related media

No related media.

related wiki articles

No related wiki.

show all images

Overview

The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile built by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. The first generation was introduced in 1966 to compete with the popular Ford Mustang. The third generation Chevrolet Camaro appeared in 1982 and lasted until 1992. The third generation of Camaros is also the first with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmission, five-speed manual transmissions, four-cylinder engines, 16-inch wheels, and hatchback bodies.

Variants

The third generation Camaro was available in three variants, the Sport Coupe, Berlinetta and of course the famous Z28. The Sport Coupe variant comes equipped with Dog dish-style hubcaps, steel full wheel covers, five spoke 14 inch wheels. The standard engine for the Sport Coupe was the 151 cid engine, the 173 cid V6 and the 305 cid V8 being offered as optional. The Berlinetta variant came equipped with the 173 cid V6 engine and the 305 cid V8 was offered as optional. The Berlinetta variant had 14 inch aluminum wheels with golden Berlinetta center caps, gold Berlinetta badging, cloth interior, body insulation and full instrumentation. The performance variant Z28 Camaro came equipped with the 305 cid small block V8 and the 305 V8 with “Cross Fire Injection” was offered as optional. Standard equipment on the Z28 included five spoke 15 inch aluminum wheels, a three-piece rear spoiler and front, side, and rear lower body valances in silver or gold and a different front bumper.

In 1983 the Z28 received a new engine, a 305 cid High Output V8 engine that was producing 190hp. This engine was available only with the manual transmission. Other changes included the replacement of the 4speed manual transmission with the 5speed manual transmission and a widening of the color range.

In 1984 the dashboard suffered some modifications because buyers started complaining about the look and quality of the instruments. Another change was the availability of the Z28 Camaro with automatic transmission.

Chevrolet introduced a new model to the line-up in 1985, the IROC-Z. The car was named that way after the International Race Of Champions. The car came equipped with the 305 LB9 engine that produced 215hp. Special features on the new model included an upgraded suspension with lowered springs, specially valved shocks, larger diameter sway bars, a special decal package, and an optional Tuned Port Injection system.

In 1987 the Camaro suffered some mild modification but the most significant one was the addition of the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Lamp) which was a requirement for all vehicles. The Berlinetta model was no longer available and because it was replaced by the LT model, an ironic move from Chevrolet. The 350 L98 and 305 TPI became available with 5-speed transmissions.

In 1988 the Camaro line-up consisted of only two available models, the base coupe and the IROC-Z. The LT model which lasted only a year was discontinued and because the IROC-Z proved so popular Chevrolet decided to drop the Z28 as well. Also this year, all engines available were fuel injected.

1989 proved to be a year of big changes for the Chevrolet Camaro. The RS variant was re-introduced and it became the base model for the Camaro. The 173 cid V6 engine was standard and the 305 V8 was optional. The 305 and 350 cid engines got a power boost, the 305 now produced 230hp and the 350 produced 240hp.

In 1990 Chevrolet decided not to renew their contract with International Race Of Champions and thus the famous Camaro IROC-Z was discontinued. This year was a great year for safety improvements. All Camaros now received an airbag system. The base 173 cid engine was replaced by the 191 V6.

In 1991 the Chevrolet Camaro received a facelift in the form of a ground effects package for both the RS and Z28 models. The Z28 also received new wheel designs to contrast well with the facelift. Also this year GM pioneered some modified assembly techniques with the F-body Camaro and managed to reduce squeaks and rattles and improve the perception of quality.

1992 marked the last production year for the third generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. Also in 1992 the Camaro entered its 25^th year of production and to celebrate this event, Chevrolet planned a 25 year Herritage edition. This edition did not make it but a Herritage package did. The Herritage Package was a graphics package of badges and rally stripes. 1992 was also the last year of production at the Camaro's assembly plant in Van Nuys, California. The last third generation Camaro was a red Z28 Camaro coupe and it’s privately owned.