The second-generation Camaro, inspired by Ferrari, was bigger, longer, lower and wider than the first-generation Camaro. GM engineers have said it was much more of “A Driver’s Car” than its predecessor. Although growing less powerful and succumbing to the pressures of tightening emission regulations and a looming fuel crisis, tens of thousands continued production. Still based on the Nova, the new Camaro was engineered like its predecessor in that it still used a unibody structure with a front subframe. With its longer wheelbase, it felt more comfortable and smooth on longer trips. As before, the Camaro was offered with Rally Sport or Super Sport equipment – or both. The Rally Sport package featured a unique front-end appearance with a split front bumper and a center grille cavity encircled in rubber.
Restoring and modifying a car with “good bones” and a striking, solid body for it to perform up to current-generation standard can still be a daunting task. However, in the end, this split-bumper Rally Sport car lived up to the task. The complete build cost was well into the six figures, and it shows. This car looks amazing from every angle – from the deep chin spoiler up front to the rear ducktail spoiler in the rear, and from the bodywork and gaps to the BASF custom-mixed orange paint with charcoal stripes that match the HRE wheels.
Details of the build components on this ’72 Camaro are equally daunting. For power, a World Products Motown 427ci small block with 545hp at the crank using a Holley Terminator EFI backed by a Hughes 700R4 transmission with overdrive is used. Body accents include shaved door handles, LED lights and beautiful new glass all the way around. On the inside you’ll find a custom interior, Dakota Digital gauges with an award-winning audio system, and billet parts on the door sill, jamb vents and strikers. Outside are 6-piston Baer brakes on all four corners, rear RideTech 4-link suspension, 9" Currie rear end and 3:73 gears – just to name a few. An opportunity to own and enjoy a Camaro of this vintage with today’s technology might just be the best of both worlds.
