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Real American Muscle Cars

1967 Camaro

Chevrolet debuted their stunning muscle car in the fall of 1966. The company first began developing the vehicle in 1965 to compete with the incredibly successful Ford Mustang. Chevrolet’s secret project to develop the Mustang competitor had the code-name “Panther.”

The team that developed the Camaro’s style also designed the 1965 Corvair, and it shared the same subframe and semi-unibody design with the 1968 Chevy II Nova. 

Chevrolet’s historic muscle car also owes much of its design to the “Super Nova,” a concept car that the manufacturer showcased at the New York Auto Show in April 1964. The Super Nova included various design choices that were later used on the first-generation Camaro, such as its rear sail panels, rear fender bulges, and windshield rake. 

Additionally, the 1967 Camaro shared the same F-body design as the Pontiac Firebird. The car’s body also included a front airframe held in place by rubber-isolated harnesses. The Camaro’s impressive aerodynamic design immediately endeared it to the public. 

Upon its debut, the car’s standard drivetrain options were a 230 cu in (3.8 L) straight-6 and a 327 cu in (5.4 L) straight-6. Chevrolet made these engines to a three-speed manual transmission, but buyers could upgrade to a two-speed “Powerglide” automatic transmission. In 1968, Chevrolet enthusiasts could also upgrade to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 automatic transmission. 

In addition to these impressive drivetrain options, buyers could customize their breathtaking Camaros with around 80 factory choices and 40 dealer upgrades, including the RS appearance package. The RS package came with hidden headlights, RS badging, a bright trim, and new taillights that included backup lights under its bumper. 

The 1967 Camaro also offered an SS performance package, which included chassis improvements to enhance its handling. This chassis upgrade was necessary to handle the package’s powerhouse engine options, including a 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, an L35 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8, and an L78 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8. The 350 cu in V8 was able to produce 295 bhp at 4800 rpm and 380 foot-pounds of torque at 3200 rpm. The L35 and L78 were big-block V8s and could produce 325 bhp or 375 bhp at 5600 rpm as well as 415 foot-pounds of torque at 3600 rpm. 

The performance package also boasted eye-catching exterior features, including SS badging on its grille and front fenders, unique striping, and air inlets on the hood. 

1967 Camaro Z/28

In addition to the SS performance package and the RS appearance package, a few lucky buyers were able to upgrade to the “secret” option package: the 1967 Chevy Camaro Z/28. The vehicle was considered a secret because it wasn’t featured in Chevrolet’s marketing literature, and the majority of the public was unaware of the car at the time. The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28’s name was derived from GM’s internal code “RPO Z28 Special Performance Package.”

The 1967 Z/28 Camaro was conceived by Vince Piggins, head of Chevrolet Product Promotions. Piggins wanted to provide the public with Camaros that could hold their own on the racetrack, and he desired to develop a car that could compete in the Trans Am racing series. 

Piggins and others at Chevrolet knew that the Trans Am series was a great opportunity to showcase the Camaro’s incredible capabilities and superiority over the Mustang and the Cougar. Chevrolet intended to compete the car against the Ford Boss 302 Mustang in the 5-liter class race. 

Chevrolet was so keen on having the Camaro as a racing vehicle that Piggins even communicated their intentions to SCCA officials before the Camaro’s unveiling in September 1966. 

In order to compete, the 1967 Camaro Z/28 had to homologate an engine that was under the displacement limit of 305 cubic inches. Piggins and his team used the 4-inch bore of the existing Chevy 327 engine and mated it to the 3-inch stroke crankshaft sourced from the Chevy 283 engine. They were able to achieve a displacement of 302.4 cubic inches (4.9 L), qualifying it for the Trans-Am series. The engine also had a 4-barrel vacuum secondary 780 cfm Holley carburetor and an aluminum intake manifold. Chevrolet mated the engine to a 4-speed Muncie close-ratio manual transmission. 

Other notable specifications included its 3.73:1 rear axle, dual exhausts, an upgraded suspension, a robust radiator, special wide stripes, front disc power brakes, and an open-element air cleaner. Chevrolet also offered a Posi-traction limited slip differential option as well as the choice between 14-inch and 15-inch rally wheels. 

