2014 Z/28 sounds like Al got it backwards

[Redvert13ZL1]

So I have always thought of the Z/28 as the loaded ultimate Camaro.
Al Openheiser said in an interview that the ZL1 was suppose to be the Z/28 and just before the release date he changed his mind. He didn't think the now ZL1 was worthy of the Z/28 badge. Know I luvvv my ZL1 but I've always known the Z/28 to be the most loaded Camaro you could buy. And the ZL1 came with the aluminum 427 to begin with so wtf why strip it and ask more for it.

[Juiced1]

The Z28 was always the road racer of the bunch with a smaller motor (302) for Trans Am racing. The original ZL1 was a stripped down car with a aluminum 427 big block. So yeah, it might have made some sense to do it the opposite way name wise. Either way, I'm glad they are both on the market.

[SUKXOST]

both valid points but the extra cost (even considering no MRS on the Z/28) is quite evident in the rest of the car. Al has stated multiple times that he wanted the Z/28 to be NA and the ZL1 badging just didnt sit right with him for that and other reasons.

[Redvert13ZL1]

I can't wait to get a glimpse at the Z/28 in person. I'm sure it will be very few and far between. I can only imagine how many ZL1's a dealer has to sell to be worthy of getting a Z/28. Here's hoping that a dealer in my area gets one!

[AZCamaroFan]

his reasoning makes no sense. he says the ZL1 fit the Zl1 because it was like the 69' which is absolutely rediculous. the 1969 ZL1 was a stripped completely down drag race car. that's not at all what the current ZL1 is.
plus some people at GM seem to have the first gen Z/28 confused with the actual Trans Am race car.

[Redvert13ZL1]

I agree with AZ. and when Al talks about the pricing of the Z/28 he talks about the brakes and wheels and yada yada ya. I don't get why this iconic car is going to be out of reach for most and stripped down for the one's of us that can afford it. Sounds like a cash cow that is meant to pull on our memories so we will totally over pay for it.

[Wizard1183]

As I said, its an opening to the 6th gen camaro Z/28 or Z-28 to come. That one will be cheaper for more consumers to get their hands on one. They'll be buying the badge. But I agree! BOTH shouldve been NA with the ZL-1 being the LS7, stripped for drag as a street car. Instead they made the COPO the drag car and ZL-1 a S/C'd gadgety vehicle which is quite nice! Just not what either car SHOULDVE been when "going back to their roots."

[slacker]

Count me as one who thought they got it backwards. Seems to me they could have sold a ton more ZL1's if they were called Z/28, and the ZL1 is a great car. But historically the ZL1 Camaro was stripped down 427 powered race car, which is what they are touting the new Z/28 as.

Lots of 69 RS/Z28 Camaro's with houndstooth interior and other luxury items, but only 1 ZL1 car with RS option in 69.

[meissen]

Originally Posted by Redvert13ZL1

I don't get why this iconic car is going to be out of reach for most and stripped down for the one's of us that can afford it.

You stated the answer in your own sentence. I highlighted it for you. The Z/28 is for the hardcore Camaro enthusiast that wants the true heritage of the Z/28 - a road racing beast. While it is street legal, it's meant for the track and meant to carve corners. The suspension on the Z/28 is only shared with one other production vehicle in the world - and that vehicle is priced over 1 million dollars.



Secondly, in general to everyone, if you think a few speakers removed, A/C being optional, removal of the trunk carpet, and thinner glass on the rear windshield is "stripped out" then obviously the Z/28 wasn't meant for you.

[b4z]

The Z/28 was never the most "loaded" Camaro. That's the way it is.

[radz28]

To me, both ZL-1 and Z28 were purpose-built for the strip and track, respectively. The current itterations follow that, to a somewhat small degree, in my mind.

ZL-1 was more about power through technology, engine-wise. The ZL1 was a CAN-AM engine that was high-tech because of being light weight aluminum. The rest of the car was standard stripped race car. ZL1 is technology through and through. CF functional hood extractor and aero' package; even the underbody. Relatively high-tech powertrain. Uber high-tech chassis.

Z/28 was a stripped small block for the track. Z/28 is a stripped small block for the track, lol.

Al didn't get it wrong. I think there is an argument for ZL-1 and ZL1 being more different than Z/28 and Z/28, but Al hardly has it wrong... There may be an argument price-wise, because ZL-1 package was more than the car itself, and the '14 Z/28 will be more than ZL1, but for the purpose of this thread, I don't think it really matters.

[Goo]

Originally Posted by b4z

The Z/28 was never the most "loaded" Camaro. That's the way it is.

3rd Gens were three models: Camaro, Berlinetta, and Z28.

Z28 was the top dog until the IROC-Z.

Most likely a bad example, but I can see where he can be coming from...

[meissen]

I think that's a discussion of the difference between "Z28" and "Z/28" Just like the "base model" v8 in the 4th generation was the Z28 with the SS being the uplevel. Now the SS is the "base model" v8. Frankly, the models and lineups have been so fluid through the years that trying to stay rigid to what it was in year XXXX is going to be confusing and open to interpretation.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by meissen

I think that's a discussion of the difference between "Z28" and "Z/28" Just like the "base model" v8 in the 4th generation was the Z28 with the SS being the uplevel. Now the SS is the "base model" v8. Frankly, the models and lineups have been so fluid through the years that trying to stay rigid to what it was in year XXXX is going to be confusing and open to interpretation.

How much of this could be the fact that in the future we might not see these cars. Future EPA standards might gut the muscle car market with auto makers unable to meet the standards and maintain the performance we are currently enjoying.