1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS Custom Pairs a 572-Cubic-Inch V8 With 850 HP

This 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS Custom is built around one defining number: 850 horsepower. A 572-cubic-inch V8, automatic transmission and an onboard nitrous system turn the classic coupe into a high-output custom, while its odometer shows just 353 miles since the build. Mecum is set to auction the car in Las Vegas on November 14.

That combination puts it in a different lane from a factory-restored Camaro. Its orange-and-black finish and familiar second-generation shape retain the visual appeal of the original, but the engine, chassis equipment and safety hardware point to a car prepared for hard acceleration. Buyers looking for originality will have different priorities from those drawn to a purpose-built street machine; this Camaro is clearly aimed at the latter.

A classic shape with a major powertrain change

The second-generation Camaro arrived for 1970 on a new platform, alongside its Pontiac Firebird cousin. Its low cowl and clean body lines gave it a sleeker profile than the first-generation car, and the design has remained a strong part of its appeal. This example keeps that recognizable silhouette, then adds a prominent hood bulge to make room for its cowl-induction setup.

The VIN indicates that the car began life in Norwood, Ohio, with one of the optional V8 engines available at the time. That original powertrain has since been replaced. The listing describes a 572-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 paired with a new automatic transmission. The engine’s scale and the reported 850-hp output make this a substantial departure from the car’s original specification.

There is a detail prospective buyers may want to clarify: the photo caption describes the engine as a 527-cubic-inch unit, while the article’s listing description identifies it as 572 cubic inches. The reported horsepower figure is 850, before any added output from the Wilson Pro Flow nitrous system. The available description doesn’t state how much power the nitrous adds, so its contribution can’t be quantified from these details.

Hugger Orange with black accents gives the Camaro a vivid finish, with pearlescent paint adding extra depth. It’s a bold look that suits the car’s oversized hood and performance hardware. The presentation suggests a build meant to draw attention, though the listing details here don’t establish how the paint or cabin will hold up to regular use.

Built around acceleration

Underneath, the car uses components from Chris Alston’s Chassisworks and Strange Engineering. A wheelie bar and parachute are also fitted, signaling that the build’s high-output setup comes with equipment intended to help manage hard launches and high speed. The rear tires measure nearly four feet across when combined, another clue to the demands this car is designed to meet.

Inside, Sparco seats and Simpson five-point harnesses are fitted to keep occupants secured during acceleration. That arrangement makes the Camaro’s intended use easier to read: this isn’t simply a classic coupe with a larger engine for occasional cruising. Its equipment reflects a custom performance build, with the driver’s experience shaped as much by the chassis and restraint hardware as by the V8.

The exhaust is a Hooker Blackheart system, while a 6,000-watt stereo is listed to provide another source of volume. In practice, the ownership trade-off is straightforward. The car offers serious power and a distinctive sound, but buyers should assess whether its build, equipment and driving character suit the roads and use they have in mind. The source description doesn’t provide fuel economy, range, maintenance history or details about how the car behaves in everyday traffic, so those remain questions for the auction listing and inspection.

Price and buyer considerations

Past Mecum results for 1970 Camaros have ranged from the low $30,000s to $275,000, according to the source. That spread reflects how much condition and specification can affect a classic car’s value; it doesn’t establish what this custom will sell for. Its engine, paint and performance equipment make it a distinctive example, but the limited mileage since the build alone doesn’t answer questions about workmanship, upkeep or drivability.

For a buyer, the most useful next step is to examine the auction details closely and confirm the engine displacement discrepancy. The listing should also be checked for build documentation, service records and information on the transmission and chassis components. Those details matter especially on a heavily modified car, where the quality and completeness of the work shape what ownership will involve.

The Camaro crosses the block in Las Vegas on November 14. With just 353 miles recorded since its build and a claimed 850 hp before nitrous, it offers a very different proposition from a stock or carefully restored 1970 RS. The final decision comes down to whether its custom power and hardware are the point—or whether a buyer wants more original character and fewer unknowns.