Part 1: Camaro Research Paper... if ya'll want to read it
12-05-2005, 01:05 PM
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Part 1: Camaro Research Paper... if ya'll want to read it The Evolution of the Chevrolet Camaro:
The Design, Style and Performance
Of An American Muscle Car
By Kelsey M. Boomer
November 29, 2005
History of Design
The Chevrolet Camaro was considered by many to be the ultimate American muscle car. It was by no means the most powerful, nor was it an "art car", but it had its own appeal. The Camaro expressed the American dream through its affordability, style and power. A young man could afford to purchase a Camaro without having a large amount of money. The average backyard mechanic could also improve his Camaro in terms of performance and cosmetic modifications. The Camaro provided a way for many people, especially young people, to express their inner "cool" without having to buy a Corvette or other costly sports car.
Chevrolet had three different model packages available over the thirty-five years that the Camaro was in production. The "Rally Sport" (RS) had a V6 motor and was the least expensive. The SS was the most powerful factory Camaro, the "Super Sport" V8. However, the focus here is on the Z28, the midrange V8 that was originally built for Chevrolet's racing club, and became a favorite among Camaro owners. When the Camaro Z28 was initially released, Chevrolet did not publicize it very much at all, because they only wanted to sell them to selected customers who were going to race the cars.
The Camaro was divided into four "generations" of style and power. The First Generation Camaros were large, heavy muscle cars capable (with modifications) of almost any amount of power and speed. They had big wheels, long hoods, wide body stances, and were very "classic muscle". The Second Generation, which began in 1970, was a hatchback style, with a slightly larger spoiler and a front end angled into almost a point. The Second Generation changed its body subtly over time, evolving into the Third Generation in 1982. Third Generation Camaros had a sharper, more angular body and were much smaller than the previous two generations. Finally, in 1993, the Fourth Generation began: the final generation of the Camaro. These were somewhat larger in size than the eighties cars, and had a "meaner" front end. These four generations marked the changing market and appeal of the consumers.
First Generation
The very first Camaros were released in 1967. The project was originally called the 'Panther', but the general manager of Chevrolet E.M. "Pete" Estes decided several months before the launch that it was to be renamed the Camaro. The Camaro was a reply to Ford's successful Mustang, but with some striking differences. Many consumers, while they liked the Mustang, wanted bigger engines and more performance out of a sports car. Chevrolet agreed, and on September 26, 1966, the car was unveiled. The 1967 Camaro was available in either the SS (Super Sport) or the Z28 models. As stated above, the Z28 was built originally for Chevrolet Racing. The 1967 Z28 had a 302-cubic inch small block motor that produced roughly 425 horsepower, a heavy-duty suspension, enormous dual exhaust, and a close-ratio four speed manual transmission, among many other performance options. These allowed the Camaro to sustain a higher speed while cornering, essential in racing. The body of the '67 Camaro was longer than a Mustang, with a wider, lower wheelbase taken from the earlier Chevelle. Cosmetically, the Z28 also featured a hood bulge that increased airflow. The original Camaro had a long hood, long passenger compartment, and short tail. It was extremely aerodynamic for its time, while still allowing enough space for the performance options. A short spoiler on the rear deck lid enhanced the Z28's reputation as a Mustang-eating racecar.
The first generation Camaros were made until 1969. In that time, Don Yenko, owner of a Chevrolet dealership in Pennsylvania and winner of two races while driving Corvettes, started massaging his dealership's Camaros into 465 horsepower muscle machines. They were given new tags that read "427 Yenko Tuned", and white racing stripes down the bulging hoods. The 201 cars built by Don Yenko were known as the "Yenko Camaros", and were feared both on the road and on the track for their power.
Second Generation
In 1970, Chevrolet released their new Camaro. The second generation Camaro was smaller than the first, with a somewhat shorter hood and shorter tail end. However, it still unmistakably had the "long-hood, short-deck, two-door semi-fastback"1 look so common in European sports cars. The mid-70's Camaros were extremely popular: they sold an average of one hundred fifty thousand per year!
Their design changed slowly over the twelve years they were produced; for example, the second generation Camaros started out with two round headlights on each side arranged in a side-by-side format and evolving to a single headlight on each side with a rectangular fog light beneath. The grille was smaller and centered, and the headlights were separate from the grille. Later, the split bumper made its appearance on the 1973 Z28's. Unfortunately, increased concerns about safety decreased the amount of power of the second generation Z to only 245 horsepower. The new cars could take curves faster and handled better than ever, but the speed was just not there. As the '70's progressed, Chevrolet realized that they had to make the Camaro Z28 exude style and appeal. Graphics and monochromatic paint were applied, setting off the few chrome accents the cars had. By 1977, consumers were once again excited about the Z28, and Chevrolet sold over fourteen thousand of them that year (it was a short model year, so fourteen thousand was very good). In 1978, the Z28's received new front and rear fascias and fender vents, among other cosmetic changes. In 1979, the California Highway patrol put in an order for Camaro police cars, because their cruisers were no match for the sports cars on the road. They performed well, and over the years, more police stations put in orders for the Z28 police cars. 1979 saw Camaro's best year ever, with production reaching 280,000 units. In 1980, a change included a rear-facing cowl hood to increase cold air flow. In 1982, the all-new third generation Camaro was released.
The Design, Style and Performance
Of An American Muscle Car
By Kelsey M. Boomer
November 29, 2005
History of Design
The Chevrolet Camaro was considered by many to be the ultimate American muscle car. It was by no means the most powerful, nor was it an "art car", but it had its own appeal. The Camaro expressed the American dream through its affordability, style and power. A young man could afford to purchase a Camaro without having a large amount of money. The average backyard mechanic could also improve his Camaro in terms of performance and cosmetic modifications. The Camaro provided a way for many people, especially young people, to express their inner "cool" without having to buy a Corvette or other costly sports car.
Chevrolet had three different model packages available over the thirty-five years that the Camaro was in production. The "Rally Sport" (RS) had a V6 motor and was the least expensive. The SS was the most powerful factory Camaro, the "Super Sport" V8. However, the focus here is on the Z28, the midrange V8 that was originally built for Chevrolet's racing club, and became a favorite among Camaro owners. When the Camaro Z28 was initially released, Chevrolet did not publicize it very much at all, because they only wanted to sell them to selected customers who were going to race the cars.
The Camaro was divided into four "generations" of style and power. The First Generation Camaros were large, heavy muscle cars capable (with modifications) of almost any amount of power and speed. They had big wheels, long hoods, wide body stances, and were very "classic muscle". The Second Generation, which began in 1970, was a hatchback style, with a slightly larger spoiler and a front end angled into almost a point. The Second Generation changed its body subtly over time, evolving into the Third Generation in 1982. Third Generation Camaros had a sharper, more angular body and were much smaller than the previous two generations. Finally, in 1993, the Fourth Generation began: the final generation of the Camaro. These were somewhat larger in size than the eighties cars, and had a "meaner" front end. These four generations marked the changing market and appeal of the consumers.
First Generation
The very first Camaros were released in 1967. The project was originally called the 'Panther', but the general manager of Chevrolet E.M. "Pete" Estes decided several months before the launch that it was to be renamed the Camaro. The Camaro was a reply to Ford's successful Mustang, but with some striking differences. Many consumers, while they liked the Mustang, wanted bigger engines and more performance out of a sports car. Chevrolet agreed, and on September 26, 1966, the car was unveiled. The 1967 Camaro was available in either the SS (Super Sport) or the Z28 models. As stated above, the Z28 was built originally for Chevrolet Racing. The 1967 Z28 had a 302-cubic inch small block motor that produced roughly 425 horsepower, a heavy-duty suspension, enormous dual exhaust, and a close-ratio four speed manual transmission, among many other performance options. These allowed the Camaro to sustain a higher speed while cornering, essential in racing. The body of the '67 Camaro was longer than a Mustang, with a wider, lower wheelbase taken from the earlier Chevelle. Cosmetically, the Z28 also featured a hood bulge that increased airflow. The original Camaro had a long hood, long passenger compartment, and short tail. It was extremely aerodynamic for its time, while still allowing enough space for the performance options. A short spoiler on the rear deck lid enhanced the Z28's reputation as a Mustang-eating racecar.
The first generation Camaros were made until 1969. In that time, Don Yenko, owner of a Chevrolet dealership in Pennsylvania and winner of two races while driving Corvettes, started massaging his dealership's Camaros into 465 horsepower muscle machines. They were given new tags that read "427 Yenko Tuned", and white racing stripes down the bulging hoods. The 201 cars built by Don Yenko were known as the "Yenko Camaros", and were feared both on the road and on the track for their power.
Second Generation
In 1970, Chevrolet released their new Camaro. The second generation Camaro was smaller than the first, with a somewhat shorter hood and shorter tail end. However, it still unmistakably had the "long-hood, short-deck, two-door semi-fastback"1 look so common in European sports cars. The mid-70's Camaros were extremely popular: they sold an average of one hundred fifty thousand per year!
Their design changed slowly over the twelve years they were produced; for example, the second generation Camaros started out with two round headlights on each side arranged in a side-by-side format and evolving to a single headlight on each side with a rectangular fog light beneath. The grille was smaller and centered, and the headlights were separate from the grille. Later, the split bumper made its appearance on the 1973 Z28's. Unfortunately, increased concerns about safety decreased the amount of power of the second generation Z to only 245 horsepower. The new cars could take curves faster and handled better than ever, but the speed was just not there. As the '70's progressed, Chevrolet realized that they had to make the Camaro Z28 exude style and appeal. Graphics and monochromatic paint were applied, setting off the few chrome accents the cars had. By 1977, consumers were once again excited about the Z28, and Chevrolet sold over fourteen thousand of them that year (it was a short model year, so fourteen thousand was very good). In 1978, the Z28's received new front and rear fascias and fender vents, among other cosmetic changes. In 1979, the California Highway patrol put in an order for Camaro police cars, because their cruisers were no match for the sports cars on the road. They performed well, and over the years, more police stations put in orders for the Z28 police cars. 1979 saw Camaro's best year ever, with production reaching 280,000 units. In 1980, a change included a rear-facing cowl hood to increase cold air flow. In 1982, the all-new third generation Camaro was released.
