Cars - Chevrolet Camaro

Home > Listing Index > Cars > Chevrolet Camaro

	Cars - Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors at the start of the 1967 model year as competition for the Ford Mustang. Although it was technically a compact car (by the standards of the time), the Camaro, like the entire class of Mustang competitors, was soon known as a pony car. It may also be classified as an intermediate touring car, a sports car, or a muscle car. The car shared the same General Motors "F-Body" platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. Production of both cars ceased in 2002.

Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, GM researchers found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for "friend" or "companion." Ford Motor Company researchers discovered other definitions, including "a shrimp-like creature" and an arcane term for "loose bowels." In some automotive periodicals before official release, it was code-named "Panther." Historical examples exist of Chevrolet product managers being asked by the automotive press "what is a Camaro?", with the tongue-in-cheek answer being "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs," a sideways reference to the competing Ford Mustang.

While the Camaro was never the flagship for Chevrolet, it was always one of the most popular models. If its frequent inclusion in automotive enthusiast magazines is any indication, the Chevy Camaro is one of the most popular cars for modification in automotive history.

Four distinct generations of the car were produced.

Generation 1

1967

Sharing mechanicals with the upcoming 1968 Chevrolet Nova, the Camaro featured unibody structure, combined with a sub-frame supporting the front end. Chevrolet offered the car in only two body styles, a coupe and convertible. Almost 80 factory and 40 dealer options including three main packages were available.

RS Package included many cosmetic changes such as RS badging, hidden headlights, revised taillights, and exterior rocker trim.
SS Package included modified 5.7 L (350 in³) V8 engine (first engine of that size by Chevrolet), also L35 396 in³ (6.5 L) "big block" was available. SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on grill, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both RS and SS packages to receive RS/SS Camaro. In 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Camaro with 396 in³ (6.5 L) engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race.
Z28 option code was introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year. This option package wasn't mentioned in any sales literature so was unknown by most of the buyers. The only way to order Z28 package was to order base Camaro with Z28 option, front disc brakes, power steering and Muncie 4-speed transmission. Z28 package featured unique 302 in³ (4.9 L) "small block" engine, designed specifically to compete in the Sports Car Club of America(SCCA) Trans Am racing series (which required engines smaller than 305 in³ (5.0 L) and public availability of the car). Advertised power of this engine was listed at 290 hp (216 kW) while actual dyno readings rated it at 360 to 400 hp (269 to 298 kW). Z28 also came with upgraded suspension and racing stripes on the hood. It was possible to combine Z28 package with RS package. Only 602 Z28's were sold. Contrary to popular belief, 1967 Z28s did not have raised cowl induction hoods like 69 Z28s did. In 1967 the received air from a cowl plenum duct attached to the side of the air cleaner that ran to the firewall and truly got air from the cowl vents. The hood was a standard flat hood. 1967 Z28s had 15" Rallye wheels, while all other 1967 Camaros had 14" wheels. The Z28 could be combined with the RS appearance package.

The Camaro's base powertrain was a 3.8 L (230 in³) I6 engine rated at 140 hp (104 kW) and backed by a Saginaw three-speed manual transmission. A Muncie four-speed manual was also available. The two-speed "Powerglide" automatic transmission was a popular option in 1967-68 until the three-speed "Turbo Hydra-Matic 350" replaced it starting in 1969. The TH350 was also an option on SS396 cars from late 1967 onwards.

The 290 hp (216 kW), 5.7 L (350 in³) V8 first saw duty in the 1967 Camaro and virtually every engine in the Chevrolet lineup was offered as an option.

Production numbers:

1968

1968 saw the deletion of the side vent windows and the introduction of Astro Ventilation, a fresh-air-inlet system. Also added were side marker lights, a more pointed front grill, and divided rear taillights. SS models received optional chrome hood inserts. On some models, multi-leaf rear springs replaced single-leaf units, and shock absorbers were staggered. 6.5 L (396 in³) 350 hp (261 kW) engine was added as an option for the SS, and Z28 became known by buyers and 7199 units were sold.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Chevrolet Camaro ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Chevrolet Camaro; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

Cars - Chevrolet Camaro

Generation 1

1967

1968

Searches on eBay

Related searches on eBay