I’ve always been a Camaro guy. My first car was a 1975 Camaro 350ci/TH350 with Crager wheels, air shocks, and loud Cherry Bomb glasspacks. Over the years and many cars and trucks later I’ve always seemed to gravitate back to 2nd Gen Camaros (1970 – 1973 true 2nd Gen…no offense). In addition to the 1975 I’ve owned a 1992 RS and a 1999 Z28, but it was always a dream to have a 2nd Gen split bumper. When I finally decided it was time to get my dream car, with my wife Amy’s approval of course, I knew it had to be a split bumper. I started my search about three years ago. Found several very nice cars but never really landed on one until the 2024 January Barrett-Jackson auction. I had found my dream 2nd gen. After all the paperwork to get my bidders badge and all the research I was set to get my dream car. However, as its often said, not all great plans actually work out. As I stood on stage bidding for my dream car and watched the price skyrocket past my budget I was defeated. Couldn’t believe I had come so close and failed to secure the car. I called my wife upset and of course she was calm and logical. “Well, you’ll just have to keep looking, I’m sure you’ll find something”. When I returned home that Wednesday night, I opened my laptop and did my usual search for 2nd Gen Camaros. And for the first time a beautiful 1972 Hugger Orange w/White RS Stripes split bumper was at the top of the search results. I immediately sent the owner an email asking if the car was still available and asked to come see it. Well after a flight to Dallas and a 2 hour drive to Nacogdoches, TX I was looking at the car in person. A quick test drive, some easy negotiations and a sell price was agreed to and by Sunday the car was mine. Certainly, a crazy 5 days of roller coaster emotions.
About the car, it’s a true RS split bumper factory installed 350ci/TH350 car. Originally Tan w/Black RS Stripes. The car as it sits mostly today was built in Colorado Springs, CO as a drag strip car. Now equipped with a 454bbc bored .60 over, Xtreme Energy Competition Cam, tuned and ported steel heads with Ultra Pro Magnum XD rockers, Custom 3in Hooker Headers with electronic Hooker cut-outs, Holley Ultra 750 double pumper, aluminum air gap Edelbrock Intake, MSD Ignition, Stage 3 700r4 with 2400 stall (shout out to Outlaw Performance) with Hurst Quarter Stick shifter, 8.5in 10 bolt 3:73 posi-trac, Aldan American front adjustable coil overs with 600lb springs and rear adjustable shocks, Chip Foose Legend Wheels 18in front & 20in rear, Vintage AC, Dakota Digital gauges, LED light conversion (front and rear), 1400 watt Kenwood stereo with 2 12in Power Acoustik subs and 2 6×9 JBLs, new upper and lower dash panels and door panels.
Upcoming mods…4 wheel disk brake conversion 12.88in WillWoods with master and booster, AFR Aluminum Heads, 9in Detroit Speed rear-end with mini-tubs. Possibly a Pro-Charger in the next year or two. This car is truly a dream come true for me. I can’t thank my wife Amy enough, she has been so supportive through the last two plus years of searching and buying and mods, and car shows…etc. thank you! And also, a big thank you to my son Aidan. He was with me from sun up to sun down on that fateful day in Jan 2024 riding those same emotions of losing a car to buying my dream car and everyday since.
– Cory Bean, Litchfield Park, AZ
Photos by
Rod Loveless