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1981 Camaro

The last of the long generation

Computer Command Control and a 17-character VIN close out the second generation.

Edited by Bill Pierce. Reviewed October 2026.

Red 1981 Camaro Z28 with T-tops and gold Z28 striping, front three-quarter
1981 Camaro Z28, the last second-generation year Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The last year of the second-generation body. Chevrolet's U.S. product information lists Computer Command Control engine management as standard, with separate power-team columns for California and the other states. The 17-character VIN replaced the 13-character serial number used from 1967 to 1980.

The Rally Sport was dropped, leaving the Sport Coupe, the Berlinetta and the Z28. The 229 V6 (231 in California) was standard, with 267 and 305 V8s optional. Production was 126,139.

White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge
White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge, side stripes and Air Induction hood scoop, front three-quarter view, parked on a street Photo: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred Original photograph License

Chevrolet's option tallies survive for this year, so the options table shows how many buyers took each one: air conditioning went on 96,095 cars and the four-speed on just 10,780. The all-new hatchback third generation replaced the car for 1982.

Did you know

  • T-tops went from a curiosity to a habit. Buyers took 9,875 sets in 1978 (3.6 percent of Camaros), 33,584 in 1979 (11.9 percent) and 30,445 in 1981 (24 percent of a much smaller year).
  • The 1981 Camaro's speedometer stopped at 85 mph (140 km/h); the 1979 car's read to 130 mph (180 km/h). A federal rule effective September 1, 1979 capped speedometer scales at 85 mph and emphasized the 55-mph mark, and it was dropped in the first months of 1981.
  • 1981 was the year the Z28 finally beat the Trans Am: 43,272 to 33,493. The Pontiac had won every year since the Z28 returned, 68,744 to 14,349 in 1977, 93,341 to 54,907 in 1978, 117,108 to 84,877 in 1979 and 50,896 to 45,137 in 1980.
  • Most 1981 Z28 buyers took the 350 and the automatic it required. Chevrolet's records show 37,400 350-powered cars, about 86 percent of the 43,272 Z28s, leaving roughly 5,900 with the standard 305 and four-speed.
  • The 17-character VIN began with 1981. Its fifth character gave the model (P for Sport Coupe and Z28, S for Berlinetta), the eighth the engine (A 231 V6, H 305, J 267, K 229 V6, L 350), the tenth the model year (B) and the eleventh the plant: N for Norwood, L for Van Nuys.
Black 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge
Black 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge, blue lower stripes and hood raised, front view, at an evening car meet Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph

Production

The table lists four production figures for 1981. It opens with Total production, 126,139, followed by Sport Coupe (62,614), Berlinetta (20,253) and Z28 (43,272).

Record Count Note
Total production 126,139 52,004 V6 and 74,135 V8; some sources give 126,138
Sport Coupe 62,614
Berlinetta 20,253
Z28 43,272
Dark grey matte 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with T-roof and hood raised
Dark grey matte 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with T-roof and hood raised, front three-quarter view, on dry grass at an outdoor car show Photo: dave_7, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original photograph License

Engines

The 1981 table lists six engines, from the 229 cu in V6 (LC3) to the 350 cu in V8 (LM1/Z28). The highest power rating shown is 175 hp (net), for the 350 cu in V8 (LM1/Z28).

Code Engine Power Torque Note
K 229 cu in V6 (LC3) 110 hp (net) at 4,200 rpm 170 lb-ft (net) at 2,000 rpm Standard outside California, Sport Coupe and Berlinetta.
A 231 cu in V6 (LD5) 110 hp (net) at 3,800 rpm 190 lb-ft (net) at 1,600 rpm Standard in California, Sport Coupe and Berlinetta; automatic.
J 267 cu in V8 (L39) 115 hp (net) at 4,000 rpm 200 lb-ft (net) at 2,400 rpm Available outside California; automatic.
H 305 cu in V8 (LG4) 150 hp (net) at 3,800 rpm (September MVMA); 145 hp (net) in the brochure 240 lb-ft (net) at 2,400 rpm (MVMA) Ordinary Camaro option. Brochure and MVMA output differ; brochure peak speed is not printed.
H 305 cu in V8 (LG4/Z28) 165 hp (net) at 4,000 rpm 245 lb-ft (net) at 2,400 rpm Z28 standard engine with 4-speed manual; MVMA.
L 350 cu in V8 (LM1/Z28) 175 hp (net) at 4,000 rpm 275 lb-ft (net) at 2,400 rpm Z28 with automatic. September MVMA confirms 175 hp; the kit's facts text and GM fact sheet also say 175, while its option list prints 190 hp. The brochure leaves LM1 horsepower unfilled.

