Is it just me, or do you see more 1972 Impala Custom Coupes than you do 1972 Impala Sport Coupes (such as this one)? Production numbers are only broken down into six-cylinders, eight-cylinders, and convertibles, so we may never know, but seeing a solid Sport Coupe is a treat, and this solid Montana Chevy has been in the same family for fifty years.
And that family has driven it extensively, to the tune of 170,000 miles. The seller seems forthcoming regarding the car’s flaws: It needs a windshield, a dashboard, and a rear view mirror at the very least. The ’70s- and ’80s-era aftermarket equipment tells a story of its own about the car and its owners. It has a “first-generation performance computer” that apparently calculated fuel mileage, average speed, and other things that make up a rally driver’s notebook. It has a trailer hitch, air shocks, cruise control, fog lights, and an AM/FM cassette radio.
Clearly, the owners used the Impala for long-distance camping excursions or something like that, and that just sounds like a good time all around.
You may have noticed the “400” badges on the front fender, and in this case, “400” refers to the “Turbo-Fire” small block, which produced 170 horsepower. Also badged as a “400” was the “Turbo-Jet” big block, which was actually a 402; Chevy’s engine labeling was somewhat confusing in the early 1970s. There’s no air conditioning, so your camping trips will be windows-down affairs, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The interior is about what you’d expect from a 52-year-old car: The bench seat has undoubtedly been reupholstered, the steering wheel has that ubiquitous leather cover, and the carpet might be original. The seller says it’s in “good shape for age,” and I’d have to agree.
Yep, that’s a big trunk. You may want to add weatherstripping to your parts list, but the old AAA stickers should stay.
I’m less enthusiastic about the trailer hitch. Although there’s a certain amount of trepidation involved when a car has been used to drag heavy objects, this car looks as if it’s been loved and cared for. But that hitch is ugly – just my opinion.
On the other hand, using an old car to pull a pop-up camper to our great state and national parks might not be a bad way to spend a summer. This Impala is worn-in enough that I, for one, wouldn’t mind some bugs on the (new) windshield. The big Impalas and Caprices of the early 1970s are handsome cars, and the 1972 model is my favorite. Flip a coin between the Sport Coupe and the Custom Coupe, but this one is for sale on eBay with no reserve and a starting bid of $6,000. So far, nobody’s bid, but that seems like a reasonable ask for a car with a story.
I believe this Impala was rated to max tow 5000 lbs. That’s why you call that ball hitch the ‘Shinbuster 5000’…
When I worked in auto parts the way the aftermarket catalogs differentiated between the two engines on models where both engines were offered at the same time was that the small block was listed as a 400 2bbl while the big block was shown as a 400 4bbl.
Steve R
Looks in decent shape for all those miles. Cool Chevrolet.
Our only concern with the hitch (removable) is what it towed, and how far. Hopefully that “towing package” included a trans cooler… without that, beware.
The ’72s were the best. Nice little time machine.
This car appears to have been loved by its owners. I agree that the ‘72s were the nicest of the ‘71-‘76 B-body Chevys. Nice Chevy. Hope it finds a nice new home.
cool ride. you don’t see this style much. shame has no a/c. redo the interior back to factory style upholstery. 400 s/b should have a bit of a punch. we had 72 caprice back in the mid 70s. what good riding comfortable car. with i had the coin i would really like to bid on this.
Why all the concern over the ball hitch if someone buys this car it’s more likely than not that they will overhaul the engine and transmission which would negate my concern.
This is a great deal but the problem is shipping out of Montana. Expensive and forget once winter sets in. I’ve been there done that I had to wait 4 months for my square body pickup to be delivered from Montana and it cost me over $2,000 to ship. GLWS
It’s costs more to ship to and from Montana because that’s not their regular run. It may cost more today depending on who you have transporting you ride.
The eBay auction ended with no bids.
Steve R