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1968 Chevrolet Camaro After two years of watching the Ford Mustang enjoy tremendous success, General Motors finally launched its entry into the pony car segment, the Chevrolet Camaro. Although available with a mediocre six cylinder for volume sales, the Camaro could be equipped with several V8s and a myriad of performance options. Then, of course, was the famous Regular Production Code, Z/28, that would change the industry's view of pony cars. The 1968 Camaro received minor changes for its second year. The grill took on a more horizontal look while the vent windows were dropped and flow-through ventilation was added. Available from the start in hardtop coupe and covertible body styles, the Camaro could be order with nearly 80 factory options and 40 dealer accessories including three main option packages. The RS package included numerous cosmetic changes including a blacked out grill with hidden headlights, revised parking and tail lights, and RS badging. Of greater interest to enthusiasts was the SS package which included as standard equipment a modified 350 cid V8 with an available 396 cid big block producing 325bhp (L35) and later a 375bhp version, along with simulated air-intakes on the hood, special bumble bee striping, and a blacked out grill. It was possible to order both the RS and SS packages, and get a RS/SS Camaro, in which case the RS badging took precedence. Chevrolet then quietly released one of the most famous options codes of all time, option Z-28. Unpublicized and unknown by most of the buying public for the first year. The Z-28 was available to the public solely to qualify the car for racing. Advertised horsepower was listed at just 290bhp, which was not very impressive until one hooked it up to a dyno and got actual readings of 360-400bhp. The Z-28 also came with a competition suspension, broad racing stripes on the hood and trunklid and could be combined with the RS option package. The Z-28 proved to be difficult to launch on the street because its high reving engine was lethargic under 4000rpm and worked best when it was shifted at 7500rpm. Once it got going, the Z28 was tough to beat as its 140mph top speed and numerous racing victories. Only 602 Z-28s were sold in 1967, making it a collectable of the highest order. A new 350bhp 396cid option for the SS was added, while the Z-28 option actually received some publicity and sold 7,199 units in 1968. The Z-28s were now easier to spot as they sported Z-28 or 302 badges. Engines: 230 I6 140bhp. 250 I6 155bhp. (Z-28) 302 V8 290bhp@5800rpm, 290lb-ft@4200rpm. 327 V8 210bhp. 327 V8 275bhp. 350 V8 255bhp. (SS350) 350 V8 295bhp@4800rpm, 380lb-ft@3200rpm. (SS396) 396 V8 325bhp@4800rpm, 410lb-ft@3200rpm. (SS396) 396 V8 350bhp@5200rpm, 415lb-ft@3200rpm. (SS396) 396 V8 375bhp@5600rpm, 415lb-ft@3600rpm. Performance: (SS396) 396/325bhp: 0-60 in 6.6 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.0 sec @ 94mph. |