Options, packages and special editions

The 1981 list has 55 options, packages and special editions. Of these, 53 show a price and 55 show how many were built.

Code Description Price Built Note
1FP87 Camaro Sport Coupe, 6-cylinder $6,581.23 62,614 Base price
1FS87 Camaro Berlinetta Coupe, 6-cylinder $7,356.23 20,253 Base price
1FP87 Z28 Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe, 8-cylinder $8,025.23 43,272 Base price
AN6 Adjustable seat back, driver side $23.00 16,688
AU3 Power door locks $86.00 24,683
A01 Soft Ray tinted glass, all windows $70.00 112,832
A31 Power windows $133.00 38,428
B37 Floor mats, color-keyed front and rear $25.00 65,490
B80 Molding, roof drip $24.00 57,849 Included with Style Trim
B84 Moldings, body side $44.00 39,514
B93 Moldings, door edge $13.00 32,516
CC1 Roof panels, removable glass $644.00 30,445
CD4 Windshield wipers, intermittent $38.00 31,982
C49 Defogger, rear window $99.00 60,058 In-glass heated element
C60 Air conditioning $525.00 96,095
D35 Mirrors, sport, right and left remote $43.00 54,317 Included with Berlinetta or Z28
D80 Spoiler, rear $57.00 33,101 Included with Z28
F41 Suspension, sport $41.00 3,604 Included with Z28; not available with Berlinetta
G80 Rear axle, limited slip $63.00 12,126
G92 Rear axle, performance ratio $18.00 933
K35 Speed control, with resume $123.00 35,364 Required automatic transmission
LG4 Engine, 305 cu in, 150 hp V8 $75.00 17,909 Standard with Z28 and manual transmission; 165 hp in Z28
LM1 Engine, 350 cu in V8, 175 hp No charge 37,400 Included with Z28 (automatic). The kit's 1981 facts text and GM's fact sheet rate it 175 hp; the factory-options table prints 190 hp, and the kit does not explain the difference
L39 Engine, 267 cu in, 115 hp V8 $75.00 18,826
MM4 Transmission, 4-speed wide range $133.00 10,780 No cost with Z28
MX1 Transmission, automatic $332.00 107,760 $58.00 with Z28
N18 Locks, wheel covers $32.00 4,964 Berlinetta only
N33 Tilt steering column $75.00 69,837
N90 Wheels, aluminum $312.00 31,153 $170.00 with Berlinetta, $238.00 with Z28
PE1 Wheels, custom-style 14x7 $142.00 1,800 Sport Coupe only
P01 Wheel covers, bright metal $43.00 3,341 Sport Coupe only
QJY Tires, P205/75R14 radial whitewall $47.00 63,839 No cost with Berlinetta
QKL Tires, P205/75R14 radial white letter $60.00 16,364 $14.00 with Berlinetta
TR9 Lighting, auxiliary $37.00 36,443 $31.00 with Interior Decor, Custom Trim or Berlinetta
TT4 Headlights, halogen $36.00 8,715 New option
UA1 Battery, heavy-duty $19.00 21,504
UM2 Radio, AM-FM with stereo tape $252.00 8,182
UN3 Radio, AM-FM with stereo cassette $264.00 23,665
UP6 Radio, AM-FM stereo CB and power antenna $487.00 208
U05 Horns, dual $9.00 18,212 Included with Berlinetta
U14 Special instrumentation $111.00 4,214 Included with Berlinetta or Z28
U35 Clock $23.00 6,740
U58 Radio, AM-FM stereo $178.00 26,008
U63 Radio, AM $90.00 25,031
U69 Radio, AM-FM $142.00 8,264
U75 Antenna, power $47.00 7,552
U76 Antenna, windshield type $25.00 27,674 Included with radios except UP6
U80 Speaker, rear seat $19.00 7,667
V08 Cooling, heavy-duty $58.00 5,248 Included with Z28; $33.00 with air conditioning
YF5 Emission equipment, California $46.00 9,911
ZJ7 Rally wheels $93.00 47,478 Sport Coupe only
Z21 Style Trim Group $72.00 49,834
Z54 Interior Decor and Quiet Sound Package $63.00 12,266 Standard with Berlinetta
A02 Tinted windshield — 1,214
K05 Engine block heater — 5,203

Exterior colors

This table has 13 exterior colors for 1981, each with its paint code. They include White, Silver and Black.

