Chevrolet Camaro production plunged in 1972, thanks to a 117-day strike at the Lordstown, Ohio plant, the only place the cars were built. To make matters worse, it lasted so long that 1,100 partially completed cars had to be scrapped, as they wouldn’t pass the stricter 1973 bumper and emissions rules.

In all, 68,651 Camaros were built, with a mere 4,821 having the 110 bhp, 250 cid six-cylinder engine. The six-cylinder base 1972 Camaro cost $2,729.70 and the V-8 was $2,819.70. This was the last year to offer big-block engines, but only 930 big-block cars were built, and none were sold in California due to the stricter emissions rules there.

Horsepower was calculated for net results, and the base V-8 engine was a 130 bhp 307 cid unit. An additional 27,009 buyers shelled out $26 for the 165 bhp 350 cid V-8, while 970 spent $96 more for the 240 bhp big-block V-8. Meanwhile 6,562 Super Sport buyers paid $306.35 for a 200 bhp 350 cid V-8, heavy duty suspension and additional bright work.

The $118 Rally Sport Package attracted 11,364 customers, who got the SS appearance, including the front bumperettes but without the performance items. Top of the tree was the 255 bhp 350 V-8 Z/28 package, for which 2,575 buyers paid $769.15 and received special gauges, finned alloy valve covers, heavy duty suspension, brakes and other extras. The 1972 Camaro Z/28 no longer included a spoiler, though 5,954 Camaro buyers ordered the front and rear spoiler package for $77.

A new 4-speed linkage included a lock-out reverse gear. The wide-ratio 4-speed cost $200 and 4,127 buyers opted for that, 942 bought the close-ratio 4-speed for the same amount and 767 purchased the close-ratio heavy duty gearbox for $231. The 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic cost $210 and was fitted to 7,302 cars. Surprisingly, 4,462 buyers paid $174 for the antiquated 2-speed Powerglide, which dated back to 1950.

Comfort and convenience were still replacing performance. 31,738 Camaros carried air-conditioning ($397); 59,854, had power steering ($130); 44,155 opted for tinted glass ($39); 23,918 chose one of five vinyl tops colors ($87); 49,845 selected a console ($57); 28,965 could do without a remote left-hand mirror ($15); 8,698 went for special instruments ($82); 27,804 bought Rally wheels ($44); 22,477 chose the style trim group ($56), and 18,064 picked the interior accent group.

As before, 15 colors were available for the 1972 Chevy Camaro, but the numbers of each were not noted. The colors were Antique White, Pewter Silver, Ascot Blue, Mulsanne Blue, Spring Green, Gulf Green, Sequoia Green, Covert Tan, Placer Gold, Cream Yellow, Golden Brown, Mohave Gold, Flame Orange, Midnight Bronze and Cranberry Red. Stripes were available in black and white except that Antique White cars had black stripes while Mohave Gold had only white ones.