First-generation Chevrolet Camaro
Encyclopedia
The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro
appeared on September 26, 1966, for the 1967 model year on an all brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform
and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seat, coupe
or convertible
with a choice of six-cylinder
and V8
powerplants. The first-gen Camaro would last up through the 1969 model year.
The RS was an appearance package that included hidden headlights, revised taillights, RS badging, wing windows, and exterior rocker trim.
The SS included a 350 cu in (5.7 l) V8 engine and the L35 and L78 396 cu in (6.5 l) big-block V8
's were also available. The SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on the grille, front fenders, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both the SS and RS to receive a Camaro RS/SS. In 1967, a Camaro RS/SS convertible
with a 396 engine paced the Indianapolis 500
.
The Z/28 option code was introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year. It was the brainchild of Vince Piggins, who conceived offering "virtually race-ready" Camaros for sale from any Chevrolet dealer. This option package was not mentioned in any sales literature, so it was unknown to most buyers. The Z/28 option required power front disc brakes and a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
. It featured a 302 cu in (5 l) small-block V-8 engine, 3" crankshaft with 4" bore, an aluminum intake manifold, and a 4-barrel vacuum secondary Holley carburetor of 780 cfm. The engine was designed specifically to race in the Trans Am series (which required engines smaller than 305 cu in (5 l) and public availability of the car. Advertised power of this engine was listed at 290 hp. This is an under-rated figure. Chevrolet wanted to keep the horsepower rating at less than 1 hp per cubic inch, for various reasons (e.g. insurance and racing classes). The factory rating of 290 hp occurred at 5300 rpm, while actual peak for the high-revving 302 was closer to 360 hp (with the single four barrel carb) and 400 hp (with optional dual-four barrel carbs) at 6800-7000 rpm. The Z/28 also came with upgraded suspension, racing stripes on the hood and trunk lid, '302' front fender emblems on the early cars, and 'Z/28' emblems in late 68 & 69. It was also possible to combine the Z/28 package with the RS package.
Only 602 Z/28s were sold in 1967, along with approximately 100 Indianapolis Pace Car replicas. The 1967 and 1968 Z/28s did not have the cowl induction hood, optional on the 1969 Z/28s. The 1967 Z28 received air from an open element air cleaner or from an optional cowl plenum duct attached to the side of the air cleaner that ran to the firewall and got air from the cowl vents. 15-inch rally wheels, were included with Z/28s had while all other 1967-9 Camaros had 14-inch wheels.
The origin of the Z/28 nameplate came from the RPO codes
- RPO Z27 was for the Super Sport package, and RPO Z28, at the time, was the code for a Special Performance Package.
The Camaro's standard drivetrain was a 230 cu in (3.8 l) straight-6
engine rated at 140 hp and backed by a Saginaw three-speed manual transmission. A four-speed manual was also available. The two-speed "Powerglide" automatic transmission
was a popular option in 1967 and 1968 until the three-speed "Turbo Hydra-Matic 350" replaced it starting in 1969. The larger Turbo 400 three-speed was an option on L35 SS396 cars.
Production numbers:
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 on the front fenders which was a government requirement for all 68 vehicles, a more pointed front grille, a front spoiler, and divided rear taillights. The front running lights (on non-RS models) were also changed from circular to oval. The big block SS models received chrome hood inserts that imitated velocity stack
s. The shock absorber mounting was staggered to resolve wheel hop issues and higher performance models received multi-leaf rear springs instead of single-leaf units. A 396 cu in (6.5 l) 350 hp big block engine was added as an option for the SS, and the Z28 appeared in Camaro brochures. The 427 cid was not available as a Regular Production Option (RPO). Several specialty after-market dealers, such as Baldwin-Motion Performance Combine, Long Island, NY, offered the 427 as a replacement for the factory-supplied 396 cid engine. 7,199 Z28s were sold in 1968.
Production numbers:
The general appearance of the 1969 Camaro did not change much compared to the first two years, having kept the basic body lines and basic "look". This slight transformation was similar to the changes made to the 1968 model to make it look different than the 1967 model. The 1969 Camaro carried over the previous year's drivetrain and major mechanical components, but all-new sheetmetal, except the hood and trunk lid, gave the car a substantially sportier look. The grille was redesigned with a heavy "V" cant and deeply inset headlights. New door skins, rear quarter panels, and rear valance panel also gave the car a much lower, wider, more aggressive look. This styling would serve for the 1969 model year only. Collectors often debate the merits of smooth, rounded lines of 1967 and 1968 model versus the heavily creased and sportier looks of the 1969.
