• The Camaro was designed as a competitor for the Ford Mustang.Classic muscle car with mustang image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  The Camaro was first introduced in 1967 by Chevrolet, which is owned by General Motors Co. The Camaro was intended to be competition for the Ford Mustang as a compact muscle car. "Camaro" is slang in French for "friend," but it is known to mean "Mustang killer" in pony-car slang. The 1980 Camaro is part of the second generation of Camaros produced. Production of the Camaro stopped in 2002. The fifth generation of Camaros hit the market in 2010.
  
  

Model and Production

• At first, the Camaro shared a platform and other similarities with the Pontiac Firebird. In 1980, the vinyl roof cover was eliminated from the Camaro. It also featured a new tight mesh grill. The Camaro was produced in the Sport, Rally Sport, Z28 and Berlinette models. The Z28 model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. A total of 117,164 new Camaro's were registered in the United States during the calendar year 1980, according to Camaro Source. The 1980 Camaro was produced in numerous colors such as white, silver, bronze, lime green, dark blue, black, red, gold and bright yellow.
  
  

Engine

• Camaro buyers could choose from a V-6 engine or a V-8 engine--either 5- or 5.7-liter--depending on the model selected. The majority of Camaros built in 1980 featured an automatic transmission. Few had a four-speed manual transmission.
  
  

Dimensions

• The Camaro has a 108-inch wheelbase. It has a total curb weight of about 3,363 lbs., although the Z28 model weighed about 3,600 lbs. The exterior length is 197.6 inches and the exterior height measures 49.2 inches. The Camaro is 74.5 inches wide.
  
  

Options

• The 1980 Chevy Camaro included options such as power windows, power door locks, wheel spoilers, rear window defogger, tinted windshield, rear spoiler, Z28 stripes, custom wheels, special tail lamp, t-top, front seat cushion and power antenna. Some options were only available to specific Camaro models. All 1980 Camaros had power steering and bucket seats. The Camaro was highly customizable for buyers.