From the CRG site : Note that the 1969 model year was an unusual one for Camaro, since it extended through November 1969, several months beyond the conventional end of model year.

The extended 69 production and the delay of introduction of the '70 Camaro was not purposeful, nor was it related to labor problems; it was late because the quarter panel draw dies failed during final die tryout and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Fisher Body had lots of troubles drawing the 1970 quarter panels without wrinkles and splits. They attempted to correct the problems by modifying the draw dies during final tryout but the problems got worse instead of better. Fisher finally had to redesign/rebuild the draw dies, which delayed the launch by 4-5 months. Chevrolet decided to extend the 1969 model, which created a wild scramble, as this meant extending part supplier contracts for the '69 (suppliers had already committed their facilities to other business), finding alternate capacity for '69 parts, etc. The PR department attempted to spin the delay in a different direction for public consumption as GM never publicly admitted any internal problems or failures, especially within Fisher Body, its biggest manufacturing Division, with the biggest tooling budget. But the delay of the 1970 Camaro was a black eye for Fisher Body Die Engineering, as it was the first production launch delay that was ever laid at their feet.

From NastyZ28 site : 1970 saw the introduction of the all new Second Generation Camaro. The 1st generation Camaro (1967 - 1969) was seen as a hasty response to the Ford Mustang. It was considered a compromise by some critics. There would be no compromises with this car. Due to production delays the 1970 Camaro was introduced in February 1970, half way into the production year. Because of this, some people will call the 1970 Camaro a 1970 1/2, but officially the car is a 1970 model year Camaro. Good things come to those who wait, and this car was met with rave reviews from nearly everyone. Chevrolet had a winner that would run for 12 years.

 

From NastyZ28 site : 1970 saw the introduction of the all new Second Generation Camaro. The 1st generation Camaro (1967 - 1969) was seen as a hasty response to the Ford Mustang. It was considered a compromise by some critics. There would be no compromises with this car. Due to production delays the 1970 Camaro was introduced in February 1970, half way into the production year. Because of this, some people will call the 1970 Camaro a 1970 1/2, but officially the car is a 1970 model year Camaro. Good things come to those who wait, and this car was met with rave reviews from nearly everyone. Chevrolet had a winner that would run for 12 years.

A winner huh? Is that why the Q panels couldn't be built right? And it took ten years for production numbers to reach that of 69 again?
Also hasty???? The Mustang came out in 64, the Camaro in 67. What's hasty about that? And the first gen's are THE classics. Compare them to Mustangs of the same year and even other pony cars ever produced and you'll see why. Better thought out with better engineering and better 'value'.
Who ever wrote that wasn't born soon enough and had to buy a second gen. :yes:

 

Flick

Way to go Fred

 

Fred, That is nastyz28's quote, not mine. Of course they are going to be biased as they are the Second Generation Of Camaro's site. Just as you are biased to the First Generation Camaro ! j/k

 

Yeah,,, I'm biased, but have good reason. Been there. Seen 'em. And have you guys seen a mustang, at least up to the fox body, (guess that's what the second gen mustangs are called) where the hood lines up with the fenders? I haven't, even on Barrett Jackson.

 

1970 was a very interesting time in Camaro history. At the height of the Muscle Car Era, production problems delayed the 70 model introduction such that GM actually advertised the 69 Model as part of there 70 Muscle Car line up.

and the 70 Model as their 70½ model such as

70 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe

There is no denying that the VIN determined the Year of production but there where many cases where 69 models were registered as a 70 by the MVR. By End of January Dealers where selling both Models as NEW Cars in 1970 which is unique in Camaro History.

Other then a New Body Design in 70 and the most powerful SBC ever offered to the public, both the 69 and 70 Models have common Drive Train, Electrics and Steering Column. Also the 69 and 70 Models probably share the most Popularity among Camaro enthusiasts.

The 70Z was no doubt more powerful and handled better then the 69 but there is no denying the popular aesthetic design of the 69, especially with the RS package, an option on the 2nd Gen that didn’t necessarily enhance the looks over the STD Grill according to many. After GM dropped the 1st Gen, Chrysler virtually traced the lines of the 1st Gen Camaro into their Cuda and Challengers models and did it very successively I might add. My 340 Mag RS Challenger was lighter, faster and with torsion bar suspension out handled the SBC Camaro and was $1,500 cheaper; unfortunately, their bodies rusted like Coke Cans. In retrospect, unlike Ford or Chrysler, GM in 1970 did not option; Six Pac’s, Shakers, Factory Headers, Dual Exhausts or Plush Interiors wrapped inside a tinfoil skin to promote their Muscle Car; instead, GM marketed a package which simply included the STRONGEST and BEST ENGINEERED BODY in the Industry complimented by a line of Performance Engines with design features that allowed you to Bolt On the Required Options and WIN whatever Race Event you participated in. If you could not do it, oriented dealers like YENKO, BALDWIN, NICKEY …etc would do this for you.

A buddy owned a 70 302 BOSS - Beautiful car man, but he always had problems keeping the clutch in her. Seems the Fire Wall would flex with them Hi-RPM launches that the Ford engine required causing the linkage to vibrate hence blowing the clutch and if I recall he also had issues with the shock towers.

