Return of the Z28 - 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- The Z28 was the Chevrolet Camaro's performance model for many years. However early in its production life it disappeared during the mid-1970s for a few model years. Chevrolet realizing its mistake brought it back during the middle of the 1977 model year. The significance of the return of the Z28 can't be overstated, its impact has been long lasting. Watch this video to find out why the 1977 Camaro Z28 was such signifigant performance car.
The late 70s Camaro looks like an adult Vega, and the Mustang 2 looks like an adult Pinto. I love them all!
The Mustang 2 was a Pinto! Thankfully, the Camaro from the 1970s had no relation to the Vega! I remember the Vega. My Mom had one. It's the first car I can remember seeing as a child. I hated that car and always will!
Some dude here in town has a cobra 2.
White with black striping ,all the louvers and side pipes you'd want, and the tone coming from it isn't some low compression droning wheezing V8, she's definitely been worked over.
I dug alot of those cars, they had the look but just needed some help under the hood.
Can’t get over how bad mustang 2 looks still.
Ah the Charlies Angels stangs..thats what guys called them then .And yeah on the pinto thing. Performance was dead, we could only hope the hp would start again. Were at the tail end of the 2nd round.
Fun Fact: The 2nd generation Camaro used the same steering & front suspension as our old 1977 Chevrolet Concours. I STILL consider the second-generation (1970-'81) Camaro/Firebird to be the most beautiful design of the late 1970's/early '80's. I mean, just look at those lines!!!!!!
? Just the 1977 Nova Concours? 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ ok here’s the basics.
Chevy2 first Gen 62-65 unit body construction no front subframe. 2nd Gen 66-67 new design but still unit construction no front subframe .- 3rd Gen X body 68-74( note the body restyle on the 73-74 didn’t change the underpinnings) same front subframe as the 67-69 F body. Now the 4th Gen X car ( Nova etc) had subframe and underpinning same as the 2nd Gen ( 70-81) F body. I’m not sure who isn’t aware of this but apparently it now needs to be said - as sad as that is. Oh, if the 77 Nova Concours happened to have same spring rates or sway bar etc as the 77 Z28 that’s fine - it’s also way beyond esoteric and unimportant
not the ones with the hideous bumpers
Oh, I do too!
'67 - '69 Camaro was the best... they got weak, inefficient, and bloated after that...
Due to the high demand for the Olds Cutlass Supreme, GM had trouble supplying the Rocket 350 v8.
So Olds began to install Chevy 350 v8s in them. The only way to order a 350 Chevy engine for a Camaro was to get the mid-year Z28 manual or auto.
Chevy was still making the RS and LT models...BUT unless they were already in dealer stock (manual or auto) you could only get a 305 2bbl v8.
My first car was a red 1976 Camaro with a 305. Somehow the interior was in perfect shape. It was actually pretty quick. It had amazing outward visibility. Somewhere out there it is still running around. I actually miss it. It was very reliable.
Must have been an amazing car
I had a 76 Rally Sport with a 350...somebody before me had put headers and glass packs on it and an actual dual exhaust. It sounded great and was actually pretty darned quick! Loved that car! I now have a 2012 Camaro SS that is much faster-love all Camaros!
My first car was. 76 Camaro also. Kept it until 1983. Trunk leak, transmission needed to warm up before it would move and the body sagged so bad the door wouldn't open sometimes. Loved the car but it had lived it's life. Good times!!!
Mine was a Yellow 76 with the 305, headers & Cherry bomb exhaust made it sound fast at least ;) Beautiful lines on both the Camaro & Trans Am, I had 4 of those later on.
A couple of things here. My dad’s 77 Camaro RS was the first car I ever rode in, home from the hospital. ☺️ I wasn’t born until 82 though.
He ordered his RS about 6 months before the Z28 came out and he ordered it special with the 350. He actually told me a few weeks ago he was irritated at the time that there wasn’t any indication in the magazines that the Z28 was coming back otherwise he would have waited. Interesting times!
Don't forget that the performance car's from the 70s not only had just flashy graphics but they also had better handling and suspension packages them what was offered in the '60s..