Code Color Note
11 White 16,137 built
16 Silver 10,359 built
19 Black 14,157 built
20 Bright Blue 9,464 built
21 Light Blue 11,516 built
29 Dark Blue 13,102 built
51 Bright Yellow 1,816 built
54 Gold 6,964 built
57 Orange 3,056 built
67 Dark Brown 10,745 built
75 Red 7,615 built
77 Maroon 8,302 built
84 Charcoal 12,907 built
Weathered white 1981 Camaro coupe with rear spoiler
Weathered white 1981 Camaro coupe with rear spoiler, side and rear three-quarter view, in a grass parking field Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred Original photograph License

Interior trim

This table has 22 interior trims for 1981, each with its trim code.

The five grouped numeric/suffix references retain the secondary book list on printed p. 73 (GM kit PDF p. 11). Archive inclusion does not make that list factory-authored. The seventeen separate four-character ordering codes are printed in the factory Z28 chart, printed p. 13 (PDF p. 28); they are not used here as a numeric-code or physical-tag crosswalk. The general factory availability matrix, printed p. 11 (PDF p. 26), lists five ordinary vinyl colors (Black, Dark Blue, Camel, Red, Silver), three ordinary cloth colors (Dark Blue, Camel, Red), four custom-vinyl colors (Beige, Dark Blue, Red, Silver) and five custom-cloth colors (Beige, Black, Dark Blue, Red, Silver). It also lists Beige custom vinyl XUU2 and custom cloth FUU2, with Z28 codes. Black has no custom-vinyl or ordinary-cloth cell; Camel has no custom-material cell. Berlinetta has custom-styled seats as standard, while Camaro Sport Coupe and Z28 offer Custom Interior at extra cost. The trim guide identifies vinyl as the standard material and cloth as optional; standard custom styling does not make every cloth choice standard. Matching material/color availability for other models does not independently establish their four-character code assignments. The Z28 header prohibits non-recommended D60 combinations; paint/stripe/wheel restrictions are not reproduced as a complete cross-product. These product-information pages direct readers to the dealer order guide for latest availability; their exact publication date and later revisions are unverified. No individual-car originality, VIN rule, code-system crosswalk or neighboring-year application is inferred.

Code Trim Note
15C / 15N / 15R Silver cloth deluxe / vinyl deluxe / vinyl standard Numeric/suffix interior-code references from the secondary book reprint, printed p. 73; retained as reported. These are separate from the four-character factory Z28 ordering codes below; no stamping or code-system crosswalk is established.
19C / 19R Black cloth deluxe / vinyl standard Numeric/suffix interior-code references from the secondary book reprint, printed p. 73; retained as reported. These are separate from the four-character factory Z28 ordering codes below; no stamping or code-system crosswalk is established.
26B / 26C / 26N / 26R Blue cloth standard / cloth deluxe / vinyl deluxe / vinyl standard Numeric/suffix interior-code references from the secondary book reprint, printed p. 73; retained as reported. These are separate from the four-character factory Z28 ordering codes below; no stamping or code-system crosswalk is established.
64B / 64R Camel cloth standard / vinyl standard Numeric/suffix interior-code references from the secondary book reprint, printed p. 73; retained as reported. These are separate from the four-character factory Z28 ordering codes below; no stamping or code-system crosswalk is established.
75B / 75C / 75N / 75R Red cloth standard / cloth deluxe / vinyl deluxe / vinyl standard Numeric/suffix interior-code references from the secondary book reprint, printed p. 73; retained as reported. These are separate from the four-character factory Z28 ordering codes below; no stamping or code-system crosswalk is established.
VBB2 Black vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
VDD2 Dark Blue vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
VCC2 Camel vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
VFF2 Red vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
VQQ2 Silver vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
XUU2 Beige custom vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
XDD2 Dark Blue custom vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
XFF2 Red custom vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
XQQ2 Silver custom vinyl bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
CDD2 Dark Blue cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
CCC2 Camel cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
CFF2 Red cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color is also listed in the Sport Coupe availability matrix; that matrix does not print this code.
FUU2 Beige custom cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
FBB2 Black custom cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
FDD2 Dark Blue custom cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
FFF2 Red custom cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.
FQQ2 Silver custom cloth bucket — factory Z28 chart Four-character ordering code printed in the 1981 Z28 color/trim chart; paint, striping and wheel combinations remain restricted. The material/color also appears under Berlinetta and Camaro Custom Interior; those availability rows do not print this code.

Specifications

This table gives four specifications for 1981, among them wheelbase (108.0 in) and overall length (197.6 in).

Item Value
Wheelbase 108.0 in
Overall length 197.6 in
Overall width 74.5 in
Overall height 49.2 in
Blue 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge
Blue 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge, light blue stripes and hood scoop, front three-quarter view, at an evening car meet in a parking lot Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph

Identification

What to check on a 1981 Camaro: VIN and year cues.