12-05-2005, 04:06 PM
#2
Pretty good! Some stuff I found:
"The First Generation Camaros were large, heavy muscle cars"
1st gens have about the same wheelbase as the 4th gens, and actually weigh a little less than 4th gens. Not really too large or heavy. Here is a pic:
https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/OldVsNew02.htm
"The Second Generation, which began in 1970, was a hatchback style"
-change that to read "fastback style". It actually had a trunk, not a hatch
"The First Generation Camaros were large, heavy muscle cars"
1st gens have about the same wheelbase as the 4th gens, and actually weigh a little less than 4th gens. Not really too large or heavy. Here is a pic:
https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/OldVsNew02.htm
"The Second Generation, which began in 1970, was a hatchback style"
-change that to read "fastback style". It actually had a trunk, not a hatch
12-05-2005, 04:20 PM
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Points to ponder:
- 1st gens had 4 body styles, neither of which was exclusively an "SS" or "Z28".
- Big Block engines were not available at the beginning of the model year but were made available as an answer to Ford putting the 390cid motor into the 2nd gen 67 Mustang.
- The "302" Z28 engine was not available at the start of the model year. It was created in response to the SCCA's mandating a 5 liter (305) engine limit for the Trans Am racing series, which also mandated a minimum lot of 500 production vehicles for homologation (thus the 602 production lot for 67). It was created by using a 283's 3 inch stroke crankshaft in a 327's cid 4 inch bore block. Note: You are correct in the fact that this engine produced well in excess of 400 hp.
- The 350 cid engine was created exclusively as the SS engine for the 67 Camaro. It wasn't available for use in other Chevy products untill the 1968 model year.
- No part of the Camaro (that I'm aware of) was derived from the Chevelle except for mutually available drive train components (engines and transmissions). The 67-69 was based on the upcoming changes to the 68 Nova.
- FYI: 1st gen Camaro RS cars were available with 1v inline 6 engines (230) up to a 275hp/327cid with 4 speed (L30/M20). Camaro's with SS engines (350 & 396) and RS exteriors were true SS's (not RS's) and were called either SS/RS or RS/SS.
- The spoiler on the tail had nothing to do with the car being a Mustang eater. Rather it helped keep the tail of the car glued to the road at speeds exceeding 80mph.
- All 67 - 69 Camaro's had a 108" wheel base.
Although I've enjoyed all generations of Camaro's I primarily have dealt with 1st gens (mostly 67's).
- 1st gens had 4 body styles, neither of which was exclusively an "SS" or "Z28".
- Big Block engines were not available at the beginning of the model year but were made available as an answer to Ford putting the 390cid motor into the 2nd gen 67 Mustang.
- The "302" Z28 engine was not available at the start of the model year. It was created in response to the SCCA's mandating a 5 liter (305) engine limit for the Trans Am racing series, which also mandated a minimum lot of 500 production vehicles for homologation (thus the 602 production lot for 67). It was created by using a 283's 3 inch stroke crankshaft in a 327's cid 4 inch bore block. Note: You are correct in the fact that this engine produced well in excess of 400 hp.
- The 350 cid engine was created exclusively as the SS engine for the 67 Camaro. It wasn't available for use in other Chevy products untill the 1968 model year.
- No part of the Camaro (that I'm aware of) was derived from the Chevelle except for mutually available drive train components (engines and transmissions). The 67-69 was based on the upcoming changes to the 68 Nova.
- FYI: 1st gen Camaro RS cars were available with 1v inline 6 engines (230) up to a 275hp/327cid with 4 speed (L30/M20). Camaro's with SS engines (350 & 396) and RS exteriors were true SS's (not RS's) and were called either SS/RS or RS/SS.
- The spoiler on the tail had nothing to do with the car being a Mustang eater. Rather it helped keep the tail of the car glued to the road at speeds exceeding 80mph.
- All 67 - 69 Camaro's had a 108" wheel base.
Although I've enjoyed all generations of Camaro's I primarily have dealt with 1st gens (mostly 67's).
12-05-2005, 06:14 PM
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In Part 2 of this post, my sources are listed. All the information in the paper is as accurate as the books are. A really excellent book is the Z28 and Performance Specials book that is listed. Thank you for your input, though. My reference to the Camaro being heavy was simply in relation to the other cars in its class when it came out. This paper was submitted for a Design class, also, so "heavy" also refers to the look of the car, not necessarily the weight.
I appreciate your critiques. Keep it up!
I appreciate your critiques. Keep it up!
