1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372

1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372

1984 was a memorable year for a lot of things, and in many ways it signaled the start of the return of performance in American muscle cars. We still reference George Orwell’s concept of “Big Brother” from his book entitled 1984, and it was also the year of the launch of the Macintosh computer. But for American performance car enthusiasts, ‘84 marked the launch of the high-tech C4 Corvette, and today, we’re taking a peek at its little brother - a 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 time capsule with 24,000 miles on the dial.

Now before we scoff at the concept of a less-than-200 horsepower 1980s Camaro being a muscle car, we’re applying the term to what was available at the time. The mid 1980s were all about smaller cars, front wheel drive, and tightening emissions and fuel economy standards, so enthusiasts were happy just to have a choice with any V8, rear-drive sporty car offerings. The 1984 Z28 made hungry performance car customers happy, to the tune of over 100,000 sold! Apparently the now-cheesy full-on 80s commercials worked!

The 84 Z featured very aerodynamic styling, as Chevrolet tried to eek out all the tricks they could to help fuel economy ratings. This particular car is wearing the popular black color scheme with red and orange stripes and silver lower accents, and rolls on iconic cast aluminum 15 inch wheels. A non-functional NACA-type scoop breaks up the expansive flat hood, and a small ducktail spoiler sits at the base of the hatchback rear glass and over the large tail lights. This one even has t-tops. These third-generation Camaros are good looking cars.

Inside, the 1980s are on full display, with forward looking elements only hindered by a lack of technology to back them up. We dug the dual-needle speedo that points to metric and MPH on opposite sides, and a 7000 RPM tach for an engine that wheezes out at 5500 RPM. Plastic is everywhere, and the design is edgy and stark at the same time. An overhead console houses two interesting gadgets… a fully analog reminder center that consisted of various-topic thumbwheels you turned to remind yourself of important items like “financial”,“celebration”, and “recreation”. Behind that hangs the removable flashlight, a good idea that didn’t seem to catch on. Probably because it got lost after the second or third usage.

But the Z28 name means performance, right? The optional L69 5.0 HO V8 cranked out a relatively underwhelming 190 HP and 240 lb. ft. of torque from 305 cubic inches, but those were pretty big numbers for the time. Standard LG4 305 was only 150 HP. It utilized an electronic feedback rochester Quadrajet carburetor, iron heads with a 9.5:1 compression ratio, but was choked out with restrictive exhaust and a catalytic converter. This one is tied to a 4-speed automatic overdrive 700R4 transmission backed with a 10-bolt rear end loaded with limited slip differential and 3.73 gears. A 5-speed Tremec T5 manual was also available.

Where the 84 Z did perform was in the turns. After all, emissions compliance had nothing to do with suspension compliance. The 3rd gen Z is a full unibody design, so no more twisty subframe holding the engine and front suspension. These cars utilized a front strut design and coil springs at all 4 corners. Front and rear sway bars helped them corner, and a torque-arm ran from the transmission crossmember to the rear axle housing for better traction. 4-wheel disc brakes were the best ever on a Camaro. The stiff body and tuned suspension earned these cars high praise as the best handling American cars by the automotive press.

So although they weren’t that fast, with ¼ mile times in the mid 16s, their precise handling and clean styling made them fun cars to drive. So much so that 1984 marks the 3rd highest sales year in Camaro history, and a number not achieved since then.

1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 372

#Camaro #Z28 #MuscleCar

[markchapmon]

IMHO, these were the best looking of any Camaro made after 1969. Enthusiasts weren't too upset about relatively mild horsepower figures because you could always add horsepower.

I was a high school senior in 84. These and Firebirds were well represented in the school parking lot. I drove an 84 Dodge Daytona. Wish I still had it.🤩

[DNR]

Beautiful example of an '84 H.O. car!! I was a junior in high school when these cars came out, and really wanted one. These cars were everywhere, and on Friday and Saturday nights me and a buddy of mine went to alot of Chevrolet dealers to check out the inventory. Even got some cool pictures of the'84 Z28's and '85 IROC's new on dealer lots. Much later I had them enlarged and framed. Today they hang on the walls in my office.

