With the exception of the newly reemerged Z28, the Camaro models changed very little from the 1976 models, or from the 1975 models, for that matter. But with Camaros continually selling more and more each year—a trend that started in 1973 and would continue through 1980—Chevy was banking on consumers continuing to buy basically the same offering. And they did. Actual sales numbers throughout 1977 were 198,755 Camaros as opposed to 161,654 Mustangs.

With the reintroduction of the Z28 also came a special Z28 motor. Though it was a 4 barrel 350 CID V8 just like the other top V8 offering, it did produce 15 more horsepower than the other V8 at 185 total. Also notable on the new Z28 was the distinctive trim package that was included in the car to visually set it apart from the other Camaro models, including those equipped with the RS package. Trim for the Z28 included blacked out grilles, dual sport mirrors and front and rear spoilers. Both the five-spoke wheels and the bumpers were body colored, and the car was equipped with distinctive decals. Though the 185 horsepower it produced was by no means a huge performer, focus was placed on handling with an improved suspension system.

Other engine options remained basically the same, with the base models including a 250 CID six-cylinder engine producing 110 horsepower, which was an improvement of five over the previous year. Both V8s also saw a 5 horsepower improvement to 145 for the 305 CID V8 and 170 for the 350 CID V8.

Total production for the model year was 218,853, which was an improvement of more than 35,000 units from the previous year. Coupe production stayed essentially the same as it had been in 1976, and the difference was made by high sales of all other models, including the Z28 and a record year for the Type LT.

Coupe

Total production for the coupe was 131,717, which was just over 1,000 more than the previous year. Base retail price was $4,113.45 for the coupe.

Type LT

The Luxury Touring model, which was an upgraded trim option, proved particularly popular this year with 72,787 produced, which would be its highest production ever. The LT added $365 to the base price.

Rally Sport

At $281 over the base price, the RS package also was a popular package with buyers. 17,026 of these models were produced throughout the 1977 model year.

Z28

Buyers obviously welcomed the Z28 back into the Camaro’s lineup, and 14,349 were sold. This is particularly remarkable considering the Z28 had by far the highest base price of any Camaro at $5,170.06.

Pony Car Competition

With Camaro outselling the Mustang for the first time ever, it was clear that car-buyers had grown tired of the completely redesigned Mustang II that had been introduced in 1974. Though it had very high sales in its first two years, these dried up quickly as the car-buyers apparently disliked the transition of the car from the original pony car to a compact car.

In reality, the Camaro was the only pony still being produced other than its corporate cousin, the Firebird. In fact, the reintroduction of the Z28 was largely seen as a response to the continued success of the Trans Am Firebird. Both of these cars would continue to sell well throughout the 1970s, as they were the only pony cars left after the Mustang’s transformation and the discontinuation of the AMC Javelin, Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda.

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