The Forgotten Z/28!

For some inexplicable reason, in late 1974, out of the blue, Chevrolet cancelled the Z/28 option on the Camaro. This got about as good a reception from enthusiasts and the buff magazines as a turd in a swimming pool. The bean counters at Chevy then watched helplessly as Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am sales doubled every year-from 4,802 in '73 to 10,255 in '74, to 23,000 in '75, and a whopping 46,701 in 1976. And this was before "Smokey and the Bandit" was released. ( Which really helped skyrocket T/A sales for the rest of the decade.)  So, in March 1977, after a 2 1/2 year hiatus, they brought back the Z/28 by shamelessly copying the T/As scoops, spoilers and graphics. However, it also had wrist-thick front and rear sway bars, and a T10 4-speed or TH350 backing up the L48 350 4bbl, and you got a 10 bolt posi rear with either 3.42 or 3.73 gears. They were great handlers, and with very minor work-intake and exhaust, or maybe a mild cam-they could run just as good as the legendary high compression models of the late '60's and early '70's. 1977 models still had the big ugly steel bumpers in use since 1974. In 1978 they went to the much cleaner looking and more attractive urethane body-colored bumpers that Firebirds had used since '76. 1979 brought a more T/A-like front air dam, redesigned aluminum wheels and a 10 hp power boost from 180 to 190. In 1980 "Cowl Induction" returned-a vacuum-operated hood scoop that opened under acceleration and sounded cool. Automatics still got a 3.42 cog, but 4-speeds got a 3.08 ratio. However, because the the ratios were lowered in the tranny-1st was a 3.44 ratio and 2nd a 2.28-accleration was actually improved from the earlier models having a 2.64 1st gear, a 1.75 2nd, and 3.73 cogs. For some perverse reason, in 1981 you could get the 190 hp 350 with an automatic, but if you wanted a 4-speed, you got a 305 that wheezed out about 145 hp. However, you could get the 350 / 4-speed combo in Canada. Thus, there may be a few around. On the upside, if you bought a 305 model, swapping in a 350 would be a bolt-in.  The bottom line is-the 77-81 models are overlooked, but offer the best suspension and transmissions you could ask for, and building power into a small-block Chevy is a no-brainer. If you want a muscular Camaro, this might be the way to go. Mastermind