Several new performance options were available for the 1969 model year.
To increase competitiveness in the SCCA Trans Am racing series, optional four wheel disc brakes with four-piston calipers were made available during the year, under RPO JL8, for US$500.30. This system used components from the Corvette and made for a major improvement in the braking capability and was a key to winning the Trans Am championship.
The Rally Sport (RS) option, RPO Z22, Z22 Rally Sport Package; includes special black painted grille with concealed headlights and headlight washer, fender striping (except when sport striping or Z28 Special Performance Package is specified), simulated rear fender louvers, front and rear wheel opening moldings, black body sill, RS emblems on grille, steering wheel and rear panel, Rally Sport front fender nameplates, bright accented taillights, back-up lights below rear bumper; also includes bright roof drip moldings on Sport Coupe. $131.65, 37,773 built. This option could be added to any other option IE- SS or Z/28, making the model an RS/SS or a z/28/RS.
The Z28 performance option could also be had with dealer-installed dual four-barrel crossram intake manifold (shipped in the trunk)
Also available was the F41 suspension, which had staggered shocks, multi-leaf springs in back, faster-ratio steering box, and 15 in (38.1 cm) by 7 in (17.8 cm) rims.
A GM corporate edict forbade Chevrolet from installing engines larger than 400 cid. Requests from dealers (notably Yenko) who were dealer-installing 427 cid engines in the Camaro caused Chevrolet to use an ordering process usually used on fleet and special orders (taxis, trucks, etc.) to offer 427 engines in the Camaro. Two Central Office Production Orders (COPO), numbers 9560 and 9561, were offered in the 1969 model year. The COPO 9561 option brought the solid lifter L72 big-block engine, making an underrated 425 hp gross. Dealer Don Yenko ordered 201 of these cars to create the now-legendary Yenko Camaro
. Other dealers also became aware of the L72 engine package and ordered it. Around 1,015 Camaros were fitted with the L72 engine option
The 1969 model year was exceptionally long, extending into November 1969, due to engineering problems that delayed the introduction of the second generation model planned for 1970. It is a popular myth late-'69 Camaros were sold as 1970 models (due to GM publicity pictures of the '69 Camaro labeled as a 1970), but they were all assigned 1969 VIN
codes. The proposed '69 SS350, intended to address the delay, was instead sold as a '70.
Production numbers:
. Just 69 ZL-1 Camaros were produced, the engine alone cost over US$4,000 — nearly twice that of a base coupe with a V8. Though rated at 430 hp gross, the ZL-1 made 376 SAE Net HP (in its "as installed" state). http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml
The ZL1 engines were hand assembled in a process that took 16 hours each, in a room that Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov described as "surgically clean". All ZL1 engines were manufactured at the Tonawanda Assembly Plant before being installed in Corvettes, Camaros, or sold over the counter to racers.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang...
appeared on September 26, 1966, for the 1967 model year on an all brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform
GM F platform
The F platform, or F-body, was General Motors' small rear-wheel drive automobile platform from 1967 until 2002. It was based partially on the GM X platform, which was used for compact applications instead of the sporting intent of the F-Body. The only two vehicles to have been built using the...
and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seat, coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
or convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
with a choice of six-cylinder
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
and V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
powerplants. The first-gen Camaro would last up through the 1969 model year.
1967
The debut Camaro shared some mechanicals with the 1968 Chevy II Nova. Almost 80 factory and 40 dealer options, including three main packages, were available.The RS was an appearance package that included hidden headlights, revised taillights, RS badging, wing windows, and exterior rocker trim.
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
's were also available. The SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on the grille, front fenders, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both the SS and RS to receive a Camaro RS/SS. In 1967, a Camaro RS/SS convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
with a 396 engine paced the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
.
