1979 Camaro Specifications
1979 saw the addition of the Berlinetta Camaro. The higher-end/luxury Berlinetta had replaced the Type LT.
1979 looked to be a fantastic year but teetered on the dumper with the gas crisis and problems with a certain peanut farmer. Despite the uncertainty, the 79 Camaro set a sales record with 282,582 Camaros produced, including a record 84,877 Z28s.
Inside the car, the dashboard was redesigned, from the wrap-around style used since 1970 to a square style dash. The A/C vents (if equipped) were now part of the instrument cluster bezel. Some neat electronic gizmos were added, including cassette tapes & CB radios and the required antennas.
The Z28 received a new 3-piece front spoiler that wrapped around the front of the car along with restyled graphics. The Type LT was dropped and replaced with the Berlinetta. Despite all the external problems, the 1979 Camaro featured:
- Redesigned dashboard & instrument cluster faceplate
- Rally Sport now offered as a specific model.
- Type LT dropped, replaced with the Berlinetta model.
- Record-setting sales year with 282,582 units produced
- Electric grid rear window defrost, replaced forced air unit
1979 Rally Sport Model :
Two-tone paint scheme, includes “upper color” hood, header panel, grill, headlamp bezels, top of fenders, the front part of the roof, the upper portion of doors, rear end panel and license plate opening. Tri-color decal separates the upper color from the body color. Tri-color rally sport decals on fenders and deck lid. Option D35 sport mirrors, D80 rear spoiler and ZJ7 Rally Wheels were standard.
Not available w/ vinyl roof, not combinable with Z28 or Berlinetta model.
Available lower body color choices were: Lt. Blue, Beige, Red, Silver, White & Bright Yellow.
1979 Berlinetta Model:
Included Custom Interior, bright upper and lower grille, bright windshield and rear window moldings, dual pinstripe treatment, body-color sport mirrors (D35), argent applique on the rear panel, specific trim and either polycast wheels (PE1) or color-keyed aluminum wheels (N90, 14″ x 7″) (optional). Amberlite insulation blankets included in doors, rear quarters, roof/sail panels, behind the rear seat, under package tray and under carpeting (RPO Z54 Interior Decor/Quiet Sound). Option U05 Dual Horns and U14 Special Instrumentation were also standard equipment.
1979 Camaro OEM Brochures
1979 Camaro Model Options
Engine Options:
- L22 – 4.1L 250 cubic inch 115 horsepower 6 cylinder (base L6, 1 bbl carb)
- L22 – 4.1L 250 cubic inch 90 horsepower 6 cylinder (base L6, California, 1 bbl carb)
- LG3 – 5.0L 305 cubic inch 130 horsepower V8 (optional, 2 bbl carb)
- LG3 – 5.0L 305 cubic inch 125 horsepower V8 (optional, California, 2 bbl carb)
- LM1 – 5.7L 350 cubic inch 170 horsepower V8 (optional, 4 bbl carb)
- LM1 – 5.7L 350 cubic inch 165 horsepower V8 (optional, California, 4 bbl carb)
- Z28 – 5.7L 350 cubic inch 175 horsepower V8 (Z28 only, 4 bbl carb)
Z28 – 5.7L 350 cubic inch 170 horsepower V8 (Z28 only, California, 4 bbl carb)
1979 Camaro Production:
- 21,913 6-cyl
- 260,658 V8
- 282,571 total
Dealer Introduction: 9/21/78
Vehicle Identification Example: 1Q87G9N500001
- First digit is GM Division: 1 = Chevrolet
- The second digit is model: Q = Sport Coupe, Rally Sport, and Z28, S = Berlinetta
- Digits 3 & 4 are body type: 87 = 2dr. coupe
- Fifth digit is engine code: D = 250ci, G = 305ci, L = 350ci
- Sixth digit is model year: 9 = 1979
- Seventh digit is N for Norwood assembly, L for Van Nuys
- Last six digits increased by one with each car built at each plant
Dimensions:
- Length: 197.6″
- Height: 49.2″
- Width: 74.5″
- Wheelbase: 108.0″
Curb Weight: (in pounds)
- 1FQ87 (L6) – 3392
- 1FS87 (L6) – 3458
1979 Chevy Camaro Ending VIN by Month
- Norwood
- Aug I – 503902
- Sep – 509129
- Oct – 522101
- Nov – 534205
- Dec – 544226
- Jan – 557997
- Feb – 570108
- Mar – 583947
- Apr – 595030
- May – 607586
- Jun – 620004
- Jul – 629925
- Aug II – 652657
- Van Nuys
- Aug I – N.A.
