History of the Camaro

Part 3 - 1982 to 1992 - Tim Boles

1982
The third generation started off right with the "Car of the Year" award from Motor Trend magazine and, coincidentally for the third time, the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. For the first time in 12 years, Camaro's body was totally redesigned, this time with a futuristic look and a hatch instead of the traditional trunk. A 151ci (2.5 litres) inline four with electronic fuel injection was the base engine. Options included a 173ci (2.8 litres) 102-hp EFI V-6 and a 305ci (5.0 litres) 145-hp V-8 with a four-barrel carburettor. Z28 buyers could pay $450 for an optional 305ci 165-hp Crossfire fuel-injected V-8. The 350ci (5.7 litres) engine would not become available until 1987. 189,747 Camaros, including 6,360 Silver pace car replicas, were produced.

1983
A 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic were new options this year. Then, in mid-model year, a new 190-hp V8, known as the 5.0 Litre HO, was available with a 5-speed. Because cassette tapes had gained growing favour, the 8-track tape player was left out of the '83 model. 154,381 Camaros were produced.

1984
While Road & Track magazine named the '84 Camaro "one of the 12 best enthusiast cars of 1984," the Berlinetta model received the most attention. A brand-new dashboard featuring digital readout for speed, a vertical electronic tachometer and movable control pods on either side of the instrument readouts distinguished the Berlinetta from Sport Coupes and Z28s. The turn signal lever was located on the left control pod and was activated by a "paddle" of sorts. The radio was located in a swivel pod mounted to the console and could be rotated for use by either driver or passenger. The Berlinetta featured a roof console that was also optional on all other Camaro models. 261,591 Camaros were produced.

1985
A special Z28 sport equipment package, IROC-Z, commemorated the International Race of Champions that featured identically equipped special Camaros. This package allowed the Camaro to pull .92 gs on the skid-pad. The V6 engine received Multi-Port Fuel Injection, and top horsepower came with the LB9 Tuned-Port Fuel Injected 305ci engine rated at 215 hp. Ten of the 12 colours available on Camaro were new this year along with revised interior fabrics and colours. 180,018 Camaros were produced

1986
All 1986 Camaro Sport Coupe models received a host of new standard equipment that added greatly to the appearance of the base model. This included, among other things, styled wheels, dual tailpipes with tuned exhaust, black sport mirrors, power steering and brakes, lower-body accent colour, and an upgraded sport suspension. Standard 5-speed manual transmission replaced last year's 4-speed manual, and the Berlinetta model was discontinued. 192,219 Camaros were produced.

1987
After an 18-year hiatus, the Camaro Convertible was brought back to life. An engine similar to that used in Corvette was available on the IROC-Z, a 350ci (5.7 litres) V8 and rated at 225 hp. However, Camaro's heads and exhaust manifolds were made of iron instead of aluminium and stainless steel. The Norwood, Ohio, assembly plant closed at the end of this model run. 137,760 Camaros were produced.

1988
The Z28 model and the LT option once again disappeared as all production took place at the Van Nuys assembly plant in L.A. The Sport Coupe model received the Z28-style fascia from the previous year and the IROC-Z saw an increase in horsepower to 230 along with an optional 16-inch wheel. Chevy planned to use a three-piece spoiler on all IROC-Z models and a one-piece spoiler on the Sport Coupes. However, early Sport Coupes were built with a one-piece spoiler that featured a centre, high-mounted stop-lamp that was discontinued during the model run. 96,275 Camaros were produced.

1989
Success with a regionally offered RS model two years prior led to nation-wide distribution in 1989, acting as the base model. Visually, the change was primarily a set of body-colour ground effect panels, which were not offered on the 1988 sport coupe. Only 111 1LE Special Performance Components Package Camaros - targeted for the SCCA Showroom Stock racing series - were built. They came with an aluminium drive shaft, larger front brakes, fuel tank baffles, specific front and rear shocks, different jounce bumpers, 4-wheel disc brakes, a dual converter exhaust, and P245/50ZR-16 tires. 110,739 Camaros were produced.

1990
This short production run gave way to a new 3.1 Litre V6 engine rated at 140 hp. All 1990 Camaros received a driver-side air bag along with a standard tilt wheel, tinted glass, intermittent wipers and halogen headlamps. Yellow instrument graphics replaced the traditional white ones. 34,986 Camaros were produced.

1991
While IROC-Z was no longer, Z28 made a comeback this year and was available with the optional 350ci rated at 245 hp. All '91 Camaros featured new ground effects. Z28 Coupes received a much taller rear spoiler, while RS Coupes had the same spoiler as 1990, but the centre brake light was relocated to the upper inside of the hatch window. The Special Service Package (B4C), better known as the Police Package, helped put speeders in their place. 100,838 Camaros were produced.

1992
A special plaque on the instrument panel of all Camaros celebrated its 25th birthday. Plus, an exclusive Z03 Heritage Package featured a body-colour grille, heritage stripes and badging. It came in white with red stripes, bright red with black stripes, purple haze with silver stripes, black with red stripes, or polo green with gold stripes. This memorable year was the last model run for the Van Nuys, California plant. 70,008 Camaros were produced.