Which was the badder car historically? The Z/28 or the ZL1? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1st Gen Forever · 09-18-2012, 10:37 AM

When thinking of personalized plates for my ZL1 I actually had "itsaz28" on my list but I knew I'd find myself always explaining it to people.

Both cars will always have a place in my heart for their heritage!

motorhead · 09-18-2012, 10:49 AM

If your talking first gen camaros, I would have to say it's a wash because they were two different animals that were both great cars.

I believe that as time went on the Z/28 name ended up on cars that didn't have much to be desired in the way of performance. This is why the ZL1 name means more to me because it was really a motor more than a car. They put the ZL1 in more than just camaros ,but they never bastardized the name like they did with the Z/28 name.

FNBADAZ06 · 09-18-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

When thinking of personalized plates for my ZL1 I actually had "itsaz28" on my list but I knew I'd find myself always explaining it to people.

Both cars will always have a place in my heart for their heritage!

Yank the ZL1 badging and replace it with Z28 emblems !

snapp32e · 09-18-2012, 11:14 AM

While gunning for the GT500 I think GM felt the only appropriate label for the car was a ZL1. Although I feel the new ZL1 somewhat fits the title it was given, I think it falls somewhere in between the actual definition of what a Zl1 possesses and a Z28. Too much of one and not enough of the other.

GoldenBear · 09-18-2012, 11:59 AM

I think that it would be useful for people to understand that the legendary ZL1 of the 1960s was an engine and not a vehicle model or trim designation. The ZL1 was an all aluminum Mark IV 427 CID big block engine that was originally designed for Can-Am racing. In 1969 Fred Gibb thought that a good application for the ZL1 engine would be as a power plant for a Camaro which could be used in AHRA racing events. Accordingly, the 1969 9560 COPO Camaro, which was a SS 396/L78 based vehicle that had its L78 engine replaced with a ZL1 engine and a few other modifications from the standard SS, was born. The ZL1 engine was also available as an option for the Corvette (RPO ZL1) in 1969. The ZL1 designation became synonymous with high performance.

It's in the high performance designation that the new ZL1 Camaro takes its name. The new ZL1 is not, and was not intended to be, a clone of the 1969 9560 COPO Camaro. The new COPO Camaro is intended as more of a clone of the original 1969 9560 COPO Camaro, hence the name COPO. Although the original 9560 COPO Camaro was street legal, few were actually driven much on the street due to practicality reasons, including the 103 octane fuel requirements due to its 12:1 compression ratio and its radical cam.

I believe that the new ZL1 is intended to be a high performance GT vehicle that is capable on road course and can be comfortably driven on the street as an everyday driver. The new ZL1 can certainly be driven at the strip but drag racing is not its main intended application.

If a new Z28 is produced I believe that it will probably be more road course oriented and less plush and less GT oriented than the new ZL1.

2cnd chance · 09-19-2012, 08:49 PM

The ZL1 is the perfect name for the top "O" the line Camaro. It has evolved into what it is today a full GT car that competes with the AMG's, M's, and others in that category at a much more competitive price. Again showing the higher "value" of Chevy products.

shaffe · 09-20-2012, 09:14 AM

IMO you have to look at the time period. back in the day vast majority cared about who had the fastest car on the block. Meet up at a burger joint and talk some smack go out and drag race. Also then you have to look at how rare each car is. That IMO makes the ZL-1 more bad ass than the Z/28. Not taking away anything form the Z/28 thats just how I see it.

LOWDOWN · 09-20-2012, 10:19 AM

In the extended '69 Model Year, 20,302 Z/28s were built by Chev. Today, there seems to be 100,000+ Z/28-striped '69 Camaros on the roads..at car shows 'n cruise nites...in collections...at auctions. Proof beyond doubt as to that Model's desirability.

