Return of the Z28 - 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2022
- 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.
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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...
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.
I was a auto body tech for years and when first started in the mid 80s at a GM dealership these are the kind of cars I worked on. Those doors on these GM cars were long and heavy and replaced many a door bushing on them.
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.
I always love it when oldcarmemories uploads a new video.
*Me, too.*
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..
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!
My second car was a ‘77 Trans-Am W72 performance package 6.6L 4-Speed. Loved that car!
I'm jealous. Those were sweeeet.
What color combo?
@@averyparticularsetofskills ordered black on black w/o hood bird
Back in 1978 I saw a Z28 and had to have one, so I ordered a 1979 Z29 dark blue, aluminum wheels, t-top, and four speed. I waited four months for it, till I got tired of waiting, so my salesman got a hold of the only four speed, t-top car in the city...a 1979 Black on black Trans Am. I really wanted a Camaro, but I wanted a four speed more, so I bought the T/A. It turned out it was a WS6 with the 400 Pontiac engine. In January it will be 44 years ago and I still have it. Had it semi restored a couple of years ago and it looks brand new. In fact, I think I'll go outside and take it out for a spin. But I still love Camaros.
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.
My 1st car when I turned 16 in 1981 was a 1978 Ttop Z28 that I got from a bank repo auction for $2000 {my own money as I worked & saved} which was all that was owed on it & I kept that car until 1992 & have regretted selling it ever since ✌💖☮
Had a 79 t top z28 built the engine up to 400 hp then it was really fun.i miss her.
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
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.
Had a 79 Z28. Great times. Somehow still have the T top covers.
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.
I have an 80 Z28 & I am the 2nd female adult owner of this car. It less than 60 k on it & when I bought it (I was 19) many older people said how ugly it was.
As a gen Xer I love it!
Breath of fresh air. Just what I needed. Love your uploads and content.
*I fondly remember the Z28 from the late 70s. It sounded fantastic either going easy or at wide open throttle.*
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
The 70-71 Z28 RS was a beauty!😁👍🛠️ same for the 70-74 400 and 455 Trans Am!🛠️👍😁
Oooooh Yeeeaaaahh.
*Ferris Bueller reference.
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.
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 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. 😅
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.
I Like 1991 To 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Modern Muscle Car Thanks For Uploading
I like the safety and performance of my 2013 Camaro SS convertible though love these cars due bring back memories !
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 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.
Good stuff loved these cars especially the transam
Another great presentation. Thank you.
Outstanding great review 👍👍👍👍
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.
I Like it !!!
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 remember a local who had a 74 Z28 and they pulled out the original 350 and replaced it with a 396 and added a L88 hood-scoop and classic Cragar SS five spokes mags. Car was really nice and and the local kept the big Z28 stickers on the 74 hood intact as well. Very nice car and very very fast. Muscle cars were still plenty and cheap back in the late 70s and 80s.
I ended up with a stock 73 Formula 455 and rebuilt the engine myself.
Just got a 79 z with a 4speed.
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.
I love the malaise era
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. )
Very very cool, really enjoyed this vid!! 👍👍🙂
I had a 77 Trans Am loved that car 400 4 speed am radio and 8 track no T tops
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
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.
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
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 love these videos!
I had a 76' Type Lt, a 77' type Lt and still have my Red 91' Z28. Just like the one in the video.
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 had a string of second gens. The 77 Z28 is the one I wish I had kept. Sold it with less than ,10,000 miles.
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.
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
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
The 2nd generation of the Camaro was my favorite.
OKAY LOOK I ADORE this channel and I've seen every vid multiple times, BUT can someone PLEASE help me understand why the narration sounds so robotic?? The sentences dont naturally flow, the audio varies and it sounds like words are pulled from a prerecorded "word bank" if u will.
Anyway again one of my favorites but I CANNOT ignore it a second longer!
