For 1977, Chevrolet reintroduced the Z28 performance package in the Camaros line-up with a 350 ci V8 that was a serious contender in its class.
It was tough being a muscle car fan in the mid-70s. Due to strict emission regulations, all carmakers were rolling back on their high-performance model line-up. Chevrolet also cut production of the Camaro Z28 by the end of the 1974 model year. Leaving this muscle car with an attractive body but no performance to match it. Chevy’s GM stablemate Pontiac didn’t buck under the pressure of the new norms and continued offering the Trans Am.
And with this Pontiac being the only true muscle car still on sale, buyers flocked to the showrooms. Chevrolet noticed and brought the Z28 performance package back to the Camaro’s line-up in the middle of the 1977 model year. It was slightly down on power and flashier than the last iteration of the Z28. But it was precisely what muscle car buyers were looking for in that era.
The 1977 Camaro Z28 Could Easily Smoke The 1977 Mustang
For 1977 Chevrolet made sure that the Camaro Z28 was every bit as advertised. So they gave it a 350 ci (5.7-liter) small block V8 motor which was good for 185 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It was a serious contender in its class and had some impressive performance figures to match. The 77′ Camaro Z28 could sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.1 seconds. And breach the quarter mile in 17 seconds.
The hottest Mustang for the 1977 model year was available with a 302 ci V8, which was only good for 129 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque. The 77′ Pontiac Trans Am had a 400 ci V8, rated 180 horsepower. So naturally, the Z28 was quicker than both of these muscle cars.
The Pontiac had the edge over the Chevy only when equipped with the optional W72 performance package, which boosted the power output of its motor to 200 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
The 1977 Z28 had a slightly different exhaust system than the standard Camaro. It didn’t have a conventional pipe and muffler. But it instead utilized a single pallet-type catalytic converter, a Y-pipe, and a pair of high-flow resonators that fed into its twin tailpipes. This setup ensured a rich muscle car rumble and also helped in increasing the power output and aiding flow.
For the 1977 model year, the Camaro Z28 came as standard with a 3-speed automatic. But buyers had the option to upgrade to a 4-speed Borg-Warner manual. And many did. It offered faster acceleration than the 3-speed and came with a heavy-duty clutch. The Z28 also offered a stiffer suspension setup, wider tires, and several other upgrades over the standard Camaro. All of this gave the Camaro a serious handling package.
The 1977 Camaro Z28 Was A Serious Head-Turner
When Chevrolet re-introduced the Z28 performance package in the Camaro’s line-up for 1977, it wasn’t just about dropping a high-output engine under its hood. Instead, the carmaker ensured that the Z28 was easily recognizable when driving down the street. The stock silhouette of the second-gen Camaro was iconic enough for that era with its long hood, short decklid, and semi-fastback roofline. But the Z28 came with an added flair.
It came with several additional styling bits that made it stand out, like the front and rear spoiler, body decals, and a revised Z28 emblem. The headlamps and foglamp recesses were blacked-out, and so was the grille. It also came with a new shape for the front air dam, which was different from the 1974 Z28. 1977 was the last model year the Camaro came with the exposed metal bumpers, and the Z28 flaunted them unmistakably.
The interior of the 1977 Chevy Camaro Z28 was also pretty high-octane. It came with several upgrades over the standard version of this muscle car. There was a unique Z28 steering wheel, bucket seats, and a restyled instrument panel with larger dials. But there were also tonnes of standard equipment on offer.
People wanted more luxury, and Chevrolet offered. Besides the standard power steering, vinyl seats, and power windows, the Z28, along with the rest of the Camaro line-up, was available with plenty of optional extras.
Why The 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Could Soon Be Worth A Fortune
For 1977, the Z28 performance package was available on the Camaro for just a little over $5000. So it stood as a bargain sports car compared to other vehicles in its class. But the mid-year introduction meant that Chevrolet couldn’t sell that many units. This makes the 77′ Camaro Z28 a rare classic today. But for the most part, collectors and enthusiasts prefer Z28 models older than the 1977 model year.
As a result, the current prices of this model average around $20,000. But buyers have started to show an interest in this model, mainly because of its affordability compared to other Z28s. Hence, prices could see an upward trend. In addition, some decent condition examples from this model year have managed to go for as high as $40,000 on auction sites. This indicates that the 1977 Camaro Z28 could soon be worth a fortune, with its average price likely shooting up by 40 percent or more.
Source: Hemmings / Hagerty / Classics.com / Mecum-Auctions
