1973 Camaro Z28
Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; plate blurred
1973 brought a new luxury model and the end of the SS. The Type LT (Luxury Touring) arrived as a distinct model with a richer interior, more sound insulation and extra trim.
The SS package didn't come back after its 1972 swan song. The Z28 continued, and Rally Sport kept the split-bumper nose for one last year. Production recovered to 96,751 after the strike-hit 1972.
This is the last of the pointed-nose, small-bumper second-generation cars. The 5-mph federal bumper standard reshaped the front and rear for 1974.
Did you know
Chevrolet built 11,574 Z28s for 1973, split almost evenly by transmission: 6,107 with a manual and 5,467 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic. GM's own production table counts 16,133 Rally Sports in its last split-bumper year.
Chevrolet's 1973 order book no longer lists the two-speed Powerglide. The 1972 book still offered it, but only with the base engines; for 1973 the one automatic on the price list is the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic, at $210.
Only 3,614 of the 96,751 Camaros built for 1973 had the 250 six, under 4 percent; the other 93,137 were V8s. The new Type LT was V8-only and accounted for 32,327 of them, about a third of the year's output.
NHTSA's file for the 1973 Camaro lists two brake recalls: a December 1972 campaign over parking-brake pawls that may have been improperly heat-treated, and a February 1974 one for power-brake booster housings that could separate and cause a "complete loss of brakes." The booster fix was to inspect the housing and stake it.
Green 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with black hood stripe, front three-quarter view, at an evening car meet Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographRed 1973 Camaro coupe, side and front view, parked on a street in front of colourful buildings Photo: order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographLicense
Production
One production figure is listed for 1973: Total production, 96,751.
Record
Count
Total production
96,751
Dark blue 1973 Camaro coupe with aftermarket wheels, side and front three-quarter view, on grass at an outdoor car show Photo: hugh llewelyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographLicenseDark blue 1973 Camaro coupe with rear spoiler, rear three-quarter view, on grass at an outdoor car show Photo: hugh llewelyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicenseSilver 1973 Camaro RS coupe with dark hood stripes and aftermarket polished wheels, front three-quarter view, at a parking-lot car meet Photo: GPS 56, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicense
Engines
The 1973 table lists five engines: the 250 cu in inline-6, the 307 cu in V8 and three versions of the 350 cu in V8. The highest power rating shown is 245 hp (net), for the 350 cu in V8.
Code
Engine
Power
Torque
Note
D
250 cu in inline-6
100 hp (net) at 3,600 rpm
175 lb-ft (net) at 1,600 rpm
F
307 cu in V8
115 hp (net) at 3,600 rpm
205 lb-ft (net) at 2,000 rpm
H
350 cu in V8
145 hp (net) at 4,000 rpm
255 lb-ft (net) at 2,400 rpm
K
350 cu in V8
175 hp (net) at 4,000 rpm
260 lb-ft (net) at 2,800 rpm
T
350 cu in V8
245 hp (net) at 5,200 rpm
280 lb-ft (net) at 4,000 rpm
Z28
Green 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with hood open showing the engine bay, front view, on grass at an outdoor car show Photo: Katherine Tompkins, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographLicense
Options, packages and special editions
The 1973 list has 20 options, packages and special editions. Every entry shows a price.
Code
Description
Price
Note
1FQ87
Sport Coupe, 6-cylinder (250)
$2,780.70
Base price
1FQ87
Sport Coupe, V8 (307)
$2,871.70
Base price
1FS87
Type LT Coupe, V8 (350-2)
$3,267.70
Base price; new model for 1973
Z28
Z28 Special Performance Package — Sport Coupe
$598.05
$502.05 on Type LT; air conditioning now available
Z22
Rally Sport
$118.00
$97.00 on Type LT; final split-bumper year
Z54
Interior Decor / Quiet Sound Group
$35.00
Standard on Type LT
Z21
Style trim
$56.00
L65
Engine, 350-2 V8
$26.00
L48
Engine, 350-4 V8
$102.00
$76.00 on Type LT
M40
Turbo Hydra-Matic
$210.00
$297.00 with Z28
M20 / M21
4-speed wide- or close-ratio
$200.00
G80
Positraction rear axle
$45.00
C60
Four-Season air conditioning, V8
$397.00
J50
Power brakes
$46.00
N40
Power steering
$113.00
Standard on Type LT
A31
Power windows
$75.00
Requires console
D55
Console
$57.00
U14
Special instrumentation
$82.00
Standard on Type LT
C50
Rear window defogger
$31.00
A01
Soft-Ray tinted glass
$39.00
Gold 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with hood raised showing the engine, Z28 grille badge, front three-quarter view, in a parking lot Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographGreen 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with black twin deck stripes, rear spoiler and Z28 badge, close rear three-quarter view, at an outdoor car show on grass Photo: Katherine Tompkins, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred
Original photographLicenseRed 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with hood raised and a person leaning into the engine bay, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor car show Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographOrange 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with black hood stripes, Z28 grille badge and an air cleaner protruding through the hood, front three-quarter view, at an evening parking-lot car meet Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographSilver 1973 Camaro RS Z28 coupe with black hood stripes and vinyl roof, close front view, at an outdoor airfield car show Photo: BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographLicenseDark blue 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge, close front view, at an outdoor car show on a grass field Photo: hugh llewelyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicenseRed 1973 Camaro Type LT coupe with white vinyl roof, front three-quarter view, at a parking-lot car show Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographLicenseGreen 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with hood raised and Z28 grille badge, front three-quarter view, at a busy outdoor car show on grass Photo: dave_7, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicenseRed 1973 Camaro RS coupe on red-painted wheels, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor street car show Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographGreen 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with hood open and aftermarket wheels, side and front three-quarter view, on grass at an outdoor car show Photo: Katherine Tompkins, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographLicenseYellow-green 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with black hood stripes, front three-quarter view, on grass at an outdoor car show Photo: GPS 56, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred
Original photographLicense
Exterior colors
This table has 16 exterior colors for 1973, each with its paint code. They include Antique White, Light Blue Metallic and Dark Blue Metallic.
