Al Oppenheiser talking about the Z28
09-29-2009, 07:04 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: City of Champions, MA, USA
Posts: 1,214
Al Oppenheiser talking about the Z28
From Super Chevy magazine October '09.
I looked on their site but didn't find the article. I'll try to find a link.
I looked on their site but didn't find the article. I'll try to find a link.
SC:Now that the Camaro is in the showrooms and on the street, what about extending the model lineup with a covertible, and possibly a Z/28 version? What would a Z/28 be like?
AO: The convertible has been announced, but it has been delayed until 2011. As far as a Z/28, or a performance version, we've had this debate internally many, many times. What would you call the performance version? A Z/28? A COPO? A Yenko? Would you bring back a nostalgic name, or not? Create a new one? The SS was always the big dog Camaro, not the Z/28. The first Z/28 was built just to get us into the racing circuit against the Mustang and all the other cars that were in that class. If you were going to take a Z/28 approach, you'd try to stay true to the RPO, build a car that you could drive daily on the street, take to the drag strip and do well, or take to the track and do well, which the original Z/28 did. Take some things out of it, get the mass down, use an existing small-block, maybe an ls7, an ls9. Make it a great performing car for the purist.
AO: The convertible has been announced, but it has been delayed until 2011. As far as a Z/28, or a performance version, we've had this debate internally many, many times. What would you call the performance version? A Z/28? A COPO? A Yenko? Would you bring back a nostalgic name, or not? Create a new one? The SS was always the big dog Camaro, not the Z/28. The first Z/28 was built just to get us into the racing circuit against the Mustang and all the other cars that were in that class. If you were going to take a Z/28 approach, you'd try to stay true to the RPO, build a car that you could drive daily on the street, take to the drag strip and do well, or take to the track and do well, which the original Z/28 did. Take some things out of it, get the mass down, use an existing small-block, maybe an ls7, an ls9. Make it a great performing car for the purist.
09-29-2009, 07:48 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,123
I like the sound of the LS7. The LS7 in a lighter car will still keep the GT500 honest.
Personally, I think the LS9 is probably a bit too much engine for Camaro and perhaps should be exclusive to serious sports cars like the ZR1.
No mention of the LSA, I notice.
Personally, I think the LS9 is probably a bit too much engine for Camaro and perhaps should be exclusive to serious sports cars like the ZR1.
No mention of the LSA, I notice.
09-29-2009, 07:59 AM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Middle of Kansas
Posts: 2,688
Originally Posted by A.O.
If you were going to take a Z/28 approach, you'd try to stay true to the RPO, build a car that you could drive daily on the street, take to the drag strip and do well, or take to the track and do well, which the original Z/28 did.
09-29-2009, 09:04 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Chicagoland IL
Posts: 16,179
09-29-2009, 10:53 AM
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: City of Champions, MA, USA
Posts: 1,214
If the timing had anything to do with what he was thinking then I would say he might be thinking LS10 now. GM's situation is so much brighter now than it was 6 months ago.
09-29-2009, 11:07 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 6,166
09-29-2009, 11:13 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,272
Either way, I would be excited about an LS7! I love driving one!