Hello enthusiast,

I have a question that probably has been answered more than once but my search skills are not bringing me any luck in finding an answer.

Is the Z28 or the SS the top model Camaro?

Has one model been the top model over the other in different years?

Can someone break it down for me?

 

I'm not 100% sure about this and someone correct me if I'm wrong but Z28 was top model from '67 until '76? didn't they stop making Z28's for a year? then back again in '78 until '85 Z28 was the top model, then of course the IROC-Z was top of the line until '90 when Z28 came back on top. In '96 with the re-intro of the SS, it became top dog until '02

 

Thankyou for your response,

I never really investigated or knew the answer to this question.

With the knowledge of some these people on this site, I have no doubt someone has the answer to this question in great detail.

 

1st gens the Z28 was top dog, second gen only had SS for a bit and they dropped Z28 entirely for a couple years, 3rd Gen Z28 was only Top dog unti the IROC package came out (then went away again) 4th Gen Z28 was Top dog until the SS came out.
5th Gen I'm 'guessing' will be Z/28 again but other then a few subtle hints (like Jason changing the message board form web.CamaroSS.com to CamaroZ28.com) I can't be sure.

 

Thank you

 

The 1st gen Z28 and SS were more equals for different applications. Z28 for the race course, SS for the strip. The Z28 wasn't even advertised in '67 and the car didn't have emblems. It was made just for the Trans-Am series.

 

I'm sure this thread will turn into a Z28 vs SS battle for sure!

To me the "top dog" means a few things. Most power, best performance and highest cost. To me in the times that the Camaro had both a Z28 and SS in it's lineup the SS was certainly more expensive and had the highest power ratings.
Best performance in the 4th Gen was no question as the SS had a bit more power but handled quite a bit better. My experience found the Z28 with it's softer suspension and sometimes lower weight be a better drag performer out of the box and with minor mods. Higher profile tires and smaller dia. wheels certainly helped. But really since both cars shared the same V8 they lost most of their individuality if not the roles switching.

In the 1st Gen Camaro I would think a SS396 would certainly be the highest power and cost. It's straight line performance would certainly be better. On a road course the Z/28 was king.

I have no idea where GM will go with the 5th Gen. I'm sure they will resurect both the Z28 or Z/28 and SS. I think GM has a better engine lineup than in the 4th Gens and now we could see the days of more individual performance objectives for either model.

 

Weren't ALL IROC's Z28's? If I'm not mistaken, but during the 3rd gen's reign, you couldn't have one or the other. I had a 90 IROC convertible (last year for IROC) and I don't recall any plain Z28's while the IROC was offered. But to answer the question, the IROC was the top dog at the time.
And I agree, the SS was always the top dog when offered.

 

In a nut shell....

The Z was always SBC powered. The SS option either came with big block or a SBC that made less power and numerically lower gears than the Z28. The SS name died around 74 IIRC and didn't reappear until the late 90's. The z28 name carried on.

Different years had different appearance options also.

Then you also have the RS options to throw into the mix if you want. It is an appearance package. You used to could get SS/RS or Z28 w/RS option (see split bumper 70 Z28s or hideaway headlights for the 69 model). GM in their wisdom of the 80's delegated the RS package to only V6's.

 

top dog= SS 396 67-73, Z28 74-76 and78-85, iroc-Z 86-90, Z28 91-95, SS 96-02
and then you have your specalty cars. yenko, baldwin motion. ZL1 ect...

 

IIRC the Z28 was dropped after 1974 and came back for 1977, so i think the Z was only gone in 75 and 76

*edit* yup, here's a pic of a 77 Z28

 

All Irocs were Z28s, but '85, '86, & '87 you could get a plain Z28 w/o the Iroc package. The Iroc-Zs were 'top dog' from '85-'90. (If you want to pick, the Iroc 350 TPI cars were the top, as the 305 TBIs were weak.)

 

Y'all are all over the map on these years. Not much help if someone is looking for accurate info.
Invest in a BOOK, like this: http://www.amazon.com/Camaro-Forty-Y...0422003&sr=1-1

"Top Model" is pretty meaningless. Some will assume you mean HP and others Luxury/cost. It would also be helpful if we separated BB and SB engine, as the 396 and 427 were usually more HP.
One other thing to keep in mine, is that the Z28 was primarily and performance option while the SS was styling. Only with the 4th Gens can you say that the SS had both more HP/handling and better style/interior.
You could argue that the Berlinetta was the top model during the 2nd Gen. years. If your looking at resale value the 91/92 RS converts are the "top model" 3rd Gens.
If your talking pure cost, then original 1st Gen. Z's I think are bringing the most money at autions.

 

TOP MODEL = MOST $$$

That's how I've always looked at it. Same with my dad.

Also, SS means SuperSport. It's top model cus is says "Super" in the title.

 

Yeah as others have suggested the SS was created as the sport package that was oriented more towards drag racing and sporty looks, while z28 was created for road racing and handling. Over the years those rolls haven't really stuck though. In the 4th gen the z28 became a half step below the SS. In the 5th generation, I think the z28 will have a LS2 or LS3 and the SS will have something significantly more potent like the LS7 instead of just a ram air package and extra trim.