Code
Color
Note
11
Antique White
Carry-over
24
Light Blue Metallic
26
Dark Blue Metallic
29
Midnight Blue Metallic
42
Dark Green Metallic
44
Light Green Metallic
46
Green Gold Metallic
48
Midnight Green
51
Light Yellow
56
Chamois
60
Light Copper Metallic
64
Silver Metallic
68
Dark Brown Metallic
74
Dark Red Metallic
75
Medium Red
97
Medium Orange Metallic
Silver 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe, front three-quarter view, at an evening car meet Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographOlive green 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with white twin hood stripes, front three-quarter view, at a dusk car meet Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographRed 1973 Camaro coupe on chrome wheels, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor car meet with a pickup truck alongside Photo: GPS 56, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographLicense
Interior trim
This table has six interior trims for 1973, each with its trim code.
The September 1972 factory matrix, printed Body p. 4 (GM kit PDF p. 30), retains six distinct 1973 upholstery codes while showing repeated accent-carpet columns. Cloth No. 1 is Black/White pattern and has Black, Red or Blue carpet; Cloth No. 2 is Black/Blue pattern and has Black or Blue carpet. Standard coupe uses 776/774/775 for Cloth No. 1/Cloth No. 2/vinyl; Type LT uses 785/786/773. All vinyl material is solid Black, so Red or Blue after the slash denotes carpet rather than seat-vinyl color. Accent carpet requires the upholstery trim number plus separate carpet RPO 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue). The chart footnote says AK1 shoulder harnesses/seat belts are not available with Accent Carpeting and describes optional floor mats in accent colors; this is an AK1 option statement, not a claim that the car has no restraints. Paint compatibility remains restricted by the matrix. These details apply to this year's chart only; they don't decode a trim tag or VIN, or authenticate an individual car.
Code
Trim
Note
776
Black cloth No. 1 (black and white pattern) / black
Standard and Type LT (785 on LT). Cloth No. 1 is a Black/White pattern with Black, Red or Blue accent-carpet columns; those columns repeat this same trim code. 776 is the standard coupe code; Type LT uses 785. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
774
Black cloth No. 2 (black and blue pattern) / black
Standard; 786 on Type LT. Cloth No. 2 is a Black/Blue pattern with Black or Blue accent-carpet columns, repeating this same trim code. 774 is standard coupe; Type LT uses 786. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
775
Black vinyl / black, red or blue accent carpet
Standard; 773 on Type LT. The material remains solid Black vinyl; Black, Red or Blue identifies the separate accent carpet, not a seat-vinyl color. 775 is standard coupe; Type LT uses 773. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
785
Type LT cloth No. 1 / black or red accent
Cloth No. 1 is a Black/White pattern with Black, Red or Blue accent-carpet columns; those columns repeat this same trim code. 785 is the Type LT code; standard coupe uses 776. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
786
Type LT cloth No. 2 / blue accent
Cloth No. 2 is a Black/Blue pattern with Black or Blue accent-carpet columns, repeating this same trim code. 786 is Type LT; standard coupe uses 774. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
773
Type LT vinyl / black, red or blue accent
The material remains solid Black vinyl; Black, Red or Blue identifies the separate accent carpet, not a seat-vinyl color. 773 is Type LT; standard coupe uses 775. Accent carpet is specified with the trim number plus 19F (Black), 75F (Red) or 24F (Blue), subject to the paint matrix.
Specifications
This table gives five specifications for 1973, among them wheelbase (108.0 in) and overall length (188.4 in).
