I was fortunate to have bought my 1971 Camaro SS350 new in 1971. I’ve kept it all these years and it currently has only 36,000 miles. Still looks new. Love that car.
I ordered a 73 z-28 I still have mine. 22,000 miles . Mine is also all original except for engine and transmission. I raced it quite Abit. That explains different engine 350 - 370hp.+ A few extras B+M 400 TRANS 488 GEARS. LOVE TO SEE YOURS. GLAD YOU KEPT IT
In the quiz section, the Mulsane Blue 1970 RS/SS has the low back seat but shows the tall rear spoiler that was 1971 and up. The spoiler is easier to spot from a distance than the seats. Also no mention of the 1972½ changes for clip in shoulder harness (vs 2 full belts) and seat belt warning buzzer and dashboard warning light (just to the right of the radio on the bottom of the IP pad. Just peaked into my 72½ to verify the warning light. Mine is a unicorn, 72½ and Z-28 and Spring Green. (Only 2575 total 72 Z-28's for all of the model year due to the strike at the assembly plant.)
Oh the memories! Had 70 1/2 Z/28 and like many, sold it so I could move to Las Vegas. Should of left it in Dad's barn! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
💥 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="426">7:06</a> Nothing at car shows annoys me more than seeing this low budget RS conversion from a base Camaro. Aside from it not having the round front blinker lights the entire center nose area is very much different and was not mentioned in this video. The surround around the grill is thick rubber, not sheet metal and there is a visible seam. My dads 69 GTO had a rubber front area and he said it was called an Enduro bumper. Also the two grills are separated with the same rubber material with a thin vertical strip and the grills are deeply inset into the nose and has a wide chrome bezel around it. I love my 70-1/2 RS Z28 and thank you for this great video. 🇺🇸💪🏼
Saved this video.enjoyed it.i have a 71 Z28 matching no. Now im retired.pretty sure going to have ground up restore. Wish could find same seen em 40 tho. Pricing gess 50 tho maybe. Had the car since 1977. In barn.coming out this year.looking at these pics.sealed the deal.thanks again
you missed some things, there were a bunch of 1970 only features. big block cars had the rear tail panel painted black, the different trim options had different taillight lenses.
Thanks for the video. Driven mine since 81, bought from the first owner. Unfortunately he had cut the fuel line to remove the filter and slipped a rubber tube in with clamps. Burned for 3 hours. That was a hard 3 hrs for a 17 year old that had just bought his second Camaro. I dont regret the outcome though many would ? its legitimacy. But it will pull the wheels anytime i wana play. Yup to 2015 _Rubicnn, good catch. My first was a 72 RS and had all you mentioned aside from darker tail lights :). Sold out from under me for bad grades. Second one didn't get away.
Best looking Camaro in HISTORY. I never owned a 1969. Had a 1967. Built the whole car for under $ 2,100 . I had it faster than any production Camaro released by Chevrolet.
...and it's that "most common error" that always drove me the most crazy! I hate seeing split bumpers installed on the "standard" front end. imho, they look better with a full bumper anyways
@Bounty hunter Turtle To each their own! I can only hope he, at the very least, doesn't just slap two bumperettes on it, and call it done, though. There is a big hole in the standard grille, where the hood release is, and when you remove the full bumper, it sticks out like a sore thumb. If you take care of that, I suposse it looks "ok"... I'm not the type of guy to pick on ANYBODY for doing what they like. I was just stating my personal opinion on it. It seems to be such a common thing for people to do, that most people (who don't really KNOW Camaros) refer to ALL 70's as "split bumper Camaros", and I guess maybe it just gets my OCD going... LOL I don't mind the RS front, but it seems so rare anymore to see one with a full bumper, that I think that makes them even cooler, yet! In order to fully change the front to an "RS" optioned car (which is the only way they left the factory without a full bumper), there is quite a bit of stuff that needs to be changed. You'll need a header panel, lower valance, lights, urethane nose, two grille halves, center divider, brackets to the rad support, and (of course) the bumpers. If it has a spoiler, you'll also need the correct spoiler to fit the new lower valance. ...and then, don't forget the paint work, afterwards. Again, just my humble opinion. It's his car, and he can do whatever he likes! ALL Camaros rule!