The impressive 1967 Camaro Z/28 had a great deal of success in the 1967 Trans Am season, but Chevrolet was still outmatched by Ford’s Mustang. Chevrolet had a total of three wins, while Ford walked away with four. 

Because the package was mostly intended for the Trans Am series, Chevrolet only produced a total of 602 1967 Camaro Z/28s. 

1968 Camaro Z/28

The 1968 Camaro introduced new style choices but was incredibly similar to the 1967. Changes included a fresh-air-inlet system called Astro Ventilation, a pointier front grille, divided rear taillights, a low-gloss black rear tail light panel, and oval front running lights. The GM subsidiary eliminated the car’s side vent windows to accommodate the new Astro Ventilation system. 

Additionally, Chevrolet introduced safety-conscious side marker lights on its fenders. Finally, it featured new chrome hood inserts that emulated velocity stacks. The 1968 Camaro also received mechanical upgrades, including a rear shock absorber mounting and multi-leaf rear springs.  

Unlike the 1967 Z/28, the 1968 Camaro Z/28 was featured in Chevrolet brochures, and the manufacturer produced 7,199 units featuring this special package. 

That year, the Chevrolet also produced a single convertible 1968 Z/28 Camaro for Chevrolet’s General Manager, Pete Estes. This was the only Z/28 convertible unit that Chevrolet ever produced. The reason why Chevrolet produced this single unit was that the Special Production Division needed to convince Pete Estes to promote the ’68 Camaro Z/28, and Estes only drove convertibles. Fortunately, the 1968 Z/28 convertible served its purpose and convinced the General Manager to promote the car. The convertible remains the rarest Camaro that Chevrolet ever built.

The 1968 Z/28 continued utilizing the 302 cu in V8 engine. Interestingly, Chevrolet advertised that the engine was able to produce 290 hp, but it was actually capable of closer to 400 hp and could reach a top speed of 135 miles per hour. Further, it could jump from zero to 60 in just 7.4 seconds and finish a quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds. 

1968 was an incredibly successful year for Chevrolet on the racetrack, and the 1968 Camaro Z/28 was at the forefront of the automaker’s victories. The car participated in the Super Stock NHRA racing circuit, where an impressive red Z/28 with the name “Old Reliable” dominated the race track. Dave Stickler drove this notable Camaro.

In addition to NHRA wins, the Camaro ’68 Z/28 won the 1968 Trans Am Championship. The Camaro team had identified and fixed performance issues that had held back the previous year’s Z/28, including a new suspension and brakes. Its powerhouse Traco 302 engine with 420 horses was able to outpace the competition and secure the Trans Am Championship in both 1968 and 1969. 

The 1968 Camaro Z/28 also went on to participate in the 1971 British Saloon Car Championship at Crystal Palace, a historic race that was featured in BBC’s 100 Greatest series. 

1969 Yenko Camaro

The 1969 Yenko Camaro derives its name from the American race car driver Donald “Don” Yenko. Yenko was famous for racing a Corvette and won the Sports Car Club of America driving championship four times. He also participated in the acclaimed 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Don Yenko opened a car shop in his family-owned dealership, and he began modifying Chevrolets in 1957. Before developing his own high-performing Camaro, Yenko developed a famous modified Corvair called the “The Stinger.” 

While the first-generation Camaro was impressive, Yenko knew that he could upgrade its performance to craft an even more incredible vehicle. Chevrolet had held back its full performance capabilities when developing the Camaro because they didn’t want it to compete with Corvette sales.  

In response, Yenko got to work crafting his own powerhouse Camaros. He obtained Camaros with the Chevrolet Super Sport (SS) trim package and equipped them with an L72 V8 sourced from a Corvette. These engines had a 7.0-liter displacement, ultimately producing 450 horsepower. Yenko also equipped the Camaro with 4.10 gearing in its rear, a new fiberglass hood, and heavy-duty suspension to accommodate the vehicle’s showstopping speed. 

Yenko first began producing his Super Camaros in 1967, and he built 106 that year. The following year, he made additional impressive modifications, including 16″ Pontiac wheels with custom Yenko badging, a 140-mile-per-hour speedometer, a bigger front sway bar, and front and rear spoilers. He built 64 1968 Yenko Camaro units. 

