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American In Quimper! Big Block 1972 Chevrolet Caprice

UPDATE – We just heard from the seller and this beauty has sold! Hopefully, the new owner will send us photos of it once it arrives at its new home.

FROM 4/21/2020 – Dedicated fans of big American cars populate nearly the entire planet, and France is no exception! This immaculate 1972 Chevrolet Caprice Sport Coupe in Quimper, France is guaranteed to turn heads in l’Hexagone or anywhere in Europe. With gas prices approaching $5.50 USD it’s no wonder this sharp Chevy comes to market right here on barnfinds.com. For new car shoppers in France, this big coupe’s asking price of $31,000 EUR, about $33,700 USD, buys nothing nearly as grand.

Fully loaded with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, and more, this Caprice offers more room than the average European limousine, a word derived from a French shepherd’s garment that shrouded and protected its owner. The brocade cloth seats and two-tone interior elevate the air of luxury in this full-size six-seater.

A 402 cid (6.6L) big block wants for nothing. An evolution of the famed “396,” the 402 lost some power by 1972, but clearly this suave coupe tends more toward stately elegant motoring than the frenetic Stoplight Gran Prix. For optimal contrast at your favorite continental car show, park next to an elegantly-engineered and quintessentially French Citroën 2CV! What better vehicle than a Chevrolet Caprice Coupe to represent big American iron in France? After all, the French-named and Swiss-born Louis Chevrolet emigrated to French Canada before coming to America to work for French de Dion-Bouton. Louis later built what some hold as the most American of car companies, Chevrolet. What better tribute to our immigrant past? Furthermore “Caprice” is the French version of Italy’s capriccio, suggesting whim or fancy, and “coupe” comes from the French word for a horse-drawn carriage made for two passengers. Whether these connections translate into a quick and patriotic sale remains to be seen.

As you might surmise, this picture confirms the complete nature this car’s virtual perfection. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Chevy’s spare tire is the same circumference as a 2CV’s turning radius! Though Quimper lies some six hours from Paris, I can’t help picturing the shiny Sport Coupe posing in the foreground of famous sites in the City of Light. Perhaps the perfect buyer is an American in Paris, though I rather like the idea of a French owner randomly adoring the big Chevy. Either way, no French citizen will struggle pronouncing the name. Where have you unexpectedly seen a big American car?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike D

    That’s a really nice car, but $33 grand? I don’t think so.

    Like 32
  2. Avatar Dave

    I was working at the nuclear power plant in Krsko, Slovenia in August 1983 and was surprised to see a 1967 Impala parked in front of the local grocery store.

    Like 25
    • Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

      I was coming out of St. Michael’s church in Hamburg, Germany, and across the the street was a dead-perfect orange 1972 C-10. Totally out of place, but it was fun to see.

      Like 8
  3. Avatar George Mattar

    Like the first guy said, beautiful. But $33,000. Watching too much Barrett Jackson. Even with gas here under $2, these engines consume gallons of it. I had a 454 Corvette. 10 mpg at best.

    Like 22
  4. Avatar mike b

    Makes sense for it to be there. Wasn’t this the ad campaign era of “Coupe” (pronouncing it coo-pay)?

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Ralph

    My friend sent me a photo of one of these, except it was a red and white convertible park on a street in Rome….

    Like 6
  6. Avatar OIL SLICK

    I’m having bad flashbacks. I was handed down a 74 Caprice with the white seats. That car was the biggest pig on the planet, not to mention that i could put my fist thru the 1/4 panels where the vinyl roof met the rust. What a junker.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Terrance

      Always nice to read such an uplifting story! Thank you, no really, thank you.

      Like 14
  7. Avatar TJ Smallwood

    Being someone who has actually recently driven the quaint, cobblestone roads of Quimper in the Brittany region of France…there’s NO WAY in hell I would buy it if I lived there. Many of the roads are modern and two way, but some are still two way, but scarcely one car wide!

    I drove a very nice, small 4 door Citroen C4 Picasso and it was WAY too big on many of the roadways. It barely fit (3 inch margin of error) through the security gate at the hotel and I can assure you that this Caprice would NEVER fit.

    I daresay that people WOULD quickly give way to this beast in the numerous roundabouts though…so it’s got THAT going for it. The price? Not so much, but I will pass it along to my friends there just in case one of them is crazy enough to buy it! If you go to Quimper, visit the Creperies, the crepes there are amazing and the Cathedral of St. Coretin is beautiful. I love that little town at the end of the TGV trail.

    Like 17
    • Avatar yann

      Hi TJ Smallwood, thank’s for your comment. I’m glad that Quimper is pleasant for you. West of France (Bretagne) is a beautiful country; The roads are small, but in this country, the highways are free and allow cruising with Full size.

      Like 2
  8. Avatar alphasud Member

    I think the value of this vehicle is higher in Europe than America. It’s more rare and the fact that it’s on their side of the pond is a big plus.

    Like 12
    • Avatar bone

      Cars in Europe go for more money than they do over here . When I was in Scotland I was amazed at new and used car prices – and gas was nearly $4.00 a gallon too . Incidentally , there was a guy down the road from where I was staying that owned a early ’70s Lincoln Continental ,and drove it frequently. I couldn’t figure out how he got that large car around town on those narrow Scottish roads !

