Official story of the Z28 being a "higher" package than the SS...
09-20-2008, 04:16 AM
#1
Official story of the Z28 being a "higher" package than the SS... I've read so many threads griping about the SS not being top dog anymore (assuming the Z28 is released as discussed thus far) coming mostly from 4th Gen owners who don't know anything about heritage...
First of all, please correct me if I am wrong, the SS package on First Gens was simply an appearance package (as most would argue it was on the Fourth Gen cars as well) but regardless of that I wanted to address RPO codes.
The SS RPO code was Z27. In 1967 GM was producing a certain number of Camaros solely for the Trans Am series. The series had certain spec requirements the engines had to meet. Basically had to be less than 305ci.
Long story short, they made a 302ci designed to make a lot of power (eventually added suspension to the option) to be their car for the Trans Am series. They didn't have a name for it so it was just named after the next step up (ABOVE the SS) RPO code, the Z28.
Z28 was originally an in house name that became released and stuck after the success of the cars and the orders for them. By 1968 it was officially a separate car model (maybe Chevy history will repeat itself and the Z28 will return in all its ORIGINAL glory in model year 2).
Point of the story is Z28 was a HIGHER RPO code than the SS and instead of an appearance package it was a purpose built race car package.
FYI, RPO Z27 was originally prescribed to the SS in 1967 but didn't officially show up that way until 1969.
Of course, with 4th Gens the Z28 gets turned into a Z28SS (in the early stages) and finally simply becomes the SS (a Z28 that had been up-fit with better parts) later... Yet, the 4th Gen SS was NEVER as bad *** an option as the 4th Gen Z28 was.
At the end of the day, the new Camaro, being designed after the First Gen, is completely falling in rank with history by making the Z28 top dog and if the rumors are true, by making it a true high horsepower option.
It just makes BRAND sense. Lots of models have SS models. Models that are really nice but still relatively high production vehicles meant for daily driving. Then you have the Z cars, like the Z06, the ZR1 and hopefully the Z28 which will simply represent the best American engineering has to offer
First of all, please correct me if I am wrong, the SS package on First Gens was simply an appearance package (as most would argue it was on the Fourth Gen cars as well) but regardless of that I wanted to address RPO codes.
The SS RPO code was Z27. In 1967 GM was producing a certain number of Camaros solely for the Trans Am series. The series had certain spec requirements the engines had to meet. Basically had to be less than 305ci.
Long story short, they made a 302ci designed to make a lot of power (eventually added suspension to the option) to be their car for the Trans Am series. They didn't have a name for it so it was just named after the next step up (ABOVE the SS) RPO code, the Z28.
Z28 was originally an in house name that became released and stuck after the success of the cars and the orders for them. By 1968 it was officially a separate car model (maybe Chevy history will repeat itself and the Z28 will return in all its ORIGINAL glory in model year 2).
Point of the story is Z28 was a HIGHER RPO code than the SS and instead of an appearance package it was a purpose built race car package.
FYI, RPO Z27 was originally prescribed to the SS in 1967 but didn't officially show up that way until 1969.
Of course, with 4th Gens the Z28 gets turned into a Z28SS (in the early stages) and finally simply becomes the SS (a Z28 that had been up-fit with better parts) later... Yet, the 4th Gen SS was NEVER as bad *** an option as the 4th Gen Z28 was.
At the end of the day, the new Camaro, being designed after the First Gen, is completely falling in rank with history by making the Z28 top dog and if the rumors are true, by making it a true high horsepower option.
It just makes BRAND sense. Lots of models have SS models. Models that are really nice but still relatively high production vehicles meant for daily driving. Then you have the Z cars, like the Z06, the ZR1 and hopefully the Z28 which will simply represent the best American engineering has to offer
09-20-2008, 06:48 AM
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who cares... they all end up modified frankenstein cars after a few months anyways... what fun would it be if all we had to look forward to was what they offered from the factory... unless you plan on buying one, leaving it stock and leaving it in a vaccum sealed garrage, does it matter? i try not to get wrapped up into advertisments, because thats all any f that **** is... who cares?
09-20-2008, 01:16 PM
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I've read so many threads griping about the SS not being top dog anymore (assuming the Z28 is released as discussed thus far) coming mostly from 4th Gen owners who don't know anything about heritage...
First of all, please correct me if I am wrong, the SS package on First Gens was simply an appearance package (as most would argue it was on the Fourth Gen cars as well) but regardless of that I wanted to address RPO codes.
The SS RPO code was Z27. In 1967 GM was producing a certain number of Camaros solely for the Trans Am series. The series had certain spec requirements the engines had to meet. Basically had to be less than 305ci.
Long story short, they made a 302ci designed to make a lot of power (eventually added suspension to the option) to be their car for the Trans Am series. They didn't have a name for it so it was just named after the next step up (ABOVE the SS) RPO code, the Z28.
Z28 was originally an in house name that became released and stuck after the success of the cars and the orders for them. By 1968 it was officially a separate car model (maybe Chevy history will repeat itself and the Z28 will return in all its ORIGINAL glory in model year 2).
Point of the story is Z28 was a HIGHER RPO code than the SS and instead of an appearance package it was a purpose built race car package.
FYI, RPO Z27 was originally prescribed to the SS in 1967 but didn't officially show up that way until 1969.
Of course, with 4th Gens the Z28 gets turned into a Z28SS (in the early stages) and finally simply becomes the SS (a Z28 that had been up-fit with better parts) later... Yet, the 4th Gen SS was NEVER as bad *** an option as the 4th Gen Z28 was.
At the end of the day, the new Camaro, being designed after the First Gen, is completely falling in rank with history by making the Z28 top dog and if the rumors are true, by making it a true high horsepower option.
