Camaro, A Tale of Two Generations The Camaro, a car that is easily recognizable on the streets today, is probably one of the most iconic and controversial cars in the Pony car era. The Camaro was originally one of General Motor’s responses to the iconic Mustang that released in 1964 and so called started the “Pony Car” craze, just three years prior to the Camaro. The first generation Camaro made a huge splash into the Pony car segment, seemingly offering rigorous competition to its adversaries the Challenger and the Mustang. The eye-catching body style and the menacing power from under the hood seemed a perfect combination as consumers gorged the Camaro. The Camaro kept an edge in the Pony car segment into the new millennium until 2002 when …show more content…
“The 1967 Camaro was available in hardtop or convertible, three different option packages with approximately 80 different factory options, 40 dealer accessories, and four different options” (1967 Camaro Specs, Colors, Facts, History, and Performance | Classic Car Database, 2014). The Camaro was often referred as the “hugger” due to its wide lowered stance that was designed to “hug” the road and provide better handling for the immense power coming from under the hood. It was built off of General Motor’s F-Body platform that consisted of a uni-body construction. The 1967 and 1968 models of the Camaro were virtually similar with the exception of a few cosmetic features. The 1967 Camaro had circular park lights and side vented windows while the 1968 model had rectangular park lights, did not include the side vented windows, and had side marker lights which were a government mandate. All three models had the three option packages that one could chose from, Rally Sport, Super Sport, and Z/28. The Rally Sport (RS) package was loaded with many interesting options. One option that is probably the most interesting is the hide-away headlights; headlights that are hidden behind the grille but with a push of a button could be uncovered and exposed, the 1967 and 1968 model hide-away headlights were electric but due to electrical problem Chevrolet went to …show more content…
The Z/28 was originally introduced to compete in the SCAA Trans Am racing series. Vince Piggins was credited for the creation of the Z/28; he wanted to present the best Camaro he had to compete with the rival Mustang. “Standard Z/28 features included the 302 ci V8 engine, dual exhaust, heavy-duty radiator, temperature-controlled fan, heavy-duty front and rear suspension, quick ratio steering, 15x6-inch rally wheels, 7.35x15-inch nylon tires, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, and hood and trunk racing stripes” ("AutoTraderClassics.com - Article History of the Z28's First 25 Years." AutoTrader Classics - Buy & Sell Antique Cars, Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Collector Cars, Street Rods, Exotics, Car Shows, Car Parts, Car Events, 19 Oct. 2014). One interesting fact about the power plant of the Z/28 is that its comprised of components of two other Chevrolet V8’s Chevrolet used a 327ci V8 engine block and fitted with an engine crank from the 283ci V8, it was a huge risk for Chevrolet but it proved a good one as the 302ci V8 led the Camaro to back-to-back SCAA Trans Am racing