Which first gen. Camaro was top dog? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wildpaws · 09-24-2011, 06:34 PM

Which first gen. PRODUCTION Camaro was top dog? This topic has been argued on these and many other forums thousands of times. I was browsing through some '69 Chevrolet brochures online and came across this:
"We'll start with our strongest. Z/28 Camaro." That tells me that Chevrolet considered the Z/28 to be the top dog, that's good enough for me!
Clyde

pincoin · 09-24-2011, 06:53 PM

I'd say an SS396 with aluminum heads was top dog. Try finding an original of those!

montreal2010yellow · 09-24-2011, 06:55 PM

1969 ZL1 COPO

wildpaws · 09-24-2011, 07:08 PM

Read Chevy's own ad copy, I'm telling you what they thought. Yes the ZL1 in '69 was a brute, raw horsepower and great for 1/4 mile runs. Obviously though, an obscure engine package that was not a general production package (remember, only 69 ZL1s were made that year) could not be the top dog production model. I don't think anyone argues that the COPOs or the Yenko, Balwin/Motion, etc. Camaros were the top dog production package either. I think the Z/28 qualified as a general production package since a little over 20,000 of them were made in '69. The argument by many has always been that the SS (especially the BB 396cid versions) were the top dog production Camaro back then, this brochure from Chevy back then seems to say otherwise in Chevrolet's opinion (and they do mention BB 396 in the text).
Clyde

wildpaws · 09-24-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pincoin

I'd say an SS396 with aluminum heads was top dog. Try finding an original of those!

My comments were not addressing what was the most rare or hard to find, rather which production Camaro was the top dog.
Clyde

Banshee · 09-24-2011, 07:37 PM

Yenko 427 ZL-1 COPO

wildpaws · 09-24-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

Yenko 427 ZL-1 COPO

And this post has exactly what to do with this thread? I don't see any relevance.
Clyde

Fightinfire921 · 09-24-2011, 09:05 PM

This is framed hanging in the garage.
You know how I'm voting.

2cnd chance · 09-24-2011, 09:33 PM

I'm with you Clyde. The Z28 was a OEM racecar for the street/masses. No other regular production Camaro was.

Revo1 · 09-24-2011, 10:15 PM

Personally I love the look of the 68s... If I can land one, the sky's the proverbial limit when it comes to performance

Jay_LHD3 · 09-25-2011, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildpaws

And this post has exactly what to do with this thread? I don't see any relevance.
Clyde

It is your thread title that is misleading. You asked who is top dog. Then in post 4 you explain that you want to discuss whether the SS or Z/28 was considered the top dog back then by GM.

91Z28350 · 09-25-2011, 12:23 AM

L78 396.

wildpaws · 09-25-2011, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay_LHD3

It is your thread title that is misleading. You asked who is top dog. Then in post 4 you explain that you want to discuss whether the SS or Z/28 was considered the top dog back then by GM.

You have a valid point, I've added a line to the first post stating production Camaro, now if we can get a moderator to edit the thread title (since I apparently can't edit that).
Clyde

IROCanSS · 09-25-2011, 07:40 AM

Who gives a crap... You will never get a definite answer. Some will say SS, some will say Z/28... It was 45 years ago, no one the was around at GM then likely still is.

Z/28 - track car built for performance. Crappy road manners.

SS - came in many forms... I.e. Power plants. Better car for on the street but the Z was probably a little more race oriented.

IF and a huge IF there is a looming Z release, it will likely be a race inspired car, built for performance, low, loud, rough and bad to the bone. Look up a Cobra R. Like that. No ac, no radio, no back seat... lots of power... lots of money... few made.

09-24-2011, 06:34 PM	#1
wildpaws Drives: 1999 Blazer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,228	Which first gen. Camaro was top dog? Which first gen. PRODUCTION Camaro was top dog? This topic has been argued on these and many other forums thousands of times. I was browsing through some '69 Chevrolet brochures online and came across this: "We'll start with our strongest. Z/28 Camaro." That tells me that Chevrolet considered the Z/28 to be the top dog, that's good enough for me! Clyde Attached Images Last edited by wildpaws; 09-25-2011 at 07:23 AM. Reason: Text addition

09-24-2011, 06:53 PM	#2
pincoin Camaro owner since 1982 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS-RS Conv IBM L99 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,651	I'd say an SS396 with aluminum heads was top dog. Try finding an original of those! __________________ 2012 Camaro RS-SS Conv IBM, L99 1968 Camaro RS Coupe 327 AT 1968 Camaro RS-SS Conv, sold 1993

09-24-2011, 06:55 PM	#3
montreal2010yellow Drives: 2 LT/RS YELLOW, AUTO., VIN NO. 602 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LAVAL (10 min. north of Montreal), CANADA Posts: 3,526 View My Garage	1969 ZL1 COPO __________________ T2 Facia, ACS TL1 Hood, ACS Winglets. G5CR CAI. Hotchsic Strut Brace and more...

09-24-2011, 07:37 PM	#6
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	Yenko 427 ZL-1 COPO __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

09-24-2011, 09:05 PM	#8
Fightinfire921 Drives: GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Winter Springs FL Posts: 1,657 View My Garage	This is framed hanging in the garage. You know how I'm voting. Last edited by Fightinfire921; 07-28-2012 at 04:08 PM.

09-24-2011, 07:08 PM	#4
wildpaws Drives: 1999 Blazer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,228	Read Chevy's own ad copy, I'm telling you what they thought. Yes the ZL1 in '69 was a brute, raw horsepower and great for 1/4 mile runs. Obviously though, an obscure engine package that was not a general production package (remember, only 69 ZL1s were made that year) could not be the top dog production model. I don't think anyone argues that the COPOs or the Yenko, Balwin/Motion, etc. Camaros were the top dog production package either. I think the Z/28 qualified as a general production package since a little over 20,000 of them were made in '69. The argument by many has always been that the SS (especially the BB 396cid versions) were the top dog production Camaro back then, this brochure from Chevy back then seems to say otherwise in Chevrolet's opinion (and they do mention BB 396 in the text). Clyde

09-24-2011, 09:33 PM	#9
2cnd chance Too Many Great Choices Drives: Grand Sport/Z07 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: A Mountain Road Posts: 7,454	I'm with you Clyde. The Z28 was a OEM racecar for the street/masses. No other regular production Camaro was.

09-24-2011, 10:15 PM	#10
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	Personally I love the look of the 68s... If I can land one, the sky's the proverbial limit when it comes to performance __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

09-25-2011, 12:23 AM	#12
91Z28350 Drives: 2012 GT500 SVTPP 2010 Traverse LTZ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Roanoke,TX Posts: 665	L78 396.

09-25-2011, 07:40 AM	#14
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	Who gives a crap... You will never get a definite answer. Some will say SS, some will say Z/28... It was 45 years ago, no one the was around at GM then likely still is. Z/28 - track car built for performance. Crappy road manners. SS - came in many forms... I.e. Power plants. Better car for on the street but the Z was probably a little more race oriented. IF and a huge IF there is a looming Z release, it will likely be a race inspired car, built for performance, low, loud, rough and bad to the bone. Look up a Cobra R. Like that. No ac, no radio, no back seat... lots of power... lots of money... few made. Last edited by IROCanSS; 09-25-2011 at 07:51 AM.

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