No way! Split bumper is the iconic look, like a shark mouth about to bite you. Full bumper is like putting braces on a Hot Lady she’s still sexy but also dorky. If that’s your thing more power to you. But I like the wide mouth open on a Camaro grill
1973 had different front and rear bumpers & brackets. The rear bumper in 1973 had rubber pieces on the edges and the bumper was moved out by 1/2". the face of the bumper is slightly different as well. I used '70-'72 brackets to move my bumper in on my '73 after removing the end pieces. The front bumper in 1973 had a heavy inner reinforcement that you can remove to save weight. Also, in 1973 only extra reinforcing bars were added to the radiator support of the R/S models. This is because of the 2.5mph bumper laws. Things got ugly in 1974 as the law was increased to 5mph and just about every car got much heavier bumpers.
I was followed for several seconds by a ghost Camaro on Texas Hwy 77 S in 1976. It moved sharply from side to side, dipping deeply, right behind my VW beetle. It was an orangey brown. I looked forward for a second , looked back, and it was gone.
Great information. I wondered about the differences and how that played with models and years. Now I can recognize these and speak with intelligence about them. I bought a normie hand me down from my Dad, but it was pretty cool to be 17 and be driving around a normie 1971 non RS non SS non Z28 Camaro. It still got looks, and honestly had plenty of power for me at the time. I top tuned it because it had a very tempermental 2bbl carburator and Thermostatic Coil choke that I was constantly messing around with to make it react instantly, but open fully. Finally I modded the carb, and put in a manual choke to make sure it was opening up all the way when it should. Nobody taught me how, I just did it. Because it was a normie model (a beautiful blue one that seemed to have a purplish tint at night) it had the pointy bumper and I remember I accidently hit a brick wall at low speed behind a gas station one day. It chipped a chunk out of the wall right at the sharp middle of the bumper, but it didn't scratch or dent the chrome bumper in the least. They don't make em like that anymore. I remember thinking at the time that it had too much smog crap on it, but I was glad I didn't have the 72 where it got even worse. I like the longbody 2nd generation cars, but I think the 1970 version, before the smog add-ons are best from a mechanical standpoint.Of course I guess you could just remove that stuff. I don't know why I didn't just tear it out, but I guess I was still happy with the performance. Mine was lower powered, but at least it was a V8 and it was heaven for a 17 year old boy. Databyter
@@aldo6192 I will check but if it was built in April of 71' that would normally make the car a 72' because new car years would start in late august but there were always exceptions to the rule and GM was going through labor strikes at the plant that built Camaros and Firebirds around that time
500 cars had the long spoiler in 1970 so it could qualify for racing. A seemingly knowledgable youtuber claims one had to order it threw the COPO program. I like kinda like the short one, as I had a SS/RS L36 4sp car years back and always thought is looked less like an afterthought that the bigger one.
I purchased a 1973 Camaro body without a motor back in 1984. Installed a 350 ci motor and raced it on the freeway on the way to work back then. Wish i still had it.
Everything about the 1970 1/2 Camaro are different then the other years. Including the inside rear view mirror, sun visors, sun visor support, seats, seat covers, seat tracks, front seat carpet hold down clips, the way the front inner fender housings are installed, z28 wheels valve stem holes, 12 bolts rears 70 only, Also if the cars aren’t L.A. cars then no emissions stuff like the gas tanks plus a few other odds and ends. The rear package tray metal panel has the cut outs for the 2 different rear window defogger holes.
One thing I think you missed mention as far as differences go is that the 1970 model had a one piece rear spoiler that has a lower profile than the 71-73 three piece rear spoiler. You'll also notice that in the pictures several 1970's have the incorrect rear spoiler because the three piece spoilers were more popular.
