The person who tackles this 1972 Camaro SS as a project car will be starting the process with a blank canvas. However, it appears that they won’t need to spend a bundle on rust repairs because it seems like it could be pretty solid and structurally sound. If you fancy the prospect of this type of project build, you will find the Camaro located in Hacienda, California, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for this classic pony car at $6,500.

The photos that the owner supplies are pretty ordinary, but they are also interesting. Apart from the hood, the Camaro’s body appears to be complete. All of the hanging panels are present, as is most of the trim. I’m not sure whether the car has retained its door glass, but the windshield and back window look like they might be okay. The SS looks like it has been sitting exposed to the elements, but it might not be all doom and gloom. There’s no arguing that it has developed a heavy coating of surface corrosion. That makes it difficult to determine the car’s original color, and any buyer will need to be thorough about treating it to prevent further deterioration. However, the vehicle appears to be remarkably solid when you look beyond the faded paint and the corrosion. This may be due to its location because the Californian climate can be kinder on classic steel than other areas. What can be seen of the lower extremities doesn’t look like Swiss cheese, and the cowl also appears sound. The grille covers are missing from the cowl, but the lack of leaf litter and other debris means that any moisture that has found its way in might have been able to flow back out unimpeded. This is all looking reasonably positive, but it doesn’t mean that returning the SS to its former glory will be a walk in the park.

The SS is a roller, so there is no engine or transmission. The original 10-bolt Posi rear end is present, and the original owner ordered it with power steering and power front disc brakes. However, there is no information on what type of V8 previously occupied the engine bay. We know that the car featured a Hydramatic transmission, but Chevrolet offered the ’72 SS with the choice of a 350ci small-block or 396ci big-block. Even though emission regulations were beginning to tighten like a noose around the necks of cars like the Camaro, either engine would still have offered the potential of a sub-16-second ¼-mile ET when equipped with the automatic option. Performing a personal inspection would categorically confirm what was here, but the owner may offer a clue. He reveals that the Cowl Tag is stamped with a “Z27” code. If it is that alone, it would indicate that the original motor was the small-block. However, if it shows a “Z27 LS3” stamp, it would be the 396. Sourcing a date-correct engine should not present a massive challenge to the buyer, but they may consider exploring their options. Its lack of drivetrain and a few other components could make it a prime candidate for a restomod build. That would incorporate the charm and aura of a classic Camaro with a more civilized and refined drivetrain. Given the advances in engine technology since this car rolled off the line, it also offers the possibility of significant performance improvements.

The single interior shot supplied by the seller provides equal helpings of good and bad news. When it comes to the question of interior trim, potential buyers will need to accept that there is none. It’s also worth noting that there are no seat frames, so the buyer might be facing a long shopping list before it begins to resemble its former self. Someone has also welded in a rollbar, and this will probably need to go. Anyway, that’s the bad news. From a positive perspective, the floors look really encouraging. Like the exterior, they carry a heavy coating of surface corrosion. However, when you look beyond that, I can’t spot any penetrating rust. If an in-person inspection confirms this, that makes this a solid classic that represents a sound foundation for a project build.

At first glance, this 1972 Camaro SS looks a sad and sorry sight, and returning this classic to its former glory will not be cheap. However, if it proves to be as solid as the supplied photos seem to suggest, a competent person could perform a significant amount of the preparation work themselves in a home workshop. That could provide considerable cost savings while providing a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for the buyer. If you pursued this SS further, would you aim for a faithful restoration, or would a restomod build be your focus?