- Sep – 515172
- Oct – 529004
- Nov – 542051
- Dec – 552732
- Jan – 566439
- Feb – 579576
- Mar – 593786
- Apr – 605841
- May – 620184
- Jun – 634254
- Jul – 647777
- Aug II – N.A.
1979 Camaro Model Option Breakouts
Z21 Style Trim
Includes body-colored insert on door handles; bright roof drip, lock pillar, upper fender, hood panel and belt moldings plus bright accented parking lights.
Z28 Special Performance Package
New 3-piece front spoiler added. Z28 graphics changed for 1979, and instrument cluster & dash revised along with other 1979 Camaros. Headlight bezels and window trim were black anodized, not chrome. Functional “gill” style fender vents, and a non-functional “stinger” style hood scoop continued, along with a simulated rope wrapped steering wheel unique to the Z28.
Total Production:
- 84,887
Engine:
LM1 350 V8 with revised exhaust, carburetion, and ignition timing, dropped horsepower to 175 for 49-States versions and 170 bhp in California. Torque was also slightly lower this year.
Click here to see the specific LM1 Engine Components.
Transmission:
4-speed Borg-Warner T-10, aluminum case, Inland or Hurst shifter, 2.54:1 low (not available in California). Turbo HydraMatic 350 optional, mandatory in California.
Clutch:
11 inch diameter
Rear Axle:
Ratios were 3.42 for Turbo Hydra-Matic and 3.73 for 4-speed; no options
Brakes:
11-inch, vented, cast-iron front discs with vacuum assist standard. Rear 9.5-inch drums. (unchanged since 1970)
Front Suspension:
Spring rates: 365 lb./in. Stabilizer 1.2 inch. Identical to and unchanged from 1977.
Rear Suspension:
Spring rates: 127 lb./in. Rear Stabilizer .55 inch. Identical and unchanged since 1977.
Steering:
Power assist, straight 13.02:1 overall. Identical to & unchanged since 1977.
Wheels & Tires:
15″ x 7″ rims, Goodyear GR70-15 steel-belted radials standard. Identical to 1978.
Click here to see the specific 1979 Z28 Chassis Specifications.
Z54 Interior Decor / Quiet Sound
Includes glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting; simulated leather accents on instrument cluster; special engine compartment, hood and interior insulation (Standard with Berlinetta)
1979 Camaro Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
*Denotes California & high altitude ratings
6-Cylinder Engine Codes
8-Cylinder Engine Codes
Engine Code Example: V0427DRL
(350ci – Assembled in Flint assembly plant on April 27)
1979 Camaro Transmission Codes
Transmission Code Example: Y9D27
(1979 TH350, 3 speed A/T, assembled April 27)
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1979 Camaro 3-Speed & 4-Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
*No manual transmissions available in California for 1979
1979 Camaro Turbo Hydramatic Transmission Ratios
1979 Camaro Rear Axle Codes
Rear Axle Code Example: PCG100D
(Chevy sourced 3.08 open, Assembled on day shift of 100th day of the year)
Click here for further axle decoding information
1979 Camaro Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
1979 Camaro Cowl Tag Info
1979 Camaro Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car.
Line 1: Year, Build Date, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number
Line 2: Interior Trim, Paint Code, Norwood Stripe Code, Paint Type
Line 3/4: Seat Type, Roof Type, Power Windows, Accessory Codes, Dash & Steering Column Color, Internal Plant/Batch Codes
1979 Camaro Paint Codes
Exterior Color Codes
Abbreviations: B = Blue, Bg = Beige, Bk = Black, C = Carmine, G = Green, O = Oyster, S = Silver, T = Tan, W = White.
Interior Trim Codes
Interior Trim / Seat Type order code, availability & cost
V**2 – Vinyl Bucket Seats / N/A Berlinetta / no charge
C**2 – Cloth Bucket Seats / N/A Berlinetta / $23
Custom Interior:
Includes glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting, special insulation, “Berlinetta” type seats, seat trim and door trim. Requires D35 sport mirrors.
X**2 – Custom Vinyl Bucket / no charge w/ Berlinetta / $307
F**2 – Custom Cloth Bucket / $23 w/ Berlinetta / $330
