Okay,I know I've thrown my measely two cents in on some of these SS, Z28 threads, so help me out here. Like I said in one thread I did research on the maro my junior year of high school.In the beginning came the RS and SS, then came the Z28.So in my mind I figured the Z28 was the top model.But with the 4th gens it seemed like the SS was the top model.And reading these threads about the SS and Z28 is making my head hurt! Someone please educate this poor soul,and have mercy on me. And don't flame me too bad on this one,but what would be wrong with an RS as the top model??? On second thought,forget I even made that statement. ANd on an even wilder note,why can't both be the top model,and just rip everyone out there a new one

 

Top Camaro model? Berlinetta, baby.


Hellz yeah...

 

Heck we'll probably get LS, LT and LT2 at first so who cares?

 

We could talk about that all day and it has been but it did say camaro on the fender and had a bowtie on it and thats good enough for me I just want one.
In a vert that is

 

Berlinetta.

Nice work Dan!

Jeff

 

Thats not entirely true. The Z Codes were option codes. There were 67 Z28's It was a SCCA road racing option package. They got noticed and the option code for that package became the Badged Z28 trim level in 68. The SS or Z27 package were badged from day one and had the 350 small block or 396 big block. The RS means nothing more than hideaway headlights. If your looking for the Super car Z06 equivelent. That would be the nonbadged COPO ZL1 or Central Office Production Order 427 Aluminum Big Block. COPO was on the X44 base model body and there was no option for RS. Notice a Z code theme here

So the Z28 was meant for Road Racing and was offered with a dual carb "Cross Ram" 302 Small Block in 69 that I has been said to be Dyno'ed around 400 HP(big block terratory) but had the weight distrobution of a small block. The Mustang Boss 302 was the Ford equivelent. Both limited in size by SCCA rules. The SS was the street cruiser. I dont know if the 396 big block would beat the Z28 in the 1/4 but it couldnt touch it on the road course. SS was also the cheaper option in 1969.

The ZL1 COPO 427 Alum Big Block was a $4000 option on a $4000 car. Alot like the LS7 which can be had for $14,000 today Only 69 were sold as COPOs and Don Yenko the Pennsylvania racer and Chevy Dealer who convinced the company to do it in the first place stickered 205 Factory COPOs as Yenkos. Year One Yenko seen in 2 Fast 2 Furious. I dont think that one was real though.

If you really want to do some research I would recommend the Camaro White book which is about $20

 

I would also recommend looking into the 1LE

it was another option code on the newer Z/28 for the new equivelent of the old Z28 It had Vette brakes, Aluminum drive shaft, AC delete, Fog Light delete Beefier sway bars etc. I think a 350 but not sure.

Z/28 1LE never got badged that I know of. It started in 1988 and ran till the end. I dont know if it was on the last couple years or not. The 1BC Police option code used 1LE parts but not all.

 

And the worst of it is, one group thinks SS is top, the other..Z/28. And there will be no changing of minds, so whenever these threads pop up (every few months), they just run on until everyone is exhausted and then a truce is called and the thread dies.

 

I hear alot of Z28 is "better" SS is "better" Then people start arguing displacement horse power etc COMPLETELY missing the point. If first gen Z28 was strictly displacement instead of being the road racer it would have wound up a ZL1 noone could afford.

Being the road racer is also about large disc vented brakes, IRS, Aluminum Driveshafts, lightened cars and yes, The most Displacement SCCA would allow. Its a misguided argument if you ask me.

Ive wondered if an LS2 Z28 be top of the line with all the things I mentioned

SS get the LS2 without that extra stuff and goodies like Navigation. Maybe a solid rear if possible.

Then an SS 300 HP option with the Impalla motor

 

Here's some trivia....

Berlinetta traces it's roots to Camaro SS. Why?

For 1973 the Type LT replaced the Camaro SS, (per official GM press release).

In 1979 Berlinetta replaced Type LT.

Camaro SS ------> Type LT------> Berlinetta.

 

Some of those Berlinetta interiors were better than Z28's, at the time, tho the outsides were a little bland.

 

I learned something. Thanks!

I was going to buy a friends 84 Berlinetta that had a 350 transplanted to it. it had the digital dash and I think swivel radio in the center. That was 10 years ago though my father talked me out of it because it wasnt the origional motor.

 

Actually 68 Z/28s didn't get the "Z/28" badges until later in the model year. The first 68 Z/28s only got "302" fender badges to go with the runway stripes from 1967.

One correction on the SS. RPO-Z27 wasn't an option until the 1969 model year. Before that you ordered the SS by simply selecting the engine option code; the SS-350 came first and was RPO-L48. Additionally the RS package also included with the hideaway headlamps, different turn signals up front, different taillamps, relocated back-up lights and chrome accent molding along the mid section exclusive to RS.

If you don't want to shell out $20 for the White Book, http://www.camaros.org is the definitive 1st gen Camaro website.

 

Didnt know that about the Z codes Ill have to look into it. $20 isnt alot and it goes from 67-02

 

I have that book as well as several others. If you're looking primarily for 1st gen information and in particual Z/28s, Jerry MacNeish wrote the book(s):

"THE DEFINITIVE 1967-1968 CAMARO Z/28 FACT BOOK"
"THE DEFINITIVE 1969 CAMARO Z/28-SS396 FACT BOOK"

There are many code books out there that have errors in them. The Camaro Research Group is doing everything they can for uncover all the facts and destroy the myths. (All are volunteers, btw.)