Just picked up a 1977 Z28 last week, only 55k miles…. Absolutely love this car!!!
Congratulations!
I’ve got a ‘77 T/A, myself. Love it.
You absolutely must keep this car in top notch condition. Same suggestion for person who bought the Trans Am. My advice to both of you.
@@carlpage4248 well,
My wife’s convertible was kicked out of the garage because of it… 🤷🏻♂️🤪😉🤘
Does it have a hood scoop?
@@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel no, not for 77. But it did come with an extra fiberglass cowl induction hood.
Well done. '79 aluminum Fine Spoked wheels are hard to find these days. Soooo beautiful. Thanks for the video.... awesome.
Hey Chevy, get the molds off the shelf and start producing these Z's again ...I'm in!!!
The Camaro is dying and bringing the 77 back won't help.
I'm a die hard stang Guy but if they did I'd want a Camaro too
@@robertpoudrette4483 Gave up on GM. THey flubbed so hard on teh retro camaro. They would only make it worse if they restyled it
Plus we cant buy cars with good sheetmetal anymore
I always love it when oldcarmemories uploads a new video.
*Me, too.*
My best friend from high school bought the '77 Z28 white like your thumbnail. At the same time I bought the '77 LTD II Sport, 400cid Red with the Starsky and Hutch type white stripe on the side. We both had a fun time back then.
If only I could (today) buy a 77 TA fully optioned.. I'd buy 3 of them. One for a Daily driver, one for long term investment, and the other as a parts car for the first two.
77-81 Z28 are some of the best looking cars. EVER.
In any category. Or at any price.
Well, all FBODY cars for that matter.
Yes I always thought they were absolutely gorgeous
I had a new white 78 z28 350/350 back in the day. My cousin had a 78 Trans Am 400/400. The TA was faster in the 1/4 mi... until I installed a shift kit in the 350 turbo. The z smoked the TA with that one trans tune!
I had a 78 Z28 white on white. 4 speed. Till this day I regret selling it. Miss it so much
@@oliverdelgado6952 Same here, brother.
Your cousin couldn’t drive T/A all day
Better than an electric car
That’s a highly charged statement. And I agree. 😅
Was 9 yrs old remember being excited to hear they came back!
Had that book the Great Camaro practically memorized! lol
2nd Gen Camaro Z, overall the best driving muscle car Ive ever owned....and had over 50 of em. Everything was placed just right, felt right suspension steering etc.
Had no idea they were that heavy!
I just wanted to say that I've been a subscriber for years now and I always enjoy being notified of a new release. As well, I'm confident that you'll have the facts correct. Your voice is ASMR to me and I love the music that you chose and have stayed with.
The positive difference you make in people's lives is probably greater than you may know.
Thank you for the effort you put in to bring a complete and satisfying production.
Sounds like an artificial intelligence voice. Great videos though!
I like the safety and performance of my 2013 Camaro SS convertible though love these cars due bring back memories !
Bought a black 77 in 1980 at age 19. Often think of getting a ‘74. Loved the car; only moment I will never forget is when a buddy’s 66 Beaumont 327 SD blew the doors off me. I thought mine was fast…cuz at that time it supposedly was. Nope, not compared to anything earlier, not even close.
Yeah sure I'd take a Trans Am over those Z/28s but they're still wicked looking rides and I'd grab one up in a heartbeat if I could. Had a 77 LT in my youth. Nice car but she was gutless. lol
I love this channel. So informative and always great picks.
The 2nd generation of the Camaro was my favorite.
Good stuff loved these cars especially the transam
In 1981 I was at the local Chevy dealer wanting a Z28 but at 23 couldn't afford the payments or insurance.The salesman said to me " son,if you don't buy this car,you'll regret it for the rest of your life." And he was right.
I Like 1991 To 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Modern Muscle Car Thanks For Uploading
I still remember Vehicles that ran on leaded gasoline. New Gasoline that they make now doesn't run in older cars like the old leaded gasoline did.
There’s a gas additive for that.