[rightlanehog]

Welcome back Kevin. Don't apologize for this Z28, this is a history lesson in how things were in '84.

[mustanggt]

Thanks to the Camaro, Trans Am, and Mustangs of the 80”s the muscle car lives on. Love this car. I want to add an Iroc with a 350 next to my 1989 turbo Tran am in the garage. Next video should be a Trans Am GTA and a Mustang GT from 87-93.

[bertouellet]

190hp out of a 5.0L is a pretty decent number for the time, and I do like the look.

[jonnybridin]

Nice to see an 80s muscle car. As a fellow buick lover, Would love to see a GNX next!

[davidelam]

Need to have the 1987 Buick Grand National GNX, and the 1989 Turbo Trans Am on the channel!

[vernhoke]

Oh man, my 1st brand new car! Ordered me one in September 1983, picked it up in November. Yeah she had only 190 HP, 5.0 H.O., but she handled really nice. It was Charcoal Gray metallic, Gray Interior, 5.0 H.O., 5 speed, posi and 4 wheel disc brakes.

[mikeslomski]

My first brand new car was a 87 Camaro sport coupe with the LG4 305 & automatic. By that point, even the sport coupe had basically a Z28 suspension, 215/65/15 Goodyear Eagle GT tires and a cool sounding exhaust right from the factory. Mine was bright red with black lower stripes, and the optional for the sport coupe rear spoiler. I loved that car. It wasn't the fastest, but it wasn't a V6 sport coupe, either. I loved freeway off ramps, that car stuck like glue. I proposed to my wife in that car in October, 1988! Car is long gone, wife still here. I currently own an 87 Monte Carlo SS, L69 305 H.O. Again, not that quick (faster than the LG4), but a flashback to 1987, and being 25 again! 80's muscle is worth remembering, I believe it truly was the 82 Mustang GT that revived performance in the 80's!

[jimbo]

I had a '84 Z28 LG4 5 speed. Loved that car. Everything about that car was nice.

[killerb]

The "Starship" Camaro was the Berlinetta model with the digital dash not a Z28...FYI

[mrmichael]

I’m so glad you did a story on this car. 1984 really was a magical time; cars were coming back from the dead and this one really caused a lot of excitement. I lost a lot of sleep over these when they came out!

[adammcilmoyl]

I had one with the HO and 5-speed. It was actually pretty quick and had a good powerband. They were light cars so the 190hp was actually pretty decent with the 5-speed and 3.73 gears.

[CallMeMrX]

Great car! It's unthinkable that a 5 litre V8 could produce less than 200 horsepower knowing what we know today.

[oldtown]

Where have you been? Is once a month, maybe, the new format? I miss the every week show.

[Kidapollos]

I was a young, single Air Force lieutenant when I special ordered my '84 L69 Z-28. I ordered all the goodies, including the 5-speed. IMHO, it was a great car, affordable, very acceptable power and great handling. The premium sound system was pretty good, too. I remember flinging that car all over the roads of the Black Hills, SD, while I was stationed at Ellsworth, AFB. By the way, Car and Driver tested this model for handling against the Porsche 944, and the Z-28 was declared the best-handling car of that year...period.

[SmallADVentures]

I remember those commercials, LOL! 🤣👍 I was 16 in 1988, and each year as the new Mustang GT's, Trans Am's, and Camaro Z cars came out, I wanted one SO bad 😜 I enjoyed th etrip down my teenaged memory lane, MCOTW, thank you for this one 😊✌

[Junkyard-Restorations]

my dad bought one of these brand new. they performed really well with a couple mods. and handled/braked better than any 60's or 70's muscle car. gotta get the 5 speed though.

[DHAW]

My parents had a black 1985 Trans Am with the LG4 engine in the mid 90s. I don't remember what red line on the tach was, but that engine fell flat on its face at 4500 rpm. Still, with a 700r4 transmission and 3.42 gears, it was a fun car.