A superb and rare photo of the new 1978
Chevrolet Z/28 musclecar with its tuned 350 c.i. engine, photographed
for the publicity campaign of the model
year 1978.
The 1978 Chevrolet Camaro was a car of the second generation Camaro’s. Introduced
in February 1970, the second generation Camaro would remain in production
through 1980, as in 1981 it was replaced by the new, third generation Chevrolet
Camaro. The second generation Chevrolet Camaro was somewhat larger and wider
then its predecessor, however was still based on the F-body platform. The RS,
SS and Z28 performance packages remained, though the Z28 received an engine
upgrade to the LT-1 350 cu. in. unit.
The magnificent Chevrolet
Camaro debuted as a fully new car model for the 1967 model year during
a press preview in Detroit, Michigan on September 12, 1966 and then later in
Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1966. The Camaro officially went on
sale in dealerships on September
29, 1966 for the 1967 model year in RS, SS, and Z28 performance
packages. The first generation Chevrolet Camaro would be in production up to
1969 on a new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a
2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of 250 cu in
(4.1 L) inline-6 and 302 cu in (4.9 L), 307 cu in
(5.0 L), 327 cu in (5.4 L), 350 cu in
(5.7 L), or 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 powerplants. Concerned
with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet executives realized
that their compact sporty car, the Corvair, would not be able to generate the
sales volume of the Mustang due to its rear-engine design, as well as declining
sales, partly due to bad publicity from Ralph Nader's book, Unsafe at Any
Speed. Therefore, the Camaro was touted as having the same conventional
rear-drive, front-engine configuration as Mustang and Chevy II Nova. In
addition, the Camaro was designed to fit a variety of power plants in the
engine bay. The first-generation Camaro would last until the 1969 model year
and would eventually inspire the design of the new retro fifth-generation
Camaro. Introduced in February 1970, the second generation Camaro would remain
in production through 1981. The car was somewhat larger and wider with the new
styling, thus resulting in a heavier car. Still based on the F-body platform,
the new Camaro was similar to its predecessor, with a unibody structure, front
subframe, an A-arm front suspension and leaf springs to control the solid rear
axle. The RS, SS and Z28 performance packages remained, though the Z28 received
an engine upgrade to the LT-1 350 cu. in. unit; Road & Track magazine
picked the 1971 SS350 as one of the
ten best cars on the planet in August 1971. 1980 and 1981 Z28's included a rear
facing intake, with an intake door that opened under full throttle. The third
generation Camaro was produced from 1982 to 1992. 1982 you could get a 4 speed
behind a 305 V8. In 1983 they went to the five speed. These were the first
Camaros to offer modern fuel injection, Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic
transmissions, five speed manual transmissions, 16 inch wheels, a
standard 4 cylinder engine and versatile hatchback bodies. The cars were nearly
500 pounds
lighter than the long running second generation model. The legendary IROC-Z was
introduced in 1984. In
1986, Camaros received a center, high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) to comply with
Federal legislation; these were placed on top of the back hatch window. In
1987, the potent L98 5.7 V-8 engine was available in the Z28, paired with an
automatic transmission. The "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition"
was offered in 1987 and a "25th Anniversary Heritage Package" in
1992. Beginning in 1988, the famed 1LE performance package was introduced, for
the street models and for showroom stock racing in the U.S. and Canada. The B4C
or "police" package was made available beginning in 1991. This
basically created a Z28 in more subtle RS styling. The fourth-generation Camaro
debuted in 1993 on an updated F-body platform. It retained the same
characteristics since its introduction in 1967: a coupe body style with 2+2
seating (with an optional T-top roof) or convertible (introduced in 1994),
rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V-6 and V-8 engines. The standard powerplant
from 1993-1995 was a 3.4
liter V-6.
A more powerful 3.8 liter V-6 was
introduced as an option in 1995 and made standard in 1996. The LT1 V-8 engine
with 275 horsepower (at the flywheel), which was introduced in the Corvette in
1992, was standard in the Z28. Optional equipment included a new six-speed
manual T-56 transmission and all-speed traction control. Anti-lock brakes were
standard equipment on all Camaros. The 1997 model year included a revised
interior, and the 1998 models included exterior styling changes, and a switch
to GM's aluminum block LS1 used in the Corvette C5. The Camaro remained in
production through the 2002 model year, marking 35 years of continuous
production. Production of the F-Body platform was stopped due to slowing sales,
a deteriorating market for sports coupes, and plant overcapacity. Based on the
2006 Camaro Concept and 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept, production of the
fifth-generation Camaro was approved on 10 August 2006. Oshawa Car Assembly
produces the new Camaro which went on sale in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model
year vehicle. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is offered as a coupe only in LS, LT,
and SS trim levels. LS and LT models are powered by a 3.6L (217ci) V6 producing
304 hp (227 kW), mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed
automatic with manual shift. The sprint from 0-60 is covered in 5.9 seconds
with the V6. The SS is powered by the LS3 6.2L (376ci) V8 producing 426 hp
(318 kW). It is paired with a 6-speed manual and runs 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
The automatic gets a L99 with 400 hp. The RS appearance package is available on
both the LT and SS. Production began on 16 March 2009 as a 2010 model.