1969 was a special year for the Camaro, as Yenko ordered the Chevy Camaro Yenko 1969 through Chevrolet’s Central Office Production Order (COPO) system. The ’69 Yenko Camaro offered buyers additional options, including power disc brakes, a four-core radiator, and an automatic transmission. The 1969 Camaro Yenko was the final supercharged Camaro to be developed by Don Yenko. That year, Chevrolet built 201 units. 

Since its original production run, the Camaro Yenko 1969 has become a favorite among motor enthusiasts and is incredibly valuable. More than half of the original Yenko Camaros are lost, but the remaining units usually sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2017, a Yenko Camaro sold for over $600,000 — another one of these fine vehicles sold in 2014 for $320,000. 

The Yenko Camaro gained much attention and praise after it was featured in the film 2 Fast 2 Furious. The protagonist, played by Paul Walker, races the supercharged Camaro in a Miami street race and ultimately wins. 

1969 Camaro ZL1

The history of the 1969 Camaro ZL1 begins with the aluminum ZL1 big block engines from the Can-Am racing series. Race car driver and constructor Jim Hall developed these all-aluminum engines. The ZL1 engine was based on the Corvette L88 but included open chamber heads, enhancing its performance. 

This powerful engine inspired dealership owner Fred Gibb to approach Chevrolet with an idea for a Camaro performance package, one that would utilize a 427 cu in ZL1 engine. 

Gibb and Dick Harrell wanted a powerful Camaro to compete in the 1969 NHRA season, and they felt that a Camaro with a ZL1 could outperform Hemi-powered Chryslers. Chevrolet had no official involvement in drag racing, but Gibb ordered a special production of Camaros through the Central Office Production Order (COPO) system.  

Previously, Gibb had special ordered 50 1968 SS Novas with M40 Turbo Hydra-Matics and 396/375 L78 engines so the car could compete in the NHRA’s stock automatic class. These special vehicles were hot sellers, and their success fueled Gibb to special order the 1969 Chevy Camaro ZL1. 

Gibb worked with Vince Piggins, the man behind the 1967 Camaro Z/28, and special ordered 50 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1969s. The special-ordered vehicles were L78 Camaro SSs with a ZL1 all-aluminum engine. The aluminum block had cast-iron sleeves, improved bearing bulkheads, and extended bolts and studs. 

The ZL1 was also Chevrolet’s first engine to utilize an 850-cfm double-pumper Holly carburetor on an open plenum high-rise intake manifold. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1969s also offered various transmission options, including the M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic, the M20 wide-ratio four-speed, and the M21 close-ratio four-speed. The car had a factory rating of 430 hp at 5200 rpm and 450 foot-pounds of torque at 4400 rpm, but non-official tests rated the output over 550 hp. 

In addition to its powerhouse engine, the Camaros also had cast-iron exhaust manifolds, F41 heavy-duty suspensions, and 14×7 wheels. Plus, each car had a steel ZL-2 cold air induction hood, a robust radiator, a transistorized ignition, power front disc brakes, F70x14 white-lettered tires, and a heavy-duty spring with five leaf rears. 

These 50 special-ordered cars came in five colors, with Chevrolet constructing ten units in each color. These options were Cortez Silver, Dusk Blue, Hugger Orange, Fathom Green, and LeMans Blue. These cars also sported blue Bow Tie emblems along their Argent Silver grilles and rear panel as well as Camaro badges on their fenders, header panels, and deck lids. 

1970 ½ Camaro Z/28

Those unfamiliar with the ’70 ½ Camaro may not be aware of why the car’s model year includes a “½.” The reason why is that some 1970 Camaro bodies were damaged during production. Many quarter-panels produced by Fisher Body became deformed and split because the body dies needed too much draw. The draw die is part of a larger forming process known as deep drawing, which involves transforming a flat sheet of metal into a three-dimensional shape. Fisher Body had to redo its draw dies, ultimately leading to delays. 

On top of this issue, Fisher Body faced a strike that further delayed the production of the F-body. Due to production delays on the 1970 Camaro, Chevrolet continued selling the 1969 model year until December 1969 and delayed the release of the 1970 Camaro Z/28.   