I had a 77 Z, it was silver with black interior. I did a lot of upgrades to the engine so it was much faster that a stock one. I miss it a lot as it was a very unique model. I plan on getting another some day.
I would still rather have my 68 back FULLY Rebuilt as I Intended it to be, that My "Best Friend" at the time was Rebuilding for me, being Fresh Out and Top 5 in his College Coarse, Parents Sold, Without a Title and Me knowing in the middle of the Build... Would have had a Brand New (1989) Trucks 350 w 5 Speed with only 500 miles on them, Tilt Telescoping Steering, Custom Kevlar ( Kevlar free from work ) Hood with Scoops and Kevlar Tail Wing, Fresh Restored/Covered Buckets, Dual 3" Exhaust, Brand New Carpet, Brand New F/R Quarters I got from work. $4000 just in Primer ( Free From Work) brand New Windshield and everything else it needed to rebuild... All there... But was taking up room in a Shed they never used, so they sold Everything and if I remember correctly, only got a Few Grand for it... like 2 or 3 grand and I paid 1500 for Rolling Chassis and most of the stuff besides the engine/trans, paint/primmer, steering wheel, quarters and all the Free Kevlar was already included.
Smokey & the Bandit made the 1977 trans Am a big hit
That may be the reason for higher price of Trans Am.
That's why the Camaro is a better deal.
I remember when this came out. It's big claim to fame was it's handling. The took it out on the track and at high speed they snapped the car into a 90 degree slide and pulled it right back out without spinning. Not all handling is G numbers. Nobleness counts also.
The last Yenko Camaros were modded in 1981 as Turbo Z. Only 13 were produced, but had the highes HP of the late second gens...btw 200-250 and had OEM front spoiler.
Don't forget about the Rally Sport Camaro 75- 77.
My sis in law had a 79 RS silver and black two tone with Rally stripes between them
Outstanding great review 👍👍👍👍
The trans am and formula were far superior than the Camaro in 76-79 better dash better interior a poncho 400 which could easily be modified to a zippy car . With a little of engine work ( make it spec with the 68-71 400 and in a light nimble with the WS6 handling package absolutely a strong street machine
I agree
@@Firebird400 the Pontiac second generation were better looking and far more impressive camaro you go 70-74 and then 75 81 exact same
The WS6 vs the Camaro F41 is kind of a tie. The 400 was 4 speed only in 78-79, the rest had the 301 (eww) and the 403 (enjoy your flexible block) 350 Chevy parts are way cheaper and way more common than Poncho 400 parts.
@@ahoneyman 76-79
@@ahoneyman the Pontiac was far superior. Looks feel engine. Plus 400s were around grand prixs and lemans used them til 80 I believe so
I love the malaise era
Very very cool, really enjoyed this vid!! 👍👍🙂
I purchased a new '79 Berlinetta just before starting college. To me the second gen---especially the last few years without chrome--is the best looking of the all the gens. Though the 73 Camaro SS is gorgeous. (I bought a new '88 IROC and still drive it, but I initially didn't like the thrid gens when they came out. )
I Like it !!!
I find these performance engine numbers kinda funny. But I remember how big a deal the 275hp in the 94's were.
I want a 1980 f-body because I'm a 1980 model
I had a 76' Type Lt, a 77' type Lt and still have my Red 91' Z28. Just like the one in the video.
I have an 81 Z28 in the garage I'm slowly bringing back to life. Have an L82 from a Vette that's gonna go in it to replace the dead 305
I wish you would do a dollar for dollar comparison of the Camaro SS Rally Sport & Pontiac Firebird Formula & Ford middle of the road Mustang for let’s say 1970 thru 1972 era !!! Respectively
My Parents had a Datsun B210 During that time and a 1973 Chevrolet Pickup truck that Dad ordered with a wimpy Straight 6 Engine. The Pickup ran horible with all of that Polution junk on it.
Love the thing. Just wish it came with a detuned L82. As it should have....great video.
Back in the day my friend ordered one in 1979. He drove it for a couple of months, then ordered an L82 Corvette engine, and swapped it out. That car ran great. Wish he still had it.
