Chevrolet Camaro 1982-2002

After 12 model years of the same basic design, even though it wore well, it was time for a change. This change would center largely around a smaller body, lighter curb weight, enhanced utility and, of course, better fuel economy, goals in which the new F body accomplished. The 3rd generation would last almost as long as the 2nd gen models, and the 4th gens would last almost as long as the 3rd gens. The F bodies flirted with death more than once during their tenure, but GM would always manage to keep the faith on them... but they would finally lose the faith after the 2002 model year. There were a number of supposed contributing factors to the F-body's demise - declining sales, lack of safety features such as side-impact airbags, contractual disputes with the Canadian government over the St. Therese plant production... all (or none) of those issues were mitigating factors, only the powers-that-be at GM truly know for sure.

But for those anxiously awaiting the Camaro's triumphant return, GM has confirmed that their patience will be rewarded with an all-new semi-retro styled model in 2009 (see separate page). Dodge will have a reborn Challenger by that time, and surely Ford will have a few new tricks up the Mustang's sleeve by then, so for the first time since the early 1970s, a true 3-way ponycar shootout between GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler will finally once again happen.

And we think we can speak for all of us motorheads when we say... WE CAN'T WAIT!

See also:

• Chevrolet Camaro
• Chevrolet Camaro 1967-1981 for info about the first 2 generations.
• New Camaro for info about the relaunch of this classic.
• Pontiac Firebird for info about the Camaro's twin.

3rd Generation (1982-1992)

As mentioned, the 3rd gen Camaro was an entirely different animal from the 1st and 2nd gen models. It was shorter, rode a 7" smaller wheelbase and was about 300-400 lbs lighter, depending on model. Thankfully it was still rear-drive, but it was now a 3-door hatchback with a fold-down rear seat, a tremendous improvement in cargo capacity over the footlocker-sized trunk of the previous model. Front and rear seat room dimensions remained pretty much the same. The new Camaro sported quad rectangular headlights up front, and while the taillights carried over the tri-colored scheme from the last model, they were much larger, and still wrapped around the sides to double as rear side marker lights. Inside was an all new center console and dashboard, which oddly eliminated the traditional glovebox. T-tops also carried over. Z28 noses differed from the base and Berlinetta in that they did not have the 3 narrow horizontal slats above the grille, and the parking lamps were rectangular instead of square.

Underneath, there was still a live rear axle, but it was no longer supported by leaf springs, instead it was now a multi-link design, and Macpherson struts were now up front. Base, Berlinetta and Z28 models carried over, the engine on the base model was now the 92 2.5L (151 cid) "Iron Duke" I4, with a 112 hp 2.8L (173 cid) V6 (standard on the Berlinetta) and a 145 hp 5.0L 305 cid V8 as options. The 145 hp 305 was standard on the Z28, with a 165 "crossfire injection" 305 as the top option - the 350 was no longer available (although it would return in 1987). 4-speed manuals and 3-speed automatics could be had with any engine except the crossfire 305, which had only the automatic. Z28s came with lightweight fiberglass hoods with twin functional hood air induction flaps on crossfire-injected cars.

Camaro fans no doubt mourned the loss of the 396s and LT-1 350s of old... but it was a new era. Raw power was out, luxury and fuel efficiency were in, and short of upgrading to a Corvette, a European exotic (or god forbid a Mustang GT), this was as good as it got.

The new Camaro Z28 would pace the Indianapolis 500 for the third time this year, this one was a 2-tone silver and blue with the optional door decals, making this the one 1982 Z28 model to attract any real collector interest.

1983

Identical on the outside to the '82s, there were a couple of significant (and very welcome) changes for the Z28. The trouble-prone crossfire-injected 305 was mercilessly killed mid year, to be replaced with a 190 hp L69 305 4 bbl "H.O." V8, and could have a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic (which were also now available on the 2.8 V6 and "regular" 305 V8). The HO 305 was a godsend to the Z28's "street cred" (for lack of a better term), no longer getting sand kicked in its face by its arch-rival Mustang GT during stoplight drags. All radios were digital this year, eliminating the interesting analog console clock.

1984

1984 Camaros entered the year with little change - since the Z28 got a new engine last year, it was the Berlinetta's turn for some attention, and it got it by way of an entertaining Star Wars-inspired digital dashboard. This dash also had an interesting center-mounted hinged stereo that was hinged and could pivot towards the driver or passenger. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the Tokyo-by-night dashboard, Berlinetta sales were way down versus the previous years, but the base and Z28s both saw huge sales spurts - over 200,000 were sold this year, making this the best selling year of the 3rd gen, and the highest sales figure the Camaro would ever see again.

