"put, put, spit, put, put, sputter, die" then it means 
ZZZZZZ's
Chevy Z models
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As I recall, the original "Z-28" was an option code for the 302 car in '67. Early cars didn't have badges saying "Z-28".
Realizing they had a catchy name, they went with "Z-28" for subsequent models.
Most of the newer "z" stuff is just marketing nonsense trying to associated today's plastic 4 cylinder with the rip snorting Camaro.
Some, such as "Z-71" are probably still option codes, as I think that is an optional suspension for the trucks.
Option codes as car names.....some good (Z-28, W-30) some not so good (Z-24)
Realizing they had a catchy name, they went with "Z-28" for subsequent models.
Most of the newer "z" stuff is just marketing nonsense trying to associated today's plastic 4 cylinder with the rip snorting Camaro.
Some, such as "Z-71" are probably still option codes, as I think that is an optional suspension for the trucks.
Option codes as car names.....some good (Z-28, W-30) some not so good (Z-24)
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
In the beretta and cavelier the number following the Z usually meant the what size the engine was (in the early models). It was an option package, and a sporty one.. The Z-series cars were all "race insplired".
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From: Saratoga USA
Z-28 (and for those of you that remember the Z-16, the 1965 SS396 Chevelle, 201 produced) was an RPO (Regular Production Order) number. GM also used COPOs (Central Office Production Orders) for special cars like the 427 powered Camaros and 1969 Chevelles.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Ogden UT
Originally Posted by pfogle
In the beretta and cavelier the number following the Z usually meant the what size the engine was (in the early models). It was an option package, and a sporty one.. The Z-series cars were all "race insplired".
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
I hate to admit it, but GM's option codes actually make sense, compared to Ford's. Glass options start with "A," Comfort and Convenience options start with "C," Suspension options start with "F," etc... The letter Z at GM indicates a performance "package," as opposed to individual performance options. I would imagine as the development began on the high-performance Camaro model (intended for Trans-Am racing, right?), the engineers started referring to "that Z-28 out on the test track," and someone in marketing heard it and thought it sounded cool. And the name stuck.
