Production:
4,821 6-cyl
63,830 V8
68,651 total
* 11,364 RS Camaro's
* 6,562 SS Camaro's
* 2,575 Z28 Camaro's
Dealer Introduction: 9/23/71

Vehicle Identification Example: 1Q87H2N10001
* Second digit is model level: Q = Camaro (all models)
* Fifth digit is engine code: D = 250ci, F = 307ci, H = 350ci, K = 350ci,ss, T = 350ci, z, U = 396ci,ss
* Sixth digit is model year: 2 = 1972
* Seventh digit is N for Norwood assembly.
* Last six digits increased one with each car built at Norwood.

Dimensions

Length: 188.0 inches

Height:50.5 inches

Width: 74.4 inches

Wheelbase: 108.0 inches

Weight: 3310

Please see RPO Codes & Options.

Put 1972 in a trash can and bury it. Chevy continued to refine the Camaro but due to a 174 day strike beginning on April 7, no cars left Norwood Ohio, which was the only plant producing the F-body. When the strike ended, 1100 partially completed cars were scrapped or donated to vocational schools since it would be too expensive to modify them to conform to stricker '73 bumper & emission regulations. It is estimated that 39,000 camaros and firebirds weren't built, worth an estimated $125 Million to dealers. The Nova line was moved from Norwood to protect it from future "labor problems". The position of the F-body was precarious with serious talk about axing the whole model, shutting down the Norwood plant and writting it off. Pony car sales were down, the federal (emissions & safety) boot was coming down, the price of gas was up, insurance was up, the SS was zapped. IT WAS DUE TO PEOPLE LIKE US - powerful owner loyalty groups which helped sway GM to keep producing the F-body. IMO: If it came down to business economics the Camaro/Firebird would have died in 1972. Alas, it didn't... and the '72's got:

Coarser grille mesh. Z21 NOT INCLUDED with Z22 (notice price drop on Z22 option) 3 point shoulder harness debuted in mid year. Door panels restyled, include map pockets & change holder. Speedometer reads 130 max, down from 150 Hurst Shifter no longer used Last year for Super Sport Model Last year for Big Block engine First year specific engine type is coded in VIN

RPO	Description	Qty	Retail
12387	Camaro Sport Coupe, 6-cylinder	4,821	$2,729.70
12487	Camaro Sport Coupe, 8-cylinder	63,830	2,819.70
AK1	Belts, custom deluxe	8,475	14.50
AN6	Adjustable Seat Back, driver side	2,087	18.00
A01	Soft Ray Tinted Glass, all windows	44,155	39.00
A02	Tinted Glass, windshield
A31	Power Windows
A51	Front bucket seat, non-reclining
B37	Floor Mats, color-keyed front and rear	15,725	12.00
B93	Guards, door edge	21,452	6.00
C08	Vinyl Roof Cover	23,918	87.00
C24	Windshield Wipers, hide-a-way	21,587	21.00
C50	Defroster, rear window	7,018	31.00
C60	Air Conditioning	31,738	397.00
D34	Mirror, visor vanity	3,931	3.00
D35	Mirror, left-hand remote control	28,965	15.00
D55	Console	49,845	57.00
D80	Spoilers, front and rear	5,954	77.00
F41	Suspension, special purpose front and rear	7,133	30.00
G80	Positraction, rear axle	7,643	45.00
J50	Power Brakes	29,271	46.00
J52	Front disc brakes
LS3	Engine, 396ci, 240hp Turbo-jet V8 (SS)	970	96.00
L48	V8 Engine, 350 CID
L65	Engine, 350ci, 165hp Turbo-Fire V8	27,009	26.00
M20	Transmission, 4-speed wide range	4,127	200.00
M21	Transmission, 4-speed close ratio	942	200.00
M22	Transmission, 4-speed close ratio heavy-duty	767	231.00
M35	Transmission, Powerglide automatic	4,462	174.00
M38	3-speed automatic transmission, 300 deluxe
M40	Transmission, Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic	7,302	210.00
NK4	Steering Wheel, sport	5,758	15.00
N33	Tilt Steering Column	3,706	44.00
N40	Power Steering	59,854	130.00
PL3	E78-14-B tires - GB White lettering
PL4	F70-14-B tires - GB White lettering
PM7	F60-15-B tires - GB white lettering
PY4	F70-14-B tires, white stripe
P01	Wheel trim cover
P02	Deluxe wheel trim cover
T60	Heavy Duty battery
U14	Instrument panel guage
U35	Electric Clock
U63	Radio, AM pushbutton	54,271	65.00
U69	Radio, AM-FM pushbutton	10,404	135.00
U76	Windshield antenna
U80	Speaker, rear seat	15,889	15.00
VF3	Bumpers, deluxe front and rear	2,449	36.00
V01	Radiator, heavy duty	3,057	14.00
YD1	Axle, trailering ratio	165	12.00
YF5	Emission Test, required for California	8,124	15.00
ZJ7	Rally Wheels	27,804	44.00
ZJ9	Auxiliary Lighting	5,309	17.50
ZP5	Appearance Guard Group (Includes B93, B37, D34)
ZQ9	Axle, performance ratio	652	12.00
Z21	Style Trim Group	22,477	56.00
Z22	Rally Sport Package	11,364	118.00
Z23	Interior Accent Group	18,064	21.00
Z27	Super Sport Package	6,562	306.35
Z28	Special Performance Package	2,575	769.15
Z87	Custom Interior	6,462	113.00

