-speed
standards of the time), the Camaro, like themanual transmissions in 1982, and some 83-84
entire class of Mustang competitiors, was soonmodels), 15 or 16-inch rims, hatchback body style,
known as a pony car.and even a four-cylinder engine for a brief period
Though the car's name was contrived with no(due to concerns over fuel economy).
meaning, General Motors researchers found theThe Camaro Z28 was Motor Trend magazine's
word in a French dictionary as a slang term forCar of the Year for 1982.
"friend" or "companion." Ford Motor Company1985
researchers discovered other definitions, includingIn 1985 Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro
"a shrimp-like creature" and an arcane term formodel - the famous IROC-Z, called after popular
"loose bowels"! In some automotive periodicalsracing series. IROC-Z Camaro featured upgraded
before official release, it was code-namedsuspension, special decal package and Tuned Port
"Panther".Injection system taken from the
Four distinct generations of the car wereChevrolet_Corvette Third generation Camaros
produced.also had a suspension system that was more
Generation 1capable in corners than the previous generation.
1967 Sharing mechanicals with the upcoming 1968The Camaro IROC-Z was on Car and Driver
Chevrolet Nova, the Camaro featured unibodymagazine's Ten Best list for 1985.
structure. Chevrolet offered the car in only twoEngines
body styles, a coupe and convertible. Almost 80* 1978-1981 5.7 L (350 in³) Small-Block V8 *
factory and 40 dealer options including three main1982-1985 2.5 L (151 in³) Iron Duke L4 *
packages were avaible.1982-1984 2.8 L (173 in³) LC1 V6 * 1985-1989
* RS Package included many cosmetic changes2.8 L (173 in³) LB8 V6 * 1990-1992 3.1 L (191
such as RS badging, hidden headlights, blacked outin³) 60 Gen II V6 * 1982-1992 5.0 L (305 in³)
grill, revised taillights and interior trims.Small-Block V8 * 1985-1992 5.7 L (350 in³)
* SS Package included modified 5.7 L (350 in³)Small-Block V8
V8 engine (first 350 in³ engine ever offered byGeneration 4 1993
Chevrolet), also L35 396 in³ "big block" was1993 began the fourth and last generation of
avaible. SS featured non-functional air inlets on theCamaros, lasting through the 2002 model year.
hood, special striping and blacked out grill. It wasProduction of the fourth and final generation was
possible to order both - RS and SS packages tomoved from GM's Van Nuys, California assembly
receive RS/SS Camaro. In 1967 Camaro RS/SSplant to one in Ste. Therese, Quebec in 1993.
Convertible Camaro with 396 in³ engine pacedThough the car would no longer be produced in
the Indianapolis 500 race.the US, the new design which incorporated
* Z28 option code was introduced in 1966. Thislightweight plastic body panels over a steel space
option package wasn't mentioned in any salesframe, and a better suspension, further improved
literature so was unknown by most of theupon the Camaro line.
buyers. The only way to order Z28 package wasFrom 1993 to 1997 the Camaro was available
to order base Camaro with Z28 option, front discwith the LT-1 engine, the same Generation II
brakes, power steering and Muncie 4-speedsmall block V8 used in the Corvette, although in
transmission.slightly de-tuned form.
Z28 package featured unique 302 in³ "smallIn 1996, the long-discontinued "SS" option was
block" engine, designed specifically to compete inresurrected and in 1998, the all-new LS-1 engine
the Club of America Trans Am racing seriesGeneration III small block was offered on the SS
(which required engines smaller than 305 in³ andand Z28 Camaros, marking the end of the
public availablity of the car).Generation I small block V8 that had its roots in
Advertised power of this engine was listed at 290Chevrolet's 265 in³ engine of 1955.
hp (216 kW) while actual dyno readings rated it atUnfortunately, sales were below expectations, and
360 to 400 hp (269 to 298 kW). Z28 also cameproduction of the Camaro ceased in 2002. 1998
with upgraded suspension and racing stripes on1998 saw a new head light design for the
the hood. It was possible to combine Z28Camaro. The new design removed the previous
package with RS package. Only 602 Z28's wererecessed-light design present in the 1982-1997
sold.Camaros. The faux air intakes on the hood were
Generation 2also eliminated. In addition the LT1 engine was
The larger second-generation Camaro featured anremoved and instead an LS1 in its place. Engines
all-new sleek body and improved suspension. The* 1993-1995 3.4 L (208 in³) 60 Gen III V6 *
1970-1/2 Camaro debuted as a 2+2 coupe; no1995-2002 3.8 L (231 in³) 3800 Series II V6 *
convertible was offered and would not appear1993-1997 5.7 L (350 in³) LT1 V8 * 1998-2002
again until well into the third generation.5.7 L (350 in³) LS1 V8
Most of the engine and drivetrain components2002 2002 marked the last year of the Chevrolet
were carried over from 1969 with the exceptionCamaro and was also the 35th anniversary for
of the 230 in³ (3.8 L) six cylinder -- the basethe Camaro. This milestone was celebrated with a
engine was now the 250 in³ (4.1 L) six rated atspecial anniversary car modified from the factory
155 hp (116 kW).by SLP. The anniversary package was only
The top performing motor was a L-78 396 in³available on the SS (Super Sport).
(6.5 L) V8 rated at 375 hp (280 kW). (Starting inEngine modifications were available in addition to
1970, the 396 in³ big block V8's actuallythe 325 hp (242 kW) engine which all Super
displaced 402 in³ (6.6 L), yet Chevrolet chose toSports produce. Silver racing stripes down the
retain the 396 badging.) Two 454 in³ (7.4 L)hood and trunk lid made the car more noticeable
engines - the LS-6 and LS-7 - were listed on earlythan ever—especially against the Bright Rally
specification sheets but never made it intoRed paint (the only color available with the
production.anniversary package).
Besides the base model, buyers could select theThe car also had the slogan attached to it "Leave
"Rally Sport" option with a distinctive front nosea Lasting ImpreSSion" and had the logo
and bumper, a "Super Sport" package, and theembroidered in the seats. The car was only
"Z-28 Special Performance Package" featuring aavailable as a convertible or with T-Tops. 3,000
new high-performance 360 hp (268 kW) 350 in³Camaros with the anniversary package were
(5.7 L) cid V8. 1972produced for the United States and 152 for
The 1972 Camaro suffered two major setbacks.Canada.
A UAW strike at a GM assembly plant in OhioThough production Camaros were never as fast
disrupted production for 174 days, and 1100as the flagship Corvette, the car cost less than
Camaros had to be scrapped because they didhalf as much and was easily modified. If its
not meet 1973 Federal bumper safety standards.frequent inclusion in automotive enthusiast
Some at GM seriously considered dropping themagazines is any indication, the Chevy Camaro is
Camaro and Firebird altogether, while others wereone of the most popular cars for modification in
convinced the models remained marketable. Thethe automotive history.
latter group eventually convinced those in favorThroughout its history, the Camaro shared its
of dropping the F Cars to reconsider, andinternal body and major components with a sister
Chevrolet would go on to produce 68,656car - the Pontiac Firebird.
Camaros in 1972, the lowest production numbers