Well... while it is true that the 1970 came with the one piece spoiler (if it was ordered with one, of course...), it is NOT true that a '70 is "incorrect" with a 3 piece "high" spoiler. Starting on April 20, 1970, the 3 piece (COPO 9796) became available to purchase from the dealership. So, technically, a '70 with a 3 piece installed on it is completely fine. There were actually quite a few people who purchased, and installed them on their Camaros in 1970.
I WAS TOLD THAT FIREBIRD HAD DIFFERENT QUARTER PANEL. BUT THEY STILL WORK . MAKE SURE YOU DO BOTH SIDES..FIREBIRD IS WIDER. SPOILER MAY NOT FIT PROPER.FILLER PANEL MAY HAVE ISSUES TOO.
I miss my wifes 73 RS LT... had aftermarket 402 / m21 close ratio /10 bolt <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="187">3:7</a>3. Loved that rocket ship. It can be seen in episode "case of satchel bandit" unsolved mysteries
Enjoyed this video, would like to see some split screen comparison. I have owned a lot of Z28s- 71/78/91/96/and now a 2000... I will be checking out some of your other Videos... 🚦🏎🏁...✌️
The '70-'73 Camaro differed in many ways, the seats, emblems, grill work. The chrome rings around the taillights were part of decor groups, 70&'71 grills were the same, '72&'73 were identical with the exception of the bumper guards on the '73 for the new bumper standard, and finally the console changed in '73 to the style the Firebird had. Otherwise those cars were the bomb.
Note ! The 1970 Camaro car.Rear tail back up & parking light's. Are kind of special. Are similar to the 1970 Corvette rear tail back up & parking light's. And the real tail light's back up & parking light's.For the 1971/72/73 one's are much different. Check them out
One thing you forgot that is super critical for all the 2nd gen Camaro fans was 1973 Camaro's were a very special year. 73 is the only year you could get all 3 packages; RS/z28/Type LT. 1973 Camaro was the first year air conditioning came with the z28, you couldn't get air conditioning in the previous years with the z28 package. It was rare for someone to check box all 3 packages thus making that year with all 3 packages a Blue Chip Camaro. Very rare and I wish I had one. I have a 1973 Camaro RS/Type LT. Missing the z28 but oh well she is a blast to drive!
Were also some other interior differences that were not mentioned. 73s had a different shifter on the console automatic cars, and if I remember correctly, the spedos only went to 120mph in 72/73, 150mph in 70/71.
Great video! Very informative. It would have been nice if you also included the different engine, transmission, rear differential and suspension specs for each of these packages. Also, the big block engine offered in these cars was marketed as a 396, but it wasn't really a 396. It was actually a 402 cubic inch V8. FYI.
Also note that there was no Cowl Induction Hood on the original 1970-1973 Camaros. Many have added this and it looks good on many of them, however it was not original.
there are other difference that are not covered here. the 1970 car has a lot of unique parts for that year. the 12 bolt rear end was only available in 1970 on high performance cars. the 1970 sun visor was longer than the other years, and the side marker lights don't blink like other years. the steering wheels (with the exception of the 4 spoke) were unique to 1970. 71 and 72 SS steering wheel is unique. 70 and 71 deluxe interior and 72 and 73 deluxe interior door panels are different. the deluxe interior and standard interior windows mechanisms are different. dash bezels were different depending on the option package, U14 gauge package was different between years and models. 70 and 71 had 150mph speedo's and 72-79 had 130mph speedo's. the tach on base models and z28, ss350, ss396 350hp, ss396 375hp, 71 and 72 ss396 300 and 270 HP were all different. the divers side front fender is unique and so is the inner fender well. Big block cars and z28 all got HD cooling so the radiator core support and radiator hold down was different. small block and big block radiators were different and so is the fan shroud. the L78 375 396 was only available in 1970 had a unique dual snorkel air cleaner. the 1970 L34 SS 396 350hp had a unique open element air cleaner. the Z28 in 1970 -72 used the same dual snorkel air cleaner. 1971 and 72 SS 396 used 2 unique air cleaners, a single snorkel for cars with AC and a dual snorkel for cars with out AC. 73 Z28 used a unique open element air cleaner. F41 suspension was required on Z28 and SS396. the front are rear sway bars are different between Z28 and SS396. SS350 cars could also be ordered with F41 and also used different sway bars than z28 or SS396. gas tanks were different between 70, 71 and 72 and also depending on what what emissions control was on the cars 49state or California.
