Joey’s relationship with his 1972 Camaro started in 1994. It was just a $240 junkyard loser, no drive train, not a roller, no interior. Joey had just a body and a big imagination.
Many “rats and mice” were swapped out in so many insane combinations, from a 355 mouse with L1441f pistons achieving 7.87:1 with a 142c.i.d supercharger to a 13.5:1 running on Cam2 111 Octane! Finally, he would end with a 468BBC in.
Summer 1997, Joey sold it to a friend for the, but a few years later he would decide to adjust the valves with little to zero knowledge & mechanical experience. He called Joey back to save the day. Unfortunately, Joey would find the motor twisted and broken up. Snap…Crackle…Pop!!!! Joey bought his car back and began restoring it with the engine out! He would add a new and improved 468 BBC monster with a final surgery completed in May 2000.
In May of 2001 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York a man named Ray J. approached Joey with his business card, face down & blank. He said “Don’t flip it over yet, wait till I walk away…I wanna buy your car. Think of a number you can live with, and I’ll be back in an hour. And, oh yeah, I don’t haggle!” Joey couldn’t deny the temptation! He’d been on his own for many years and it was sometimes a struggle keeping up with the bills. Joey thought that this may be an opportunity to ask for a crazy money. After all, the man had said he doesn’t haggle so the worst he could say is no, thanks.
Joey proceeded to write a reasonable number. The man would respond right then and there! “Who do I make the check out to?” He said to take it home, enjoy it, and that he’d send for it in about a month. Joey exclaimed “one day, she’s coming back home!” In which the man would reply, “Good luck, I never sell any of my vehicles.”
Fast forward to October 2017. Joey would find the 1972 Camaro for sale found her in Slidell, LA after searching for two months. The ‘72 Camaro would return home for a final time in 12. 2019, mostly the way she left. He is slowly restoring her to the state she left in, and this time she isn’t going anywhere but back in Joey’s garage!
Joey’s ‘72 Camaro has had 16 different engine combinations! A 468 BBC is the current engine. Other modifications include a reverse manual valve body TH400 to aluminum driveshaft with 1.350 spacers then to a 1970 12 bolt final drive with Moroso brute strength carrier, Strange 410’s to Strange Axles w C-clip eliminator dressed with Centerline Auto Drag 15×10’s Hoosier Street radials and 15×3.5 front matching wheels & tires.
Presently there are so many foreseeable options to complete the Camaro in the way Joey always dreamed to. In the future, he’d like to possibly add LED front and rear lighting, modern ATC rewiring, proper exhaust, electric fuel pump and gas tank. Also, some interior work is needed, as well.
It’s been a 20-year journey. Joey hopes to find someone with a shared budget and passion that would help with the restoration. He wants to share his joy for the ‘72 Camaro with others at shows and events so they too can enjoy what he’s experienced.
