Which first gen. Camaro was top dog?
 

Which first gen. PRODUCTION Camaro was top dog? This topic has been argued on these and many other forums thousands of times. I was browsing through some '69 Chevrolet brochures online and came across this:
"We'll start with our strongest. Z/28 Camaro." That tells me that Chevrolet considered the Z/28 to be the top dog, that's good enough for me!
Clyde

I'd say an SS396 with aluminum heads was top dog. Try finding an original of those!

1969 ZL1 COPO

Read Chevy's own ad copy, I'm telling you what they thought. Yes the ZL1 in '69 was a brute, raw horsepower and great for 1/4 mile runs. Obviously though, an obscure engine package that was not a general production package (remember, only 69 ZL1s were made that year) could not be the top dog production model. I don't think anyone argues that the COPOs or the Yenko, Balwin/Motion, etc. Camaros were the top dog production package either. I think the Z/28 qualified as a general production package since a little over 20,000 of them were made in '69. The argument by many has always been that the SS (especially the BB 396cid versions) were the top dog production Camaro back then, this brochure from Chevy back then seems to say otherwise in Chevrolet's opinion (and they do mention BB 396 in the text).
Clyde

My comments were not addressing what was the most rare or hard to find, rather which production Camaro was the top dog.
Clyde

Yenko 427 ZL-1 COPO

And this post has exactly what to do with this thread? I don't see any relevance.
Clyde

This is framed hanging in the garage.
You know how I'm voting. :chevy:

I'm with you Clyde. The Z28 was a OEM racecar for the street/masses. No other regular production Camaro was.

Personally I love the look of the 68s... If I can land one, the sky's the proverbial limit when it comes to performance ;)

It is your thread title that is misleading. You asked who is top dog. Then in post 4 you explain that you want to discuss whether the SS or Z/28 was considered the top dog back then by GM.

:thumbsup:

L78 396.

You have a valid point, I've added a line to the first post stating production Camaro, now if we can get a moderator to edit the thread title (since I apparently can't edit that).
Clyde

Who gives a crap... You will never get a definite answer. Some will say SS, some will say Z/28... It was 45 years ago, no one the was around at GM then likely still is.

Z/28 - track car built for performance. Crappy road manners.

SS - came in many forms... I.e. Power plants. Better car for on the street but the Z was probably a little more race oriented.


IF and a huge IF there is a looming Z release, it will likely be a race inspired car, built for performance, low, loud, rough and bad to the bone. Look up a Cobra R. Like that. No ac, no radio, no back seat... lots of power... lots of money... few made.