Chevrolet's Camaro (and its sister "F-car," the Pontiac Firebird) was hardly an original concept - it was a blatant GM rip-off of the Ford Mustang. But just because it's stolen does not mean it is a bad idea.
Trivia to remember: Every engine in every Camaro ever built by GM was pushrod-actuated valve design. There has never been an overhead cam engine in a factory Camaro.
First generation (1967-1970)
Like the first Mustang was based on Ford's compact Falcon, so the first 1967 Camaro was based on Chevy's compact Nova. But it was based on the upcoming redesigned '68 Nova and therefore is more robust than a comparable '67 Nova.
The basic technique of Camaro was a UniBody structure from the windshield and firewall back, with a separate steel rail subframe for everything up front. Double A-arms made up of independent front suspension while the solid rear axle suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs. As was typical of standard-equipped vehicles at the time, braking was by four drums, steering was slow and manual, and Chevy's rugged 230-cubic-inch straight six sticking out of an optimistically
rated 140 horsepower while twisting a three - speed manual gearbox.
The base $ 2,466 '67 Camaro sport coupe was lean and aggressive, as was the convertible. Adding substance to that appearance was done either by picking or combining individual options or trim packages called RS and SS.
Buyers can choose a larger 250-inch version of the six makes 155 horsepower, a 210 horsepower 327-cubic-inch small-block V8 fed by a two-barrel carb, that same V8 with a four-barrel carb and a higher compression ratio was estimated to 275 horsepower, or two versions of the 396-cubic-inch big-block V8 making either 325 or 375 horsepower. These motors can be anchored to a series of long-or short-ratio three-or four-speed manual gearboxes, or one of two automatics: the slushy two-speed Power Glide or outstanding three-speed Turbobydramatic.
The Rally Sport (RS) appearance package brought luxurious interior trim and hidden headlights with it, and the high performance Super Sport (SS) package had its own decorations (including a domed hood with simulated vents, "bumblebee" stripes around the nose and the iconic SS badges), a heavy-duty suspension and larger D70-series tires on 14-inch wheels. Besides this, SS-350 model also offered a new 350 cubic-inch small-block V8 rated at 295 horsepower - Chevy's first 350th Rally Sport and Super Sport packages could also be ordered together to form the most lavishly equipped Camaro of them all, RS / SS. And it was an RS / SS convertible powered by a 396 that Chevy provided as pace car for the 1967
How did the first Camaro perform? Car Life magazine's test of an SS-350 had completed the quarter-mile in 15.8 seconds at 89 mph while Motor Trend reported that its SS-350 did the same trick in 15.4 seconds at 90 mph.
Thanks to "Astro Ventilation," General Motors eliminated the side vent wing windows on the 1968 Camaro and also added federally mandated side marker lights and a revised base grille). Mechanically, the most significant change was the adoption of staggered rear shocks (one in front of the rear axle, one behind) to counteract wheel hop under hard acceleration.
While the 1969 Camaro's structure and mechanical elements were virtually unchanged from the '68 model, new fenders, door skins, rear quarter-panels, grille and taillights gave the car a wider, lower appearance. A redesigned dash and more comfortable seats made it more livable, too. But it was the overwhelming choice of available performance equipment that marks 1969 as the greatest model year for the Camaro.
On yawn part, a new low-performance 200-hp 307 cubic-inch small-block (a 327 crank in a 283 block) supplemented with low-performance 327 and a new 255 horsepower 350 replaced with better result 327th On yeow page, Chevy produced its second Camaro Indianapolis 500 pace car and offered a copy of the white RS / SS convertible with orange stripes and orange houndstooth upholstery to the public (the actual speed the car was driven by a 396, but most of the replicas had 350s). In addition, two radical Camaro produced in very limited numbers under special Central Office Production Orders (copo) 9560 and 9561.
The copo 9561 was a basic Camaro sport coupe stuffed with 427 cubic inches of all-iron big-block makes 425 horsepower. Most of the 1015 copo 9561s were delivered to
Sales of the 1969 models extended into the winter of 1969 and early 1970, and some of these lingering '69s may have been titled as 1970 models, leading to some confusion.
Second Generation (1970 ½ -1981)
Although it did not make it to market until February 1970, the second-generation 1970 ½ Camaro would be in production 12 years. The second generation Camaro's design is inspired by Ferrari and was also bigger, heavier and no longer available as a convertible. And as the 1970s progressed, it would grow less powerful, succumbing to the pressure of the tightening in terms of emissions and an oil crisis.
Still based on the Nova, the new Camaro was engineered like its predecessor in that it still used a unibody structure with a front subframe, leaf springs in back and A-arms up front for suspension. These A-arms had been freshly designed and the steering gear was moved from the back to the front of the front axle, but otherwise the basic mechanical pieces were familiar.
Also to know, most of the engines. The 155 horsepower 250-cubic-inch six was now Camaro base engine, followed by who-cares 200 hp 307, the lowliest of V8 offerings. A 250 hp two-barrel 350 effectively replaced the 327th Order the SS package and the 350 was a four-barrel carb and additional compression to reach 300 horsepower. Moreover, SS buyers could pay even more and get a 350 - or 375 hp 396 big-block V8.
The antiquated platform of the second generation Camaro had run its course, as the 1981 model year. With a new engine control computer table, all engines are now certified for all 50 states, but production Z/28 's 350 dropped to 175 horsepower. The Rally Sport died (again) and '81 Camaro lineup consisted of three well-defined models: base sport coupe, Berlinetta and Z/28. These three model names would survive to see 1982, but not much else.