      Like 4
  9. Avatar Farhvergnugen Member

    A tasty piece, Chevrolet Carpaccio, avec cappuccino. Gives Reenohs the runs, or Poojoes the powders, or Sitrohn’s the shivers.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar local_sheriff

    It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see US cars pop up for sale in Europe now and then though France doesn’t exactly have the biggest US car following.

    What many people don’t know is that Chevy fullsize, Chevelles and Camaros where built out of CKD kits at GM’s Antwerp(Belgium) and Biel(Switzerland) facilities. I may think ’68 was the last year, succeeding years where imported. While these cars usually came equipped with few options one could spec a new car with an option not available in the US – sliding steel sunroof

    Like 5
  11. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Gas is down to 89c a gallon in places in Wisconsin, which would be 10c a gallon in the 60’s!

    Like 5
    • Avatar Stevieg

      I live in Milwaukee and the cheapest gas price I have seen is $1.05 a gallon. I keep hearing on this site about gasoline at less than a dollar, but I haven’t seen it.

      Like 1
      • Avatar JoeNYWF64

        As of 4/24 @ 1:17am, make that 75c a gallon!!
        http://www.wisconsingasprices.com/

        Like 2
      • Avatar Stevieg

        Thanks for the link Joenywf64. I wish I lived somewhere bear those places lol. At least I don’t live in Hudson!
        Where do you live, that you are following Wisconsins gas prices? I always assumed by your screen name here that you are in New York.

        Like 0
      • Avatar JoeNYWF64

        Stevieg, I’m in the New York area – have moved several times.
        I saw a news article about low gas prices in Milwaukee, so i naturally looked at the wisconsingasprices site. Theres one or more webpage for every state. NY also has Rochestergasprices, etc. Calif has Losangelesgasprices, etc.
        In wisconsingasprices, there are search options to search for gas in your zip code (or city&/or multiple nearby cities – click “search options”). Sometimes tho the prices could be outdated.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Stevieg

        Cool. I km new there were places on the internet to find that, I just never knew where. Thank you for the tip Joe!
        Have a great day & stay healthy!

        Like 0
  12. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    These look great with the fender skirts.

    Like 10
  13. Avatar bjames

    Very cool to see an Ohio Vehicle Inspection sticker on the windshield.(Via YouTube video)

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Bill Pressler

    The wire wheelcovers were first introduced on full-size Chevrolets in the ’73 model year; the Corvette-style spoke-type wheelcovers were optional in ’72. That said, this is a beautiful car. I always liked Golden Brown that year, and it lacks the optional body side molding which always looked too close to the sill molding to my eyes. Beautiful interior too.

    Like 3
  15. Avatar Tort Member

    Traded my 70 Chevelle in on a 72 Caprice that was sitting on the showroom floor with a window sticker of a few dollars over five grand. The worst new car I ever bought. Always been a GM guy but that was junk.

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Percy Hawkins

    The backseat floorboards rust out pretty quick on that model and the carpet hides it pretty good. Pays to do a little knocking.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar pugsy

    Phenomenal!

    Amazing to see one in such pristine condition.
    Good luck to the owner on his sale.
    And congrats to the lucky guy/gal that buys it.
    A great car to go out to the local cruise night.

    Like 4
  18. Avatar BB

    Beautiful car, the 72 Caprices were my favourite and to own this one would be awesome but sadly po folks here. Love how original it is down to the dual white stripe bias ply tires, I beleive the low mileage stated on this one.

    Like 5
  19. Avatar yann

    Hi Bill Pressler, thank’s for your comment. On my 1972 dealer accessories catalog, wire hubcaps are available. (PO2/N95 Wire wheel cover rpo code).

    Like 1
  20. Avatar CJF

    $33K and then have to import the Chevy from France! Worth probably $15-&18K here in the states. So will El Paso!

    Like 2
    • Avatar yann

      hi CJF, 2nd generation caprice are rare with big block, even in the USA. For this low miles survivor car, with special order equipment (U46 lamp monitoring) I think the US market value is 23/25 k$.

      Like 1
  21. Avatar yann

    Paul, Yes, this car is for sale.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    This car (in 4-door version) was my driver’s Ed car in high school. I could parallel park this boat with my eyes closed. Mr. Bill Hill was my our instructor, and he was great. Thanks to Mr. Hill for making me the best driver on the planet, that’s a fact Jack!

    Like 3
  23. Avatar Raymond L Saunders

    Own a 73 caprice convt….don’t knock em….

    Like 1
  24. Avatar Karl

    Wow, the car looks truly immaculate from under the hood to the truck there was a whole lot of work put into this car!
    The price is more than my desire to own one but whoever comes up with the cash looks to be getting a pretty darned nice example!

    Like 0
  25. Avatar Tarzan1153

    Thank you Local Sheriff for the info on Camaros built abroad. I remember being in Madrid in the late 60’s as a kid and seeing a 67 Camaro driving next to the taxi my family was in. Thought the guy had it imported from the States.

    Like 0
  26. Avatar p

    My first car.
    Bought it for 400. Sold it for $60 to a junk man.
    They say life shouldn’t have regrets.
    This is an exception.
    I miss that car.

    Like 1
  27. Avatar Edward

    I may have seen pics of this Caprice years ago. Did it have the police cruiser option speedometer that read I think 140mph? If it did, the interior was impeccable. The white brocade/pillowed upholstery was super clean. It had one of those chrome award badges on the grille. Beautiful.

    Like 0

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