RIDE OF THE WEEK: 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

by Michael Golubiewski
Production Editor

A classic Camaro

This week’s ride brings back memories for me. It is a 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, and I can remember that growing up my Aunt Karen had the same silver-and-black model. This particular Camaro, however, was spotted at the Wilkes University ASME Car Show and is owned by Bill Daubert of Wilkes-Barre.

The Camaro was introduced by Chevrolet in 1967 and was produced through 2002. It was recently reintroduced for the 2009 model year. The 1971 Camaro belongs to the second generation of the model, which would last about a decade, through 1981. The 1971 Camaro featured some changes from previous model years. In order to comply with new federal government regulations that required the phasing out of leaded gasoline, the compression ratio on the Camaro was cut to a maximum of 9.0:1. This, of course, cut the horsepower on the 1971 Camaro.

The emblem and logo on the Camaro was changed for 1971 as well; the “C” was changed from chrome color to red, and the trunk lid emblem, which used to read “Camaro by Chevrolet” was shortened to just “Camaro.” Some other changes on the 1971 Camaro were a switch from low-back seats to the high-back seats used by other Chevrolet models, including the Vega. In addition, the lights on the side of the Camaro flash with the turn signal lights, and all Camaros had the 12-bolt rear end replaced with the 10 bolt, eight and a half inch rear. In addition, the Camaro got a three-piece spoiler as well as the use of international symbols instead of words for the dashboard instruments.

The Z28 model of the Camaro features a 350 cubic inch, V-8 engine and a bore and stroke of 3.00x3.48. The gross horsepower is about 330 at 5600 rpm, with net horsepower coming in at about 265 at 5600 rpm. The torque is 360 at 4000 rpm. The 1971 Camaro also features a four barrel carburetor.

There were about 4,862 of the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro produced with the Z28 option package. The car featured a 780 cfm Holley carburetor along with a Muncie four-speed transmission and a Hurst shifter. The rear axle, as stated before, is a 10 bolt, with a 3.73:1 positraction ratio. The brakes are 11-inch, vented, cast-iron front discs with vacuum assist standard. The Z28 also features an anti-roll bar and a RPO F-41 special rear suspension, including 5-leaf rear springs, staggered heavy duty shocks and a link-type rear stabilizer bar. The 1971 Camaro rode on 15x7 steel wheels, painted dull grey with bright lugnuts, center caps with a blue Chevrolet bow tie emblem and trim rings.

Daubert replaced the normal seats in the Camaro to these special ones, which are black and feature blue flames. Both the seats in the front and back were replaced.

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