Talk about clean! First-Second-gen Chevrolet Camaros turn up all the time but they are usually in seriously “messed-with” condition unless they are completely restored, high dollar Z28s or SS models. This example, which is listed as being in “original condition” makes the maximum from minimalism. It is located in Boonton, New Jersey and is available, here on craigslist for $23,500. Thanks to Mitchell G. for this tip!
As opposed to being the aforementioned Z28 or SS performance variants, this Camaro is a standard sports coupe variety, one out of a total of 68K Camaros assembled in model year ’72 – a relatively light volume year. As can be seen, the body is unadorned of any specific intentions other than the ZL2-style cowl induction hood, an aftermarket add on, and a rear spoiler more in keeping with the 1970 variety. The seller, again, states “original condition” but makes no reference as to whether that claim applies to the Antique White finish. Whatever the case, the paint is smooth and deep, with a nice sheen, and showing no signs of distress. The seller additionally claims that this 41K mile Camaro is rust-free and there is no evidence of a rot or corrosion problem. Finishing off the exterior statement is the steel wheel/doggie bowl hubcap treatment – it works well with the plain, white wrapper exterior. The only notable mishap is the grille, it appears to have lost a lower tooth.
Under the hood there is a new 350 CI V8 engine coupled to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission; so much for the originality claim! The engine appears to be endowed with typical upgrades such as an aluminum intake manifold, replacement carburetor, open-element air cleaner, headers, and an HEI ignition distributor. While no reference is made regarding this Chevy’s running attributes, the engine compartment is spotless.
The interior is where there is a surprise in the form of bucket seats with a steering column gear selector. Generally, this vintage Camaro is equipped with a center console that houses the gear lever. And when there is no console, which was offered as a separate option from the bucket seats, there is usually a manual floor shifter in place. It is unknown how many Camaros were produced this way but it is probably one of those rarities that will not help with the market value. That said, the interior is pure second-gen Camaro all the way. The carpet is a bit faded but the seats, dash and instrument panel appear to be as intended – no sign of rips or tears. Being a typical Chevy of this era, the gauge cluster is limited (full instrumentation was an option though) but additional engine room monitoring is provided courtesy of add-on instruments positioned below the dash. I can’t get a good look at the radio but the tunning knob is visual and it looks like a standard ’72 item, score a point for an original radio!
The simplicity and plainness of this Camaro is a real draw IMO, though, of course, that is a subjective preference. The “original condition” claim, however, is off-putting as this clearly isn’t the case with the powertrain swap, so what else isn’t as it appears? Perhaps the 41K mile claim? That isn’t documented either. And then there is the price, not exactly a bargain. I like this car, no doubt, but not $23K worth of like. How about you, too plain or just right?
The “missing tooth” in the grill is from the factory — it’s where you stick your fingers in for the hood release. Usually this isn’t noticeable as it’s under the bumper, which should span the full width of the front. But when you combine the stock grill with Rally Sport bumpers, it becomes really apparent (as does the change in the grill’s pattern/rectangle shapes behind where the bumper should be).
I generally like the clean look of this, but “original condition” is an odd claim when it has a new engine and transmission, an added hood and spoilers, and the split-bumper swap.
I’m also curious if those hubcaps are correct for a ’72 Camaro—I always thought by then Chevy had switched to the more rounded caps that looked like Baby Moons.
(my ’71 had the full-width hubcaps, so no help there)
J_Paul:
Good catch, thx!
JO
Jim, there’s a back story to this car from last September when GuysWithRides.com featured it then. You can check it out here: https://www.guyswithrides.com/2020/08/24/new-award-18-1972-chevrolet-camaro/
It can’t be too “stock” with the after market split bumpers. Factory RS front ends had the round blinkers ABOVE the bumper-ettes. I had a 73 LT with the RS front end.
Meh…not a fan of the style mashup going on here. I would have liked it better left completely stock than this halfway hot rod look. Looks like the love child of a Nova and a Vega…just odd
You are right, they threw a bunch disparate design cues at the car regardless of whether they worked well together, or not. I can’t stand RS bumpers on a non-RS cars and have owned both styles of early Camaro. I like dog dish hubcaps and have even used this style on a couple of cars, but the year is wrong and detracts from the overall look of the car, especially with the cowl hood and F & R spoilers. The column shift doesn’t work with any of these modifications, it works on a sleeper, but this car isn’t built as a sleeper.
Steve R
Mix match on years of parts.
Its a shame not left original .
