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Split Bumper Dream Build? 1972 Chevrolet Camaro

The seller is honest about the condition of this rough-looking 1972 Chevrolet Camaro, but despite the way it looks in photos, it sounds reasonably solid underneath. Split bumper Camaros have always been sought after by collectors and hot rodders alike, and while this example is definitely in need of a power washing (and so much more), the seller claims the frame rails are solid and that all evidence points to prior metal work being done to a respectable level. It obviously needs a complete drivetrain and interior, but those parts are relatively straightforward if the undersides aren’t a total loss. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of just $2,099 and the option to submit a best offer.

This Camaro is located in Washington State. Like so many other vintage vehicles from this part of the world, they seemingly fare so much better than if this Camaro were found in similar outdoor confines in the rust belt. I would bet once the dirt was blasted off of the paint, this car would bring at least a few hundred dollars more, if not thousands. I struggle with the presentation aspect of the cars in the Georgia collection I’m helping to wind down, as it’s not always conducive to dragging a dead car over to where the power washer is hooked up, so you just have to hope buyers are curious enough to either check it out in person or take your word that it will clean up nicely once it’s within striking distance of the washing wand.

The interior isn’t as bad as the exterior might suggest, but it still needs a fair amount of work if you’re seeking an OEM-correct example. The door panels have been removed, the seats are junk, and all of the trim looks pretty filthy. The dash doesn’t appear to be cracked, but someone has still either broken or removed the trim around the instrument binnacle. The backseat doesn’t match the fronts, but at least the rear bench appears original to the car. The carpets could likely be reused with a good cleaning, and if the seller is correct that the frame rails are solid, that hopefully means the floors aren’t porous, either, and water infiltration has been kept to a minimum. It’s hard to tell whether this was a parts car at one point or just a project that got stuck in the disassembly stage.

Incredibly, the seller claims the roof doesn’t have any rot under the vinyl wrap. Other details provided by the seller would seemingly put prospective buyers’ minds at ease, as he notes that the chrome trim for the roof is in the trunk. Also in the trunk are the original door handles, as this Camaro had its door shaved at one point in time. The trunk floor is said to have some rust holes but nothing major, which is far better than I was expecting for a car like this. The seller doesn’t seem to know much about the Camaro’s original configuration in terms of trim and/or engine options, but I’m sure one of our readers could de-code the provided VIN to figure it out. A lot of work will be needed to bring this one back to OEM condition, but perhaps not as much as the first photo might lead you to assume.

Comments

  1. Avatar Arthell64

    This car isn’t a rally sport so I don’t see the split bumper connection. This car is rough I would have to label a parts car.

    Like 17
    • Avatar Roseland Pete

      My thoughts exactly. Why rave about a split bumper which only means that the one-piece bumper was removed and replaced?

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Darryl

    That isn’t an RS. It’s a standard as can be seen by where the turn signals are, the lack of urethane nose, and the fact that the full width bumper is laying inside of it. It’s rough but so was my ’71 when I pulled it out of a field probably not far from where this is located, but I only paid $800 for it. If you can get it cheap then it would be a fun project.

    Like 11
  3. Avatar JeffD

    Yeah, I agree. Not a split bumper. The full length bumper lays across the seats in the interior pic. The Rally Sport has the parking lamp aside of the headlamp, and a rubber nose surround. This is just a Plain Jane Camaro. Not much money if the floors check out, but a lot of work for sure.

    Like 7
  4. Avatar tompepper

    Weren’t split nose 1970s

    Like 1
    • Avatar Darryl

      You could get a split bumper by ordering the RS package from 70-73.

      Like 8
    • Avatar Steve R

      The “split bumper” was part of the Rally Sport package, which was available from 1970-1973.

      Steve R

      Like 8
  5. Avatar Dan

    Not a split bumper. That’s a no bumper, it’s lying on the front seat.

    Like 7
  6. Avatar Darryl

    As noted by others this is a standard Camaro not an RS. It’s located very close to where I pulled my ’71 out of a field. Mine had more rust in the quarters and a better interior. If the underneath is solid this could be a fun project, though not one where you’re going to make a profit in the end.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar JOHN Member

    The title of this article is “Split Bumper Dream Build?” I believe the author (Jeff) is simply stating that this car has the potential to be restored to a split bumper.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Tony Primo

      People have created split front bumper clones from non Rally Sport Camaros with the turn signals under the bumper. There was even one on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine once. Most fans of Camaros prefer the factory set up.

      Like 5
  8. Avatar Ken

    Thanks ya’ll for the split bumper corrections. That nonsense drives me silly

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Ike Onick

    Seems as if everything on the “car” is split.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar erik johnston

    not a split bumper. my 73 lt had a real split bumper option. Had a 71 rs with the correct rs nose. Funny how many people get fooled by a real split bumper,and a non split bumper.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Mac

    The lengthy UAW strike at Norwood during the ’72 model run makes that year a fairly scarce commodity. Cowl tag shows this one to be originally a triple green car.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Show73 Member

    Should have a stirup shifter.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Very strange about that console & shifter. This does not appear to be a column shift automatic, so it should have had the very kewl horseshoe shifter on the floor & longer factory console. Why change THAT shifter!
    Unless it WAS a column shift car & the steering column was swapped out or modified?
    I bet some of those outstandingly durable tires from the late 90’s with outline RWLetters that still have good tread left are still good to drive on! lol

    Like 2
    • Avatar Steve R

      The 70-72 consoles were hard plastic and became brittle over time. They were hard to find, and expensive before reproductions became. Its not surprising to see a jury rigged shifter and console in this car, its led a rough life for quite some time.

      Steve R

      Like 3
  14. Avatar bob allen

    I had a 71 Camaro 396 4spd. SS/RS. It had the smaller light next to the big one. That was because of the Rally Sport package
    (Traded it for a Maverick) Smart guy

    Like 2
  15. Avatar bone

    It looks like it has an Impala or Malibu steering wheel on it .

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mac

      It got a mix and match black interior put into it to replace the original green one..

      Like 1
  16. Avatar moosie

    I’ve seen this parts car before and thought it was here, I could be wrong. I knew back then it wasn’t a real split bumper RS.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar TM

    No split bumper here. Bumper is in front interior.

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Steve

    Dream build? Looks more like a nightmare to me!

    Like 1
  19. Avatar PatrickM

    Good Lord!! What happened here?? Not even a parts car IMHO. I wouldn’t touch this with a ten foot pole.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Jason

    Need help! I have found a 72 camaro which has been parked sitting on jack stands since 1981 inside a garage. This car has been dismantled (interior removed, trim removed, glass removed, etc…) but all pieces are still with the car. The body appears to be very straight rust free and all trim and interior pieces are in great condition. Can anyone tell me what a good purchase price would be for this car? It is just a base camaro I believe but it comes with the split bumper front end. Guy wants $4,000 how it sits which would take all my savings. Please any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Roseland Pete

      Putting a split bumper on a regular Camaro is no big deal. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig. It signifies nothing unless it’s an actual RS.

      Like 0

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