Item
Value
Note
Wheelbase
108.0 in
Overall length
188.4 in
Overall width
74.4 in
Overall height
49.1 in
Track, front / rear
61.3 / 60.0 in
Type LT 61.7 / 60.4 in
Red 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with hood open, front three-quarter view, in a store parking lot Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographSilver 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with hood open, front three-quarter view, at an indoor auction Public domain (Bull-Doser at English Wikipedia), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographRed 1973 Camaro coupe with white vinyl roof and Type LT fender script, side and rear three-quarter view, in a parking lot Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred
Original photographLicense
Identification
What to check on a 1973 Camaro: VIN, year cues and Type LT.
Item
What to look for
Note
VIN
1 Q/S 87 [engine] 3 N/L 100001-up
Series Q Camaro, S Type LT; body 87; engine code in position 5 (see engine table); year digit; plant
Year cues
Last pointed-nose, small-bumper front end; last split-bumper RS
Type LT
Identified by model code and VIN, not by a badge alone
The first Camaro sold on comfort rather than speed. The Type LT and its successor, the Berlinetta, stayed in the range to the end of the second generation.
Yellow 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with black hood stripe, front three-quarter view, on grass at a racetrack car show Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicenseOrange 1973 Camaro RS coupe with Camaro LT fender script, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor car show Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred
Original photographLicense
Type LT, the comfortable Camaro
The Type LT was a separate model, 1FS87, rather than an option package. It had a list price of $3,256, against $2,769 for a six-cylinder Sport Coupe and $2,860 for a 307 V8 coupe. The suggested retail prices in the options table run $11.70 higher ($3,267.70, $2,780.70 and $2,871.70) because the price schedule adds that factory charge, which passes on the tire weight tax. The price bought a 145-hp two-barrel 350 as standard, and more trim than any Camaro had carried before. There was a "Type LT" nameplate on the grille or header panel, on the sail panels and on the rear panel. Other LT touches were body-color sport mirrors, lower body-side moldings with black paint below, 14 x 7 Rally wheels and concealed wipers. Inside it had soft vinyl upper door panels with a wood-grain insert, plus extra body insulation and molded hood insulation to keep the cabin quiet.
Gold 1973 Camaro Z/28 coupe with black twin hood stripes, Z28 grille badge and front bumper guards, front three-quarter view driving on a street Photo: Alf van Beem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred
Original photographLicense
The LT could still carry Rally Sport or Z28 equipment. When it did, the Type LT badges took precedence over the Rally Sport ones on the sides and rear.
Every rating now net
Chevrolet quoted every engine in SAE net horsepower for 1973. The 250 six made 100 hp and the standard 307 V8 made 115. The two-barrel 350 made 145 hp, and the four-barrel 350 made 175 hp. That four-barrel cost $102 on a Sport Coupe and required power brakes. The Z28's 350 was rated at 245 hp at 5,200 rpm and 280 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, on 9.0:1 compression and hydraulic lifters.
Blue 1973 Camaro Type LT coupe with white hood stripes and aftermarket wheels, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor car show on grass with a later Camaro behind Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred
Original photographLicense
A three-speed manual was standard. The wide-ratio four-speed cost $200, and Turbo Hydra-Matic cost $210, or $297 with the Z28. The close-ratio M21 four-speed was reserved for the Z28 and could not be combined with air conditioning. Every other Z28 combination could be, and ordering air brought a 3.42 axle in place of the 3.73.
What the Z28 package included
The Z28 package's equipment list shows how much of the car it changed. Outside it had a black grille, dual body-color sport mirrors and Z28 emblems on the grille, front fenders and deck lid, and the "Camaro" nameplates were deleted from base cars. Underneath it had a special performance suspension with its own rear shock valving, power brakes, and 15 x 7 Trans Am wheels on F60 x 15 tires.
Blue 1973 Camaro Z28 coupe with white hood stripes and Z28 badges, front three-quarter view, in a parking lot at a car meet Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred
Original photographLicense
The engine was specific to the option. It used impact-extruded aluminum pistons, large-port heads with bigger valves, a special camshaft, a forged steel crankshaft, and four-bolt caps on the intermediate main bearings. It also had shot-peened rods, finned aluminum rocker covers, a baffled oil pan, dual exhausts and an 11-inch clutch, and Positraction came with the package. Sport striping was a separate option available only on the Z28.
The last pointed nose
Rally Sport (RPO Z22) still brought the split front end: a two-piece black grille with argent leading edges, a resilient grille frame, separate left and right chrome bumpers, and parking lamps mounted up by the headlamps. When a buyer combined Z28 and Rally Sport, the Z28 identification replaced the Rally Sport badges.
Silver 1973 Camaro RS Z28 coupe with black hood stripes and dark vinyl roof, front three-quarter and side view, at an outdoor airfield car show Photo: BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Original photographLicense
Their 1974 replacements were aluminum 5-mph bumpers front and rear, with a reshaped nose to match.
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}