![]() ![]() ![]() but the sound engineers have so diligently sealed off the passenger compartment that all of those endearing vibrations are filtered out somewhere before they reach your ears. The mechanical lifter valve gear still makes its busy clatter and the exhaust pulses still cascade and reverberate through the pipes with the same abandon they always did. And although the Z/28 seems much tamer now than it once did, the transformation is more a function of the car than of the increase in displacement. All things considered, it's a better engine now but the loss of a carefree and irrepressible adolescent spirit can never be witnessed without some regret. It's more tolerant to driving techniques now, more mature in its behavior. Somehow, though, the Z/28 is not as thrilling as it once was. No discrimination against thrill seekers there. The Z/28 is richer by 48 cubic inches and 70 rated horsepower (tough break for those with insurance worries), 350- and 375-hp 396s (now actually 402 Cubic inches) are still on the list and a 454 lies hidden in the fine print. The engines, which have most of the say about performance, are stronger than ever. Actually, it's not so much performance as performance image that's been dulled. But the cold air hood is another matter and the racers need that. A change in the Trans-Am rules allows the racers to use a front spoiler whether or not one is available from the factory, and Chevrolet figured it was no Ionger worth the trouble to bolt them on at the production line since customers just knocked them off on curbs and snow banks anyway. ![]() The cold air induction hood is gone now and so is the Z/28's front spoiler. Only the high, pointy grille seems inconsistent with the rest of the car.Īnd as the styling is restrained in comparison to past Camaros so seems to be the performance image. The Europeans, particularly Giugiaro, have popularized the concept of a strong, simple shape with extreme tumblehome and tuckunder that doesn't need stick-on ornamentation to make it work. In fact, there is good reason to believe that the Camaro and Firebird are the leading edge of a new trend in Detroit styling. Indeed, if the world approves of Monte Carlos and Rivieras, the Camaro must be an eyesore. We can only theorize that the Camaro's finely drawn shape, free of Detroit's customary visual trickery, is somewhat removed from the mainstream of public taste. And although we think it's a stunning machine from almost any vantage point, it generally went unnoticed-even in Los Angeles where the car reigns supreme. "I know it's a Z/28, but a Z/28 what?" Only the hard core car underworld knew that it was a Camaro. It can also give you an insight not otherwise possible. It was an early production model that had been carefully inspected and the result was an automobile of commendably high quality.Īlmost all car flakes dream of driving some new car before it's available to the public and it can be a completely unique experience. Z/28, had already convinced us that the manual transmission combination was more than satisfactory-and such a car was waiting. We had requested one with an automatic transmission-the Blue Maxi, with its 350 cu. Several weeks before Camaros were due in the showrooms, Chevrolet turned loose a half-dozen Z/28s to various members of the automotive press for whatever kind of evaluation pressmen make. Best Muscle Cars for $10K: Window Shop with C/DĪs everyone knows by this time the 1970 Firebird and Camaro were introduced late in February rather than during Detroit's annual fall festivities. ![]()
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