GM's ever-popular F-body pony car,
the Camaro/Firebird, had weathered two recessions in the Seventies but was
looking decidedly long in the tooth for the new decade.
The new third-generation, released for the
1982 model year, was all-new and all-Eighties, with up-to date styling, a
hatchback and lighter kerb weight. The base model, however, had the ancient
Iron Duke four-pot, though not many settled for that – most went straight for
the 2.8 V6 or 305 with four-barrel carb or funky Crossfire fuel injection.
The
new 2015 Camaro is the perfect combination of distinct design, cutting-edge
technology and exhilarating performance. Simply put, it’s the full package.
Performance-driven design enhancements to the front and rear fascias give the
new Camaro a low, wide, contemporary look.
As the years went on, the four-pot was
dropped, three-speed autos made way for 700-R4 four speeds, four-speed manuals
gave way to five-speed Borg Warner transmissions, the Crossfire begat the Tuned
Port Injection system, and by 1987, the 350-cube V8 was finally offered. Also
in 1987, the convertible made a reappearance after an 18-year lay-off. Sales
were slacking off, though, despite a 1991 restyle, and the last third-gen
Camaro rolled off the California assembly lines in August 1992, ready for the
all-new fourth-gen which was built in Canada.
Knight Rider is now but a distant memory,
and these cars have gone through their 'redneck racer' Bandit-wannabe phase and
are beginning to be appreciated, but are they future classics or will they
always be chav-mobiles? We asked Robin at AutoPontiac and Martin at Ultimate
Spares America for their opinions.
The
6.2L V8, paired with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, offers 426
horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Or opt for the high-tech combination of
speed and efficiency of the 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Fuel
ManagementTM. It offers 24 MPG highway and delivers 400 horsepower.
“A front brake imbalance – pulling to the
left or right under braking – is most likely caused by imploded flexi hoses.
Always check them before buying new callipers! The car should drive straight
and tight. Wandering will most likely be down to a worn idler arm or centre
drag link. If the car's too low at the front, check for collapsed or broken
coil springs. There should be at least two inches between bump stop and
chassis. If the car's too low it will damage the front spoiler, the one just
ahead of the front wheels that hangs down and scoops air up into the radiator.
If this spoiler is damaged or missing, it can cause overheating above about
50mph.” - RG
“The single-pot floating front callipers
are pretty bulletproof. Rear discs are the ones to have if they're working
properly – if you like to get your skates on, it's also nice to get them off! -
but can be very troublesome if they've not been adjusted properly, and the
callipers are expensive. The front shocks are struts, and a bit more expensive
than normal tubular shocks to replace, so check them too. Suspension components
and bushes aren't too problematic, and all are available.” – MM
Standard
on 2LT and 2SS, the color Head-Up Display (HUD) is specially designed for
high-performance driving situations. The HUD presents performance data without
requiring the driver to look away from the usual viewpoint. HUD displays speed,
rpm, lateral g-force and more — even your radio station — right on the
windshield. You can even customize the display height and intensity to best
help you stay on top of vital information while keeping your eyes on the road.
“The majority of these Camaros and
Firebirds will have the 700-R4 overdrive auto. Early ones seemed to be a bit
light-duty, but later ones were tougher and much improved. If you look after
them and don't thrash them, they're a good gearbox and with the lock-up
converter, you can cruise at 40mph at just 1000rpm. Always make sure that the
lock-up converter is doing its job. You should see the revs drop a bit while
cruising at around 40mph, then rise a bit as soon as you touch the throttle. If
it's not working it can be troublesome to fix, or you could just put a toggle
switch on the centre console. The manual gearbox is a T5, but a bit rarer.” –
MM
“The radiator support loop can rust, simply
because it's in such a prone location. Also, the area under and around the
battery tray.” – RG
