Other than its market position and 2+2 configuration, Chevrolet’s all-new second-generation 1970 Camaro barely resembled GM’s 1967-1969 Mustang-fighting pony car. This 1972 Chevrolet Camaro RS/Z28 in Salinas, California packs a 406 cid small-block motor mated to a five-speed manual transmission and “ORIGINAL EVERYTHING ELSE,” according to the seller. Check out the spartan ALL CAPS listing here on Craigslist. Thanks to reader Pat L. for submitting the tip on this Golden State classic. The RS package features the “split bumper” look favored by many enthusiasts. As with earlier Camaro models, you could combine RS and Z28 packages in 1972.
The “406” is typically a bored 400 cid small-block Chevrolet engine. While the stock small-block 400 sometimes takes verbal abuse compared to the big-block 400, a well-built 406 can provide plenty of power in a durable package. The five-speed with overdrive means more flexibility to fit sporty rear-end gears for those California canyons. Simply engage that sweet overdrive fifth on the highway to avoid damaging your engine and your eardrums.
The separately-available rear spoiler “enhances handling,” the hallmark of the Z28 model which originated as Chevy’s entry in the popular Trans-Am racing series. Only one engine powered the ’72 Camaro Z28 from the factory and that’s the Z28-specific 255 HP 350 cid small-block. In that sense this punched-out mighty mouse 406 and five-speed manual gearbox fits the car’s image perfectly. The VIN reported in the listing includes the fifth digit “L” that denotes a true Z28 according to NastyZ28.
With no interior pictures, we’re left to imagine what it might look like. Perhaps “ORIGINAL EVERYTHING” says it all! One could debate whether adding the 406 and five-speed helps or hurts this car’s value, but those changes increase the car’s functionality for certain. Not every classic needs to be 100% stock to hold value for the owner… quite the contrary in some cases. Would you take this car further down the upgrade trail or keep it as original as possible?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought a 400 was a 350 bored .060” over, and this is about as far as you would want to go. I would think what’s more likely is something with a stroker crank bored a little… I’m too busy for the math right now.
Those 400 small-blocks had siamesed cylinder walls to allow the larger bore diameter than a 350.
Siamesed bores lead to hot spots, failed head gaskets, no fun.
Chevy 400 small blocks are great motors, can be bored out to a 427 cu in, found in1970 and 71’ in impala’s and station wagons and Monte Carlo’s.
The 400 blocks run into trouble with anything over a .030 overbore, which equates to a 406. With boring alone you’d need to go around .125 or 1/8 of an inch. That’s not going to happen with a factory block.
Steve R
During the 4×4 craze of the mid and late 70s Chevy and GMC sold tons of trucks with smallblock 400s in them and didn’t go bankrupt so they can’t be that bad.
Steve,
I could tell you a good story about a co-worker at the GM Proving Ground more years ago than I care to remember. He would build 482 cubic inch small blocks and it took him 5 engines to get one!! But the result was fascinating
A 350 bored.060” is a 360, bore increase from 4.0” to 4.060” A 400 small block is separate engine altogether. Chevrolet never offered a high performance 400 small block. Not to be confused with a 402 which is a bored 396(big block).
400 small blk. has a 4.125 bore,while a 350 has a 4.00″ bore. A 350 +.060 is a 358. Max bore on a 400 should be .030 due to heating issues.
RUNS HARD, MAKES YOU SMILE.
Hmmmm…
Original engine gone. Put a LS engine of your choice in. But that’s just me
Reminds me of Gary Busey’s yellow Camaro in The Gumball Rally.
When I google the vin#, images show a pretty rough car.
http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/chevrolet/681328-1972-chevrolet-camaro-coupe-yellow-rwd-manual-z28rs.html
This car was last featured on this site, September 16th, 2020. Whoever bought it, had their fun, took pictures lacking detail, left vital information out of their description and for good measure, doubled the price.
Good luck to the next owner.
Steve R
You would think that after spending ALL THAT MONEY ON HER , THEY WOULD HAVE AT LEAST PAINTED THE Z28 STRIPES CORRECTLY ON THE REAR SPOILER??
The prior owner did the mechanical upgrades. This guy bought it, drove it, then doubled the price over what the previous owner was asking.
Steve R
Ok. Just mentioning , that who ever did the paint job ,would do little more research on painting Z28 stripes!
I recognized this car from the last time it was here, or maybe it was one of the other gazillion Camaros I’ve seen in my life. Looks like a fun car to drive around with that 406/5speed set up. Correct me if Im wrong but a 400 small block has a large bore And long stroke compared to the 350,, doesnt a 400 crank in a 350 create a 383? Plenty of torque in a lighter weight engine!
Why on earth do people like these 406 sbc engines. terrible rod angle makes me nervous about any significant rpm. 25 years ago yes, but if you’re going to do an engine swap nowadays might as well to LS.
Look at the license plate with a recent number. Definitely a flipper.
I really seriously need this car…but I can’t enjoy it if I’m dead, and my wife has been pretty clear about bringing home another car.