Image: Autoguide.com

The first rumblings appeared last month after information leaked from a Chevrolet Dealer’s conference confirmed many details about the anticipated high performance Camaro, scheduled to break cover next week at the Chicago Auto Show. One detail that was not confirmed was the name that the new car would be called.

The 1969 Camaro ZL-1 used an all-aluminum 427 V8 engine.

Enthusiasts have universally expected that the Z/28 designation would return, however the dealer information only referred to an “HP Edition” Camaro. Now, it is being reported that other names are still being considered for the 2012 release. Car and Driver says that their inside sources say the Z/28 nameplate is not locked in. The publication goes on to speculate on other possibilities.

One which they suggested could make a lot of sense in both projecting the right image and healing many of the wounds that a change wold cause among the faithful. What is this magical moniker? Quite simply, it is “ZL-1.” Bear in mind that this is total speculation, but the ZL-1 name carries an aura that drives Camaro fans into quiet reverence.

Dick Harrell was responsible for COPO 9560 which, in 1969, caused an all-aluminum, 427cui engine to be installed in a production Camaro. Harell thought he could sell many of these Camaros and, through Fred Gibb Chevrolet, ordered fifty cars to be built. Officially rated at 430 hp, the hand-built engines were reported to deliver up to 550 hp. A total of 69 ZL-1 Camaros were built, making them both the most powerful and the rarest factory-built Camaros ever.

While it would be nice to speculate further based on this history, there is no hint of confirmation from the folks at GM. All may become clear next week, however, as the Windy City should blow away some of the smoke covering this new Camaro model.