At the 2013 New York Auto Show->ke226, Chevrolet->ke199 decided to bring the "Z/28" badge back to its lineup. With this announcement came the sneaking suspicion that Chevy is preparing a convertible version to go along with the recently announced coupe.

The new Camaro->ke248 Z/28 Convertible, if it ever hits the market, will offer the same design language as the coupe version, except for the soft-top roof that will make it even more fun to drive on those hot, summer days.

While Chevrolet decides whether it will offer a Camaro Z/28 convertible or not, we put together a nice rendering to help give you an idea of what the convertible model would look like.

We anticipate a convertible variant of the Z/28 to be unveiled sometime in late 2013 or early 2014 as a 2015 model. We’ll keep a close eye out for any details alluding to Chevy launching this model.

Hit the jump to learn a few more details on the Z/28.

2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Convertible
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 500
  • Torque: 470
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Camaro Z/28 Coupe

The new Camaro Z/28 is powered by a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 engine with an output of 500 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. As you can see, this output is not as impressive as that offered by the ZL1’s 580 horsepower, but Chevrolet worked hard to make the Z/28 lighter.

Despite its lower output, Chevy hopes the Z/28 will be faster than the ZL1 around Nürburgring, which pulled a 7.41.27 lap time. In fact, the new Z/28 already scored impressive results, as it is 3 seconds faster than the ZL1 at GM’s test track.

As a tribute to the original Z/28, the new model is offered only with a Tremec TR6060 manual transmission that sends the engine’s power to the rear wheels.

Z/28 History

First Generation

The Z/28 debuted in 1967 with a more aggressive suspension system and 302-cubic-inch V-8 engine that pumped out 290 horsepower, which allowed it to hit 60 mph in about 7 seconds. In its debut year, the Z/28 carried a base MSRP of $3,273. When it was debuted to GM brass in 1966, the Z/28 package was originally named “Cheetah.” Fortunately, Z/28 stuck.

Second Generation

Midway through the 1970 model year, the Z/28 saw a boost by way of an LT-1 engine that pumped 360 horsepower to the rear wheels, getting it to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. In 1975, Chevy axed the Z/28 RPO code, but it returned just two years later as a standalone model with only a 170-horsepower, 350-cubic-inch V-8 under its hood and lacking the slash in the name – it was called simply Z28. In 1978, the Z28’s V-8 engine received a bump to 185 horsepower only to see it drop to 175 horsepower in 1979.

In early 1980s, the Z28’s horsepower rollercoaster continued with it increasing to 190 horsepower in 1980 only to drop to 175 in 1981, as GM moved the Z28 to a 50-state-legal vehicle.

Third Generation

In 1982, the Camaro was restyled to the four-eye variant that lasted for the next decade. The Z28 featured a carbureted 5.0-liter V-8 with a sleep-inducing 145 horsepower, but you could opt for the Cross-Fire Injection system that bumped it to 165 ponies.

1983 brought the introduction of the L69 “H.O.”option, which added a Corvette-spec camshaft to the struggling V-8 engine, pumping it to 190 horsepower. The base engine remained at 145 horsepower.

In 1985, the IROC-Z arrived and so did GM’s all-new Tuned-Port Injection, which bumped the 5.0-liter engine to 215 horsepower.

1987 brought the standardization of the 165-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 to the Z28, thus ending the standard 145-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8’s reign at the bottom of the Z28’s lineup. The celebration was short-lived, as the Z28 was discontinued in 1988, as the IROC was the only high-performance Camaro available.

After three model years off, the Z28 returned in 1991, replacing the IROC. With the IROC dying, the Z18 inherited its TPI 5.7-liter V-8, which cranked out 245 horsepower.

Fourth Generation

The fourth-gen Z28 arrived in 1993 with the new pointy-nose design that GM rolled out on all Camaros. Love it or hate it, the Z28 still was super powerful for the time with its 5.7-liter LT1 engine pumping out 275 horses.

1996 brought the first major change for the fourth-gen Z28, as its 5.7-liter engine gained 10 ponies and an optional SS package tweaked it to 305 horsepower.

In 1997, an SLP variant was added to the Z28 option list and it pumped 330 ponies from its LT4 V-8 that the Camaro sourced from the `Vette.

In 1998, the Z28’s base LS-1 – yup, a new engine – pumped out 305 horsepower and the SS package bumped the Z28’s output to 320 horsepower, thanks to ram-air induction.

Finally, in 2001 the Z28 saw an increase to 310 horsepower and that is where it stayed until GM eliminated it following the 2002 model year.