While the car is commonly known as the 1970 ½ Camaro Z/28, Chevrolet never officially embraced the name, as Ford had done with the 1964 ½ Mustang. Instead, they opted for the standard 1970 model year. Though the ’70 ½ Z/28 Camaro was delayed, it boasted an impressive new body style with ventless full-door glass and a fastback roofline. It also offered ample rollover protection and reduced external noise through its new double-shell roof. 

The 1970 ½ Camaro continued offering the public incredible speed as the previous generation had, including impressive straight-line acceleration and powerful engine options. It also featured improved handling and a sportier ride. 

The ’70 ½ Camaro also boasted an engine option that many consider to be the greatest small block in history: the 350 LT-1 V8, which was sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette. The engine had a solid-lifter, high-compression screamer and had a factory rating of 360 hp at 6000 rpm. 

The LT-1 also came with a forged-steel crankshaft with a 3.48-inch stroke, a huge improvement from the previous generation’s 302, which had a 3-inch crankshaft stroke that required high revolutions per minute. The LT-1’s crankshaft provided drivers with much more torque. Additionally, the LT-1’s camshaft was capable of preserving cylinder pressure at lower revolutions per minute, further enhancing the engine’s torque and ultimately resulting in a 31% increase from the 302. 

The LT-1 engine also came with large valves, a rocker-arm ratio of 1.50:1, 2.02-inch intakes, 1.60-inch exhaust, and a 780 cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor. The engine could be mated to a 2-speed or 3-speed automatic transmission or a 3-speed or 4-speed manual transmission.

Bumblebee Camaro 1977

In 2007, the film Transformers breathed new life into the 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. The Bumblebee 1977 Camaro in the movie features stunning yellow paint with black stripes as well as features that weren’t on the original 1977 Camaro Z/28s, including a cowl-induction hood scoop and Eric Vaughn rear wheels. 

There’s much to love about the 1977 Bumblebee Camaro depicted in the film, but Chevrolet’s original 1977 Camaro Z/28 was also a force to be reckoned with, with its 350 cu in LM1 V8 with Quadrajet four-barrel carburetors. The engine had a factory rating of 185 hp and 280 foot-pounds of torque. The LM1 also featured two-bolt main bearing caps, hydraulic lifters, an 8.50:1 compression ratio, and a 4.00 x 3.48-inch bore and stroke.

The car’s engine could be mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 three-speed automatic transmission or a Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission. The ratios on the three-speed were 2.52, 1.52, and 1.00:1, and it had a 1.94:1 reverse gear ratio. Those opting for the three-speed option could have the shifter on the column or the center console. The 1977 Camaro Bumblebee featured in Transformers had a center console shifter. 

The aluminum-cased, close-ratio Borg Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission had the ratios 2.64, 1.75, 1.34, and 1.00:1, with reverse gearing being 2.55:1. The transmission also featured an 11-inch clutch. While the Borg-Warner manual was impressive, it had two major flaws: those opting for this option couldn’t have air conditioning, and the option wasn’t available in California. 

In addition to its powerful drivetrain, the car featured an F-body, and the manufacturer assembled the vehicle using unit-body construction. Its exterior boasted front and rear spoilers and front and rear aluminum bumpers that matched its body. Chevrolet made the car’s design all the more impressive by equipping it with a blacked-out grille and headlamp bezels, and the 1977 also featured a black anodized window trim. 

The car’s interior came with a Z/28 steering wheel as well as bucket seats with many trim and color options. The Bumblebee ’77 Camaro featured black and yellow vinyl seats. In addition to its several trim options, the car could also come with power door locks and windows. 

The 1977 Chevrolet Camaro was truly a remarkable vehicle, and the Bumblebee Camaro 1977 featured in the film Transformers sported some of the car’s most stunning options. 

1980 Camaro Z/28

1980 saw a significant decline in Camaro Z/28 sales, with Chevrolet selling nearly 100,000 fewer units than the previous year. The manufacturer sold around 152,000 1980 Z/28 Camaro units, an astonishingly low number compared to the projected figure of 280,000 units. While sales were relatively poor, the 1980 Camaro Z/28 still had much to offer in terms of style and performance. 

