It went on sale on september 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the ford mustang. He would destroy 23 cars a season just for the rear body skin. Umi performance builds a secondgen camaro test mule hot rod. The ss stayed through 1972, with a choice of smallblock or bigblock engines. I love my 79 formula, and all other second generation f bodies, from 19701981. Sales of all sporty cars were shrinking and the second generation camaro s sales were further impacted by a lengthy work stoppage at the camaro plant in norwood, ohio, that cut total production for the 1972 model year by around.
History of the mustang ii second generation mustang cj. This guide contains everything youll need to know about obtaining, identifying, repairing and maintaining your camaro and is the most comprehensive and complete source of second generation camaro information available anywhere. The second generation car which arrived in dealers in february 1970. Second generation camaro convertibles are very rare since they were custom built by national coach engineering, in port schenlic michigan, when the cars were new. The second generation chevrolet camaro was produced by chevrolet from 1970 through the 1981 model years. Not only do you learn of its origins and history, you get very specific information if you are going to restore or identify parts. The second generation camaros covered the years from 1970 through 1981. The 1982 model introduced the first camaros with a hatchback body style, and such options as factory fuel injection, and a fourcylinder engine. From 1967 through 1969, there were a total of 15 different engines offered in the camaro platforms.
Check out these top picks from each generation, and see why camaro was and continues to be a top contender in the pony wars. A last bright explosion of 60s muscle before fading away behind rubber bumpers and choked emissions, the. My stepfather raced dirt late models in the 80s, the second gen cars were the most popular body choice to stretch over the tube chassis explained keith. The second generation camaro was produced from late 1970 to 1980 making it the most popular generation of camaros. For example, the book states that the 1970 model camaro was a continuation of the 69 body style, and the 2nd generation car is technically a 70 12 model. This benchmark book is a musthave item for 1970 121981 camaro owners who want to correctly bring their car back. The car shared its platform and major components with the pontiac firebird, also introduced for 1967.
The chevrolet camaro was the right size for trans am, but the missing piece was the engine. The complete book of chevrolet camaro, 2nd edition goodreads. While the camaro may have been rushed to market, the styling and engine options made it a favorite among consumers and racers. The camaro z28 was motor trend magazines car of the year for 1982.
First generation camaro 196769 second generation camaro 197081 history of the fifth generation camaro 20102015 chevelle. The secondgeneration z28 used corvettes solidlifter lt1 350 engine, switching to the hydrauliccam l82 for 1973. A brief history of the second generation 19701981 chevrolet camaro and the rise and fall of leaded gasoline. Of all the camaro s built through the years, the second generation is my personal favorite. It also got a new instrument panel, and this was the most popular model year ever for the camaro. Second generation used camaros for sale across the united states. With design inspired by european sports cars, this camaro featured improved suspension, an allnew sleek body and was longer, lower and wider than the first generations while still utilizing the unibody structure.
The complete book of camaro covers the entire production history of chevrolets. The iroc series for one was totally dominated by the camaros of the day. The 1970 121981 chevrolet camaro takes the spotlight in this detailed volume. Of course, every successful act needs an encore, and what followed was the secondgeneration camaro, produced from early 1970 until 1981. Our 10 favorite camaros by generation hagerty media. The chevrolet camaro is a midsize american automobile manufactured by chevrolet, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. The complete book of chevrolet camaro showcases every model of camaro since 1967 in stunning detail, using original and.
Backed by a history rife with legendary cars and on the cusp of the next. Learn about the second generation camaro 197081 and shop for available parts for your classic chevy restoration. Did the designers ever consider using the second or thirdgen camaro as inspiration for the fifthgen design. Trying to pick only one model from each generation is quite a challenge as each one offers something unique and considerable in terms of power, speed, and appearance. It was longer, lower, and wider than the first generation camaro. The lasting design influence of the secondgen chevy camaro. In his spare time, hes typically wrenching on one of his fleet of. The complete book of chevrolet camaro, 2nd edition covers the entire production history of chevrolets iconic muscle car, from the original concept car codenamed panther to the latest and greatest sixthgeneration vehicle. Sales of all sporty cars were shrinking and the secondgeneration camaros sales were further impacted by a lengthy work stoppage at the camaro plant in norwood, ohio, that cut total production for the 1972 model year by around. The best camaro from each generation depaula chevrolet.
