1981 Camaro — The last of the long generation

Representative second-generation Camaro editorial line illustration — Second-generation Camaro, representative illustration — not a specific model year or chassis Representative editorial illustration · AI-generated by OpenAI for CamaroFacts, 2026

Chevrolet's final second-generation information kit emphasizes Computer Command Control/emissions-managed power teams and uses the new 17-character VIN format, which is central to identifying drivetrain and assembly information.

Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, and Z28 close the 12-model-year second-generation run before the all-new hatchback line shown in Chevrolet's 1982 material.

The powertrain and identification notes below preserve configuration and model-year boundaries rather than treating every 1981 Camaro alike. Ratings use the measurement convention of their period, and visual cues are only a starting point: the VIN, factory labels, drivetrain identifiers, and surviving documentation should agree.

Why it matters

Sport Coupe, Berlinetta, and Z28 close the 12-model-year second-generation run before the all-new hatchback line shown in Chevrolet's 1982 material.

Engines

The factory material lists V6 and V8 combinations with market-specific availability; Canadian and U.S. equipment must not be merged into one “1981” engine list.

Identification

Decode the 17-character VIN against the factory table, then corroborate it with the emissions label, engine suffix, trim tag, and physical equipment. Exterior appearance alone is especially weak evidence on a late second-generation car.

Open questions

Still unresolved:

Build a market-specific Computer Command Control and power-team table; locate official trim/engine production totals.

Research basis

Sources are linked at the page level so the model-year claims can be checked against their research foundation.

1981 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit GM Heritage factory archive

← 1980 1982 →