Camaro RPO Code Breakdown

A Guide to Chevy’s Option Codes

When it comes to restoring, documenting, or buying a Camaro, nothing is more important than knowing how to decode RPO codes. These codes, short for Regular Production Options, are GM’s internal shorthand for everything from engines and transmissions to paint colors, trim packages, and special editions. Think of them as a recipe for a cake, but for your Camaro. 

For Camaro enthusiasts, RPO codes unlock the story of how a car was originally built. They tell you if that Z28 is real, whether a car left the factory with a big block, or if it’s wearing its original color.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of RPO codes for Camaros. These will tell you the color of paint it came with, what interior fabrics, radios, stripes, axle ration, wheels, and other options. To list every single one here would cause this page to be a mile long, so we are going to list the top/most desired ones. Give our friendly techs a call at (203) 235-1200 for help decoding all your RPO codes or hop over here for the full list: RPO Codes and How To Read Them

What Are RPO Codes?

• Definition: RPO = Regular Production Option. Every factory option GM offered had a three-digit alphanumeric code (example: Z28, LS1, L78).

• Location: Codes are usually found on the Service Parts Identification (SPID) label, located in the glove box (1st–4th gens), door jamb, or trunk.

• Format: Letter-number-letter or letter-number-number (e.g., Z28, L78, M21).

• Purpose: Identifies engines, transmissions, rear-ends, paint, interior trim, suspension, and even decals.

Where to Find Camaro RPO Codes

• 1st–4th Gen → SPID label in the glovebox.

• 3rd Gen late models → Hatch area (under spare tire cover).

• 4th Gen → Driver door jamb or spare tire well.

• 5th–6th Gen → Digital build sheets available from GM dealer records.

Camaro RPO Codes by Generation

First Generation (1967–1969)

These early Camaros established the foundation of RPO significance.

• Z28 – Special Performance Package (302ci small-block, 4-speed, 12-bolt, power disc brakes).

• SS (Z27) – Super Sport package (350ci or 396ci big block, upgraded suspension, non-functional hood louvers).

• RS (Z22) – Rally Sport trim package (hidden headlights, revised taillights, bright trim).

• L78 – 396ci/375 hp big block.

• L35 – 396ci/325 hp big block.

• M20/M21/M22 – Muncie 4-speeds (wide, close-ratio, and “Rock Crusher”).

• COPO 9560 – Central Office Production Order for ZL1 427ci aluminum big block.

• Z21 – Style Trim Group: exterior bright trim (wheel opening moldings, drip rail moldings; fender pinstripes in certain years). A common add-on to RS/SS.

• Z22 – Rally Sport: hidden headlights, revised taillights/backup lamps, bright accents (pairs with Z21 content in many builds). Camaros.org

• Z27 – Super Sport (SS): performance/appearance package; often paired with D90 stripes.

• D90 – “Hockey Stick” / Sport Striping (’69 SS & others): fender-door stripe set; included with SS, optional on non-Z/28 models (not available on Z/28).

• D80 – Front/Rear Spoilers (rear decklid spoiler standard/optional by model; commonly seen on Z/28/SS). (General 1st-gen options listing.) 

• Z23 / Z87 – Interior décor groups (interior-appearance upgrades noted on first-gen option tables). 

Example: A 1969 Camaro Z28 (RPO Z28) with JL8 (4-wheel disc brakes) is among the rarest configurations of the era.

Second Generation (1970–1981)

The 2nd-gen Camaro brought bigger engines and more trim options.

• Z28 – Now powered by LT1 350ci small-block in 1970–72, then 350/305 in later years.

• RPO LS3 – 402ci big block (1970–72).

• RPO LS7 – 454ci big block (never officially released in Camaro, but in documentation).

• Type LT (Z27) – Luxury trim option, often paired with Z28.

• LM1 – 350ci 4-bbl small-block.

• LG4 – 305ci 4-bbl small-block.

• L65 – 350ci 2-bbl small-block (entry-level V8).

• M40 – TH350 automatic.

• Z27 – Type LT (luxury/appearance trim; badges, interior décor).

• D88 – Hood/Deck Stripes (var. years): Z28 stripe sets frequently referenced as D88 in period parts literature for late ’70s/early ’80s cars. (Used broadly by GM for stripe packages across lines.)

• Z21 – Style Trim Group (carried over as a bright-molding package in select years).

Third Generation (1982–1992)

Fuel injection and new performance packages defined the 3rd gen.

• Z28 (RPO Z28) – Performance trim, with LG4 (305 4-bbl), LU5 (Cross-Fire Injection 305), or later LB9 (TPI 305).

• IROC-Z (1FP87 + B4Z) – Introduced 1985, upgraded suspension, ground effects, performance tires.

• L69 – 305 HO (190 hp, 4-bbl carb, available 1983–1986).

• LB9 – 305ci Tuned Port Injection (215 hp).

• L98 – 350ci TPI small-block (introduced in ’87, 225–245 hp).

• 1LE – Special Performance Package for showroom stock racing (heavy-duty brakes, suspension, baffled fuel tank). Rare & collectible.

• GU2/GU4/GU6/G80 – Rear axle ratios & limited slip (e.g., GU6 = 3.42 gears).

• Z03 – 25th Anniversary Heritage Package (1992): special stripes and appearance cues across RS/Z28/convertible; check for Z03 on SPID to verify authentic Heritage cars. 

• CC1 – Removable Roof Panels (T-tops): a highly visible appearance/trim RPO on SPID labels. 

• D88 – Stripe Package (var. years/trim): used across GM for decal/stripe kits; appears on many 3rd-gen SPIDs with package-specific notes. 

Fourth Generation (1993–2002)

Return of real power with LT1 and LS1 small-blocks.

• Z28 (Z28) – Performance trim with LT1 (1993–1997) and later LS1 (1998–2002).

• SS (RPO Z4C by SLP) – SS package offered via SLP: hood scoop, wheels, suspension upgrades, 305–325 hp.

• LT1 (RPO LT1) – 350ci, 275–305 hp, 1993–1997.

• LS1 (RPO LS1) – 346ci all-aluminum, 305–325 hp, 1998–2002.

• 1LE – Performance option again, including upgraded brakes, suspension, and wheels for track use.

• WU8 – Z28 SS package.

• GU6/G80 – 3.42 gears with limited slip (G80).

• WU8 – SS Package (SLP): factory SS appearance/performance content recorded on the SPID as WU8; SLP adds secondary content.

• Y87 – Sport Appearance Package (RS/appearance content on certain years).

Fifth & Sixth Generation (2010–2024)

While no longer “classic” in the same sense, RPO codes remain crucial.

• LS/LT/SS/1LE/ZL1 – Trim levels became the codes themselves.

• L99 – Automatic variant of LS3 with AFM (2010–2015).

• LSA – Supercharged 6.2L in Gen 5 ZL1 (580 hp).

• LT1/LT4/LT2 – Various V8s in Gen 6 models.

• ZL1 (RPO ZL1) – Top dog, supercharged LT4 (650 hp).

• A1Y/ZL1 1LE – Extreme track package with aero, suspension, lightweight wheels.

• WRS – RS Appearance Package (build-sheet/ordering code used for the RS visuals—HID/halo lamps, wheels, trim). Google Sites

• AAT and other paint/appearance process codes (two-tone/pace-car paint handling) show up on ’93–’02 resources and continue as special process codes in later years; reference lists illustrate how “appearance process” RPOs are logged.

Quick-Reference Table of Key Camaro RPOs

If you need any help with your RPO codes or need any parts for your Camaro, give our friendly techs a call at (203) 235-1200 or hop on SS396.com!