2nd Generation Camaro : A game changer for Chevy

This is the story of the 2nd generation Chevy Camaro. Today, we’ll go over the changes of the camaro from 1970 to 1981. The second-generation Camaros didn't reach dealers until February of 1970, making them 1970½ models. The new body style featured a fastback roofline and ventless full-door glass with no rear side quarter windows. Doors were wider to permit easier access to the rear seat, and new pull-up handles replaced the old handles, for which the lower button had to be pushed in to open the door. The rear was highlighted by four round taillights similar to the Corvette. A convertible was not offered, making this the only Camaro generation not to offer one.

1971 Chevrolet Camaro

The Z/28 carried over to the second-generation Camaro, but it was now powered by a 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block LT-1 V-8 rated at 360 horsepower. The LT-1 may have sacrificed some of the high-revving charisma, but it was a much friendlier everyday driving companion. The Z/28 features the new RS front end with its split bumpers and driving lights alongside the grille. Inside the 1971


1972 Chevrolet Camaro

The 1972 Camaro didn’t change much from the 1971 model but suffered two major setbacks. The UAW strike at a GM assembly plant in Norwood disrupted production for 174 days, and 1,100 incomplete Camaros had to be scrapped because they could not meet federal bumper safety standards. Some at GM seriously considered dropping the Camaro and Firebird altogether, particularly while the corporation was under pressure to adapt its vast number of makes and models to difficult new regulations for emissions, safety, and fuel economy. Chevrolet would go on to produce 68,656 Camaros in 1972.
The 1973 Camaro
This model year incorporated a standard impact-absorbing front bumper system to meet the new 5 miles per hour no-damage legislation. The Rally Sport option, with its chrome bumperettes on either side of an impact absorbing urethane grill continued for one more year due to creative bracing behind the front sheetmetal.
A new Type LT model was offered in 1973, with a quieter and better-appointed interior, full instrumentation, Rally-style wheels, variable-ratio steering, sport mirrors, and hidden windshield wipers, among other upgrades.
1974 Chevrolet Camaro

New federal bumper regulations meant the nose and tail of the Camaro had to be redesigned for 1974. Considering how massive those aluminum bumpers were, the car survived and people bought them. The Z/28 got bold new graphics for '74, but the car itself was becoming fat, lazy, and underpowered. The 350 V-8 under the hood was rated at only 245 horsepower. Hmm? Maybe the Z/28 needed to be gone. And by 1975, it was!

1975 Chevrolet Camaro
With the discontinued Z/28 for this year, the most exciting thing about the 1975 Camaro was the new wraparound rear window that slightly—very slightly—increased rear visibility. This was the first year for catalytic converters, and the output of Camaro engines skidded downward. The six could squeeze out only 105 horsepower while the “big” 350 V-8 was rated at a miserable 145 horsepower when equipped with a two-barrel carburetor.
1976 Chevrolet Camaro
Only minor appearance changes highlighted the 1976 Camaro, most notably a brushed metal insert in the rear tail section on the LT model.

1977 Chevrolet Camaro
Midway through the 1977 model year, the Z28 returned.
Now emphasizing handling, it rode on big, 15x7-inch wheels, and its 350 small-block was rated at a towering 185 horsepower. (In 1977, 185 horses was huge.) Despite this lack of excitement, Chevy sold almost 219,000 1977 Camaros—that was almost three times the sales of its younger, smaller, sport-coupe brother, the Monza.

1978 Chevrolet Camaro
The big change for '78 was new soft-plastic bumper covers. Also, for the first time, a translucent T-top roof option was also added.

1979 Camaro
The biggest changes for 1979 were the introduction of the luxury-oriented Berlinetta model, replacing the Type LT, and a restyled instrument panel with a much flatter appearance than the previous wraparound design although the gauges themselves remained in the same places as before.

1980 Camaro
For 1980 the aged 250 cu inch inline-six was replaced with a 229 cu inch V6 engine. The Z28 hood included a rear-pointing raised scoop air induction with a solenoid operated flap which opened at full throttle, allowing the engine to breathe cooler air. A federally mandated 85 mph speedometer also debuted this year, down from 130. Z-28s had new optional grey 5-spoke rims (later used on the 1986–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS), a unique upper and lower front grill and smaller revised graphics on its doors.

1981 Chevrolet Camaro
The 1981 model was nearly unchanged from 1980 and would be the last model year for the second-generation Camaro. That 11-year model run is the longest for a Camaro generation.