The all-new 1970 Camaro gets the soft sell in this promotional clip from Chevrolet.
Introduced on February 26, 1970, the second-gen ’70 Chevrolet Camaro was riding on a complete redesign, but it remained true to the pony car concept embraced by the original 1967 Camaro—the same one established by the Ford Mustang back in April in 1964. The keyword was personalization: From a seemingly endless option list, buyers could almost design their own cars, from commuter special to dragstrip warrior.
The six available engines for 1970 (’70-and-a-half, some will say, due to the winter launch) ranged from a 250 CID straight six with 155 hp to a 396 Big-Block V8 (actually 402 CID) with 350 hp, with several trusty small-block V8s in between. Exterior packages included the base model, the SS, and the distinctive Rally Sport with soft nose and split front bumperettes, while there were 15 exterior colors and your choice of nine interiors, five vinyl and four in cloth. The famed Z28 performance package continued, naturally, now upgraded to 350 cubic inches and 360 hp. Truly, there was a little something for everyone.
In this clip, an excerpt from a much longer dealer film that showcased the entire 1970 Chevy passenger-car line, the second-gen Camaro gets the soft-sell treatment. The focus here is on the driving experience as the narrator engages his inner voice to extoll the Camaro’s many virtues. But if you look closely, the driver is hanging it out a bit further on the twisty mountain road than the low-key voiceover might suggest. Looks like fun.
The 1970 RS with split bumpers is the best of the 2nd gen Camaros. From there they got uglier every yearr.
I am still stunned by the beauty of a 1970/71 Camaro RS. Probably one of the top five post-war GM designs. Even, or especially, with the huge dual stripes that were part of a growing trend. I once had a small preference for the 1970/71 Firebird, but only in Trans Am form. I’ve since matured past the fascination with scoops and vents, and a Lime Green Z-28 takes the fore.
The 1973 bumper regs ruined many a good design, but none harder than the car pictured. I suppose it would have been sullied anyway, as we were still in annual design-change mode and there wasn’t much that would improve this design. Had they built the wagon variant that was peddled around, I would have bought that too.
The split bumper was indeed the best looking of the early cars. The park benches put on the 73 and up models looked like add ons never really fitting the sleek body design. Not until they came out with the total plastic nose did the front ever look right again.
The first Vega’s copied the slim chrome bumper and nose of the Camaro, and a lot of owners added the Camaro style two piece bumpers to have a mini Camaro look. IIRC there were a couple of companies selling them.
I almost bought a 71 Rally Sport one time. Got to poking around, the bottom of the body was soft, so I passed. Rust prevention wasn’t high on the list back then, and the 70’s Camaros rusted out in just a few years. Seldom see a 70 or 71 now. Most are just memories now.
Looks wise my favourite Camaro. Tough and sleek. And for that car red is the color.Though those wheelcovers,,,,
Unfortunatly for me the seating position is terrible, semi reclining. I have to sit up straight and if I did that my 6’1 has my head in the rooflining. A few 70s cars around like that