1979 Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet introduced its 'second generation' Camaro in the Spring of 1970 and would remain in production through 1981. Compared to the 'first generation,' it was longer, lower, and wider, and GM engineers described it as much more of 'a driver's car' than its predecessor.

The 1st Gen Camaro was quickly brought to market, intended as a competitor to Ford's very popular Mustang. With the 2nd Gen Camaro, designers and engineers were not rushed, and the project benefitted from a greater budget justified by the success of the first generation. It was an all-new car, yet the basic mechanical layout remained familiar to the Camaro faithful, as Chevy engineers endowed it with sophistication learned through racing the first-genertion. The chassis and suspension were greatly refined for both performance and comfort, and the steering, braking, and balance were also improved. Even the base model benefitted from more significant advances in soundproofing, ride isolation, and road-holding.

Known as 'Super Hugger,' the second-generation Camaro (like its predecessor) had a unibody structure with a front subframe, and was suspended by a coil spring and A-arm front suspension while the rear received leaf springs. It had a 108-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 188 inches, was 74.4 inches wide, and stood 50.1 inches tall. High-performance versions were initially offered, but as insurance rates continued to climb, the fuel crisis tightened its grip, and emission regulations choked power from engines, the Camaro was forced to change with the tides of the market. Greater emphasis was focused on fuel economy, comfort, and luxury.

Production of the second-generation Camaro continued through 1981, with major styling updates observed in 1974 and 1978.

The 1979 Chevrolet Camaro
With a total of 282,571 examples sold, the 1979 Chevy Camaro was the most popular of any generation Camaro before or since. Approximately 111,357 examples of the base Camaro Sport coupe were built in 1979 and 19,101 examples of the 1979 Camaro Rally Sport Coupe. 67,236 examples of the Camaro Berlinetta Series S and 84,877 examples of the Z28 Camaro. The luxury-oriented Berlientta was new for 1979 and served as a replacement for the previous Type LT.

The Camaro received a new instrument panel and an anti-theft steering column in 1979. Power came from a base 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine that had a lower axle ratio to help increase its gas mileage. Optional engines included a 305- and 350-CID V8.

Standard equipment included a front stabilizer bar, concealed two-speed windshield wipers, carpeting, power steering, a Delco Freedom battery, a heater and defroster, buck seats in the front, a center dome light, a day/night mirror, and a four-spoke steering wheel. New options for 1979 included citizen's band (CB) radio and a cassette player or clock built into an AM/FM stereo. The electric rear window defroster option was new, replacing the previous blower type.

The Rally Sport models had a rear decklid spoiler, a sport suspension, black-finished rocker panels, a black grille, black headlamp bezels, color-keyed Rally wheels, two-tone paint scheme, bright reveal moldings, and sport mirrors.

For 1979, the Type LT model was replaced with the Berlinetta. This new model had body pinstriping, a bright grille, and black-finished rocker panels. They also had color-keyed custom-style wheels, body-color mirrors, dual pinstripes, chrome headlamp bezels, a soft fascia front, and rear bumper system, bright windshield moldings, an Argent Silver rear-panel appliqué, and black window moldings.

The performance option on the Camaro for 1979 was the Z/28. Along with the special 350 cubic-inch 175 horsepower engine, it had a four-speed close-ratio manual gearbox, a bolt-on simulated hood air scoop with a black 'throat', three-piece front air dam that wrapped around the sides, and a blacked-out front end with a center grille emblem. The decals were moved from the front fender to the door. Most of the cars came with a rear spoiler, but 81 customers selected not to have it installed. Other features included black headlamp bezels, a black rear end panel, a black-finished license plate mount, body-color sport mirrors, body-color door inserts, body-color back bumper, and front fender air louvers. Much like its Pontiac Trans Am sibling, the Z28s now wore a front spoiler and fender flares.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014