The early years of this Gen were gutless and poorly built with low quality plastics. Rattles and squeaks were standard equipment and nothing fit well. Performance improved in later years but those basic problems remained. Instead of being special and fast the Camaros became as common as fleas on a hound dog selling only on their looks which were good for the times. Firebirds had nothing special to offer until the T/A's and the infamous "screaming chicken" hood stickers came along, and all of a sudden everybody wanted one of them until like the Camaros everybody had one and yours wasn't so special anymore. The later performance models were fast enough to match most of what was left of the average muscle cars still on the street but these newer cars didn't have the appeal of the older ones which smart folks were beginning to collect. Not many people saw these as cars worth collecting or keeping except for the rarities. These cars didn't age well either, especially if kept in the sun which exposed how bad all the plastics and stickers were. It would be at least ten more years before there were decent plastic body parts which held up well over time. And by the time this Gen was done, the hot-rodders had already adopted the Mustang as the car to build on if you wanted to go fast- a position it still holds with them today. These are the cars which killed the mystique of the Camaro and Firebirds, and maybe if GM had put some affordable performance under the hood things would have been different.
@P_RO_ I was always the import guy watching the Ford vs Chevy debates from the sidelines. I liked the Mustangs a little more then, but the Firebirds and Camaros looked and sat sportier. Your right about how common they got....Mustangs too. I like some of the rarer models for their exclusivity, but they were usually expensive choices then. Guy at Local Cars and Coffee had a beautiful 89 Turbo T/A. I didn't realize untill I made this vid how rare that thing is.
If Chevrolet actually understood pilots, the Berlinetta would've come with a V8 stock. In 1998, I bought a low mile 82 Trans Am with the CrossFire system. Solid roof, thankfully with no T-top. It was a great car and I have fond memories of it.
I drove C4 vetts back in day but ride in 3rd gen was so much better. My C4 barley out run 3rd gen. The 84 HO 5 speed was no joke and ran well, had a friend had one & we use cruise in his car. 85 Vett 4+3 would out run Buicks GN on hot summer night but below 60 they whipe all of us out. Great video and good history lesson.
A friend bought a new 84 TA, with the HO 305. It was quick and did indeed handle well. I recall the ads for the Turbo TA pace car. Paraphrased it read - most cars need to be modified to pace the Indy 500, we just added some stickers.
Great review and show 😊 ! I remember these 3rd generation Firebirds and Camaros as Knight Rider cars . I always liked these F bodies and I liked the Trans Am and Z28 IROC Z series .
I had a '78 Ttop Z28 350 4bbl in Hi Skool 1982 that I had until '92 but in '85 I got my 1st new car a black/gold Ttop Bandit Edition Trans Am SE 5.0 HO! I also bought a new '88 IROC-Z 5.7! My last new car was a '98 LS1 6sp Ttop black/black Ram Air 5.7 Trans Am SE which my best friend out done me with a black/tan Ttop 6sp SLP Firehawk & that thing was a frikkin beast! In between I briefly had an '83 red Trans Am 5.0 & '86 Camaro 5.0! I just loved those cars & wished I still had them all! ✌💖☮
@@autochatter haha I dont know what gave it away! Actually my very 1st car was in 1979 when I scored a '67 Firebird 326 4bbl when I was 15 for $1200 that had sat in my neighbors yard for at least 5 years! Smokey & the Bandit was also filmed around my neck of the woods as was Cannonball Run & Dukes of Hazzard & I got to take part in each of them
I worked for Christopher Pontiac in Kansas City back in the late 80's and we had 2 of the 20th anniversary Trans Am's. I can personally vouch for the performance numbers. Tried my best to get financing but I just couldn't afford it. Damn those were the baddest cars you could get. I put about 300 miles on each and loved every mile
This would later be the quintessential domestic sports cars seen at night in the parking lots in the 90’s. Also the standard Hot Wheels cars of every kids that grew up in the 80’s, which I had a couple then.
Good Vid Chatter, I miss my 86 Iroc 😢 Black with Ttops I didnt know how to drive a Manual then (high school) so it was a auto 5.0L Tune port injection, when you popped the hood that engine was so cool to look at. What a car
@averyparticularsetofskills Thank you! The take rate on V8s had to be really high for the autos. My first car was a auto too, because I bought it from my Dad, and Mom never learned to drive stick.