@@mgonzales56 Right? The Z was never a slouch but it felt as special as a L82 Vette I'm betting (slightly bigger of course). Really cool you got to experience that. I guess if emission standards weren't so strict it would've happen. At least given some consideration. Would've been nice.
I appreciate how you explain things with good information my friend had a 81 Camaro Z28 355 slightly 5 ci. Bored over raised lifters 4 speed side exhausts 400hp red ext. Black interior it was fast 11 second quarter mile it was like a streak of red going past the house beautiful car up close
I miss those high bucket seats.
They were more comfortable than they looked and held you in the seat better than most seats today.
When the Camaro went to the square body style I was heartbroken. There was nothing prettier than the 70’-73’ models.
That yellow 1980 Z28 at 8:15 was one of my dream cars of that time - but my $2.15 per hour job at the local parts store meant that I could only dream of such awesomeness while driving my '62 VW Bus.
I had a 78 T/A WITH Pontiac 400 motor 180 hp 2.56 rear end. It was a freeway cruiser. A slow heavy car. Got a 1985 honda CRX WITH 5 spd. Manual which was a much more fun reliable car to drive. It would be faster than a stock factory 77 Z/28.
"This was terrible news... two performance-oriented Camaro fans."
My first Camaro was a yellow 1977 Z28 bought in 1986 for $2,500. It was really a great car until 1990 when everything started failing at the same time...
Joe Mannix had a blue one of these Z-28s in the 1974-1975 season
I love these videos!
Although I'm a Chevy guy, I owned a 78 Mustang II in 1980 and I used to outrun the '77 and '78 Camaros. That Mustang was quick.
What were they thinking car was always a beut.
I agree! My friend have 75 and I like it a lot. Many 79. on car shows here in Croatia, but 75 is rare here.
SAD , MY POP LIVE THROUGH THE HEY DAYS , DRAG RACED FROM LATE 50S THROUGH EARLY 70S MY LITTLE BROTHER WAS BORN IN FEB70 AND HE COULDNT KEEP RACEING WITH US 3 BOYS! :)
I've had a 70, 72, and still have a 73. I draw the line at 74 and newer. Just not interested if it doesn't have round taillights.
I would gladly accept and take a 1970 Camaro Z/28 over the equivalent 1970 Trans-AM because it's easier to find and get. All of these cars are few made because of the UAW strike at the time. I believe the 1970 Camaro Z/28 has mechanical lifters which require frequent adjustment whereas the 1970 Trans-AM is hydralic lifters that don't require adjustment.
Any videos about 78 to 81 camaro 2 door coup 305 ? I am a new subscriber to your channel and I totally love it.
my brother had a berlinetta. Kool car
Zed 28 if you please.
Thank you.
If you ever watch MANNIX the last year of the show he drove around in a 1974 camaro
I had a 77 Camaro for 16 years sold it to get my 70 SS 396 Chevelle much more fun than the Camaro ever was
Big Boy Camaro in the 70s
Nice "looking" cars. The first thing I'd do to them though is put an LS in them!
I see your LS and raise you a turbo Atlas I6.
@@skaldlouiscyphre2453 6 cylinders sound like outboard boat motors!
@@saintnificent5532 Inline sixes sound like proper race car engines, V8s sound like a pickup truck.
My first car was the silver model bought in 83 for 5800 Canadian
They should bring back the z28 again
1:40 “it was just a tad bit more flashy “THAAN” the previous 1970 model….”
One more year before they started looking good again with the integrated bumpers replacing the hang on ones
Taillights looked cheaper after 1977 and were too much like the Mustang II's taillights with separate amber turn signals and separate white backup lights.
Should have returned to the round type on the '70-'73 models. This while the Pontiac Firebird and Trans Ams got stealth taillights.
My friend had a carmaro drove it through an alley that was too small for car it scaped on walls as it drove through I felt like my insides were being torn out
That moment you wish the Camaro was a Corolla.
@@skaldlouiscyphre2453 lol yeah
An Army buddy had one of these second generation Z28s. We thought it was very special.