Paint Code	Exterior	Vinyl Top	Stripes	Interiors
11	Antique White	B-Bk-Cv-G-P-T-W	Bk	B-Bk-Cv-&T-W
14	Pewter Silver	Bk-G-P-W	Bk-W	Bk-G-T-W
24	Ascot Blue	B-BK-W	Bk-W	B-BK-W
26	Mulsanne Blue	Bk-W	Bk-W	B-BK-W
36	Spring Green	Bk-W	Bk-W	Bk-W
43	Gulf Green	BK-G-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-G-W
48	Sequoia Green	Bk-Cv-G-P-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-G-T-W
50	Covert Tan	Bk-Cv-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-G-T-W
53	Placer Gold	Bk-Cv-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-W
56	CreamYellow	Bk-Cv-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-T-W
57	Golden Brown	Bk-Cv-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-T-W
63	Mohave Gold	Bk-Cv-T-W	Bk-W	Bk-Cv-T-W
65	Flame Orange	Bk-Cv-W	Bk-W	Bk-W
68	Midnight Bronze	Bk-Cv-T-W	W	Bk-Cv-T-W
75	Cranberry Red	Bk-W	Bk-W	Bk-W

1972 Vinyl Top Code
B = Black, D = Medium Blue, F = Medium Tan, G = Medium Green, J = White, T = Light Covert

Interior Codes: 775 = Bk/std, 776 = B/std, 777 = G/std, 778 = T/std, 779 = Cv/std, 780 = W/std, 785 = Bk/cc, 786 = Bbk/cc, 787 = Gbk/cc, 788 = Cvbk/cc.

Abbreviations: B = Blue, Bk = Black, Bbk = Blue with black trim, cc = custom cloth, Cv = Covert (light tan), Cvbk = Covert with black trim, G = Green, Gbk = Green with black trim, P = Pewter (silver), Std = standard, T = Tan, W = White.

	CID	Config	Bore & Stroke	BHP @ RPM	Torque @ rpm	Comp	Carb.
Base	250	L-6	3.875 x 3.53	110 @ 3800	185 @ 1600	8.5:1	1v
Base	307	V-8	3.875 x 3.25	130 @ 4000	230 @ 2400	8.5:1	2V
L-65	350	V-8	4.00 x 3.48	165 @ 4000	280 @ 2400	8.5:1	2V
L-48	350	V-8	4.00 x 3.48	200 @ 4400	300 @ 2800	8.5:1	4V
Z-28	350	V-8	4.00 x 3.48	255 @ 5600	280 @ 4000	9.0:1	4V
LS-3	396	V-8	4.126 x 3.76	240 @ 440O	345 @ 3200	8.5:1	4V

Notes: Horsepower and torque figures listed are net. GM published no gross ratings after l971 model year.
Base 307 and LS-3 "396" not available in California. Base V-8 for California was L-65 350.
The LS-3 "396" V-8's actual displacement was 402 cid.