Again, unless you were a hardcore Chev/Camaro/drag race/muscle car enthusiast, COPO 9560 Camaros (all 69 built aka ZL1), were a relatively unknown item back in the day. I've won more than a few bar bets that Chev actually factory built 427-engined '69 Camaros...from people who knew a thing or three about cars...

That's one reason my "sig" is, what it is...

Bhobbs · 09-20-2012, 11:39 AM

Z/28 for sure. ZL1 was an engine, not a model. Z/28 is the iconic Camaro. The ZL1 powered versions are nowhere near as well known. The first time I heard the ZL1 moniker was with the Gen 5 car.

GoldenBear · 09-20-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

In the extended '69 Model Year, 20,302 Z/28s were built by Chev. Today, there seems to be 100,000+ Z/28-striped '69 Camaros on the roads..at car shows 'n cruise nites...in collections...at auctions. Proof beyond doubt as to that Model's desirability.

Yes, a few years ago I saw a 1969 "Z/28 Convertible" complete with a 327 engine, cast iron intake, Rochester carb, Z/28 badging and rally stripes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

Again, unless you were a hardcore Chev/Camaro/drag race/muscle car enthusiast, COPO 9560 Camaros (all 69 built aka ZL1), were a relatively unknown item back in the day. I've won more than a few bar bets that Chev actually factory built 427-engined '69 Camaros...from people who knew a thing or three about cars...

In my younger days I wanted a factory 1969 Camaro or Corvette with a ZL1 engine, but even then I knew it wasn't likely in the cards.

rmyers · 09-21-2012, 11:52 PM

For those of you that viewed the links to the 2 Corvette ZL1's produced, anyone notice the color scheme on the white one. It seems to match the single stripe option available on some 2012 models. I personally like the little cues Chevrolet has done with respect to similarities pointing back to the past models. For example, anyone notice the "speed indicator" on the new Camaro's? That was actually an option on the 1969. I remember having stumbled upon a factory speedo in one of my 1969 Camaro's that had an analog version of that. It was a separate needle that you would turn and set like an old alarm clock. When your speed met or exceeded the needle, a buzzer would sound. I suspect not very many people use the feature, but its cool to see it on the current versions...

09-18-2012, 11:14 AM	#32
snapp32e Drives: '81-Z28/'07-Tundra/'12-ZL1/'13-Jeep Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 529	While gunning for the GT500 I think GM felt the only appropriate label for the car was a ZL1. Although I feel the new ZL1 somewhat fits the title it was given, I think it falls somewhere in between the actual definition of what a Zl1 possesses and a Z28. Too much of one and not enough of the other. __________________ ZL1 #612

09-18-2012, 11:59 AM	#33
GoldenBear Bear Backer Drives: 69 Camaro Z/28, 69 Corvette Conv Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,490	I think that it would be useful for people to understand that the legendary ZL1 of the 1960s was an engine and not a vehicle model or trim designation. The ZL1 was an all aluminum Mark IV 427 CID big block engine that was originally designed for Can-Am racing. In 1969 Fred Gibb thought that a good application for the ZL1 engine would be as a power plant for a Camaro which could be used in AHRA racing events. Accordingly, the 1969 9560 COPO Camaro, which was a SS 396/L78 based vehicle that had its L78 engine replaced with a ZL1 engine and a few other modifications from the standard SS, was born. The ZL1 engine was also available as an option for the Corvette (RPO ZL1) in 1969. The ZL1 designation became synonymous with high performance. It's in the high performance designation that the new ZL1 Camaro takes its name. The new ZL1 is not, and was not intended to be, a clone of the 1969 9560 COPO Camaro. The new COPO Camaro is intended as more of a clone of the original 1969 9560 COPO Camaro, hence the name COPO. Although the original 9560 COPO Camaro was street legal, few were actually driven much on the street due to practicality reasons, including the 103 octane fuel requirements due to its 12:1 compression ratio and its radical cam. I believe that the new ZL1 is intended to be a high performance GT vehicle that is capable on road course and can be comfortably driven on the street as an everyday driver. The new ZL1 can certainly be driven at the strip but drag racing is not its main intended application. If a new Z28 is produced I believe that it will probably be more road course oriented and less plush and less GT oriented than the new ZL1. __________________ Current Chevrolets: 1969 Camaro Z/28 -- 1969 427/390 Corvette Convertible -- 1970 350/300 Corvette Convertible -- 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible -- CRT / Exposed CF Weave Hood Insert / Suede Package / Polished Wheels / MN6

