1983 Chevrolet Camaro

The 1983 Chevrolet Camaro was part of the 'third generation' of Camaros, built from the model year 1982 through 1992. The IROC-Z was introduced in 1985 and built through 1990. These '3rd Gen' Camaros were the first to offer modern fuel injection, a standard overhead-valve 4-cylinder engine, a Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, and hatchback bodies. They continued to be built atop General Motors' F-body platform with its design sharing nothing with its predecessors. Among the design cues were a 62-degree reclined front windshield (exceeding the internal GM rule limiting such angles to sixty degrees) complimented by a large rear window and a large rear hatch which allowed access to the luggage compartment.

The Third-Generation Camaro was first offered for sale in December of 1981 with production beginning a few months earlier, on October 12th of 1981. Offered in trim levels of Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, and Z28, Chevrolet sold approximately 173,000 Camaros in the United States in 1982. 51 percent of those were equipped with V8s and 37 percent with V6s, while the remaining 12 percent used four-cylinder engines.

1983 Chevy Camaro
The exterior appearance of the 1983 Camaro remained mostly unchanged, however, the list of powertrain combinations increased and included a 151 cubic-inch (2.5-liter) fuel-injected four, a 173 CID (2.8-liter) V6 and two 305 CID (5.0 liter) V8s. The 2-door coupe had a base price of $7,845 with the four-cylinder engine, $8,190 for the V6, and $8,386 for the V8. The base sport coupe could now be ordered with an optional five-speed overdrive manual transmission that was standard on other models. Also available was a new four-speed overdrive automatic transmission with a lock-up torque converter.

Trim levels included the base, Berlinetta, and the Z/28. The base-level had dual black outside rearview mirrors, quad headlamps, a carpeted cargo floor with a storage well, a power ventilation system, reclining front bucket seats, side window defoggers, a hinged stowage compartment in the front center console, power front disc brakes with audible wear sensors, rear drum brakes, and a fast-ratio power steering system. It rode on 14x6 inch body-color wheels with hubcaps. Safety equipment included all GM safety and anti-theft features.

The Berlinetta models were powered by a 173 CID V6 backed by a five-speed overdrive manual transmission. They had an AM/FM stereo electronic-tuning radio, a digital clock, a smooth-ride suspension, custom vinyl reclining front bucket seats with adjustable head restraints, a sport aluminum hood, dual horns, hood and sail panel decals, and lockable fuel filler door. The 14x7 inch finned aluminum wheels with gold accents were wrapped with P207/70R-14 black sidewall tires.

The total 1981 Chevy Camaro Berlinetta production reached 27,925, with 14,473 powered by six-cylinder engines and 13,452 fitted with V8s.

The Camaro Z/28 models were powered by a carbureted V8 engine and had a base price of $10,335. Z/28s could be powered by the Cross-Fire fuel-injected V8, which also had functional dual air intake hood scoops. The high-output 305 V8 used revised cams and four-barrel carburetors helping it develop 190 horsepower. 3,223 Camaro Z/28 models were equipped with the H.O. V8 engine in 1983.

The Camaro Z28 had Z/28 insignia, Camaro logos, stereo radios with electronic tuning, dual body-color sport outside rearview mirrors, a front air dam, ground effect rocker moldings finished in silver or gold, quad headlamps, and a rear decklid spoiler. The cargo floor was carpeted, there was a hinged stowage compartment in the front center console, and reclining front bucket seats. There were 14x7 inch five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with charcoal, silver, or gold accent color.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020