I usually never watch videos on these, but I watched this video at 2x speed solely to increase the view count. Also clicked "like" and commented (obviously). cars. Hope it helps the algorithm!
Driving a Camaro IROC Z with T Tops and having the required mullet.😂😂😂 Can't get any more 80s than that. Good times! I still want an IROC because they were just cool.
@autochatter Also, the 3rd generation Camaro also introduced the very coveted 1LE package. Introduced in 89 for the IROC Z and later Z28, it was a track ready package that included a stiffer suspension, heavy-duty brakes, and very few creature comforts such as no power windows, no A/C, and no radio. Ideal for autocross. You can actually add some of the creature comforts separately to the 1LE package, but it's very rare. 1,360 3rd generation Camaros with the 1LE package were produced.
I have an 88 hatchback GTA I bought my first year in college back in 98. I loved that car so much it was black with a digital dash, real Knight rider vibes. I later bought an ls1 Firehawk. I still have both but the old GTA needs a full restoration at this point. Good video man!
I had an auto shop teacher(1985) that had us go test drive 2 cars and compare them. I drove a Mustang gt and a z28. Driving the Mustang first made the Camaro feel big and floated all over. My old stock Vega felt like it cornered a little better. It was a disappointment.
@autochatter I see what you are saying. The 1987 Buick GNX was rated at 276hp. I believe it was probably closer to about 350hp which was certainly better than the Corvette(which is why it only lasted that one year).
@@johnnymason2460 that I can agree with! When we used to cruise the strip in the 80s & 90s a guy I knew had a GNX & man nothing could touch that thing at the time! We all knew it was way more than the advertised 276 & he finally had it dynoed & it was 345
Thank you for the video. The footage was excellent. I liked that. I was glad to see you detail the engine changes and what happened as well. I like the fact you mentioned the Turbo Trans Am with the 3.6 liter V6. I was glad to see you discuss the Firebird changes. I like the fact you talked about Berlinetta and the features it had as well. It was interesting how power grew over time. You really put effort into this video and it shows. You discussed the GTA and the rear window as well. Excellent video. Thank you.
@@autochatter This was Pontiac Excitement. It is just so interested how low powered the cars were in the early 80's all the way around. It really started building in the 1980's I enjoyed the Smokey and The Bandit and Knight Rider mentions too.
Can you do a video on the Chevy Corsica/Beretta? I’m not sure if you have already, but if you haven’t that would be great! 😊 Thanks and I enjoy watching your channel! 😊
As a late 70's kid, growing up in the 80's these where the kings of the road. I always liked the Pontiac version a little better but I still reminisce these cars. Sadly this was back when GM could still build decent stuff.
The Pontiac to me always looked better.i never liked the recessed headlights on the Camaro,how was that aerodynamic? Two large boxes filling up with air
Had an 85 Sport Coupe Camaro with the 305 for a short time. I like the third gen body style more than fourth gen. Exception would be the Firebird. It was always a looker. 😊
I never had one, but alot of people I knew did. I recall T Tops leak complaints and remember hearing alot of rattles. I liked the low seating position compared to the Fox Mustangs.
They were turds because GM neutered Pontiac. The driver’s side reverse scoop on most 3rd Gen T/A is almost identical to what was on the late 2nd Gen turbo T/A. While the 301 turbo had issues, it was already making 210 HP in 1981. It was initially supposed to be available in the 3rd Gen but GM cancelled the 301. With the introduction of EFI and advancement in technology it’s not far fetched to think it would’ve been making over 300 HP since Buick was doing the same thing with a 3.8L V6. This is something Chevy wasn’t able to do in the Corvette until the late 90s. That’s the main reason they were turds. Couldn’t have the F body faster than a Corvette, can we?
The early years of this Gen were gutless and poorly built with low quality plastics. Rattles and squeaks were standard equipment and nothing fit well. Performance improved in later years but those basic problems remained. Instead of being special and fast the Camaros became as common as fleas on a hound dog selling only on their looks which were good for the times. Firebirds had nothing special to offer until the T/A's and the infamous "screaming chicken" hood stickers came along, and all of a sudden everybody wanted one of them until like the Camaros everybody had one and yours wasn't so special anymore.
The later performance models were fast enough to match most of what was left of the average muscle cars still on the street but these newer cars didn't have the appeal of the older ones which smart folks were beginning to collect. Not many people saw these as cars worth collecting or keeping except for the rarities. These cars didn't age well either, especially if kept in the sun which exposed how bad all the plastics and stickers were. It would be at least ten more years before there were decent plastic body parts which held up well over time. And by the time this Gen was done, the hot-rodders had already adopted the Mustang as the car to build on if you wanted to go fast- a position it still holds with them today. These are the cars which killed the mystique of the Camaro and Firebirds, and maybe if GM had put some affordable performance under the hood things would have been different.
@P_RO_ I was always the import guy watching the Ford vs Chevy debates from the sidelines. I liked the Mustangs a little more then, but the Firebirds and Camaros looked and sat sportier. Your right about how common they got....Mustangs too. I like some of the rarer models for their exclusivity, but they were usually expensive choices then. Guy at Local Cars and Coffee had a beautiful 89 Turbo T/A. I didn't realize untill I made this vid how rare that thing is.
If Chevrolet actually understood pilots, the Berlinetta would've come with a V8 stock.
In 1998, I bought a low mile 82 Trans Am with the CrossFire system. Solid roof, thankfully with no T-top. It was a great car and I have fond memories of it.
That's 😎!
I drove C4 vetts back in day but ride in 3rd gen was so much better. My C4 barley out run 3rd gen. The 84 HO 5 speed was no joke and ran well, had a friend had one & we use cruise in his car.
85 Vett 4+3 would out run Buicks GN on hot summer night but below 60 they whipe all of us out. Great video and good history lesson.
@kylemlm I appreciate that! Thank you for sharing some of your car tales! I've drove a few C4s. A 84 a guy I knew had, rode like a log truck!
@@autochatter I had (still have) an 89 Formula 350 with the WS6 suspension. It rides like a log truck also.
@mikee2923 A stiff ride often goes with a performance suspension, unfortunately.
A friend bought a new 84 TA, with the HO 305. It was quick and did indeed handle well.
I recall the ads for the Turbo TA pace car. Paraphrased it read - most cars need to be modified to pace the Indy 500, we just added some stickers.
@charlesdalton985 LOL..That was true!
Finally! Owner of an 83 Trans Am Daytona Pace Car ❤❤❤
Nice!!!!
I was born in November of 1988. Always loved the firebird. Always loved these firebirds, design wise. I liked the last one the most!
@raymond_sycamore Yeah for 4th gens I think the later Firebirds got better looking, and the Camaros got worse.
lol you are just 4 months older than my son! I brought him home from the hospital in my '85 black/gold Ttop Bandit Edition Trans Am SE
These were both fantastic looking cars and the styling still looks great today
They still have "eyes" I agree!
Great review and show 😊 ! I remember these 3rd generation Firebirds and Camaros as Knight Rider cars . I always liked these F bodies and I liked the Trans Am and Z28 IROC Z series .
@@andregonsalvez9244 I appreciate it!
I had a '78 Ttop Z28 350 4bbl in Hi Skool 1982 that I had until '92 but in '85 I got my 1st new car a black/gold Ttop Bandit Edition Trans Am SE 5.0 HO! I also bought a new '88 IROC-Z 5.7! My last new car was a '98 LS1 6sp Ttop black/black Ram Air 5.7 Trans Am SE which my best friend out done me with a black/tan Ttop 6sp SLP Firehawk & that thing was a frikkin beast! In between I briefly had an '83 red Trans Am 5.0 & '86 Camaro 5.0! I just loved those cars & wished I still had them all! ✌💖☮
@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman So, I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say your likely a F Body fan?
@@autochatter haha I dont know what gave it away! Actually my very 1st car was in 1979 when I scored a '67 Firebird 326 4bbl when I was 15 for $1200 that had sat in my neighbors yard for at least 5 years! Smokey & the Bandit was also filmed around my neck of the woods as was Cannonball Run & Dukes of Hazzard & I got to take part in each of them
Very nice to see the Trans Am Turbo. Absolutely beautiful car
I think so too.
Awesome video as always!! The 3rd gens were, in my opinion, well executed. They stood out from prior years but still retained their unique look.
@@h.paulsprojects3061 Thank you! I agree with your 3rd gen assessment.
I always loved these cars, especially when they got cooler looking towards the end of their run.
@@golfboy83 I agree that the later tweaks helped.
I worked for Christopher Pontiac in Kansas City back in the late 80's and we had 2 of the 20th anniversary Trans Am's. I can personally vouch for the performance numbers. Tried my best to get financing but I just couldn't afford it. Damn those were the baddest cars you could get. I put about 300 miles on each and loved every mile
@banditta4life66 Guy at local Cars and Coffee has brought one there recently. The was a Fiero based Mera the same day,which was also rare.
This would later be the quintessential domestic sports cars seen at night in the parking lots in the 90’s. Also the standard Hot Wheels cars of every kids that grew up in the 80’s, which I had a couple then.
@kwasia4882 Yeah...My high school parking lot was full of them...and Fox Platform Mustangs.
Love that distinct 1980s Chevrolet look 💙
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good Vid Chatter, I miss my 86 Iroc 😢
Black with Ttops I didnt know how to drive a Manual then (high school) so it was a auto 5.0L Tune port injection, when you popped the hood that engine was so cool to look at. What a car
@averyparticularsetofskills Thank you! The take rate on V8s had to be really high for the autos. My first car was a auto too, because I bought it from my Dad, and Mom never learned to drive stick.
I usually never watch videos on these, but I watched this video at 2x speed solely to increase the view count. Also clicked "like" and commented (obviously). cars. Hope it helps the algorithm!
@doug6191 I appreciate it knowing your one of G.M.s biggest fans 😜
@autochatter Right on!
Driving a Camaro IROC Z with T Tops and having the required mullet.😂😂😂 Can't get any more 80s than that. Good times! I still want an IROC because they were just cool.
They were!
@autochatter Also, the 3rd generation Camaro also introduced the very coveted 1LE package. Introduced in 89 for the IROC Z and later Z28, it was a track ready package that included a stiffer suspension, heavy-duty brakes, and very few creature comforts such as no power windows, no A/C, and no radio. Ideal for autocross. You can actually add some of the creature comforts separately to the 1LE package, but it's very rare. 1,360 3rd generation Camaros with the 1LE package were produced.
@donaldwilson2620 Yeah I forgot to mention them..I got too wrapped up about the Turbo TA for 89 😜
haha yup & I actually have pics of me in my '85 Trans Am with long hair
@@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGermannice!
I have an 88 hatchback GTA I bought my first year in college back in 98. I loved that car so much it was black with a digital dash, real Knight rider vibes. I later bought an ls1 Firehawk. I still have both but the old GTA needs a full restoration at this point. Good video man!
@expeditionjay Thats awesome and thank you!
I had an auto shop teacher(1985) that had us go test drive 2 cars and compare them. I drove a Mustang gt and a z28. Driving the Mustang first made the Camaro feel big and floated all over. My old stock Vega felt like it cornered a little better. It was a disappointment.
I think Ford was looking at BMW or even their own European Capris for inspiration, and it kinda showed IMO.
Great video, well put together. Keep up the great work.
@@vauxpedia Thank you!
Good video. The Camaro will probably return.
@MotorMaster_Stunticon Thanks Rob! Yeah...I hear somthing is probably coming too.
The 20th anniversary Trans Am actually had a rating of 255hp from the 3.8 liter turbo V6. It still was probably closer to 300hp+ in reality.
I found a few hp numbers making this that varied by 5 here and there..Either way...This one was definately UNDERATED LOL.
@autochatter I see what you are saying. The 1987 Buick GNX was rated at 276hp. I believe it was probably closer to about 350hp which was certainly better than the Corvette(which is why it only lasted that one year).
@@johnnymason2460 You got it!
@@johnnymason2460 that I can agree with! When we used to cruise the strip in the 80s & 90s a guy I knew had a GNX & man nothing could touch that thing at the time! We all knew it was way more than the advertised 276 & he finally had it dynoed & it was 345
@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman 345hp-350hp. That sounds about right to me.