The Z/28 option code was introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year. It was the brainchild of Vince Piggins, who conceived offering "virtually race-ready" Camaros for sale from any Chevrolet dealer. This option package was not mentioned in any sales literature, so it was unknown to most buyers. The Z/28 option required power front disc brakes and a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. It featured a 302 cu in (5 l) small-block V-8 engine, 3" crankshaft with 4" bore, an aluminum intake manifold, and a 4-barrel vacuum secondary Holley carburetor of 780 cfm. The engine was designed specifically to race in the Trans Am series (which required engines smaller than 305 cu in (5 l) and public availability of the car. Advertised power of this engine was listed at 290 hp. This is an under-rated figure. Chevrolet wanted to keep the horsepower rating at less than 1 hp per cubic inch, for various reasons (e.g. insurance and racing classes). The factory rating of 290 hp occurred at 5300 rpm, while actual peak for the high-revving 302 was closer to 360 hp (with the single four barrel carb) and 400 hp (with optional dual-four barrel carbs) at 6800-7000 rpm. The Z/28 also came with upgraded suspension, racing stripes on the hood and trunk lid, '302' front fender emblems on the early cars, and 'Z/28' emblems in late 68 & 69. It was also possible to combine the Z/28 package with the RS package.
Only 602 Z/28s were sold in 1967, along with approximately 100 Indianapolis Pace Car replicas. The 1967 and 1968 Z/28s did not have the cowl induction hood, optional on the 1969 Z/28s. The 1967 Z28 received air from an open element air cleaner or from an optional cowl plenum duct attached to the side of the air cleaner that ran to the firewall and got air from the cowl vents. 15-inch rally wheels, were included with Z/28s had while all other 1967-9 Camaros had 14-inch wheels.
The origin of the Z/28 nameplate came from the RPO codes
Regular Production Option
A Regular Production Option is a General Motors standard coding for vehicle configuration options. These codes are a combination of 3 alphanumeric characters and refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle...
- RPO Z27 was for the Super Sport package, and RPO Z28, at the time, was the code for a Special Performance Package.
The Camaro's standard drivetrain was a 230 cu in (3.8 l) straight-6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engine rated at 140 hp and backed by a Saginaw three-speed manual transmission. A four-speed manual was also available. The two-speed "Powerglide" automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was a popular option in 1967 and 1968 until the three-speed "Turbo Hydra-Matic 350" replaced it starting in 1969. The larger Turbo 400 three-speed was an option on L35 SS396 cars.
Production numbers:
| RS: | 64,842 |
| SS: | 34,411 |
| Z28: | 1,002 |
| Total: | 221,306 |
1968
Velocity stack
A velocity stack is a trumpet-shaped device of differing lengths which is fitted to the air entry of an engine's intake system, carburetor or fuel injection...
s. The shock absorber mounting was staggered to resolve wheel hop issues and higher performance models received multi-leaf rear springs instead of single-leaf units. A 396 cu in (6.5 l) 350 hp big block engine was added as an option for the SS, and the Z28 appeared in Camaro brochures. The 427 cid was not available as a Regular Production Option (RPO). Several specialty after-market dealers, such as Baldwin-Motion Performance Combine, Long Island, NY, offered the 427 as a replacement for the factory-supplied 396 cid engine. 7,199 Z28s were sold in 1968.
Production numbers:
| RS: | 40,977 |
| SS: | 27,884 |
| Z28: | 7,199 |
| Total: | 235,147 |
1969
Several new performance options were available for the 1969 model year.
To increase competitiveness in the SCCA Trans Am racing series, optional four wheel disc brakes with four-piston calipers were made available during the year, under RPO JL8, for US$500.30. This system used components from the Corvette and made for a major improvement in the braking capability and was a key to winning the Trans Am championship.
The Rally Sport (RS) option, RPO Z22, Z22 Rally Sport Package; includes special black painted grille with concealed headlights and headlight washer, fender striping (except when sport striping or Z28 Special Performance Package is specified), simulated rear fender louvers, front and rear wheel opening moldings, black body sill, RS emblems on grille, steering wheel and rear panel, Rally Sport front fender nameplates, bright accented taillights, back-up lights below rear bumper; also includes bright roof drip moldings on Sport Coupe. $131.65, 37,773 built. This option could be added to any other option IE- SS or Z/28, making the model an RS/SS or a z/28/RS.
