The History of the Z/28

The name Z/28 will be forever linked with the Chevrolet Camaro. In reality, it was a simple three digit, alphanumeric GM sales code for a “Special Performance Package” that was introduced in December 1966.

GM wanted to challenge the Mustang on all fronts and compete with it in the Trans Am Series, recently created by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).

The SCCA had rules, and no GM engine was available that fit into that category. They were either too big, (over 305 cubic inches) or too under powered (6-cylinders) to compete.

Chevrolet wanted to offer consumers a street legal race ready performance car, and to do this they just took note of what a lot of street racers were already doing. The beauty of early GM engines was the ability to swap parts to enhance their power, and Chevrolet engineer Vince Piggins did just that. He used a 327 cubic inch block and installed a crankshaft from a 283 making a “stroker” engine with a 4-inch cylinder bore that gave the new engine a cubic inch displacement of 302.4 cubic inches which slid in under the SCCA’s rule of no engines over 305 cubic inches… read more >

Z28 Macho Machine 1977 Vintage Men’s T-Shirt

Psyne Co.