Featured here is a 1970 Chevy Camaro Z/28. The Camaro of course was created as competition to Ford’s very successful Mustang, The 1970 model represented the fourth consecutive year for the Z/28 performance package and it was high performance that made the Chevy Camaro a muscle car icon.
The 1970 Camaro Z/28
The model year 1970 saw an entirely new body design for the Camaro. It was also the model year where the convertible Camaro was not offered.
Changes from the 69 Camaro included a larger rear spoiler, a smaller grille, larger headlights, and a wider and flatter hood. In the interior the Camaro received a new dash cluster.
The 1970 Camaro is also noted for almost a complete absence of bright work. Instead of chrome trim the Camaro’s body shape is what brought attention to the car.
The Z/28 Package
When the Z/28 debuted it received very good press from the various automobile magazines of the time.
The Z28 Special Performance Package was created to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am Races. These series of races saw increasing popularity among both spectators and automakers. The Trans-AM Races had a 305 cubic inch limit for V-8 engines. This posed a problem for the Z28 since it’s engine was a 327. Chevrolet engineers ended up combining the 327 with a 283 which produced a 302 cubic inch engine putting it just below the Trans-AM limit.
Chevy built only 600 Z/28’s instead of the planned 1,000 as a production run and still found itself in the Trans-AM Series. At the time, the Camaro Z/28 was not built for the general public but rather for race competition. The Z/28 Special Performance Package included heavy duty suspension and a Positraction axle.
The Z/28 performance package was cancelled in 1974 but came back in the late 1970’s and through the 90’s.
1970 Chevy Camaro Z/28 Specifications
The 1970 Z/28 Camaro was built with a 350 cubic inch LT 1 V-8 with a Holley four barrel carburetor. Horsepower was rated at 360 HP. The 70 Z/28 was rated with a top speed of 133 MPH.
It’s interesting to note that the 1970 Camaro Z/28 did not carry Chevrolet’s largest engine. Some of it’s competitors The engineers at Chevrolet understood that if the Z/28 had a big block V-8 the result would be to add additional weight to the front of the car. That would effect handling performance. Also, reduced weight in the front of the car, perhaps a few hundred less pounds, actually adds horsepower.
Outside of the Camaro Z/28, the other 1970 Camato’s offered a good choice of engines. These included the 250 cubic inch inline six, 307 cubic inch V-8, 350 cubic inch V-8 as mentioned above, and a 396 cubic inch V-8
The 70 Z/28 has a choice of a four speed manual and a three speed Hydra.Matic automatic. This was the first year that buyers of the Z/28 package could have an automatic transmission.
Brakes are front discs and rear hydraulic drums.
Dimensions for the 1970 Camaro Z 28 includes a 108.0 inch wheelbase,188.0 inch overall length, 74.4 inch width and 50.1 inch height. Curb weight is 3,340 lbs.
Production of the 1970 Chevy Camaro did not begin until February 1970. Sales of the 69 models were slow plus there were production problems with the second generation Camaro’s. Chevrolet used this time in late 1969 to sell off the extra 1969 models.
Total 1970 Camaro Z/28 production came in at 8,735 vehicles.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
Reference material for this article includes..The Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro, 2nd Edition: Every Model Since 1967 by author David Newhardt..Chevrolet Camaro SS & Z-28 1966-1973 by author R.M. Clarke..Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Collector Popularity and Current Prices
The 1967 through 1970 Chevy Camaro’s are in general very popular collector automobiles. These were the years prior to the federal emissions and safety regulations and as originals they make great Camaro classics.
Current auction and asking prices for a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 that are highly original, restored, low mileage and in excellent condition should be found in a range from about $60,000-$100,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)