Item What to look for Note
VIN 1G1 … position 8 engine code, position 10 = B, position 11 plant Plants: N Norwood (to 1987), L Van Nuys
Year cues First 17-character VIN; Computer Command Control emissions equipment Decode the VIN, then confirm with the emissions label and engine suffix

Decode a specific car with the VIN decoder, the cowl tag decoder and the engine and drivetrain stamp decoder.

Why it matters

It closed out the longest-running Camaro body, twelve model years from February 1970.

Black 1981 Camaro coupe with hood raised and chrome wheels
Black 1981 Camaro coupe with hood raised and chrome wheels, front three-quarter view, at a car meet in a parking lot Public domain (Bull-Doser), via Wikimedia Commons; faces blurred Original photograph

Economy, luxury, performance

Chevrolet sold the last second-generation Camaro as "the sensible, economical sporty car" in three versions: economy (the Sport Coupe), luxury (the Berlinetta) and performance (the Z28). With the Rally Sport gone, each model had a clear job, though the option list let each borrow from the others.

White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with red Z28 side and tail stripes and hood raised
White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with red Z28 side and tail stripes and hood raised, rear three-quarter view, at an outdoor car show under autumn trees Photo: Charles, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred Original photograph License

From April 13, 1981 the Sport Coupe had a list price of $6,895, the Berlinetta $7,799 and the Z28 $8,439. Those are higher than the introductory prices in the options table ($6,581.23, $7,356.23 and $8,025.23), which the White Book gives including delivery and handling. Base prices rose during the year. The Berlinetta came with a bright-accented argent grille, wire wheel covers, white-stripe tires, custom bucket seats, dual pinstriping and full instrumentation. A new option (RPO N18) locked its wire wheel covers. Sport Coupe and Z28 buyers could order a Custom Interior with Berlinetta-style seats and door trim for $304 in vinyl or $330 in knit cloth.

Computer Command Control

Chevrolet's U.S. sales brochure describes Computer Command Control as an on-board computer that adjusts the air-fuel mixture for driving conditions and compensates for altitude, barometric pressure and temperature changes. The factory feature sheet lists the system as standard and adds a torque-converter clutch to all optional automatic transmissions. The kit's reprinted White Book account supplies the gear detail: second and third on automatic Z28s, and third only on the other automatic models.

Yellow 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge
Yellow 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with Z28 grille badge, black hood stripes and aftermarket wheels, side view while driving on a park road Photo: ZidaneHartono, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates and faces blurred Original photograph License

The brochure identifies power brakes and a compact spare as new standard features for 1981; the factory mechanical table specifies power front discs and rear drums across the three models. The spare is promoted for increased luggage capacity, but the brochure and feature sheet do not quantify that gain: the more-than-two-cubic-feet figure remains unverified. The reprinted reference book describes a lighter Delco Freedom II battery, while the factory feature sheet identifies optional halogen headlamps as TT4.

The factory power-team chart separates the two U.S. emissions configurations. Outside California, the 229 V6 is standard on Sport Coupe and Berlinetta with a three-speed manual; an automatic is optional. California uses the Buick 231 V6 with an automatic and no manual listed. Both V6s are rated at 110 hp. A four-speed manual is listed with the 305 V8, standard on Z28 and optional on the other two models, including California. The reprinted White Book account calls the California manual combination a return after four years and identifies 1981 as the last Camaro year with a three-speed manual. These two U.S. chart columns do not specify Canadian or other export equipment.

White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with blue Z28 stripes and hood scoop
White 1981 Camaro Z28 coupe with blue Z28 stripes and hood scoop, front three-quarter view, at an outdoor classic car festival Photo: 先従隗始, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; licence plates blurred Original photograph License

The last second-generation Z28

In the U.S. power-team chart, the Z28's standard power team was the four-barrel 305 (RPO LG4), rated at 165 hp in this application, with a four-speed manual. The chart pairs the optional 5.7-liter 350 only with the automatic. The solenoid-operated hood air intake and the functional fender exhaust ports carried over from 1980. Behind the single catalytic converter, the exhaust split into dual resonators and tailpipes.

The car wore flared wheel openings and tri-tone striping on the lower body, air dam and rear spoiler. It had a body-color grille and bumper covers, and blacked-out bezels, rear panel and window moldings. It rode on body-color 15 x 7 wheels with P225/70R15 white-letter radials, or optional color-keyed aluminum wheels. Chevrolet built 43,272 Z28s, a third of the year's production. The next Z28 would be a completely different car, the 1982 third generation.

Sources