First-generation Chevrolet Camaro

Infobox Automobile


name = First-generation Chevrolet Camaro
manufacturer = Chevrolet
parent_company = General Motors
production = 1967-1969
assembly = Van Nuys, California
Norwood, Ohio
predecessor =
successor = Second–gen Camaro
class = pony car
muscle car
sports car
body_style = 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
layout = FR layout
platform = F-body
related = Pontiac Firebird
engine = Auto CID|230 I6
Auto CID|250 I6
Auto CID|302 V8
Auto CID|327 V8
Auto CID|350 V8
Auto CID|396 V8
Auto CID|700 V8
Auto CID|427 V8
transmission = 4-speed manual
2-speed automatic
3-speed automatic
designer =
related = 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-doors, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of six-cylinder and V8 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, and exterior rocker trim. It was available on all models.

The SS included a Auto CID|350 V8 engine and the "L35" and "L78" Auto CID|396 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 race.

The Z/28 option code was introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year. This option package wasn't 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. The Z/28 featured a Auto CID|302 small-block V-8 engine, 3" crankshaft with 4" bore, an aluminum intake manifold, and a 4-barrel vacuum secondary Holly carburetor of 780CFM. The engine was designed specifically to race in the Trans Am series (which required engines smaller than Auto CID|305 and public availability of the car. Advertised power of this engine was listed at Convert|290|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. This is an under-rated figure. Chevrolet wanted to keep the horsepower rating at less than 1hp 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 Convert|360|hp|kW|0|abbr=on (with the single four barrel carb) and Convert|400|hp|kW|0|abbr=on (with optional dual-four barrel carbs) at 6800-7000 rpm. The Z/28 also came with upgraded suspension, racing stripes on the hood, and 'Z/28' emblems for the fenders (in 68 & 69). It was also possible to combine the Z/28 package with the RS package.

Only 602 Z/28s were sold in 1967. The 1967 and 1968 Z/28s did not have raised cowl induction hoods as was 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 Auto CID|230 straight-6 engine rated at Convert|140|hp|kW|0|abbr=on 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:

First-generation engines

* 1967-1969 L26 Auto CID|230 I6 Convert|140|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* 1967-1969 L22 Auto CID|250 I6 Convert|1550|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 4200 rpm, Auto lbft|235 @ 1600 rpm
* 1967-1969 Z28 Auto CID|302 V8 Convert|290|hp|kW|0|abbr=on (rated) Convert|350|hp|kW|0|abbr=on actual
* 1967-1969 LF7 Auto CID|327 V8 Convert|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* 1967-1968: L30 Auto CID|327 V8 Convert|275|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* 1969: LM1 & L65 Auto CID|350 V8 Convert|255|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and Convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* 1967-1969 L48 SS350 Auto CID|350 V8 Convert|295|hp|kW|0|abbr=on (1969 Convert|300|hp|kW|0|abbr=on) @ 4800 rpm, Auto lbft|380 @ 3200 rpm
* 1967-1969 L35 SS396 Auto CID|396 V8 Convert|325|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 4800 rpm, Auto lbft|410 @ 3200 rpm
* 1967-1969 L78 SS396 Auto CID|396 V8 Convert|375|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 5600 rpm, Auto lbft|415 @ 3600 rpm
* 1968-1969 L34 SS396 Auto CID|396 V8 Convert|350|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 5200 rpm, Auto lbft|415 @ 3200 rpm
*1968-1969 - L89 aluminum cylinder head option for the SS396/375 engine - lightened the engine by ~Auto lb|100.
* 1969 COPO 9561/L72 Auto CID|427 V8 Convert|425|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 5600 rpm, Auto lbft|460 @ 4000 rpm
* 1969 COPO 9560/ZL1 Auto CID|427 V8 Convert|430|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 5200 rpm, Auto lbft|450 @ 4400 rpm

References

External links

* [http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/ Chevrolet Camaro Concept] official Chevrolet site
* [http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=27934 2009 production announcement] official GM press release
*
* [http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml Camaro Research Group] - reference data for 1967-1969 Camaros