Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro

1970

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1970 was the beginning year of the Second Generation Camaro. With a whole new look and attitude.

Production of 1969 Camaro's extended well into the 1970 model year. Buoyed by the success of the first-generation Camaro's, Chevrolet took a bold step and introduced a completely redesigned model for 1970. The redesigned 1970 Camaro's were not introduced to the public until February 26, 1970, causing some of the new cars to be labeled with a 1970 1/2 moniker, though CM certified them all as 1970 models. Taking styling cues from Ferrari, the Camaro designers created a car that captured the heart of America. The new Camaro was a more complete car, able to handle the curves as well as the quarter-mile, and challenged even the mighty Corvette for division supremacy. This body style would prove to be the longest-running Camaro platform. The basic design continued to evolve over the next 12 model years until 1982. The 1970 Camaro was longer, lower, and wider than its predecessors.

The second version of the Camaro was available in a coupe body style only; no convertible model was offered. The first four years C70-V3) produced a car that looked very similar from almost any angle except in front. Even there, they all shared a common appearance and differed only with trim levels and performance packages. One of the most outstanding characteristics between the models of those first four years was the stylish split-bumper nose with Endura grille surround and round marker lamps above the chrome bumperettes, which were only offered on the RS and Z28 models.

This would also be the only generation (2nd Generation) Camaro series to NOT offer a convertible type top.

"Z/28" emblems were replaced with "Z28" starting in 1970.

Facts

1970 was the first year to start "Z28" emblems as apposed to "Z/28" in 1967-1968.

1970 was the last Camaro model year for 12 bolt axles for the Camaro

1970 was the first and only year to have offered a low-back style seat & headrest.

Sun visor was longer than other models

1970 was the first and only Camaro model year a Chrome "C" was used on the header panel.

Only year a "Camaro by Chevrolet" emblem used on trunk

Only year side marker lights didn't blink with signals

1970 was the first Camaro model year to have side impact beams in their doors.

The 396ci big-block Camaro engine displacement increased slightly, sometimes referred to as 400ci or 402ci

The ONLY time in which the ENTIRE Camaro product Generation (2nd Generation 1970 - 1981) in which there were NO Convertible body styles offered.

1970 marked a year in which the Camaro 230ci 6-cylinder and 454ci V8 engines were not available to the public for this year.

Concealed windshield wipers, which tucked under the rear lip of the hood, were optional in 1970 Camaro's.

1970 was the 1st Camaro model year for glue-to-the-windshield rearview mirrors.

1970 was the 1st Camaro model year to introduce in-glass windshield antennas for Camaro's. These were included with all factory-installed radios.

1970 was the first Camaro model year where the Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was available for Z28's. However the downside of it was that air conditioning could be be combined with the Z28's as well.

All instruments, including those in the Special Instrumentation option, were grouped in the main instrument cluster and not on the console as it was in previous years. It incorporated a gauge cluster that was said to be easier for the driver to read, but the side gauges were so small that the driver had to squint to read the markings.

There was now Two (2) spoilers available. The RPO D80 was a small, one-piece (1) style spoiler and a larger, three-piece (3) COPO 9796 style ($36.90) was also available.

The 1970 Camaro body was longer and wider than the previous 1st generation Camaro's.

The 1970 Camaro had LESS back seat area and LESS truck space than in the previous 1st generation Camaro's.

The Rally Sport hideaway headlights were no longer available. 1969 was the last Camaro model year to have hide-away headlights.

1970 was the 1st Camaro model year to incorporated a big, square, egg-crate-looking grille that looked like a mouth. This was a completely new nose that gave the second generation Camaro an entirely new look which set the look apart from the 1st generation Camaro's.

The 1970 RS Camaro's has an all-new "split-bumper" front end.

On the back of the 1970 Camaro's was a tapered rear end generated a smooth, aerodynamic look.

The 1967-1969 square taillights were replaced with dual, circular, pod-type taillights on the 1970 Camaro model year.

1970 was the first Camaro model year to have lift-up-style door handles, and square marquee badges.

In 1970, there were several engine choices, including an inline six-cylinder, four different small-block V8's, and 2 big-block V8's. Although the big-blocks were called 396's, in reality they actually displaced 402ci. Originally, the mighty LS6 was scheduled as an option for the 1970 Camaro, but because the car came out so late, Chevy decided against offering it. And with increasingly more stringent smog requirements on the hori­zon, the days of big-block-equipped Camaro's were numbered.

The 1970 Camaro model year had similar framework of the 1st generation Camaro's, but the 1970 models (and on to 1973) had a more ridged body fitted with improved suspension compo­nents. To further increase handling potential, a sport suspension package could be ordered under RPO F41.

Added padding, increased sealant applied to body panel joining areas, and a double roof radically were added to the 1970 Camaro model year to help cut down on noise.

Low-back bucket seats were offered in the 1970 Camaro model year. (but were changed to a high-back design starting in 1972 to generate added support).

Sports Car Club of America's Trans Am 1970 series rules permitted destroking larger engines, so 1970 Z28's had 350ci, 360hp engines.

Production numbers:

Base Coupe:	100,967
Z28:	8,733
RS:	27,136
SS:	15,201

1971-1976

Need some info on years 1971 - 1976...

1977

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The Camaro Z28 was re-introduced to the buying public in the spring of 1977 as a 1977½ in response to dramatically increasing sales of Pontiac's Trans Am, which sold over 46,000 units in 1976 and accounted for half of all Firebird sales that year. Like the Trans Am, the revived Camaro Z28 was an instant hit and was powered by a 350 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor and 185 horsepower (175 horses with California emissions equipment), with most cars sold equipped with air conditioning and an automatic transmission for a comfort-oriented public. The cars were also available with a Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-speed manual transmission and minimal option packaging for those buyers interested in a performance-oriented vehicle. The half-year model was one of the few American muscle-car performance vehicles available at the time. The car was capable of turning in quarter-mile times comparable to many of the 1960s muscle cars, and the chassis was developed to reward the driver with a first-class grand touring experience, capable of outstanding handling, especially in the hands of a competent high-performance driver. Several Z28s were sold as stripped performance cars, and in this trim the Camaro Z28 could outperform Pontiac Trans Am and Corvettes on highways and canyon roads.

In other developments, intermittent wipers were offered as a new option and the 250-6 became the standard engine for both the sport coupe and luxury LT models. The 145-horsepower 305 continued as the base V8 and the four-barrel 350 optional on sport coupe and LT models was uprated to 170 horsepower (130 kW). However, due to a controversial engine sharing program whereby 350 CID Chevrolet engines found their way into Oldsmobile models, this particular engine was in short supply. In fact, for a significant period of time the only way a potential Camaro owner could purchase it was to either order a 4-speed manual transmission or upgrade to the Z28 model.

This year the optional "Bumperettes" were offered for the LT models (front bumper only) and were mandatory for all Camaro models sold in the state of California.

Production output set a record for the second-generation Camaro, with 218,853 coupes produced. And, Camaro outsold Ford's Mustang for the first time ever.

Specs for 1977 models coming soon...

1978-1981

Need some info on years 1978 - 1981...

External links

http://www.camarosource.ca/php/camaro_info_db/index.php?year=1970