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2nd Generation Camaro
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Published: October 10, 2006
After three years of continued growth in the muscle car sector, Chevrolet decided to revamp its Camaro. Thus began the 2nd generation of Camaros. Despite many experts and members of the press stating that the collapse of the pony car market was soon to come, the 2nd generation Camaro would be so popular, lasting 11 years through 1981.
The body was based on European designs of the time, especially those of Ferrari, and it was two inches longer than the first generation with doors five inches longer. This added length did not make a more spacious car however. The 2nd generation had smaller back seats and less trunk space than previously. A Camaro fan looking for a convertible among the second generations was out of luck, only the coupe was offered, though a translucent T-top was available in 1978.
The second generation of cars were bigger, heavier and, after 1971, slower. Tightening emission regulations were the storyline here, and in 1972 the engine option for the performance Camaro, the LT-1, barely made 255 net horsepower. In 1973 and 1974, due to new bumper regulations, the Camaro was redesigned with thick aluminum fenders and bumpers. The base engine was a V6 that rated at a pokey 100 horsepower and the L82 had only 245 horsepower. There was no big-block option with this edition of the 2nd generation.
After almost being cut from the GM lineup in 1974, the '75 Camaro came back with three engine tiers: a 105hp V6, a 145hp V8 and a four-barrel version of the same V8 that puttered out 155hp. The Z-28 model was dropped this year, probably due to the embarrassing engine options available. There is no good reason for it, but the Camaro sold well in '75.
The Z-28 returned in 1977, and like most 2nd generation Camaros, the emphasis was on handling, suspension and appearance, not engine power. Though the Z-28 shared the same four-barrel V8 offered in other Camaros, it was back as a separate model, not an option package as it was previously. Even though we may grumble about the lack of power under the hood of the '77, GM sold more Camaros than Mustangs for the first time ever that year.
From 1978 to 1981, tightening emissions standards along with fuel shortages resulted in the typical decrease in power across the board in all engine models. In 1979, a record number 282,571 Camaros were sold, including a record 84,877 sharp looking Z-28's. 1980 saw more of the same drops in engine performance, and 1981 a new engine computer enabled all V8's to be 50 state legal (previously the Camaro had trouble with CA's stringent requirements) and the '81 was available in three trims: the Base Sport, the Berlinetta, and the Z-28.
The 2nd generation saw the Camaro go from a powerhouse muscle car to a weaker version that placed more emphasis on interior quality, handling and comfort than outright speed. The 2nd generation Camaro was a product of its time and survived a period that claimed the lives of many four-seat sports cars.
Huffman, John Pearley. "Generations." Edmunds.com. 16 June 2003. Inside Line. 18 Sept. 2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/ar ticleId=66170.
Musclecarclub.com - Muscle Cars - Chevrolet Camaro. 2006. Musclecarclub.com. 18 Sept. 2006 http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet- camaro/chevrolet-camaro.shtml.
2nd Generation. 1997. 9 Oct. 2006 http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/9762/2nd.html.
The body was based on European designs of the time, especially those of Ferrari, and it was two inches longer than the first generation with doors five inches longer. This added length did not make a more spacious car however. The 2nd generation had smaller back seats and less trunk space than previously. A Camaro fan looking for a convertible among the second generations was out of luck, only the coupe was offered, though a translucent T-top was available in 1978.
The second generation of cars were bigger, heavier and, after 1971, slower. Tightening emission regulations were the storyline here, and in 1972 the engine option for the performance Camaro, the LT-1, barely made 255 net horsepower. In 1973 and 1974, due to new bumper regulations, the Camaro was redesigned with thick aluminum fenders and bumpers. The base engine was a V6 that rated at a pokey 100 horsepower and the L82 had only 245 horsepower. There was no big-block option with this edition of the 2nd generation.
After almost being cut from the GM lineup in 1974, the '75 Camaro came back with three engine tiers: a 105hp V6, a 145hp V8 and a four-barrel version of the same V8 that puttered out 155hp. The Z-28 model was dropped this year, probably due to the embarrassing engine options available. There is no good reason for it, but the Camaro sold well in '75.
The Z-28 returned in 1977, and like most 2nd generation Camaros, the emphasis was on handling, suspension and appearance, not engine power. Though the Z-28 shared the same four-barrel V8 offered in other Camaros, it was back as a separate model, not an option package as it was previously. Even though we may grumble about the lack of power under the hood of the '77, GM sold more Camaros than Mustangs for the first time ever that year.
From 1978 to 1981, tightening emissions standards along with fuel shortages resulted in the typical decrease in power across the board in all engine models. In 1979, a record number 282,571 Camaros were sold, including a record 84,877 sharp looking Z-28's. 1980 saw more of the same drops in engine performance, and 1981 a new engine computer enabled all V8's to be 50 state legal (previously the Camaro had trouble with CA's stringent requirements) and the '81 was available in three trims: the Base Sport, the Berlinetta, and the Z-28.
The 2nd generation saw the Camaro go from a powerhouse muscle car to a weaker version that placed more emphasis on interior quality, handling and comfort than outright speed. The 2nd generation Camaro was a product of its time and survived a period that claimed the lives of many four-seat sports cars.
Huffman, John Pearley. "Generations." Edmunds.com. 16 June 2003. Inside Line. 18 Sept. 2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/ar ticleId=66170.
Musclecarclub.com - Muscle Cars - Chevrolet Camaro. 2006. Musclecarclub.com. 18 Sept. 2006 http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet- camaro/chevrolet-camaro.shtml.
2nd Generation. 1997. 9 Oct. 2006 http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/9762/2nd.html.