The Z28 performance option could also be had with dealer-installed dual four-barrel crossram intake manifold (shipped in the trunk)
Also available was the F41 suspension, which had staggered shocks, multi-leaf springs in back, faster-ratio steering box, and 15 in (38.1 cm) by 7 in (17.8 cm) rims.
A GM corporate edict forbade Chevrolet from installing engines larger than 400 cid. Requests from dealers (notably Yenko) who were dealer-installing 427 cid engines in the Camaro caused Chevrolet to use an ordering process usually used on fleet and special orders (taxis, trucks, etc.) to offer 427 engines in the Camaro. Two Central Office Production Orders (COPO), numbers 9560 and 9561, were offered in the 1969 model year. The COPO 9561 option brought the solid lifter L72 big-block engine, making an underrated 425 hp gross. Dealer Don Yenko ordered 201 of these cars to create the now-legendary Yenko Camaro
Yenko Camaro
The Yenko Super Camaro was a modified Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Yenko Chevrolet, under the command of Don Yenko. The originals were all first-generation Camaros...
. Other dealers also became aware of the L72 engine package and ordered it. Around 1,015 Camaros were fitted with the L72 engine option
The 1969 model year was exceptionally long, extending into November 1969, due to engineering problems that delayed the introduction of the second generation model planned for 1970. It is a popular myth late-'69 Camaros were sold as 1970 models (due to GM publicity pictures of the '69 Camaro labeled as a 1970), but they were all assigned 1969 VIN
Vehicle identification number
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. VINs were first used in 1954...
codes. The proposed '69 SS350, intended to address the delay, was instead sold as a '70.
Production numbers:
| RS: | 37,773 |
| SS: | 34,932 |
| Z28: | 20,302 |
| Total: | 243,085 |
Camaro ZL-1
The Central Office Production Order (COPO) 9560 was an option installed an all-aluminum 427 cu in (7 l) big-block called the ZL-1 and was designed specifically for drag racing. It was conceived by drag racer Dick Harrell, and ordered through Fred Gibb Chevrolet in La Harpe, IL, with the intention of entering NHRA Super Stock drag racingDrag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
. Just 69 ZL-1 Camaros were produced, the engine alone cost over US$4,000 — nearly twice that of a base coupe with a V8. Though rated at 430 hp gross, the ZL-1 made 376 SAE Net HP (in its "as installed" state). http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml
The ZL1 engines were hand assembled in a process that took 16 hours each, in a room that Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov described as "surgically clean". All ZL1 engines were manufactured at the Tonawanda Assembly Plant before being installed in Corvettes, Camaros, or sold over the counter to racers.
First-generation engines
- 1967–1969 L26 230 cu in (3.8 l) I6 140 hp
- 1967–1969 L22 250 cu in (4.1 l) I6 155 hp @ 4200 rpm, 235 lbft @ 1600 rpm
- 1967–1969 Z28 302 cu in (5 l) V8 290 hp (rated) 350 hp actual
- 1967–1969 LF7 327 cu in (5.4 l) V8 210 hp
- 1967–1968: L30 327 cu in (5.4 l) V8 275 hp
- 1969: OMC 307 cu in (5 l) V8 225 hp (168 kW)
- 1969: LM1 & L65 350 cu in (5.7 l) V8 255 hp and 250 hp
- 1967–1969 L48 SS350 350 cu in (5.7 l) V8 295 hp (1969 300 hp) @ 4800 rpm, 380 lbft @ 3200 rpm
- 1967–1969 L35 SS396 396 cu in (6.5 l) V8 325 hp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lbft @ 3200 rpm
- 1967–1969 L78 SS396 396 cu in (6.5 l) V8 375 hp @ 5600 rpm, 415 lbft @ 3600 rpm
- 1968–1969 L34 SS396 396 cu in (6.5 l) V8 350 hp @ 5200 rpm, 415 lbft @ 3200 rpm
- 1968–1969 - L89 aluminum cylinder head option for the SS396/375 engine - lightened the engine by ~100 lb (45.4 kg).
- 1969 COPO 9561/L72 427 cu in (7 l) V8 425 hp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lbft @ 4000 rpm
- 1969 COPO 9560/ZL1 427 cu in (7 l) V8 430 hp @ 5200 rpm, 450 lbft @ 4400 rpm
External links
- Camaro 69 - 1967-1969 Camaros
- COPO 427: The Relentless Pursuit of Acceleration