It’s a second-generation Camaro. That means that I was already done for, even before I started looking at the details. It’s blue, it’s beyond insanity how clean it is, and it has the black tailpan that, in my head, all early second-gen Camaros should have. But it’s what this one doesn’t have that makes it that much more in my eyes. For starters, it’s still wearing the “Vega” nose instead of the more coveted “Split-Bumper” nose. It’s got the small spoiler. There’s no console, there’s no road wheels, no side pipes, no scoop, nothing. It’s just cleaner than a whistle and just as loud. This is what a big-block Camaro should be. Not striped to the moon, fitted with spats and spoilers big enough to catch birds on the wing with. It’s eye-searingly blue. And yes, I said big-block.

Ignore the callouts on the fenders, they lie. The L78 for 1970 actually displaced 402 cubic inches, and was the biggest engine that the Camaro officially got. Then it’s a matter of running down the options list: M21 four-speed, power steering, power disc brakes, AM/FM radio, and the 3.55 Positraction rear axle. Oh, and just for the hell of it, add in the California A.I.R. smog equipment, because with this engine, it’s not like you’ll really notice the impact. Nothing against a Motion or a Nickey or even a Z/28 split bumper, but there’s  an interesting maturity to the way this car comes across. A spoiler? Eh, just a little something, don’t get too worked up. Hubcaps? Sensible and durable, no need for anything flashy. “396”? Pay no mind, it’s a bit bigger than that. Super Sport? Better believe it, champ.

Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021: Lot R177, 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport