1988 Chevrolet Camaro

The third-generation Camaro was introduced for the 1982 model year and produced through 1992. Among the updates aimed at improving fuel economy were better aerodynamics and a weight reduction of nearly 500 pounds. The engines received a modern fuel injection system and transmissions included a Turbo-Hydramatic 700 R4 four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual. The standard engine was a fuel-sipping overhead valve four-cylinder unit.

For 1988, the Chevrolet Camaro was available as a Sport Coupe, Camaro Convertible, IROC-Z Coupe, and IROC-Z Convertible. The base coupe came with a rear spoiler, lower body-side extension panels, body-color outside rearview mirrors, and aluminum wheels. Other features included manual lap/shoulder front safety belts, an energy-absorbing steering wheel, laminated safety windshield glass, safety glass side windows, safety inter-locking door latches, four-way hazard warning flashers, backup lights, a high-mounted stop lamp, direction signals with a lane-change feature, a windshield defroster, and a windshield washer system. They also had an inside rearview mirror with vinyl bonded glass, dual outside rearview mirrors, a dual-chamber brake master cylinder, a starter safety switch, a dual-action hood latch system, an AM/FM stereo, and tires with built-in wear indicators. Power was from a 2.8-liter V6 engine offering 125 horsepower. The optional V8 engine, displacing 5 liters, was now fitted with a throttle body injection system in place of the four-barrel carburetor.

Other standard features found on the base Sport Coupe were disc brakes in the front, drum brakes in the rear, power steering, a power ventilation system, aluminum wheels in silver or gold, a five-speed manual transmission, a front air dam, ground-effects type rocker panel moldings, Computer Command Control, a deep-well luggage area, and black concealed windshield wipers.

Standard equipment on the IROC-Z included an energy-absorbing steering column, safety interlocking door latches, halogen fog lamps, four-way hazard warning flashers, back-up lights, a high-mounted stop lamp, a windshield defroster, a windshield washer system, tires with built-in wear indicators, a theft-deterrent steering column clock, black concealed windshield wipers, Computer Command Control, Camaro gold or silver lettering on the grille, ground effects style rocker panel moldings, specific body striping and IROC-Z door decals, and power steering. The car also had a leather-wrapped shift knob, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, specific taillights, a rear decklid spoiler, side window defoggers, and special instrumentation with a tachometer.

The combined 1988 Camaro production was 96,275 with the most popular being the 66,605 units of the base Camaro Sport Coupe. The IROC-Z sport coupe had 24,050 sales. Convertible sales remained exclusive with 1,859 of the 'base' and 3,761 of the IROC-Z.

The 96,275 examples built in 1988 were less than the 107,494 examples built the previous year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2014