Engine Suffix

CAY: 307ci, ce, mt	CMB: 350ci, at, ce	CAZ: 307ci, at, ce, pg
CMH: 350ci, ce, mt	CBA: 250ci, ce, mt	CRD: 350ci, ar, at
CBG: 250ci, mt	CRG: 350ci, ar, mt	CBJ: 250ci, pg
CRZ: 396ci, ar	CDA: 350ci, ce, mt	CSD: 250ci, ce, pg
CDB: 350ci, at, cc	CSZ: 396ci, ar, at	CDD: 350ci, at, ce, 200hp/SS
CTA: 396ci, ar, mt, 240hp/SS	CDG: 350ci, ce, mt, 200hp/SS	CTB: 396ci, ar, at, 240hp/SS
CDL: 250ci, ar, pg	CTK: 307ci, at	CDM: 250ci, ar, mt
CTL: 350ci, at	CKA: 350ci, mt	CKB: 350ci, at
CKD: 350ci, at, 200hp/SS	CKG: 307ci, mt	CKH: 307ci, pg
CKK: 350ci, mt, 200hp/SS	CKS: 350ci, mt, z	CKT: 350ci, at, z
CLA: 396ci, mt, 240hp/SS	CLB: 396ci, at, 240hp/SS	CMA: 307ci, at, ce

Abbreviations: at = Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, ar = air injection reactor, ce = California emission controls, tb = two barrel carburetor, mt = manual transmission, pg = Powerglide automatic transmission, SS = super sport, Z = RPO Z28 special performance package.

Type	Plant	Code
3-Speed	Muncie	S
4-Speed (cast iron case)	Muncie	R
4-Speed (Aluminum case)	Muncie	P
Powerglide	Cleveland	C
Turbo Hydramatic 350	Cleveland	B
Turbo Hydramatic 350	Toledo	Y
Turbo Hydramatic 350	GM Canada	J

		Base	Base	L-65	L-48	Z-28	LS-3
		250	307	350	350	350	396
3-and 4-spd.	1	2.85:1	2.85:1	2.54:1a	2.54:1	2.52:1	2.20:1
manual	2	1.68:1	1.68:1	1.50:1	1.80:1	1.88:1	1.64:1
Transmission	3	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.44:1	1.46:1	1.27:1
ratios	4	--	--	--	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.00:1
	R	2.95:1	2.95:1	2.63:1	2.54:1	2.59:1	2.26:1
Clutch diam., in.		9.12	10.34	10.34	10.34	11.0	11.0
Axle ratios	S	3.08:1	3.08:1	3.08:1	3.42:1	3.73:1	3.42:1
	E
	P					4.10:1	--
		Base	Base	L-65	L-48	Z-28	LS-3
		250	307	350	350	350	396
Powerglide &	1	1.82:1	1.82:1a	2.52:1	2.52:1	2.48:1	2.48:1
Turbo Hydra-	2	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.52:1	1.52:1	1.48:1	1.48:1
Matic ratios	3	--	--	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.00:1	1.00:1
	R	1.82:1	1.82:1	1.90:1	1.90:1	2.08:1	2.08:1
Axle ratios	S	3.08:1	3.08:1	2.73:1	3.08:1	3.73:1	3.42:1
	E
	P			3.42:1	--	4.10:1

Three-speed manual available only with 250 and 307; 4-speed only with 350 and 396 V-8's.
a = Turbo Hydra-Matic with 2.52:1 low also available with 307 V-8.

CA	2.73:1 Locking		CK	3.42:1
CB	4.10:1		GX	3.08:1
CG	3.73:1		GY	3.08:1 Locking
CJ	3.42:1 Locking		GZ	2.73:1

1972 Z21 Style Trim
Includes body colored insert on door handles, bright window, body, sill and hood panel mouldings plus bright accented parking lights, taillights and backup lights. (Included with Rally Sport option).

1972 Z22 Rally Sport
Includes special black painted grille with special rubber tipped vertical center bar and resilient body color grille frame; Independant LH and RH front bumpers replacing full width bumper; license plate bracket mounted below RH bumper; parking lights with bright accents mounted on grille panel; Hide-a-Way windshield wipers with black-chrome finished arms and articulated left hand blade; bright window, hood panel and body sill moldings; body colored insert on door handles; RS emblem on steering wheel; Rally Sport front fender nameplates; bright accented taillights and back-up lights. (RS emblems deleted with SS or Z28 option).