The Camaro was one of
the prominent vehicles in the SCCA-sanctioned Trans-Am Series. Chevrolet
contracted Roger Penske to operate their "unofficial" factory-backed
Trans Am team, winning the title in 1968 and 1969 with Mark Donohue. Jim Hall's
Chaparral team replaced Penske for the 1970 season. Warren Agor of Rochester,
NY, was the series' leading Camaro privateer, his orange #13's often jousting
with the factory cars. Maurice Carter of car dealer Maurice Carter
Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada took a new Camaro off his lot
and entered the 1970 Trans-Am Series. Carter earned the highest placed Canadian
independent driver score of all the Trans-Am racers. Camaro were in use in
Trans-Am until the late 1990s and won further titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,
and 1998. There was also another SCCA Trans-Am Series Camaro that wasn’t
popular because of racing but because of its body modifications. This Camaro
had been built and driven by Henry “Smokey” Yunick. It had proudly worn the
number 13 and in later years would make people look back on it. Smokey Yunick
was an innovator ahead of his time when building the 1968 Camaro. He brought a
new style into the racing world in many ways. The Camaro had acid dipped body
parts, thinner safety glass and other weight reducing devices. The
Penske/Donohue Camaros also had the front sheet metal dropped, all four fenders
widened, windshield laid back, front sub-frame “Z’d” to lower the car, the
floor pan moved up and even the drip-rails were moved closer to the body. This
Camaro had always kept its stock look and only had a 302 engine that was able
to produce 482 horsepower. This Camaro had later on been bought by Vic
Edelbrock. At this time he put it to use as a test car for new age Chevy small
block performance part. One part that had come out of his testing was the
Edelbrock Cross-Manifold. To this day the Smokey Yunick 1968 Camaro is owned by
Vic Edelbrock Jr. The Camaro was the official car of and used in the
International Race of Champions starting in 1975 and lasting for 12 years until
1989. It was the first American car of the series succeeding the Porsche
Carrera RSR. Today, Camaros are raced in many forms of auto racing throughout
the world. They are a favorite in drag racing and can be currently found in
several series from the National Hot Rod Association, International Hot Rod
Association, and United States Hot Rod Association. Road racing Camaros can
currently be found in the Sports Car Club of America's American Sedan series.
They have also been the exclusive vehicle used in the Swedish Camaro Cup series
since 1975. The Camaro not only participated in racing, but was bestowed the
honor of Indianapolis 500 Pace Car duties in 1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, and 2009.
The Camaro also paced races at Daytona, Watkins Glen, Mosport in Canada and
Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Camaro was also a regular in the IMSA GT Series.
The fifth-generation Camaro is expected to take to the tracks in 2010 in the GT class of the
Grand Am Road Racing Championship. Stevenson Motorsports has announced it is
seeking to run a two-car team of Pratt & Miller built cars, based on the
same spaceframe as its existing Pontiac GXP-R. The team already runs Camaros in
the Koni Challenge Series. The Camaro has also made several notable appearances
in film. One of the most popular movie Camaros was a black 1967 model driven by
actor John Cusack in the 1985 film Better Off Dead. It also appeared in the
music video for "Top back" by rapper T.I. featuring Young Dro, Young
Jeezy, Big Kuntry and B.G. In addition, the Camaro continues to find its way
into modern day fiction. The vehicle mode of the character Bumblebee in the
2007 film, Transformers, is first a 1976 model Camaro and later a
fifth-generation concept variant. A modified fifth-generation Camaro reprises
the role of Bumblebee in the sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects
a wonderful era of Chevrolet ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this
photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 7.8" x
12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Contact us for more Chevrolet Camaro and other automotive photos!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
All our photos are modern photos that are traditionally made from what we believe are the original negatives and are copyright protected.
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
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