Be Well & Stay Safe ✌
I had one exactly like @ 5:46 & 6:12 for HS Graduation. Sold it in early 1984 when I went to Korea for the Army. Wish I had it back
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 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.
Any videos about 78 to 81 camaro 2 door coup 305 ? I am a new subscriber to your channel and I totally love it.
I always thought it was so sad that these cars were so slow and underpowered. I was just a shame!
You can say that again, those 2nd Gen. F bodies looked great but they were absolute boatanchors they were absolute boat anchors. The good news is parts are plentiful and they respond well to modifications.
All cars back then had low horsepower due to smog regulations and EPA fuel mileage requirements
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.
Best Coupé ever made
Note: Stay clear of the '81 Z28. It had a rudimentary computer controlled carburetor. Impossible to get parts for and without it could fail a visual inspection in a few states. Most have already been removed.
@@DontCryAboutIt Depends on the state you live in. In some states any non stock non approved emissions part is a fail on the yearly inspection. A few years ago on a forum a fellow talked about his car failing because that module stopped working but he still passes emissions. He couldn't find one anywhere and had to sell the car out of state. Be careful. More and more states are adopting Kalifornistans emissions and inspection regulations.
@@nucleargrizzly1776 my 1984 had the computer carb, ran great so long as you knew what you were doing. I even modified the engine and it worked out.
@@stephenkowalski2448 Oh yeah. They can be modified. But in some states you could fail the visible inspection even if you pass emissions. There are states like Delaware that test and inspect all cars made after 1967. Thought there you wouldn't fail for having an aftermarket emissions component...yet.
When I was a kid my dad had a heavily modified '82 Trans Am. Replaced the 305 with a 383 and still passes emissions.
@@nucleargrizzly1776 I had an 84 firebird, 5 speed, It was the original low output 305. Bored it, high compression pistons, cam, headers, intake,. The carb required no modifications,. Supposedly the big rage was to put in richer secondary rods, tired it , but the stock ones it ran better. This was in 2003, I put the dual snorkel air cleaner for an HO on it. Headers to a 3 inch cat with 3 inch single to dual outlet. Lot more power than stock and revved
@@nucleargrizzly1776 back in day yes in CT all cars after 1967 needed emissions test. Eventually it was 20 years and newer only. I don't think I ever did smog test after the mods, although all parts I used were technically smog legal
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...
my brother had a berlinetta. Kool car
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.
Amen Bro!!!
It's interesting, in the midst of higher fuel prices and "fuel shortages", GM/Chevy and other manufactures were still using 4sp manuals and 3sp automatic transmissions. It took till the mid 1980s before manufacturers started using overdrive fuel conserving transmissions. IMO, the US auto manufactures still move too slowly and fall behind many foreign manufacturers.
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 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.
Joe Mannix had a blue one of these Z-28s in the 1974-1975 season
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.
Cool😀
"This was terrible news... two performance-oriented Camaro fans."
YES
Am amazing car.. AMAZING.
Fun car.
1978 to 1981 were the best looking.
Big Boy Camaro in the 70s
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
Zed 28 if you please.
Thank you.
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
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.
My first car!!
Do you still have your Member's Only jacket?
@@nucleargrizzly1776 We don’t wear jackets in Florida. 😱
You had it good
My first car was the silver model bought in 83 for 5800 Canadian
An Army buddy had one of these second generation Z28s. We thought it was very special.
1977 Ford Mustang II 302 V8 was 139 HP 250 lb ft of torque.
One more year before they started looking good again with the integrated bumpers replacing the hang on ones
Ordered and bought one in 1977....mine was red.
They should bring back the z28 again
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.
What about the 3-speed manual transmission
Feel free to knowledge me on this. The Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am, same basic American Badass rides, right?
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.
A normal sized person can fit standing and sitting inside the engine bay once the radiator is out. In fact, the inner fender also can carry the weight of a 180lb man.
I had a 77 Z28
1:40 “it was just a tad bit more flashy “THAAN” the previous 1970 model….”