A 1972 Camaro RS owned by one California woman for 50 years has resurfaced as a preserved survivor car.
A 1972 Chevrolet Camaro RS, purchased by a Santa Cruz woman in 1973, has surfaced as a remarkably well-preserved survivor car after more than five decades under single-family ownership. The rare second-generation Camaro was recently acquired by collector Troy Bergeron and is drawing attention for its originality and storied history.
The original owner, who passed away in 2023, purchased the Rally Sport Camaro used in September 1973 and drove it regularly throughout her life. Finished in Hugger Orange with a white vinyl top, the car retains its factory charm, right down to its patina. In 2004, she had the upholstery redone, and aside from a failed A/C unit, the car remained in faithful service until her final years.
With a VIN code “H,” the car is equipped with a 350-cubic-inch V8 engine, a staple of Chevrolet performance in the early 1970s. The two-barrel small-block was rated at 165 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, subdued by the era’s tightening emissions standards. The vehicle’s automatic transmission is mounted on the column, though the specific gearbox variant has not been confirmed.
The 1972 model year was pivotal for the Camaro. Beset by labor strikes and production slowdowns, Chevrolet saw output drop to just 68,651 units. The Rally Sport package, featured on this example, added distinctive design touches such as the split bumper, black grille, and additional trim—one of only 11,364 RS-equipped cars that year.
Believed to have just over 100,000 miles, the Camaro now resides with Bergeron, known for his Mopar-centric YouTube channel “Mopars5150.” The car still starts effortlessly and runs smoothly, proof of its careful maintenance and the enduring build quality of its era.
For muscle car enthusiasts and survivor collectors alike, this Camaro RS tells a rare and authentic American automotive story.
