Does anybidy know how Gm got the name Z28 and what it stands for?
Thanks

 

It's a RPO code. Doesn't "stand for" anything.

It was a "package", as Z codes generally are; specifically, at its start in 67, it got you the "homologue" for the cars Chevy entered in the TransAm racing series that year. (which incidentally, Pontiac didn't participate in, they just licensed the name) SCCA's rules for that class at the time were a 5.0L limit, and 500 cars identical to the ones entered in the race had to be manufactured and available for sale to the public. So Z28 had a 302 motor, 4-speed, 3.73 gears. No radio, no AC, no disappearing headlights, no gaudy trim, no heavy plastic, no NOTHING except MAYBE a heater was available on it. STRICTLY a "stock" race car.

It was STUPID popular. That was the first RPO code to hit the streets. We ally knew you could go to the dealer and order that, and get a race car; everybody thought then too, that it "stood for" something. In 67 and 68 they sold SEVERAL thousand of them, no problem meeting the "homologue" requirements.

Starting in 69 they allowed people to add certain decidedly non-race-car options, like disapperaing headlights. It got even more popular. They musta made at least 50,000 of em that year, and out of those, probably 250,000 are still in existence.

Needless to say, over the years it evolved from that into a bloated boulevard cruiser, and with the oil embargo and emissions rules just neutering all of the muscle cars, sales plummeted. It was discontinued for a couple of years in the mid 70s, then revived in (I think) 78. (mighta been 77... but I know for sure it was by 78, because I had a 78 and a 79 one) They were pitiful pigs; about as far short of "race car" as you could imagine. Heavy, plastic trim dripping off of everywhere, all manner of creature comforts, 180 wheezing horsepuckers on a GOOD day, even that asinine "string wrapped" steering wheel that would literally break your thumbs if you weren't careful. (yes I took people to the ER with broken thumbs)

The LG4 and LU5 cars were even worse. The first HINT of "performance" was the L69, which was night-and-day different from the other motors when it came out. I traded my 79 Z28 in on a 83 L69.

Then Chevy licensed IROC's name and put it on an upgraded Z28 starting in 85. By that time any trace of "racing' heritage was long gone and forgotten. But still, the IROC-Zs were the fastest cars on the street (along with Vettes with the same setup) for a couple of years; but the rest of the world not only caught up, but blew by GM and left em standing still. By the time TPI was finally mercifully put out of our misery, it was like 50% shy of the competition. Meanwhile, Chevy put the IROC-Z stcker package on all Z28s for a few years, and essentially discontinued the Z28 RPO; then when the contract with IROC expired at the end of calendar 1989, they revived it again.

 

To add to sofakingdom's comments, Z28 was the next option code after Z27. There were no Z28 emblems on the car in '67 and first half of '68. But the name had created a following among racer's and enthusiasts as the road racer you could buy from the dealer. It didn't take a genius at Chevy marketing to decide that these cars should leave the factory with Z/28 emblems thereafter.

 

thanks for the replys guys

 

Baaahhhhhhhhhaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

 

One thing that I will clarify is that Chevy did not discontinue the Z28 in 1988. They discontinued the B4Z RPO designation for the IROC-Z. All Z28s now had the IROC-Z appearance as standard, but were designated by RPO Z28 on the order sheet and SPID label. I know it was mentioned that they "essentially" discontinued the Z28 RPO, but I wanted to clarify that. Most people believe that the Z28 was discontinued in 1988 and returned in 1991, when in actuality, the Z28 never left.

 

Not only is Z28 on the SPID of '88-'90s, but they all carried a prominent "Z28" emblem right on the passenger side of the dash

 

You could get some options on '67, '68. and '69 Z28's, including the Rally Sport package ("disappearing headlights")

Great read: http://www.67z28.com/history.htm

1967 Z28 production: 602
1968 Z28 production: 7,199
1969 Z28 production: 20,302 & as stated above: ... "and out of those, probably 250,000 are still in existence"



~DaVe

 

The car in the pic isn't a Z28; it's a RS. ALOT of non-original stuff on it. A common thing to see around nowadays.

 

You are correct, but other than the obvious aftermarket items there really isn't a good way to tell if it was or wasn't a Z28 in '67 without the trim tag, vin, engine #'s, etc. '68's were even harder to identify: http://www.1968z28.com/document.htm

 

Yes 82, I'm aware of that; I WAS THERE AT THE TIME.

Posting a pic of a heavily altered RS doesn't have much to do with the Z28.

I'm fairly sure, having seen LOTS of Z28 (and RS) clones over the last 45 years, that people don't generally take one of the only 600ish 67 Z28s, and clone a RS out of it. Therefore it's usually a pretty good bet that when you see a 67 with that chrome rocker trim and the disappearing headlights and all that other heavy stuff that would detract from a race car, as well as NO Z28 badges, that it probably didn't start out life as a Z28. Possible of course, and maybe would require documentation to "prove" anything; just, not bloody likely.

 

Here is a pic of a 1967 Z/28. Note: No Z/28 emblems,(some had '302' emblems on the front fender) no cowl induction (like on the '69), no 15x8 ralley wheels, (like on the later Corvette). It does have easily ID'd stripes, though.





If you were looking for a used 1st gen in the late '70's, every a-hole would put a Z/28 emblem on their crappy SS or RS and try to sell you a bill of goods.

Several years ago I was lucky enough to be the driver of a '67 Z/28 at the St. Charles Mecum auction. The car had been previously restored, not to the spectacular standards you see today, but an older backyard enthusiast restoration. Very nice, but not perfect. It sold for $97,000 in a depressed car market.

 

My point: A '67 Z28 with the Z22 Rally Sport option LOOKS just like any other non Super Sport, RS car ... Flat (non SS) hood, hidden headlights, chrome rocker trim, etc.

You seem to forget that there were no Z28 badges until mid year '68


So is the heavily altered RS, a Z28 or not ??? NO, BUT you'd have to check the documentation out!

Not everyone on this board was born in the 90's ... did you read the first link ? (Z28, rs car)