My dad's first new car was a '78 Z28. I just ordered my self a '23 SS since that will be the end of the line for the Camaro..in gas at least.
Trans Am was a far superior car in every aspect
They should bring the Z/28 back again, and install that Z06 flat plane V8 in it backed by a mandatory manual transmission.
I had a 77 Z28
Amen Bro!!!
Trans Am and Camaro came off the same assembly line
I was 17 in 1977 and my high school parking lot was full of used '60s muscle cars which were affordable at that time. Believe me no performance enthusiast took the 1977 Z28 or any other 1977 new car seriously. They were turds and it was illegal to modify them. The days of fast cars from Detroit were long gone, and we had no reason to believe they would ever return. Fortunately a couple of decades later showroom performance finally came back.
What about the 3-speed manual transmission
‘74 is probably my favorite. A lot of cars had trouble integrating the federally mandated battering-ram bumpers into their design and looked quite hideous. The Camaro by contrast, actually wore them well.
I own like 5 of these. Their all Hot Wheels but I own them.
Shame when it came back it was down so much in power compared to my '74 Z/28. 245 hp, 4 speed manual and 3.73 posi was pretty decent in 1974.
Feel free to knowledge me on this. The Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am, same basic American Badass rides, right?
Mustang horsepower was 139, not 129 as stated, and was a direct competitor of the Chevy Monza, not the Camaro.
PS I don't need to speed to get where I want to go.
Steve, you mentioned even with the decrease in hosepaower, the 77 Z28 was much better and more well-rounded performance car than the 1974 Z28. What brings you to that conclusion? The 1974 did not have a catalytic convertor so it should have been quite a bit more powerful. The cars look similar cosmetically. Were the handling, braking and steering improvements you mentioned, really enough to offset the huge performance hit from the catalytic convertor?
I looked more into the 1974 Z28 and it came standard with the L-82 engine. That engine alone seems to put the 1974 Z28 far ahead of the 1977 offering. The L82 offered the following features the 1977 Z28 engine did not have. Forged pistons, forged steel crankshaft, 2.02"/1.60" valves, 0.450/0.460 lift (intake/exhaust) and 346/360 duration camshaft, dual snorkel air cleaner and cast aluminum valve covers, The 1974 Z28 engine was rated at 245 net horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 1977 engine mustered 175hp at only 3800 rpm with 270 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM. I can imagine the difference it must feel being in the driver's seat shifting that 4 speed at 5,200 rpm versus 3,800.
I like the first and 3rd gen…. But the 2ond gen was never speaking to me
Why does gm stop making some cars ?
Chevrolet never likes to bring things back but in this car they had no chance of they did not bring back the Z28 and sent's I am related to Louie Chevrolet that car is family like all Chevrolets
Seemed like every year that went by in the 70's they were choking the v8's down more and more. The 350 was making half the power in 77 that it was in 70 for only a 1-2 mpg increase 🤣. What logic.
That's the good ol' government for ya!
The Camaro only offered 3 engines: 250 I-6, 305 or a 350
Everyone knows why Chevy never put a big block in the Camaro during the 70s and 80s right?
Wish these could be sped up slightly at least. I like them but oh so slow like a 8 track tape dragging. These might have even had 8 track players come to think of it. LoL
Looked good, but, choked down and slow.
😍!
Sales were not good, though. 2002, no more Camaro until 2010. Now it's going away again.
I have always liked Mustang's More. The Government Ruined Egine Performance in the 70's with all of the Polution Junk as My Dad called it.
Ok, go see those Mustang videos then. By the way, I always liked Camaros and Firebirds a lot more than Mustangs...
Yeah, we could have just all learned to breathe exhaust fumes better. Gawtdamned commies with their 'clean air'. 😡
😎🖖✌👌👍🤓
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Had one. Was a dog
185 hp? Lol! My dodge caravan 6 cylinder makes significantly more power than that.
Pls STOP making mislead video like thise sir.... Split🇺🇸Window is american heritage !. Since 1960's became famous by stingray concept and 1963 corvette. Who are u making false history with zero data and zero evidence of splitwindow's public hates.