Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors at the start of the 1967 model year as competition for the Ford Mustang. Although it was technically a compact car (by the standards of the time), the Camaro, like the entire class of Mustang competitors, was soon known as a pony car. It may also be classified as an intermediate touring car, a sports car, or a muscle car. The car shared the same General Motors "F-Body" platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. Production of both cars ceased in 2002.

Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, GM researchers found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for "friend" or "companion." Ford Motor Company researchers discovered other definitions, including "a shrimp-like creature" and an arcane term for "loose bowels." In some automotive periodicals before official release, it was code-named "Panther." Historical examples exist of Chevrolet product managers being asked by the automotive press "what is a Camaro?", with the tongue-in-cheek answer being "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs," a sideways reference to the competing Ford Mustang.

While the Camaro was never the flagship for Chevrolet, it was always one of the most popular models. If its frequent inclusion in automotive enthusiast magazines is any indication, the Chevy Camaro is one of the most popular cars for modification in automotive history.

Four distinct generations of the car were produced.

Generation 1

1967

Sharing mechanicals with the upcoming 1968 Chevrolet Nova, the Camaro featured unibody structure, combined with a sub-frame supporting the front end. Chevrolet offered the car in only two body styles, a coupe and convertible. Almost 80 factory and 40 dealer options including three main packages were available.

• RS Package included many cosmetic changes such as RS badging, hidden headlights, revised taillights, and exterior rocker trim.
• SS Package included modified 5.7L (350in³) V8 engine (first engine of that size by Chevrolet), also L35 396in³ (6.5 L) "big block" was available. SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on grill, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both RS and SS packages to receive RS/SS Camaro. In 1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Camaro with 396in³ (6.5 L) engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race.
• Z28 option code was introduced in December 1966 for the 1967 model year. This option package wasn't mentioned in any sales literature so was unknown by most of the buyers. The only way to order Z28 package was to order base Camaro with Z28 option, front disc brakes, power steering and Muncie 4-speed transmission. Z28 package featured unique 302in³ (4.9 L) "small block" engine, designed specifically to compete in the Sports Car Club of America(SCCA) Trans Am racing series (which required engines smaller than 305in³ (5.0 L) and public availability of the car). Advertised power of this engine was listed at 290hp (216kW) while actual dyno readings rated it at 360 to 400hp (269 to 298kW). Z28 also came with upgraded suspension and racing stripes on the hood. It was possible to combine Z28 package with RS package. Only 602 Z28's were sold. Contrary to popular belief, 1967 Z28s did not have raised cowl induction hoods like 69 Z28s did. In 1967 the optional Z28 cowl induction received air from a cowl plenum duct attached to the side of the air cleaner that ran to the firewall and truly got air from the cowl vents. The hood was a standard flat hood. 1967 Z28s had 15" Rallye wheels, while all other 1967 Camaros had 14" wheels. The Z28 could be combined with the RS appearance package.

The Camaro's base powertrain was a 3.8L (230in³) I6 engine rated at 140hp (104kW) and backed by a Saginaw three-speed manual transmission. A Muncie four-speed manual was also available. The two-speed "Powerglide" automatic transmission was a popular option in 1967-68 until the three-speed "Turbo Hydra-Matic 350" replaced it starting in 1969. The TH350 was also an option on SS396 cars from late 1967 onwards.