When the much-anticipated 1982 Camaro debuted, it was an instant success. The second generation Fbodies had become extremely outdated.

Behind the scenes at GM, there was much debate over what kind of path to take when formulating a Camaro for the '80s. When work on a 3rd generation Camaro began in 1976, two major questions were asked. Should the car remain rear wheel drive? Should it have available V8 power?

Thankfully, it would retain its rear wheel drive setup, and be available with a V8. While many lobbied for a front drive, lighter car, many felt sports car enthusiasts wanted a rear drive chassis. Because horespower was on its way out (so they thought), rear wheel drive would allow an exceptional handling chassis, with a 2.8 litre fuel injected, turbocharged V6 envisioned as being the eventual flagship engine. In the meantime, it was decided that Camaro enthusiats still wanted a V8, despite rising gas prices.

When design began, engineers started with the Z28 first. It was decided that starting with the best-handling product, and moving down, was the way to produce the best handling Z28 possible. Why start with a watered-down design, then try to add performance bolt-ons to make it better??

Standard, Sport Coupe: LQ9 2.5 litre EFI four, 90hp (21,802 produced)

Optional Sport Coupe, standard Berlinetta: LC1 2.8 litre 2 bbl V6, 102hp (69,777 produced)

Optional Sport Coupe and Berlinetta, standard Z28: LG4 305 4bbl V8, 145hp (73,495 produced)

Optional Z28: LU5 305 CFI V8, 165hp (24,673 produced)

The Berlinetta was deemed the "luxury Camaro," with a quieter exhaust, added sound deadening, and "boulevard" suspension tuning. Aimed at the upcoming, redesigned '83 Thunderbird/Cougar, as well as the Toyota Supra, the Berlinetta was seen as a Camaro for an upscale buyer, someone who would be in the market for a luxurious coupe.

Then came the flagship, the Z28. This was the car that would resurrect American performance from the dead. With a killer suspension/tire combo and head turning style, the new Z28 was an instant success.

Period road tests show that the 305 powered Z28s were faster than the '81 350s. They just didn't feel it. The choices for the Z28 included the 145hp 4bbl 305 V8, and the new 165hp, 305 V8 with revolutionary "Cross Fire Injection." Basically it used two TBI units on a cross-ram intake, all topped off with 2 round air fliters in an oval air cleaner. Period road tests showed the cars had great handling ability, even better than the '82 Corvette.

While the car was a major success, many consumers wondered exactly where GM quality control went. With everything from transmission failures, to center caps faling off the rims, problems plagued the '82s.

The 1982 Camaro was an odd attempt at a contemporary performance car. Why no overdrive transmissions? Why were low compression carbeureted engines still offered in a flagship performance car? Why no manual transmission with the top-line 305 CFI V8? All these and more would be answered in '83.