Column shifter for original but since modified put a four speed in it…
Over priced on modified in my book 📚
I agree ,the front bumper set up. Trying to emulate a RS. And the rear spoiler was 1970 only I believe. I prefur the short spoiler over the wrap around one,it just don’t work with this camaro. The fact the drivetrain was been done nicely,but not original makes this one to pieced together. To much $$$. If it really has 40k ish miles,nice, does not help me like it.
I had a 71 Z28 with the same short spoiler and it was factory stock when i bought the car i think you could get either one through 72
Isn’t this a second generation not first?
Brent:
You are correct! Mind-f@%t on my part, corrected.
JO
Not a bad looking car at all, not overly thrilling but not bad.
If I had a dollar for every second gen Camaro hopped up with a 350 and a hood scoop, well, I’d have a nice little savings account anyways.
The wheels are incorrect for me because they’re not aftermarket mags like torque thrusts or dare I say Centerlines,,,,something. It’s not a sleeper but more of a cruiser so dress up for the occasion.
Lastly from my dumb you know what, The Camaros I remember that had no console and a worked automatic usually had one of those b&m mega ratchet shifters or similar. I like this car, don’t get me wrong.
I’m not a Camaro fan but how hard is it to get a full bumper, stock hood and remove the spoilers? Seems like the reason for getting this car is the condition and the rarity of the column shifter. Maybe the price point is high, I don’t know but I usually scroll past Camaros on Barn Finds and I didn’t on this one, if that means anything
I had a 1972 Barracuda with a 340 it too was a column shift automatic, the only thing about it I didn’t like.
People…..STOP installing the mini bumpers on non-RS camaros. You’re not fooling anybody. It looks stupid, just stop it.
The best part of this Camaro is reading all the comments about the frlnt end, specifically the RS bumperettes on a non RS car.
I thought i was the only one that cared and it goes without saying and i agree wholeheartedly that without the round blinkers and the extra rubber nose cap the bumperettes look goofy.
Also sans the console and u shaped floor shifter the interior looks very suspect. I wasnt aware of a column shift in this generation. Wonder if there is a hole in the floor amd if with the new engine came a new transmission and steering column…
All that said drop the price to 10k and drive it like its stolen.
Yea that’s a hefty price but I’m glad to see these Gen 2 cars in the double digits regularly. Seller is Obviously trying to Recoup some of the engine/tranny upgrade cost.
James is right about the RS look alike deal. Unless you do the whole Dale Earnheart jr. Race front then you need to choose which style you like and do the whole upgrade which is $$$$$ on these cars.
I guess I’m going to be off on my own in the front end. Is it correct? No. Does it actually look bad or is it cause you know it’s not correct?!? At least the bumperettes and lights sit proportional. If GM did it this way would you still hate it? You can nitpick the minute details all day long if you want but that is what hot rodding is based on. Hot rodded vehicles are a mismatch of parts. I think it looks cool, just needs a floor shift swap whether it be aftermarket, stock horseshoe, or 3 pedal swap. I used to work with a guy who has a red 70 SS in a plain wrapper. Dog dish, no spoiler, does have cowl hood, but is sporting a 502 and a healthy bump of nitrous. Would have to go back a few phones to see if it had RS front or not….
Very well put i thought i was the only one that liked those bumpers on a non RS that’s Hot Rodding in fact i was going to do the very same thing on my 71 Z back in the day but to costly from Chevy new and back then there weren’t any in the salvage yards yet if this were mine definitely a 3pedal swap and I’d switch out the wheels for Rallies painted the same color and disc brake center caps or maybe the police center caps
To add a bit of color about this Camaro, GuysWithRides.com first featured this car back in September 2019 when it had only 40K miles and the original inline six cylinder engine with the same asking price of $23,500 on Craigslist. It’s pretty sad to see yet another low mileage, one-family-owned survivor base Camaro lose its originality for sake of making yet another crate-motored street machine.
This car looks ripe for a four speed and you’d have a fun little car!! It is a northern car though so a good look at the underside would be in order!!
This car desperately needs the original style bumper put back on it.Did the six cylinder. cars have drum brakes? If so that would need a upgrade for sure. Car has no power brakes.
13,000 yops
The column shift could have been an ordering mistake? I worked for a rental agency in the late 70’s, early 80’s and ordering cars was completely a la carte. We ended up with Impalas that had bucket seats, column shift and no console, pick ups and vans with no passenger sun visor etc. because the buyer assumed they’d be included.