After a dismal 1972 model year, Chevy was considering dropping the Camaro. The single plant that produced the car had been on strike for six months and GM was stuck with unfinished inventory that couldn’t be economically retrofitted for the 1973 year. So, sales were a fraction of what they had been just a few years earlier. That would include the seller’s car which – after 50 years – not only needs a restoration but a drivetrain as well. Located in Waldorf, Maryland, this project is available here on craigslist for $4,000. Thanks for the tip, Gunter Kramer.

Excluding Chevrolet’s own bad luck, demand for cars like the Camaro was off in general due to higher insurance premiums on muscle cars and tightening emissions controls. Similar to the ’71 models, 1972 Camaro’s accounted for fewer than 69,000 deliveries that year (by comparison, 1969 saw 249,000 copies leave the Norwood, Ohio factory). Fortunately, GM brass was committed to the Camaro and its sister car at Pontiac, the Firebird, so production would solider on and the nameplate is still in the portfolio today.

When the seller found this car, he/she saw some restoration potential and brought it home to work on. Whether it was missing then or later, the car does not come with a title, so you’ll have to sort out matters with the Maryland DMV. Apparently, the work only evolved as far as removing the engine and transmission, but the seller doesn’t mention if they’re still there and will come with the car. Given the presentation of the auto, the combination could have been something like a 350 V8 with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission.

The seller says the car has some rust but also says the body is in decent shape, so perhaps the corrosion is on the undercarriage. The brown paint is not as bad as some we’ve seen, and the tan vinyl top and matching interior appear to be in good condition. The indicated mileage is 15,000, but that may be more like 115,000. If you don’t mind finishing someone else’s work, this might be a fair acquisition.