Chevrolet Muscle Cars. 1970 Camaro "Second Generation", RS-396, SS-350 LT-1, Z-28

The Second generation of Chevrolet Camaro muscle car was introduced in February 1970, halfway through the model year. This late introduction had some people incorrectly referring to it as a “1970 ½”, all were 1970 models.

The styling for this generation of Camaro was longer, lower and wider than the first generation Camaro (referred to as pony cars), a convertible body style was no longer available. The new look of the second generation was inspred by Jaguar, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. With the new look and style of the Camaro muscle car its basic mechanical engineering was as familiar as the previous Camaro with a unibody structure and a front sub-frame, A-arm and coil spring front suspension with rear leaf springs. Chevrolet engineers gained significant advances in road handling, steering, braking and balance from racing experiences of the first generation Camaro, making it more of “A Driver’s Car” than previous models of the Camaro muscle car.

Most of the engine and drivetrain components were from the 1969 models of Camaro, with the base engine now a 250cid in-line six cylinder rated at 155 hp. Big blocks were still the muscle behind the1970 Camaro’s ranking in the muscle car class, they included: L-78 396cid rated at 375 hp (in 1970 the 396 V8s actual cid was a 402, Chevrolet chose to keep the 396 badging) Two 454cid engines were listed on specification and sales sheets, they never made it into production. Buyers had could choose from the “Rally Sport” option, a “Super Sport” option, and the “Z-28 Special Performance Package” with a featured high-performance LT-1 350cidV8 rated at 360 hp with 380 lb-ft of torque, with the turbo 400 automatic transmission as an option versus the four-speed manual transmission.

The 1970 Camaro muscle cars are regarded as the most desirable of the early “Second Generation Camaro’s” with the future Camaro’s giving in to automobile emissions control systems and heavier mandated bumpers.

Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, Classic, Muscle Cars, Defined

The classic definition of a muscle car is derived from a regular production mid-size car. The vehicle was upgraded with biggest V8 that would fit in the engine compartment, along with a better transmission, suspension, tires and brakes. Remember, mid-size car here refers to 1960’s standards. A good example is Pontiac GTO, it was built from the Pontiac Tempest which was Pontiac’s base model with optional small block V8’s. The first GTO was a Tempest with an early 389cid, with other small upgrades, it was only available as a 2-door coupe.

The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird and cars like them were dedicated production coupes with better handling and performance. These cars were classified as “pony cars”. The two concepts were eventually merged, producing cars like the Dodge Charger, Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda and 70’s era Mustang’s. A few true muscle cars made it into the 70’s, but died out within the decade. Cars like the Mustang and Camaro carried on through to the present and kept the muscle car name and legacy.

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Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, 1967 Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is a “pony car” made by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. In late September 1966 the first generation was introduced as a 1967 model year as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. It shared the platform with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. The Camaro was initially advertised on contemporary AM Radio stations in an attempt to draw the young adult market. A compact (by the standards of the time) pony car, depending on the selected optional equipment, was also classified as a sporty muscle car on a brand new rear wheel drive GM F-body and would be available as a 2-door 2+2 seating coupe or convertible with the option of an inline-6, 350cid or 327cid V8 powerplants

Concerned with the success of the Mustang, Chevrolet realized that the Corvair, would not compete with the Mustang due to its rear engine design. Consequently, the Camaro was advertised the same as the conventional rear-drive, front engine configuration as the Mustang & Chevy II. The first generation Camaro lasted until the 1969 model year and inspired the next generation.