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A further front end redesign marked the 1979 Z28. The new 3-piece air dam and front wheel opening flares gave the car a racier appearance. Styling remained basically unaltered on the "Z", as it would, excepting a few minor improvements, until the unveiling of the next all-new offering from Chevrolet in 1982. Mechanically however, 1981 saw the introduction of the C-4 emission control system; as a result and LG-4 305 cu. in. V-8 powreplant became standard for the Z28. The 350 cu. in. was now an option.
The third generation Z28 Camaro entered the age of new technology with a totally new body design to capture the imagination of the 1980s population. The "Aero restyle" resulted in a sports car of modern dimensions, measuring up to ten inches shorter (riding a 101-inch wheelbase) and 470 pounds lighter than its predecessor. This body style, apart from minor alterations through the years, would remain until 1992. Under the hood of the new 1982 model sat either the standard 305 rated at 145 horsepower or an optional Crossfire fuel-injected version of 165 bhp. The 350 cu. in. powerplant was no longer offered.
In 1982, for the very first time, the Z28 was used as the Indy Pace Car, joining the ranks of the RS/SS models which had been used in 1967 and 1969. A total of 6,360 Indy 500 Commemorative Editions were built.
The following year marked the introduction of the four-speed overdrive automatic transmission (with lock-up torque converter), replacing the three-speed of old. Also available in 1983 was a new high output 305 cu, in. V-8 engine, named the L-69. Fitted with a 4-barrel carburettor and revised camshaft and valve system, the new engine offered a very respectable 190 horsepower.
1985 heralded the arrival of the IROC-Z as a Z28 option. Also available was a new V-8: the L-89 tuned-port fuel injection (TPI) also rated as 190 bhp.
The 350 cu. in. (5.7 litre) engine returned as an option in 1987, in the form of Tuned-Port Injection at 230 bhp. The next big change came about in 1988, a year in which the Z28 name was dropped from the Camaro line-up in favour of the IROC-Z, only to return in late 1989.
The fourth generation Z28 was unveiled in 1993. Gone were the sharp, angular lines, to make way for the new rounded appearance which was beginning to be reflected in new designs throughout the industry. Longer, wider, yet on the same wheelbase, almost everything about this new creation was completely different to all that had gone before. A new LT-1 350 cu. in. engine with sequential port fuel injection nestled under the hood, through a Borg-Warner T-56 six-speed manual transmission, or optional 4-speed automatic. To accompany the powerful set up, Chevrolet fitted 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS.
This year's new-look model, sporting a redesigned front end, features a new 5.7 litre (305 bhp) LS-1 V-8 of all-aluminium construction. A choice of six-speed manual or electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is offered. Adding to the line-up in 1998 is a special Z28 SS, featuring a functional hood scoop which pumps the impressive looking beast up to 320 horsepower by way of forced-air induction. Performance-wise, this model has been rated by the American motoring press as "the quickest, best-handling, best-braking, best-built Camaro ever"... and the figures prove it, with consistent mid-13s in the 1/4 mile, 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 150mph.
As for tomorrow's Z28, we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds. |
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