Redesigned for 1970, the Chevrolet Camaro of the early Seventies was a rattling handsome automotive. And I don’t imply simply distinctive trying, I imply, one of many best-looking American vehicles of all time. The Camaro’s company cousin at Pontiac, the Firebird, was, arguably, even a little bit higher trying. My level, I suppose, is that I like these vehicles. Sadly, by 1973, issues had gotten a little bit powerful for sporty coupes–and efficiency vehicles generally.
1973 Chevrolet Camaro LT
Because the muscle-car period ended, tailpipe-emissions guidelines grew to become extra stringent, and auto-insurance charges climbed, the marketplace for sporty vehicles shortly dissolved. One other drawback for the younger customers most concerned with buying a enjoyable automotive—like a Camaro—was decades-high inflation and associated excessive rates of interest.
Advertising
And, because the shopping for public backed away from performance-oriented automobiles, producers responded by repositioning these vehicles as, of all issues, luxurious fashions. Properly, sporty and reasonably priced luxurious vehicles.
The loopy factor was, the technique typically labored. The Camaro, the Firebird, a number of Dodge and Plymouth fashions, and even the Ford Mustang, have been instantly being marketed as sporty fashionable luxurious rides—and automotive customers purchased in.
Camaro LT
The Camaro LT, seen right here, was new for 1973, and mixed a reasonably compelling mixture of old-school muscle (a V8 engine) and fairly luxurious upgrades.
Gross sales
Chevy listed gross sales for 3 Camaro fashions for 1973, the 6-cylinder coupe, 8-cylinder coupe, and the Kind LT. The critically sporty Z28 was not a mannequin, however an possibility bundle provided on the non-LT V8 fashions. For ’73, the 6-cylinder fashions accounted for 3614 gross sales, the non-LT V8s 60,810, and the LT 32,327. A reasonably good displaying for the LT in its first 12 months out.
Luxurious Options
As for luxurious, the advert seen right here lists a lot of options, which by 2025 requirements in all probability don’t strike as particularly premium-level stuff. These upgrades, per the advert, included: (click on right here for extra basic automotive adverts)
- “Full-foam” fabric and vinyl seats
- Energy steering
- Woodgrain vinyl accents
- Conceal-away windshield wipers
- Sound insulation
- Rally wheels
- “Sport” mirrors (2)
- Turbo-Fireplace V8
- Particular Devices
- White-sidewall tires
One wonders what less-than-fully-foam seats are like, however a number of of the opposite objects listed are literally of some worth. The extra sound insulation would make the Camaro LT a greater long-trip conveyance, and the Rally wheels look good. And, for essentially the most half, the additional devices present in sporty vehicles often embody issues like an amp meter, which no American commuter has ever made use of.
Engines
However, the very nice add right here is the Turbo-Fireplace V8. The 350-cubic-inch engine produced 145 horsepower in customary trim, however an accessible 175-horse variant may very well be had. Whereas neither engine made the LT a rocket, each delivered loads of easy, dependable torque, and set the automotive off as one thing moderately particular. Additionally, neither engine was prone to increase crimson flags with insurers. For severe muscle, Camaro customers would want to go the Z28 route, and avail themselves of that mannequin’s potent 245-horse mill.
Costs
The LT didn’t come low cost. Whereas the bottom 1973 V8 Camaro began at simply $2872 (about $20,250 right now), the LT began at $3208 ($22,500), and usually was in all probability geared up with a lot of extra-cost options together with automated transmission, air con, and a few stereo tools, probably an 8-Observe setup.
Properly geared up, although a little bit expensive, the Camaro Kind LT would have been a cultured and succesful touring automotive that was one thing greater than only a sporty coupe. And, because the LT accounted for round a 3rd of all 1973 Camaro gross sales, shoppers appeared to agree. And because the Camaro was—and stays—one of many best-looking vehicles of all time, we’d name any ’73 ‘Maro a discount.
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1973 Chevrolet Camaro LT Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures