Vehicle Description
The oil embargo of 1973 scared a lot of Americans into thinking the
muscle car was dead. Fortunately, Chevrolet was still willing to
cater to folks who weren't yet willing to believe the sky was
falling. This 1973 Chevrolet Camaro RS is a great example of period
muscle from an era when a lot of folks were afraid of eight
cylinders.
Repainted in a spectacular dark purple metallic, this RS is fairly
well recognized as one of the best looking second-generation
Camaros. With the blacked-out Z/28 grille and small bumperettes on
either side, a chin spoiler, and a subtle deck lid spoiler, it is
aggressive but not overdone and yes, it's a real RS. When the car
was repainted, it also received a cowl-induction hood that now
proudly wears a set of black Z/28 style stripes that extend to the
rear of the car, just as they did when it was new. There are a few
of the usual signs of use and age, but we can pretty much guarantee
that if you like the paint, you'll like the way this car measures
up at the local cruise night. Since this one has always been a
clean, undamaged car, everything fits together well with great gaps
and tight shut lines. There's not a lot of chrome on these cars,
but both the front and rear bumpers are nicely finished, the
stainless window surrounds are bright, and it carries correct
emblems on the front fenders.
The interior is very much like the factory intended, which speaks
volumes about how right the original design really is. Those black
bucket seats are firm and supportive, with no splits in the vinyl,
and the back seat looks like it has never been used. Correct door
panels help lend the RS a somewhat upscale image and a center
console with a Hurst 4-speed shifter are a fantastic find for 1973.
The carpets might be showing some wear, but certainly not forty
years' worth, and the headliner remains taut. The gauges cover all
the engine's vitals, including a tach, and they are nestled into a
cool wrap-around instrument panel. Options include ice cold factory
A/C, power windows, and a JVC AM/FM/CD head unit in the original
radio's slot. The trunk could use a little finishing, but you can
see that there are no metal issues, and that's what's really
important.
A 350 cubic inch V8 was the biggest engine available in 1973, so
that's what lives under the hood today. Earning the right to wear
that Chevy Orange paint as much as any of its ancestors, the engine
bay is sharply detailed and the engine itself runs superbly. Finned
valve covers, a chrome air cleaner, and some other dress-up pieces
make it look sharp under the hood, and the engine is augmented with
an Edelbrock intake manifold and a 4-barrel carb that surely works
better than the original setup. Power brakes and power steering are
nice additions, and the radiator is cooled by a pair of big
electric fans. Underneath, it's very original and very solid, with
the aforementioned 4-speed manual transmission, original 10-bolt
rear end, and a set of long-tube headers feeding Flowmasters with
turn-downs. It rides on shiny Weld aluminum wheels and staggered
165/80/15 front and 275/60/15 rear Mickey Thompson tires.
Second generation Camaros don't get any better looking than this,
and despite gas shortages of the period, this one can still run
like a true muscle car. Call today!
