Introduced for the 1970 model year, the all new second- generation Camaro proved to be a huge styling success, especially when equipped with the now-famous Z22 Rally Sport Package. This comprehensive suite of appearance upgrades was highlighted by a unique front end treatment featuring split chromed bumpers flanking a special black eggcrate grille insert within a body-colored urethane grille surround, with round directional signal/driving lights set between the grille and headlights. This exotic front end treatment proved extremely popular, attracting more than 27,000 buyers, many of whom added it to their choice of the Z28 Special Performance Package, as found in this beautifully finished 1972 example. Sold new at Russ Vent Chevrolet in Denver, Colorado, on January 26, 1972, it was purchased by Fred Overholt of Lakewood, Colorado, who owned the car for nearly 29 years. Significantly, the car retains its original matching-numbers 350/255 HP LT1 small-block V-8 engine, a matching-numbers 400 Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission and a matching-numbers 3.73 Positraction rear end. This was the final year for the high- winding solid-lifter LT1, which also bowed out in the 1972 Corvette. It is also the rarest of the early second-generation Z28s, the result of a 174-day strike at the Norwood assembly plant that caused 1,100 partially assembled cars to be scrapped from Chevrolet’s only Z28 production line. In addition to its high-performance drivetrain, the 1972 Z28 package added F41 sport suspension, heavy duty cooling, engine mounts, springs and starter, Sport mirrors with driver’s remote, special instruments with a tachometer, power brakes with front discs, rear bumper guards, and 5-spoke 15-inch steel wheels with bright trim rings and white-letter Firestone Wide Oval tires. The original owner, Overholt, additionally checked off power steering, front and rear spoilers, an AM radio with rear speaker, a rear window defroster and a tilt steering column. Refinished in Daytona Yellow with black Sport stripes over newer tan vinyl upholstery and a new dash pad, the car retains the original body, floors, trunk and bumpers, the original carpet, headliner, trim panels and seat belts, and the original Firestone Wide Oval spare and jack. This rare and desirable 1972 Z28 RS coupe is supported by massive original documentation that includes the original window sticker, dealer sales invoice, Protect-O-Plate, loan agreement, pre-delivery inspection report and ownership history dating back to 1972.