I was born on Halloween 1971 and I own a 1971. 😎 When I bought mine it was titled incorrectly as a 72. After thorough research and fighting with the state of IL, I was finally able to get the car a new/corrected title.
if you own a RS camaro on the build sheet it says Z22 code meaning it has the RS option, Z22 is not stamped on the engine block or fender tags or in vin tag,even the 6 cylender camaros you could get the RS option
The Z-28 gas pedal was hinged at the bottom , while all others were floating from a bracket at the top. Also 1970 never had air conditioning vents in the dash board....
Here is something that might interest someone: I had a '72 RS/SS 350 4-speed car with the custom deluxe interior (woodgrain door panels and padding $$$$ now). I decided to look for the build sheet and found it under the rear seat cushion. I carefully removed the springs and got it out. When I looked at it said the car was factory black with a 402 and a 4-speed! The VIN did not match so my interior had been swapped. Man, I've never seen a '72 402 4-speed car I wish I could have found the donor car.
They may look the same from the rear - but 70 had its own tail light lenses - different from later versions. Also the RS option had small metal rings around the inner portion of the lens
Great video. Thank you for making it. Dit miss the 1973 only option for the front bumperguards (the ones with rubber inlays). And i believe there are differences with the rear bumper guards. None the less i will be watching this video often. 👍
I’m pretty sure the performance package designation took precedence over the appearance package designation to properly identify the Camaro...Z/28-RS...SS/RS...etc
I special ordered a 1973 Type LT Z/28 that had auto trans with column shift and no console. The LT emblems overrode Z/28 emblems so there was no outward indication that it was a Z/28. Only way to tell was the cowl tag.
Yes that is true. I have a friend who bought a brand new 73 lt z28. His is maroon with no stripes, lt badging all over the car, 4 speed no console chrome open element air cleaner. He still has it and it’s about 98 percent original including the paint and completely rust free.
I also ordered this arrangement but with close ratio 4sp.and 373 rear L82 350 Vette engine amazing car loved having it not much it wouldn't beat in a short race the turbo fire V8 was bullet proof.
My sister owned a 70 with 6 cyl auto on the steering column. I had a 70 with 350 Chevy used seats from 69 camaro,my buddy had 69. Seats and auto shifter were the same
Thank you for video. Just bought a 73 type lt rs z28. I do believe rally sport grilles are the same 70 thru 73. Not a fan of the big grille on 72 /73s.
Like to see the early second gens. Many more model differences. 70 -71 has 150 mph speedos, 72 -73 had 130 mph. 70 - 72 had the same console option. 73 used the Pontiac Firebird console and continued thru 81. 70 - 72 had two separate seat belts per front seat, one lap and one shoulder. 73 had one buckle that incorporates the lap and shoulder together which also has the seat belt hook at the headrest of the seat. 70 - 71 had fake stitching on interior side panels, 72 - 73 did not. I know 73 and maybe 72 had the "Fasten Seat Belt" light on the dash. The 1970 was the only one to have a 12 bolt axle option. In the 73 the clutch pedal was made smaller than previous years.
1970 was the only 2nd gen Camaro to have a factory 12 bolt option. 71 thru 81 all had 10 bolts only. So, other than 1970, all years of the 2nd gen Camaros that had a Z28 model would have had the 10 bolt. My name is not Jack, which means you were wrong twice in your comment.
@@johnbutz5631 I owned a 73 Lt1. They had 2 vertical chrome with rubber running above and below the horizontal bumper. Reason for the change? To avoid tapping parked cars with the point of the bumpers. A problem previous years owners complained about. There are examples in this video. 5:08 ,5:19 ,I suggest you watch it again.
I know about the 1970-1972-1973 Camaro's. Because I had a 1970 SS/RS 396 Camaro.[ only 600 were made ] And I do know all of the differences. And it [1970] was the last high performance & high octane GM/Chevy cars.