It just makes BRAND sense. Lots of models have SS models. Models that are really nice but still relatively high production vehicles meant for daily driving. Then you have the Z cars, like the Z06, the ZR1 and hopefully the Z28 which will simply represent the best American engineering has to offer
First of all, please correct me if I am wrong, the SS package on First Gens was simply an appearance package (as most would argue it was on the Fourth Gen cars as well) but regardless of that I wanted to address RPO codes.
The SS RPO code was Z27. In 1967 GM was producing a certain number of Camaros solely for the Trans Am series. The series had certain spec requirements the engines had to meet. Basically had to be less than 305ci.
Long story short, they made a 302ci designed to make a lot of power (eventually added suspension to the option) to be their car for the Trans Am series. They didn't have a name for it so it was just named after the next step up (ABOVE the SS) RPO code, the Z28.
Z28 was originally an in house name that became released and stuck after the success of the cars and the orders for them. By 1968 it was officially a separate car model (maybe Chevy history will repeat itself and the Z28 will return in all its ORIGINAL glory in model year 2).
Point of the story is Z28 was a HIGHER RPO code than the SS and instead of an appearance package it was a purpose built race car package.
FYI, RPO Z27 was originally prescribed to the SS in 1967 but didn't officially show up that way until 1969.
Of course, with 4th Gens the Z28 gets turned into a Z28SS (in the early stages) and finally simply becomes the SS (a Z28 that had been up-fit with better parts) later... Yet, the 4th Gen SS was NEVER as bad *** an option as the 4th Gen Z28 was.
At the end of the day, the new Camaro, being designed after the First Gen, is completely falling in rank with history by making the Z28 top dog and if the rumors are true, by making it a true high horsepower option.
It just makes BRAND sense. Lots of models have SS models. Models that are really nice but still relatively high production vehicles meant for daily driving. Then you have the Z cars, like the Z06, the ZR1 and hopefully the Z28 which will simply represent the best American engineering has to offer
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09-21-2008, 12:56 AM
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i just wish they still made 4th gens.... no more blowing a rear and swaping one out of your 93 lt1 as a spare till you get the cash for a new one, no more taking the cloth seats out of your Z to put TA seats in.... no more hatch....no more stealing the 16's off you junk lt1 and letting it sit on jack stands because u need the rims to put your drag radials on....
the 3rd and 4th gens were so simple yet so great.... it has all became to complicated i hate it
the 3rd and 4th gens were so simple yet so great.... it has all became to complicated i hate it
09-21-2008, 02:15 AM
#13
Not really all correct. The SS was MUCH more then an apperance package from '67-69. The SS and Z28 were just "different". The Z28 was a handler and revved well for a small block. If you were a drag racer they were not for you. A big block 396/375 with a M22 and posi was were it was at. To most old school muscle car guys a SS 396/375 was the top dog, not the Z28. But as I said, they were two very different cars. If you want to get technical the COPO cars were the true top dogs....
09-21-2008, 02:35 AM
#14
I'm with the original poster. Its a matter of learning the TRUE history of the car you like or own. IMO it makes you a better, knowledgeable car enthusiast. Not just another run of the mill ignorant who thinks the history of these cars started with the 4th generation...no pun intended.
09-21-2008, 03:50 PM
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Not really all correct. The SS was MUCH more then an apperance package from '67-69. The SS and Z28 were just "different". The Z28 was a handler and revved well for a small block. If you were a drag racer they were not for you. A big block 396/375 with a M22 and posi was were it was at. To most old school muscle car guys a SS 396/375 was the top dog, not the Z28. But as I said, they were two very different cars. If you want to get technical the COPO cars were the true top dogs....
Last edited by wannabess00; 09-21-2008 at 08:25 PM.
09-23-2008, 06:20 PM
#19
Not really all correct. The SS was MUCH more then an apperance package from '67-69. The SS and Z28 were just "different". The Z28 was a handler and revved well for a small block. If you were a drag racer they were not for you. A big block 396/375 with a M22 and posi was were it was at. To most old school muscle car guys a SS 396/375 was the top dog, not the Z28. But as I said, they were two very different cars. If you want to get technical the COPO cars were the true top dogs....
The Z28 has never been the top dog Camaro, it was a 302 with a factory rated 290 hp. Where as the 396 was 375hp. Some drag racers did get the little Z28 and throw away the DZ302 in place of a 427, as the model was lighter. Anyway, the Z28 as stated was just a different model for a more road racing enthusiast, if you were into stop light terror you choose the SS with the BBC. Now if you were into appearance it would be the RS (not available with the Z28). Much like the 4th gen was. The Z28 was the top of the line only when no other models were offered (late 2nd gens and early/late 3rd gens).
09-26-2008, 10:52 AM
#20
SSNISTR & 12SecSS are right. The Z28 was never the top model unless there were no SS packages available. Z28 came to be as a way the Camaro could go TA racing. It was soley meant to meet production regulations. They named it Z28 simply because that was the code for the package. There were actually 2 Z28 models: a single 4bbl and a Crossram Dual 4bbl. The Z28 was fast and definantly underated but it had more suspension upgardes for handling the curves where as the BBC were brute force straight liners. Top of the performance line of the 1st gen Camaros........SS396/375hp aluminum heads and M21/22. If you wanted to argue the point farther, the ZL1 was King followed by all the other 427s like COPO, Yenko, Nickey, Berger, Motion, etc. Also, I'm not sure about 67 & 68 but the 69 model Z28 was available with RS package but NOT with the Cross Ram. I had a Tuxedo Black/Dover White Z28/RS with the Ivory Interior, M22, factory leaf springs, 12-bolt, disc brakes, center clock, and pod gauges.