veryone involved in the performance automotive hobby lives with a level of passion that follows not only each and every build but also the excitement generated in the privilege of ownership. Regardless of whether you’re into factory-perfect restorations, canyon-carving Pro Touring styles, or hard-core motorsports, the adrenalin rush is the common thread that pulls it all together. For Mark Dykeman of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, a lifelong involvement in drag racing has given him the ability to compete nationally while also building rewarding relationships from coast to coast. His latest Chevy, the ’72 Camaro laid out across these pages, personifies a level of performance that bridges the gap between the street and track. As owner of Dykeman Welding and Fabrication, specializing in structural steel and miscellaneous metals, he’s been able to fuse his talents into every build passing through the shop.
Inside, O’Brien installed an American Autowire Classic Update kit followed by filling a factory replacement dash from Classic Industries with Dakota Digital VHX carbon-fiber–faced dials to monitor the vitals. A Forever Sharp Muscle wheel mounts to an ididit tilt column to carve a course while shifts fly through an American Powertrain White Lightning stick complemented by cool breezes from Vintage Air. For comfort, TMI Pro-Classic Universal Sport XR seats in black leather and suede with matching back seat add just the right amount of luxury, especially when matched to black loop carpet, headliner, and seatbelts from Classic Industries. The completed car embodies a perfect combination of performance, stance, and attitude just as Mark had planned, and to us that’s just plain bitchin!
Vehicle: ’72 Chevy Camaro
Type: Chevrolet LT1 V-8
Displacement: 396 ci
Compression: 10.5:1
Bore: 4.030
Stroke: 3.875
Cylinder Heads: AFR 210cc Eliminator, aluminum
Rotating Assembly: Scat forged 4340 steel crank, Scat 4340 forged steel H-beam rods, Mahle forged aluminum pistons
Valvetrain: Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnum, Smith Bros. hardened pushrods
Camshaft: Comp Cams hydraulic roller
Induction: Edelbrock Super Victor intake, Holley Terminator EFI
Ignition: MSD Pro Billet
Exhaust: Lemons Headers, MagnaFlow Street-Series 3-inch stainless exhaust and mufflers
Output: 580 hp
Transmission: American Powertrain TREMEC T56 Magnum speed
Rear Axle: Moser 9-inch, 35-spline axles, 3.90 gears
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
Front Suspension: Heidts Pro-G Tubular upper and lower control arms, 2-inch dropped spindles, 1¼-inch splined sway bar, QA1 single-adjustable coilover shocks
Brakes: Wilwood dual master, 12-inch discs, matching four-piston calipers
Wheels: Factory Z28, 15×7 front, 15×8 rear
Tires: Cooper Cobra Radial GT
Seats: TMI Pro-Classic Universal Sport XR
Upholstery: Black leather and suede
Gauges: Dakota Digital VHX
Steering: Forever Sharp Muscle steering wheel, iddit tilt column
Carpet: Classic Industries, black loop
Shifter: American Powertrain White Lightning
Wiring: American Autowire
Paint: PPG Hugger Orange
Hood: Goodmark steel cowl induction-style
Grille: Stock
Headlights: Diode Dynamics LED
Taillights: Dakota Digital