GM's best year?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I think 70, with 69 & 71 on the cusp, 72 in the area too. I remember when mechanics often said a 71-72 Caprice, and probably Impala too were considered the best built cars. On a side, my 78 coup Caprice Classic W duel exhaust was sure a nice ride, before it checked out in most areas, at 70Kish. What a travesty.

I suppose as trucks are concerned, some 71's were equipped with "Disc Brakes" - a label I didn't add to an otherwise "restoration", primarily. Not sure they installed a 1971ish TCS into 70, perhaps the later models. I didn't install that either. Perhaps disc brakes is canceled out by TCS I might like the "1971-72" grilles a pinch more, pretty nice look. Perhaps a plus for 72 was the fuel return line for some trucks, maybe the fuel caps too, hmm. But I've yet to see a problem with my 71 model/drivetrain, that would take a return line in 72. Didn't some 72 take a smog pump? Gross. An old timer once told me the 72 had an inferior timing chain, not sure on that. He mentioned something about the chains having material other than metals, hmm.

A 1969 Yenko Camaro is dreamy, but more realistically, a 70 TA is high on my list.

[Shifty One]

I'm going with 1969.

[dmb]

1955 the year the mouse motor was born

[mrtoni]

1970 for cars. Ls-6 454 395/375hp
71 compression dropped
Trucks I’d say 1972 was most refined and the heat

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

An old timer once told me the 72 had an inferior timing chain, not sure on that. He mentioned something about the chains having material other than metals, hmm.

A 1969 Yenko Camaro is dreamy, but more realistically, a 70 TA is high on my list.

That old timer was right. They had nylon coated timing gears. Just to be quieter.


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-gears-2.html

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

That old timer was right. They had nylon coated timing gears. Just to be quieter.


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-gears-2.html

Thanks, yep that's it.

Seems I've read the BBC, perhaps heads and intakes as well were better pre-1971ish, due emissions. If true, I imagine that would apply to SBC as well.

Cool website for BBC, but I can't make out engine block differences, because the numbers under comments are a mystery to me. That and they don't show a 1972 402 block, hmm.

It appears however a 402 was equipped with this or that heads and intakes. My guess is trucks got the "240" horse power stuff, for at least 1972, while a lot of cars were equipped with the big stuff.

Reading that page, it looks like the 70-71 402 intake manifold is rated higher than a 1972 402 intake. Hmm. I can't speak for what heads they put in my 1971, for instance, engine was rebuilt with 1967 HP heads.

https://nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php

[tutone]

Technically, GM had the highest market share percentage in 1962-63. As time moved on, they still led but not by as much. Personally, 1955 , debut of the sbc, then 1969 indy pace car camaro is my dream car. The trucks of course 67-72.


https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/anima...-1961-to-2016/

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by tutone

Technically, GM had the highest market share percentage in 1962-63. As time moved on, they still led but not by as much. Personally, 1955 , debut of the sbc, then 1969 indy pace car camaro is my dream car. The trucks of course 67-72.


https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/anima...-1961-to-2016/

When I worked for a Chevy dealer, I has a chance to buy an Indy Pace car Camaro. I will take that regret to my grave...I had the money, at that time- about $2500.

[Palf70Step]

I am a bit prejudice, but 70 is year I think best for the Chevy years.. 71/72 had the disk brakes, but I have never cared for the grill work as much as the 70 and older GMC is 69 and newer, but with them I think the 71/72 grill has a slight edge ahead in looks.

[Dead Parrot]

Styling, late 60s~early 70s.
Tech wise, some of the early to mid 70s tech upgrades were nice: HEI, internal regulated Alt, disc brakes, radial tires, stereo FM radios.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

When I worked for a Chevy dealer, I has a chance to buy an Indy Pace car Camaro. I will take that regret to my grave...I had the money, at that time- about $2500.

Too bad. I passed one up for $8500 later than you did. It was in a thousand pieces. Should have bought it.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by tutone

Too bad. I passed one up for $8500 later than you did. It was in a thousand pieces. Should have bought it.

There was a '69 Z/28 on the same lot tor $2300. This was in '72. I quit the dealer and went to work for an insurance company. Went to a different dealer and bought a 69 Camaro RS with a 327 and a 4 speed, with gauges. Bare bones, but it was quick! Don't remember what I paid for it. If we had only known...

[Ironhorse]

Would be hard to pick out a single year as best for GM. During the 60's and early 70's cars/trucks by GM and in general from the other brands had the basics down pat. Auto or standard trans by choice, A/C, P/B, P/S, comfortable interiors, am/fm radio, decently reliable within good mechanical standards and not loaded down with too many un-necessary options. Do we really need heated steering wheels, heated seats, heated mirrors, auto adjusting seats, lane assist, touch control info-tainment screens the size of a laptop computer. Nice maybe....necessary.....don't think so but sure do add to the buyer's cost factor! What will be cost to repair such items down the road 10-12-15 years from new.....if one can find the needed electronic parts.

Would add this, I miss side vent windows and a foot operated dimmer switch on the floor.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Would argue 1965 as the peak for Chevy. The Impala line sold over a million units, it was the year with the most engine options available. Various I6's, 283's and 327's. First year of the 396 big block and the final year of the 409 W motor. Last year of the Fuel Injection option on the Corvette. The Z16 kind of was the official mark Chevy getting more serious with the whole muscle car thing. Just alot of really cool things happening in 65 that was kind of a transition point for the whole brand.

[GSP7]

Anything pre '72