Remembering The Third-Gen Camaro And Its Dual-Needle Speedometer
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The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a special sort of vehicle, and not just for Camaro enthusiasts or even the mullet and gold chain stereotypes. In truth, the third-gen models featured various interesting little features, down to something as seemingly inconsequential as the speedometer. Between the 1982 and 1984 model years, the Chevrolet Camaro was equipped with a very cool dual-needle speedometer setup that simultaneously provided the vehicle’s current speed in both mph and km/h.
1982 Chevrolet Camaro speedometer. Image credit: scottmoyer, via thirdgen.org
Checking out the gauge in closer detail, we find that the lefthand side provides the current vehicle speed in mph, with white numbers and a white needle, while the righthand side presents km/h in amber numbers with a yellow needle. As the left needle rises, the right needle falls, providing accurate readouts for both measurement units.
Third-gen Chevrolet Camaro cockpit
It’s a clever bit of design. Despite the inclusion of three smaller gauges in the center for fuel level, coolant temperature, and battery charge, not to mention a large tachometer on the right, the dual-needle speedometer still provides easily readable km/h readings for those Camaro owners who may live outside the U.S. (for example, Canada and Mexico both use km/h as the standard speed measurement).
Unfortunately, the third-gen Chevrolet Camaro ditched the dual-needle speedo with the 1985 model year, replacing it with a more traditional single-needle gauge that reads up to 85 mph (137 km/h).
2020 Chevrolet Camaro interior
These days, the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro stays true to the single-needle readout, and the driver can select which units – miles or kilometers – the vehicle will display. Toggle this setting not only changes the speedometer, but also changes the odometer, fuel economy metrics (from gallons to liters) and the temperature readout (from degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius). The proliferation of such digitization pretty much means that clever solutions like the third-gen’s dual-needle speedometer will no longer be a thing.
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With digital gauge clusters they should have display options for heritage clusters as a nice throw back easter egg
I had an American spec 87′ model, and the speedometer had larger MPH numbers and smaller KPH numbers. On the highway, I had to guess where 100kph was (just over 60mph), and given the speedometer was so out of calibration, I just matched whatever speed the other drivers were doing instead of trying to read the needle.
I had an 88 TBI V8 base model. Man do I MISS that car.
Pontiac G8 had the metric/imperial option in the setup list, having a metric 260 Km/h speed set on imperial is a challenge.
it would also change the AM radio from 10 MHz to 9 MHz separation depending where it was.
If Holden had this in 2006 any GM display by wire system would have it.
Was a nice complete body change along with the Firebird back in the day. Power, not so much, but that was the world we lived in. Looking back, still, like the style. Remember renting a Trans Am from National back in 83 for a week vacation. It limped back to the rental agency and though a buddy and I could have flown less expensive, boy did we have fun. I remember a stop in the hills of West Virginia when a gas station attendee said “Golly, a new Trans Am”. True fun!
Learned to drive in my Dad’s ’83 plain Jane Camaro and have been driving my ’89 RS for 17 years now. 256k miles and never been wrecked. I STILL love it.
Also, during this time, the 1982 Z-28 Pace Car speedometer was available from the GM parts department as a direct replacement for the dual needle speedometer. It went up to 140 MPH and had a nice “Z28” logo on it.
It was one of the first things I did to my 83 back in the day.
I ordered a brand new 1984 Z28 in September 1983, as the dealer didn’t have what I wanted on the lot, Charcoal Gray, 5.0 liter HO, 5 speed, posi, 4 wheel dics. The car came in early November. Back then they had enough gas to get to the nearest gas station. Left the dealer and drove about 1/4 to the station and filled up. Headed to the highway to get back home and wound up through the gears. By the time I hit the stretch heading home I was in 3rd gear and the needle was standing straight up, 85 MPH in a 55, backed off to reasonable speed, I didn’t need a speeding ticket within 20 minutes of owning the car. In February of 1985 I oredered a brand new IROC I wanted to ditch the 85 MPH speedo for the 140 MPH one and the guy told me they couldn’t do it because it would make the car a race car. I looked him right in the eye and said “What do you think IROC stands for? International RACE of Champions!” Needless to say Had to do it myself later on. My ’87 5.7 TPI had the 140 speedometer in it.
I remember when an IROC of that generation rear ended my Dart and it messed up his nose pretty bad while all I had to do is rub paint off my bumper.
I absolutely love these cars. Bought my first third generation camaro back in 2012 for 500$ from a towing company. For 500$ I didn’t expect it to run (already had a replacement engine and t-5 transmission to install). Thank you GM for the VATS security system, the people at the towing yard couldn’t get it to run. I ordered a factory key from the dealer and to my surprise the car started right up, the 700r4 transmission even worked flawlessly. I Still drive the 500$ 1992 Camaro RS 305TBI to this very day. It’s kind of nice seeing the values finally starting to go up. Back in 2012 they were < $1500 all day long.
I recently acquired a 1991 Z28 TPI 5.7L with cam/headers, what a BIG difference in Z28 vs. RS… These cars are so much fun. I plan to give them to my daughters when they get old enough to drive. If you want to see what they're all about you'd better get one before they increase further in price!
I had an 86 when I was in high school and a 90 today. Always loved these cars!
I had an 85 IROC-Z 28 with tuned port injection, during my time in the US ARMY. I took it cross-country, it was awesome. I hope you bring it back.
I had an 87 IROC. And a 92 Z28 5.7. The 92 had the performance package with leather interior and Ran a 14.2 From the Factory. I remember when that was quick…
Must have been on U S cars Ours did not have that speedo!