Thank you for the video. The footage was excellent. I liked that. I was glad to see you detail the engine changes and what happened as well. I like the fact you mentioned the Turbo Trans Am with the 3.6 liter V6. I was glad to see you discuss the Firebird changes. I like the fact you talked about Berlinetta and the features it had as well. It was interesting how power grew over time. You really put effort into this video and it shows. You discussed the GTA and the rear window as well. Excellent video. Thank you.
Thank you Olds! Im glad you liked this one too!
@@autochatter This was Pontiac Excitement. It is just so interested how low powered the cars were in the early 80's all the way around. It really started building in the 1980's I enjoyed the Smokey and The Bandit and Knight Rider mentions too.
@@OLDS98 Well...Dont you HAVE TO when talking about Firebirds? LOL.
@@autochatter lol! Smokey and The Bandit, Knight Rider are indeed famous Pontiacs....
Admittedly I do like any generation if Camaro/Firebird. Actually kinda my dream car. I'm a widower my kids are grown. So it be so cool.
I wouldn't mind a 77 or 78 TA myself. Love how they look.
Have you already done the Mazda Familia/GLC/323/Protegé/Mazda3?
No dedicated Mazda vids yet, but they are on the list.There are two in my driveway, so one would think I already would LOL.
Can you do a video on the Chevy Corsica/Beretta? I’m not sure if you have already, but if you haven’t that would be great! 😊 Thanks and I enjoy watching your channel! 😊
@@jriley1992 I almost started those once already, so I am planning on circling back to them. And thank you!
As a late 70's kid, growing up in the 80's these where the kings of the road. I always liked the Pontiac version a little better but I still reminisce these cars. Sadly this was back when GM could still build decent stuff.
@PearComputingDevices I liked the Firebirds more too, but may have been because of Knight Rider!
I have built the 1/24 scale Revell/Monogram 85 Camaro Z28 model kit.. came out quite nicely I think..
@@RoadRunnergarage8570 Nice!
The Pontiac to me always looked better.i never liked the recessed headlights on the Camaro,how was that aerodynamic? Two large boxes filling up with air
@joemazzola7387 Some composite headlights in the Camaro would have helped. Weird the Cavalier got them over a half decade before Camaros!
Great video could you do a video on the Fox body mustang gt 1982 to 1993 that would be awesome thank you 😊
On the radar already. 😎
Had an 85 Sport Coupe Camaro with the 305 for a short time. I like the third gen body style more than fourth gen. Exception would be the Firebird. It was always a looker. 😊
@Hobotraveler82 I was selling Firebirds new in the mid 90s. The performance upgrades of 4th gens was impressive.
Why does this channel have less than 5,000 subs?!?!?!? 😮
@theturtle2121 I dunno. I'm thinking about buying a Super Bowl ad to increase awareness, LOL. And thank you!
The GTA "Wasted" did make me laugh.
@t2stu I was hoping that little joke landed!
I’m ready for the eighties.
I’m ready for the eighties.
No I’m not.
I'll never regret growing up in that decade!
Since the corvette is midengine, this is the body style that would have saved the camaro on the Alfa platform with some C6 corvette styling.
They'll bring the Camero back in the future. And they'll charge a fortune for it too.
@@Jordi7174 Most likely.
actually 5th gen.
I've owned 5 turd gens. None were particularly good. They just look cool.
I never had one, but alot of people I knew did. I recall T Tops leak complaints and remember hearing alot of rattles. I liked the low seating position compared to the Fox Mustangs.
@autochatter ALL accounts are correct
@@domjohnson8723 That and just about everyone I saw had a slushbox.
They were turds because GM neutered Pontiac. The driver’s side reverse scoop on most 3rd Gen T/A is almost identical to what was on the late 2nd Gen turbo T/A. While the 301 turbo had issues, it was already making 210 HP in 1981. It was initially supposed to be available in the 3rd Gen but GM cancelled the 301. With the introduction of EFI and advancement in technology it’s not far fetched to think it would’ve been making over 300 HP since Buick was doing the same thing with a 3.8L V6. This is something Chevy wasn’t able to do in the Corvette until the late 90s. That’s the main reason they were turds. Couldn’t have the F body faster than a Corvette, can we?
@@mikee2923 No Corvette always has to win, which is why I'm sure the Grand National ticked them off LOL.