Road & Track magazine selected the 1984 Camaro/Firebird as one of 12 best cars in the world and the Best Sports GT category in the $11,000 to $14,000 range. Car and Driver also picked the 1984 Camaro Z28 as the best handling car built in the United States, besting even the all-new Corvette.

1985

The 1985 Camaro had a slightly revised nose, many of the previous edges were now more rounded off, and the grille was different. The 3 horizontal slats on the nose of the base and Berlinetta were now slimmer. Z28s continued with a new horizontally louvered grille, but the big news was the introduction of the hot new IROC-Z (International Race Of Champions). The Camaro IROC-Z featured an upgraded suspension with lowered springs, specially valved shocks, and a larger rear sway bar, a special decal package and an optional Tuned Port Injection system taken from the Corvette, but instead of the Corvette's 350 engine, the top engine was a 205 hp 305. It also shared the Corvette's 245/50ZR16 tires and new aluminum 5-spoke 16" rims, a first time for such a rim on a Camaro. IROC-Zs also had a single paint scheme versus the 2-tone of the Z28, but both got new "twin-zipper" hood vents. The base Iron Duke I4 hung in (barely) for one more year, and the 2.8 V6 got an hp boost to 130. Base engine for the Z28 and IROC-Z was the "regular" 170 hp 305-4, with the 190 hp H.O. 305-4 and TPI 305 as options. The TPI 305 was available only with the automatic. Also, speedometers no longer had the dual-pointed needle that simultaneously read MPH and KPH - it was now a single conventional needle.

1986

The biggest visual change was the addition of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) atop the rear hatch. The H.O. 305 was cancelled mid-season due to supposed fuel-boiling issues, and the what-the-heck-is-this-doing-here Iron Duke I4 was also dumped (along with the 4-speed manual transmission) - the 2.8 V6 was now the standard engine in the base. Z28s and IROC-Zs continued with either the base 305 or TPI 305. Berlinettas were barely a blip on the sales radar by now, and the model, along with its gee-whiz digital dash, would be dropped by the end of this year.

1987

The much-anticipated 225 hp 350 TPI engine finally became a reality this year in the IROC-Z. Many have referred to this as a "Corvette engine", but the IROC 350 used a standard cast-iron block instead of the Corvette's aluminum block and were about 15 hp less, so they weren't really the same. The IROC 350 was unfortunately available only with the automatic, but the 215 hp 305 TPI could finally have a 5-speed manual. Base models continued, along with a new LT model, which (ironically) replaced the Berlinetta. Speedometers now read 145 MPH on TPI-equipped IROCs and Z28s, 115 MPH on the rest. The CHMSL was relocated to the rear spoiler, but on the base models without a spoiler, the CHMSL remained atop the hatch. Z28s by now were being grossly overshadowed by the IROC-Z, which was now the new top-dog.

Big news this year was the introduction of the first factory-produced Camaro convertible for the first time since 1969, and it was available on all models, even the LT (making one of those an ultra-rare find). The biggest selling convertible model was of course the IROC-Z, but unfortunately the 350 engine wasn't available on the convertible. This would be one 3rd gen Camaro that should undoubtedly become a collectible.

1988

The one-year-wonder LT model went away for good and the Z28 took another hiatus, leaving only the base and IROC models. To compensate for the loss of the Z28, base models gained the old Z28's ground effects and 15" 5-spoke aluminum wheels, while the IROC was decontented - for example, the same 15" 5-spoke rims were now standard and the 16-inchers were now moved to the options list. The 16" rims were changed slightly, but looked largely the same. The IROC-Z door decals were moved to the rearward portion of the door instead of the forward portion as in years prior, and IROC-Z nameplates replaced the former Z28 nameplates. Early base models got a raised low-profile one-piece rear spoiler that (thankfully) was used this year only. The base 305 V8 finally got fuel injection (TBI), so all engines were now fuel injected. Other drivetrain options continued as before.

1989

This year saw the return of the Rally Sport (RS) name, and it was now the base model. With the Z28's old ground effects and 5-spoke rims, the RS looked very much like the early 3rd gen Z28s did (minus the hood scoops/vents), which was entirely intentional. IROCs continued as before, and it got a new dual catalytic-converter option for the TPI engines, raising hp to 225 on the 305 and 240 for the 350. The 2.8 V6 continued in the RS, with the 170 hp 305 TBI as optional and standard on the IROC. Since Camaros were a hot ticket with thieves, all got a new VATS "Pass Key" computer chip on the ignition key, an idea borrowed from the Corvette which got it 3 years earlier. This would prevent the engine from being started unless it matched the engine code with the key, discouraging "hot-wiring".

To be continued...