If you have ever read or referred to a car tech book, you know the excellent quality of their books. The definitive camaro guide 1970121981 continues that reputation. The secondgeneration chevrolet camaro was introduced in the spring of 1970, four years after general motors launched the nameplate in response to the ford mustang. Second generation camaro 197081 history classic muscle. My story starts way back in 1985 when i saw this 1971 rs camaro around the corner from my bosss house. Camaro engines through the years second generation. The thirdgeneration camaro was released for sale in december, 1981, beginning production on october 12, 1981.
Spanning 11 years, the second generation 197081 chevy camaro had the longest production run of all the generations, and included several updates and changes. Car tech ct548 the definitive 197012 1981 camaro guide. It got off to a rocky start when a strike significantly delayed production of the allnew camaro. However, theyre not perfect, and thats the topic of this.
The complete book of chevrolet camaro deans garage. Chevrolet camaro camaro generations hagerty articles. The thirdgeneration camaro, from 1982 to 1992, was the first that did not have a leafspring rear suspension or front subframe. The secondgeneration chevrolet camaro was produced by chevrolet from 1970 through the. His 19671969 camaro restoration guide is highly regarded as one of the musthave reference books for firstgeneration camaro owners, and he has numerous other books to his credit. The complete book of camaro covers the entire production history of chevrolets iconic pony car, from the original concept car, codenamed panther, to the latest and greatest fifth generation sensation. It was introduced in the spring of 1970 build information for model 12312487 was released to the assembly plants in february of that same year. The complete book of chevrolet camaro, 2nd edition continues the story of americas premier performance car. Arriving in the spring of 1970 was a brilliant new secondgeneration camaro 69s were sold as 70s through the previous december. When the camaro was introduced in 1967 as an answer to the wildly popular mustang and the pony car category it created, the chevrolet response proved to be very popular in its own right. The second generation of the dodge challenger lasted through 1983, so the model got a few updates over the years, but not many. The complete book of chevrolet camaro david newhardt. The secondgeneration of mustangs, produced from 1974 to 1978, was known as the mustang ii.
It was a great run for the second generation chevrolet camaro and they not only proved themselves as daily drivers that were loved by many, but also as great racing machines that dominated many series and all sorts of racing venues all over the world. Camaro engines through the years the first generation. The second generation year models range from 1970 to 1981 and are available from numerous camaro dealers. Keith smith, owner of custom works performance, grew up around muscle cars.
However, these were changing times for the chevrolet camaro. There were no factory convertibles built during this period of. The complete book of camaro covers the entire production history of chevrolets iconic pony car, from the original concept car, codenamed panther, to the latest and greatest fifthgeneration sensation. In fact, many refer to the 1970 models as 197012 cars because of that. Welcome to the second generation camaro restoration guide. The complete book of camaro showcases in photos, text, and technical specifications every model since 1967. In the beginning, camaro was the epitome of the muscle car but as the years progressed, so did stricter federal and california automobile regulations. However, because this book was written before so much exhaustive research was done into the history of the camaro small errors are present. Theyre a true drivers car, and really easy to work on. Oil prices were rising and the muscle car era was coming to a close.
It is a popular myth that late69 camaros were sold as 1970 models due to gm publicity pictures of the 69 camaro labled as a 1970, but they were all assigned 1969. The 1981 chevrolet camaro the 1981 model was virtually unchanged from 1980 and would be the last model year for the second generation camaro. Growing pains marked much of the second generation camaro. Total production had dropped down to 126,9 from a high of 282,571 in 1979 as potential wouldbe buyers were awaiting the allnew thirdgeneration camaro set for 1982 introduction. The complete book of camaro showcases every model since 1967 with photos, text, and technical specifications. With dramatic, europeaninspired gt styling, it sold nearly 125,000 copies despite the abbreviated 1970 run. That years type lt luxury touring emphasized comfort and could be combined with the z28 or rally sport packages, or both.
It was introduced in the spring of 1970 build information for model 12312487 was. The complete book of chevrolet camaro, 2nd edition. By the time the books closed on the 1977 camaro, it had set a new record. At that time, chevys smallblock mouse motor was offered in three sizes. But, camaros have appeared in a variety of media, including books adapted for the. Still, the complete book of chevrolet camaro offers detail shots of restored and original camaros, specifications, and options.
1002 1237 1315 462 1413 697 898 901 22 972 1475 1488 1592 1301 1257 1190 1631 787 115 1155 1299 1297 1219 1567 352 276 1059 290 71 762 1400 745 334 930 134 526 220 286 131