1972 Z23 Accent Group Interior
Includes glove compartment light, additional instrument cluster lighting, wood grained accents on instrument cluster and steering wheel (included in Custom Interior option).

1972 Z27 Super Sport
Includes 200-hp Turbo-Fire 350 engine and bright accents; heavy duty engine mounts and starter; dual exhaust; LH remote control mirror; power brakes, special ornamentation; special hood insulation; F70-14B bias belted ply white lettered tires, 14" x 7" wheels; black painted grille; hide-a-way windshield wipers with black chrome finished arms and articulated left hand blade; SS emblems on steering wheel, fenders, grille and rear deck (available with V8 only, available with 4-speed manual or automatic transmission only, optional engine is LS3 240 hp 396 - not available in California)
Total SS Production = 6562

L48/350 ci = 5592

LS3/402 ci = 970

Carburetor Part numbers				Distributor Part Numbers
350 ci	-	7042203		350 ci	-	1112095
350 ci w/at	-	7042202		350 ci w/at	-	1112049
350 ci w/NB2	-	7042903		350 ci w/at	-	1112154
350 ci w/at & NB2	-	7042902		402 ci	-	1112057
402 ci	-	7042201		402 ci	-	1112162
402 ci w/at	-	7042200

1972 Z28 Special Performance Package
Engine: Net horsepower down to 255 from 275 in 1971. Torque dropped 20 ft./lb. Flex fan replaced viscous drive.

1972 Z28 Carburetor (780 cfm Holley)

A/T	List 6238-1	GM # 3997788
4 spd	List 6239-1	GM # 3999263

	Casting #	GM P/N	Description
Block (CKS)			M/T
Block (CKT)			A/T
Crank
Heads
Cam
Pistons
Intake	3959594
Exhaust	3989041		Left Manifold
Exhaust	3986330		Right Manifold
Distributor
(Accessories)

Transmission & Clutch Mandatory choice of Muncie 4-speeds with 11 inch clutch, with special 2400-rpm-stall torque converter Turbo Hydra-Matic optional. (Unchanged since 1970.)

Rear Axle GM 10 bolt, 3.73:1 ratio standard, Positraction optional. (Unchanged from 1971)

Brakes 11-inch, vented, cast-iron front discs with vacuum assist standard. Rear 9.5-inch drums. (Unchanged since 1970)

Front Suspension: Z-28 anti-roll bar 1.0-inch diameter instead of standard 0.6875-inch unit. (Unchanged since 1970)
Rear Suspension: Revised rear stabilizer bar and rear shock valving.
Steering: Power steering had straight 16:1 ratio and was revalved to give more road feel.

Part		GM P/N		Description
Steering Gear
Valve
Pitman Arm		3964877		Manual Steering
Pitman Arm		3964881		Power Steering
Front Swaybar		3984557		1.00" dia.
Rear Swaybar		481471		0.688" dia.
Rear Swaybar		3983085		0.688" dia.

		Part #		Code	Specs
Front Spring		3982345		EJ
Front Spring		3982346		EN
Front Spring		3982347		EO
Front Spring		3996362			w/o CAC
Front Spring		3996364			w/ CAC
Rear Spring		481992		PK	125 lb/inch
Rear Spring		480881			125 lb/inch

Wheels & Tires: 15 x 7 steel wheels painted dull grey with bright lugnuts, center caps with blue bow-tie and trim rings,
Wheel Code: AU, Part #: 3983045, Center cap part #: 3989479, Trim Ring part #: 3984524.
F60-15 fiberglass-belted white letter tires standard. (unchanged from & identical to 1970)

Other Options, equipment, facts: Chrome tailpipe tips eliminated. Revised grille. Rear deck spoiler and fast-ratio non power steering made optional instead of standard. Spoiler COPO 9796 renumbered RPO D80, and front air dam added to now optional D-80 spoiler. Hood and deck striping became a delete option.

Total Production: 2575

1972 Z87 Custom Interior - Includes deluxe seat and sidewall trim; glove compartment light and additional instrument cluster lighting; wood grained accents on instrument cluster, steering wheel and door trim panels; luggage compartment mat plus special engine compartment, hood and interior insulation (with cloth or vinyl seats).

No data.