Because of the larger production #'s and after market parts there are considerably more 69's restored then the 70 to 73 Models. The 70 model has many parts that are one year specific and very difficult to restore to original specifications. It is very rare to find a #'s matching 70Z today as there were only 8733 built with that infamous 360Hp solid flat tappet 350 LT1 and less the 2600 with the Muncie and 4:10 gears. Mine was one of these but the original engine was lost long ago so I installed a 600Hp MK IV Solid Roller power plant and can't say if I miss the LT1 ;o)

Believe me you are the center of Camaro enthusiast’s attention; owning either a 69 or a 70 Camaro and there will always be that sense of friendly reviler between the 2 and of course the 70½ topic.

 

Does anyone have a registration or title with a 1969 VIN registered as a 1970 Camaro? I'd really like to see that.

 

I doubt it ever happened.I had a 68 Camaro in my shop that was bought brand at the end of 1967,to be used as a racecar and never had a title issued.It had all the papers that the dealer gives the buyer to go to DMV and get a title but the owner never did i.The current owner went to DMV and got a title in 2004,and it said 1968 Cheverolet on it.That car could have been titled in 1967,and it would have still been a 68,it could have been first titled in 2007 and it would still have been a 68,it doesnt matter.

 

I'd really like to see a title that says 1970½ on it too.

 

you're not going to see that. the 1/2 is just something mostly used by the public because of the car coming out late.

If I was home right now, I could look up the actual dates and production numbers for both year's cars, but I don't have all my reference info and books here at work

 

1/2 is just something mostly used by the public

"701/2" was not originally "coined" by the public but by GM Advertising and the public followed suit. Check out this Official General Motors Media Archives of a 1970 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe Advertisement ;o)

http://www.gmphotostore.com/1970-1_2-Chevrolet-Camaro-Z28-Coupe/productinfo/53217955/

If you look at most of the original Ads in Car Magazines for the Camaro in 1970 they will say "70 1/2". Look at the Cover Page for the March 1970 issue of CAR Craft for instance.

Sish! - Looks like they came with Western Mags - LOL
Mine actually came with Westerns when I bought my 70Z in 76 an wish I had kept them.

In my opinion, these ads where a Sales Gimmick to sell both the 69 and 70 models as New Cars as they were both on showroom floors at the same time; however, it is also my opinion, you can refer to the 70 model as a 70 1/2 as the "COIN" has been firmly planted in Camaro History.

As stated

the VIN determined the Year of production

A title that says 1970½ is ridiculous but License Plate # would be interesting.

See what I mean about the "70 1/2 Topic" and how it brings out the reviler which I do not consider hostile as we love our Camaros, what ever the year; however, it was probably a disgruntled 69 owner with a 70 title that started the roomer that the 70 1/2 Camaro is a Myth and failed to tell GM - our Winged Friends should get a chuckle with that statement and besides the site has been really slow lately - LOL

 

Well Z, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I remember very well visiting a dealer in Seattle in 1970. The salesman was a kid my age. He was pointing out all the selling points of the new Camaro's. But I just kept looking at it thinking 'no way'. They killed my car! Barracuda's look much better. Oh well.
But the salesman had a 69 Nova with an L78 like mine and MT valve covers that didn't leak oil. (much) I bought a set. These are them;

Better go, time to pull the engine for spring time.

 

I have a 1969 Camaro, bought new by a relative. Never molested. It’s a 350 v8 4 speed , 12 bolt rear end, dual brake lines, dual welded dual exhaust hangers, close steering box, with SS logos. Again, unmolested! It has drum brakes in the front. Built 3rd week in September. How is this explained?

 

1970 produced 69 camaros’ 53,526 units. Vin 124370
Should be able to find one

 

Late feb 1970 for the 19701/2’s

 

Owned both body styles, like them both. The 70 Z RS that I had was a much better car. They had a challenge to build in that the cowl was shorter and the frame and intake had to be redesigned. They delayed the wrap around rear window due to production issues. Got a lot of this info at the Camaro Nationals in 1990 from a Norwood factory worker. Dupont registery at one time said the 70 was a top 10 designed car. Lower sales, late arrival and the new Mopars took sales away I would imagine as well as the Firebird. Those tin cans are bringing big buck these days at auctions.

 

Face it, We love all muscle cars from that era. So sad its over, 200-1200 dollar 60’s musle cars.

 

For sure. My first Camaro was a 70 and I paid $1,500 for it. Wide tires, CB radio and all. I loved that car and have always favored the 2nd gen.

 

anyone need a welder
https://www.reddit.com/r/Construction/s/31ofuOERr8

 

This is my 70 RS taken in Feb. 1975. I also favor the early 2nd gens. I had a 78 Firebird purchased new. That was the last car I purchased new. No pics of that one that I have found yet.

 

Saw the movie and went the next day and bought a 78 Black special edition car, then the gas crunch came and 3 kids in the back seat, traded it for a Pontiac Phoenix, not bad for the times. Years later I bought a gold 78 TA with all the stripes.

 

I worked at Barrier-Beck Pontiac on Independence Blvd. as a teen in '76-77 and got to drive them from time to time.

 

Sold it for 6K in the early 90's