No Reserve: 1972 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe

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.