One notable design feature that distinguished the 1980 Camaro Z/28 from previous iterations was its rear quarter-panel flares. These flares complemented the front fender vents that Chevrolet had introduced in 1978. These front vents sported gills and exhausted hot engine air from under its hood. The ’80 Camaro Z/28’s front fender vents differed slightly from the 1978 and 1979 models because they were smooth and didn’t feature gills. 

Like with previous iterations, the Camaro Z/28 1980 featured a unit-body construction past its firewall and a box-section front subframe, and its light weight of 3,310 pounds allowed for better torque. The 1980 also came in 13 distinct colors and offered new upper and lower front grilles.  

The car was 197.6 inches long, 74.5 inches wide, and had a height of 49.2 inches. Further, the car had a 108-inch wheelbase and featured an aluminum wheel option as well as gray 5-spoke rims. The body-colored wheels were 15 x 7 inches and featured a center cap and trim ring as well as P225/70-R-15 radial tires. 

Its braking was handled by vented front disc brakes with 11-inch cast-iron rotors and 9.5-inch rear drum brakes, and it offered a power brake option that came as standard equipment in the subsequent model year. The Camaro also featured a front independent suspension that utilized upper and lower control arms, complete with ball joints, hydraulic tube shocks, heavy-duty coil springs, and a 1.125-inch anti-roll bar. Its rear suspension featured hydraulic tube shocks and leaf springs. 

What was especially important about both the 1980 and 1981 Camaro Z/28s was the fact that they were the final Camaros to offer a 350 cu in V8 paired with a four-speed transmission. In addition to its standard transmission, the V8 could be mated to a Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission with a 3.08:1 axle ratio or the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 three-speed automatic transmission with a 3.42:1 axle ratio. The car also had a hypoid rear axle with a Posi-traction option and a hefty 8 ¾-inch ring gear. 

2015 Camaro Z/28

Chevrolet temporarily discontinued the Camaro in 2002, but the car made its glorious return in 2010 with its fifth generation. That year, the World Car of the Year Awards awarded the Camaro with the World Car Design of the Year award. Five years later, the 2015 Camaro Z/28 came on the scene, the last model year of the Camaro’s fifth generation, and it offered remarkable speed and style. 

The 2015 Z/28 was powered by a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine with a factory rating of 505 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 481 foot-pounds of torque at 4800 rpm. Chevrolet mated the engine to a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. The 2015 Camaro Z/28 also came with a 2-mode exhaust with a high-flow converter, and the car sported a Torsen limited-slip differential. Chevrolet further enhanced the Camaro’s performance by equipping it with General Motors Performance Traction Management software, offering electronic assistance and managing power delivery. 

In addition to its impressive drivetrain, the Camaro Z/28 2015 came with other desirable mechanical features, including its Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers. The suspension also came with stiffer springs and bushings than previous Camaros. Carbon ceramic brakes by Brembo handled the car’s stopping power, and the car boasted optimized aero elements and enhanced downforce. The car sat on 19″ black forged aluminum wheels and 305-series tires, further optimizing the car’s grip and driveability. 

With its incredible speed and handling, the 2015 Camaro Z/28 outpaced other Camaros of the same year, including the much-praised Camaro ZL1. The Camaro ZL1 technically had better horsepower than the Z/28 with 580 hp, but the Z/28 weighed 300 pounds less and offered better traction, enabling it to outperform the monster vehicle.  

Chevrolet was able to downsize the Camaro’s weight by getting rid of some of its features, including its tire inflator kit, HID headlights, fog lights, and sound-deadening materials. The car even lacked air conditioning and only included one radio speaker in its standard package. The manufacturer further reduced the car’s weight by equipping it with thinner back glass, lighter interior seats, and a smaller battery. Due to the car’s adjustments, Chevrolet was able to achieve a relatively light curbside weight of 3,820 pounds. 

The 2015 Camaro Z/28 was truly an extraordinary car, boasting exceptional performance, track-ready capabilities, and a striking design. The car’s standard package sold for $75,000, but those wanting an A/C unit or additional speakers had to upgrade to a special package.