Vehicle Description
Look, it's only a matter of time before the second-generation
F-bodies start getting out-of-reach expensive, and if you're
serious about your hardware, this solid-as-a-rock 1972 Chevrolet
Camaro SS396 is probably the one to own. With a recently rebuilt
and period-correct 402 V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, and a
factory-spec restoration, it's one of the most dialed-in early 2nd
generations we've featured in a long time.
1972 was a strike year at GM, with low production numbers across
the board, particularly for the uber-popular Camaro. That's why
many enthusiasts consider the 1972 Camaro to be the ultimate
collector car in the Camaro lineup. Faithfully repainted in
Mulsanne Blue (a vast upgrade over the factory Code 57 Golden Brown
this car was born with), this is one cleanest second-gen Camaros
we've come across in quite a long time, although to be fair, '72s
don't hit the market all that often. It's an older paint job that's
held up incredibly well through the years, offering expert prep
work, super straight sheetmetal, sharp creases, and great panel
alignment, all designed to turn heads up and down the street. All
the styling cues that make these cars so popular year after year
are there: the 3-piece ducktail spoiler, a chin spoiler, and the
SS-spec blacked-out front grille and tail panel that totally make
the look, and it's all presented exactly the way it would have been
on the showroom floor in 1972. Actually, scratch that, because this
car fits together nicer than anything coming out of a
mass-production factory with scab replacements working the line.
The SS package was a very desirable look in the early '70s, with a
full bumper up front, and we're very happy that the restorers
decided to forgo any fake striping or obnoxious decals, choosing
instead to have the paint and bodywork do all the talking. Those
chrome bumpers are in excellent condition, as is the grille, and
all the correct 'SS' and '396' badges are in place right where they
should be.
The interior is the always popular Code 775 Black vinyl, and it's
all correctly done inside and looks fantastic on the sculpted
high-back bucket seats. Plush black carpets insulate the cabin from
road noise and the matching door panels are correct pieces that
include pleated inserts to match the patterns on the seats. There's
warm-looking burled walnut applique on the dash, which includes
bright, clean, sharp factory instruments behind a standard SS
steering wheel. A wide black-ball shifter atop the 4-speed manual
lets everyone know that this SS396 was built for fun and even the
original AM/FM radio remains in the dash, and it's remarkably fully
operational. Factory A/C is huge plus in any classic car, and
instantly raise the value of this '72, but it does need a service
to blow cold again. If there are any demerits in this car, they're
quite minor, like some slight wear and tear near the dash controls
and light signs of use on the highly touched surfaces, but it's all
quite impressive overall inside. And for show purposes, the trunk
is fully outfitted with a reproduction mat and a correct jack set
and full-sized spare tire that's a matching Firestone Wide Oval, a
nice touch for all the purists out there.
As a real U-code SS396, this car packs one of the last big blocks
to live in a factory F-body. It's a very close date-code correct
block, which were designated and marketed as 402 V8s in the latter
part of the year, but that's only for the numbers guys anyway.
Finished 1,300 miles ago and to a level and presentation like the
factory would have done, it moves just like you'd expect a
high-revving torque factory to move. Chevy Orange on the block and
valve covers looks vivid and bright and they added reproduction 396
decals to the chrome air cleaner for effect. All new components
mean everything's ready to enjoy without a second thought, and will
be so for years to come. The underside is very clean and incredibly
solid, offering upgrades everywhere you look, and a new stainless
exhaust system with proper transverse muffler outback sounds just
like the factory intended. Power steering and power front disc
brakes ensure a great ride every time out, and the 4-speed manual
transmission shifts through all the gears like silk while spinning
the 10-bolt rear end. Factory Rally wheels fit beautifully under
the vintage Camaro SS bodywork and carry correct F70-14 Firestone
Wide Oval bias-ply tires all around.
Offered for sale with period service manuals and the original
owner's manual, this is an investment-grade 1972 SS396 that will
only get more desirable in coming years. Call today!