Third generation (1982-1992)
Third-generation Camaro was the first built without front subframes or leaf-spring rear suspensions. Now the front end was stopped with a modified MacPherson strut system, and the rear end has placed a large torque arm and coil springs. It was also the first Camaro with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual gearboxes, four-cylinder engines, 16-inch wheels and hatchback bodies. In January 1982, Camaro was the first time since 1967, really quite new and a little less.
But the 1982 engine selection was hardly scintillating. Base sports coupé started with a 90 hp version of GM's sluggish 2.5-liter "Iron Duke" four and could be optioned up to a 112-horse 2.8-liter V6 (base engine in the Berlinetta) or a four-barrel carbureted 5.0 - liter (305-cubic-inch) small-block V8 rated at 145 horsepower. The base V8 was the Z28 powerplant buyers can choose a Z28 "Cross-Fire Injection" (throttle body-injected) version producing 165 horsepower. The carbureted V8 could be had with either a three-speed automatic or four-speed manual, but the injected engine was automatic only.
Just good news was the comeback of the Camaro convertible - the first Camaro convertible since 1969 - and dispatched the four-cylinder engine to a well-deserved eternity in hell Junkyard. The high performance carbureted 5.0-liter V8 also disappeared and a new 165 horsepower carbureted 5.0-liter V8 became the standard Z28 engine. Also gone from the '87 Camaro line were Berlinetta (replaced with an "LT" option package), and on all Camaro with a spoiler, that ugly CHMSL housing on the back glass. The CHMSL was instead built into the spoiler and Chevy would simplify its own production of 1988 by making the rear spoiler standard on all Camaro.
So that brake light blister was gone entirely from the 1988 Camaro, but so was the Z28. Since Chevy had established solid IROC name, all high-performance '88 Camaro was IROCs. Base '88 Camaro, meanwhile, inherited the elegant 15-inch five-spoke wheels from the Z28 and Z28's lower body skirting. Also, the Z28's 5.0-liter V8 was now optional on sport coupe, it got a throttle body fuel-injection that makes 170 horsepower.
Fourth generation (1993-2002)
The black roof (irrespective of what the body color) '93 Z28 was a stunner. The LT1 was easily the most powerful small-block installed in the Camaro since its namesake, considering the 1970 LT-1, and the move from gross to net power ratings, probably even more powerful than the legend. Behind it was either a four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission and 16-inch wheels and tires, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard. Z28 with prices starting under $ 17,000, the value was just fantastic. The most desirable '93? Probably the black Z28 replicas of this year's Indy 500 pace car. These replicas were identical to the actual speed of car in sharp contrast to the '82, the race with no mechanical changes.
The fourth-generation Camaro's first (and only) extensive visual update came in 1998 with a new front fascia design. But the real news lay behind that face where the C5 Corvette's new-age all-aluminum small-block LS-1 V8 took up residence in the Z28. The 5.7-liter LS-1 was the first all-aluminum engine offered in a Camaro since the '69 ZL-1 and carried out a thrilling 305-horsepower rating (base Camaro with the 200-horsepower 3800 V6). GM took over production of the SS itself this year as well, with ram-air inlets reinforce the LS-1 to 320 horsepower.
Except for electronic throttle control on V6 models, a new oil life monitor and a Thor's limited slip differential, 1999 Camaro was indistinguishable from the '98 models. In return for the 2000 Camaro was basically the same as the '99s, except for radio controls integrated into the steering wheel, body-color side view mirrors, some new interior fabrics and an optional 12-disc CD changer.
In 2001 it became clear that the Camaro's days are numbered, and the only changes to the car were restyled 16-inch wheels, a new paint color and the unchanged LS-1's output to 310 horsepower in the Z28
Fifth Generation (2010-present)
After eight years of Chevy flags flying at half mast, Camaro enthusiasts had their prayers answered when the Chevrolet ended its road burner for 2010. Initially only available as a coupe in base LS, midlevel LT and the V8-powered SS models, this is without doubt the best Camaro to date. The Retro styling borrows shamelessly from the 1969 Camaro, down to the cowl-induction-style hood, Coke bottle profile, cross-hatch grille and rear quarter gills. But it is not a complete knock-off, which in 2010 has a Huskies position and is noticeably thicker in the posterior thigh. Cockpit is the most modern, with a few old school touches thrown in as a quartet of meters, located down low in front gearshifter. The latter is not exactly an ergonomic success, but they pay tribute to the optional setup of the late 60s. The available RS package (primarily an appearance package) adds larger (20 inch) wheels, a rear spoiler, HID headlights and smoked taillights.
Unlike before, a V6 Camaro does not have "plenty of shows, but not so much walking." LS and LT come packing 304 hp through a direct injection 3.6-liter V6. It also has a six-speed manual gearbox (six-speed automatic optional), disc brakes all around, an independent rear suspension (a first Camaro) and 18-inch wheels. At a base price of around $ 23,000,-the entry level Camaro offers a heavy dose of performance that is light on the wallet. With 0-for-60 and quarter-mile times of 6.0 and 14.2 seconds, respectively, these are seriously fast cars.
The big-dog SS has a 6.2-liter V8 with either 426 hp (with six speed manual) or 400 hp (with six-speed automatic) and meatier Brembo disc brakes. With the ability to jump to 60 mph in 5 seconds and demolish the quarter mile in 13 seconds flat, will show its taillights SS for virtually every Camaro that came before, perhaps even super rare ZL-1 in 1969. And in terms of unraveling a twisty road, the newest Camaro has no peer in his oldest, thanks to a balanced and tuned chassis, the aforementioned independent rear end and quick, communicative steering.
Source: http://articles.besttofind.com/a-2469/autos/cars/chevrolet-camaro.html