09-20-2012, 10:19 AM	#36
LOWDOWN Downright Upright Drives: Daily Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cruisin'... Posts: 4,145	In the extended '69 Model Year, 20,302 Z/28s were built by Chev. Today, there seems to be 100,000+ Z/28-striped '69 Camaros on the roads..at car shows 'n cruise nites...in collections...at auctions. Proof beyond doubt as to that Model's desirability. Again, unless you were a hardcore Chev/Camaro/drag race/muscle car enthusiast, COPO 9560 Camaros (all 69 built aka ZL1), were a relatively unknown item back in the day. I've won more than a few bar bets that Chev actually factory built 427-engined '69 Camaros...from people who knew a thing or three about cars... That's one reason my "sig" is, what it is... Last edited by LOWDOWN; 09-20-2012 at 10:48 AM.

09-21-2012, 11:52 PM	#39
rmyers Drives: Both American Made Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 781	For those of you that viewed the links to the 2 Corvette ZL1's produced, anyone notice the color scheme on the white one. It seems to match the single stripe option available on some 2012 models. I personally like the little cues Chevrolet has done with respect to similarities pointing back to the past models. For example, anyone notice the "speed indicator" on the new Camaro's? That was actually an option on the 1969. I remember having stumbled upon a factory speedo in one of my 1969 Camaro's that had an analog version of that. It was a separate needle that you would turn and set like an old alarm clock. When your speed met or exceeded the needle, a buzzer would sound. I suspect not very many people use the feature, but its cool to see it on the current versions... __________________ 2012 ZL1 #213 M6 Black on Black 2013 ZL1 #2638 Convertible Auto 2010 Chevrolet Suburban 2011 GMC Seirra HD Denali

09-18-2012, 10:37 AM	#29
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	When thinking of personalized plates for my ZL1 I actually had "itsaz28" on my list but I knew I'd find myself always explaining it to people. Both cars will always have a place in my heart for their heritage!

09-18-2012, 10:49 AM	#30
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	If your talking first gen camaros, I would have to say it's a wash because they were two different animals that were both great cars. I believe that as time went on the Z/28 name ended up on cars that didn't have much to be desired in the way of performance. This is why the ZL1 name means more to me because it was really a motor more than a car. They put the ZL1 in more than just camaros ,but they never bastardized the name like they did with the Z/28 name.

09-19-2012, 08:49 PM	#34
2cnd chance Too Many Great Choices Drives: Grand Sport/Z07 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: A Mountain Road Posts: 7,454	The ZL1 is the perfect name for the top "O" the line Camaro. It has evolved into what it is today a full GT car that competes with the AMG's, M's, and others in that category at a much more competitive price. Again showing the higher "value" of Chevy products.

09-20-2012, 09:14 AM	#35
shaffe Drives: 21 Bronco Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Carol Stream Posts: 6,024	IMO you have to look at the time period. back in the day vast majority cared about who had the fastest car on the block. Meet up at a burger joint and talk some smack go out and drag race. Also then you have to look at how rare each car is. That IMO makes the ZL-1 more bad ass than the Z/28. Not taking away anything form the Z/28 thats just how I see it.

09-20-2012, 11:39 AM	#37
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,989	Z/28 for sure. ZL1 was an engine, not a model. Z/28 is the iconic Camaro. The ZL1 powered versions are nowhere near as well known. The first time I heard the ZL1 moniker was with the Gen 5 car.