I found a 1972 SS350 Camaro in town. Its all original, automatic, and painted once around 92' with its original Cortez Silver color. Small amount of rust bubbles showing around rear fender wells, but all the rest of the body looks great. Its still in the hands of the original owner, a very nice lady, and she has all of the original paper work along withfiles of maintenace records. Its got just over 96k original miles, and the engine has never been rebiult. Shes ready to sell it, but not sure about an amount. A local police officer offered her $10kwhile she was at a gas station, and she told him to get lost. Cracked me up. She knows what shes got, so any sugz on a price? I would like to put this car in my garage. Thx

 

What options does it have? Is it an RS, factory A/C, deluxe interior (woodgrain), tilt, cruise or any goodies? Is the engine a base 350?

I don't know where you are located, but I would really look at the damage to the quarters, wheelhouses, front of the rear frame rails and the floor where the rear seatbelts bolt down. All are trouble spots for the second gens.

I have seen a few restorable SS cars in fairly good shape go for well under $20k. An average price for one I would guess to be about $14k - $16k. Unless of course you can find something to justify a higher price tag, something making the car rare. That being said a 72 SS/RS, four speed, A/C, deluxe interior would be quite a find, probably worth a $20k price tag.

 

I had a brief conversation with the lady that owns it, and she says its a real SScar. She also made it very clear that the 72 model year was the lastyear for the SSCamaros. I checked the car fromthe outside, and didnt get a detailed look. It sports the SS 350 badges. Solid front bumper so I dont believe it to be an R/S-SS. That year though, only 7000+SS Camaros were produced.As far as options such as ac, etc. I dont have that info. What horsepower options for the 350 were available in 72?

 

There were four 350 options in 1972,
L-65 165 hp
L48 200 hp
Z28 255 hp
SS350 300 hp

Although one is branded the SS350, I think the SS was available with one or two of the other engines. Probably the only way to be certain is with block numbers.

What is the word on her bottom dollar?

 

I just talked to her and she said (based upon advice from her mechanic) to ask for $25K and go from there which is about $10K past my budget. I didnt question that figure, I just said good for you, since you are the original owner. Shes taken good care of it. Hasnt modified a thing. Stock rims and all. Its here in central Cal, but I didnt ask if shes been here in Cal since the cars purchase. Its a small town and Ill get some pics next time I see it.

 

really cause i have a 73 SS sitting out side,lol there was a small amount of 72 sold in 73 due to the stike in 72,they had alot of camaros left over and it was either crush them our change the emissions on them and sell them.
And if you do not beleave me look it up.

sounds like a good car but it is going to go for alot of money and hopefully who ever buys it restores it and dosent hotrod it out

 

Stay in touch with her, maybe you can appeal to her emotions to get a price in your range.

I have conflicting thoughts when I see these cars go for over $20k. First, every time one of them sells high it helps boost the value of my car. Second gen Camaros are kind of the unappreciated models in the Camaro lineup. This is especially true of the 72 since the strike limited production numbers. It is good to see them gaining in popularity. But secondly, I think it is sad that second gens get caught up in the muscle madness that is driving prices up artificially high and making them unaffordable for some people. Hotrodding has always been a grass-roots activity. Magazines like Hot Rod glamorized the sport with checkbook building and high buck parts. Nothing is further from where the sport started, hot-rodding was born in backyards and one-stall garages with small or no budgets.

At $25k for that car, it would be hard to hold the line on costs. With what you said about the body (bubbles- aka rust) you are looking at new quarter panels. Since it has been repainted once serious consideration should be given to stripping the car and giving it a decent restoration paint job. All things considered you are looking at a paint job in the range of $10 - $15k (shop prices) to bring the car to its best possible condition. If there is not any defining options to add some rarity to the car you will be beyond the value when finished.

Hope you can work a deal with her! Good luck.