1972 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

There’s hardly a gearhead out there who doesn’t know the compelling history of the Chevrolet Camaro. First introduced for 1967, this pony car was a big hit back in the day, especially as a new competitor of the famous Ford Mustang. It lived to see six successful generations that enjoy high praises even today.

First. Most powerful. Quickest. Only one Chevy combines it all: the 1972 Chevrolet ZL1 Camaro.

What you’re looking at, folks, is the 1972 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which really needs no introduction. Considered as the daddy of all Camaros that have ever existed, under the hood is a monster of an engine was the 427ci or 7.0-liter V-8 that puts out 430 ponies and 450 pound-feet of torque. But, these are apparently conservative estimates as the aluminum big-block dishes out in excess of 500 horses and 550 pound-feet of torque.

Although the Camaro would become the Mustang’s most intense rival, its history doesn’t strictly parallel that of the Ford product. And with five generations of Camaros already behind us, and a sixth on its way, that heritage is worth charting. Many of the ZL1 Camaros received hard race lives and were rebodied or modified in drastic ways for racing.