1972 Chevrolet Impala - Babies Love Their Mothers

My affection for these cars has more to do with my liking what was new when I was a child as opposed to appreciating the cars for themselves. Not unlike a child loving their mother regardless of whether their mother is Mother Theresa or The Bride of Frankenstein; whomever that person is is going to be adored.

Most "car people" don't share my appreciation for these massive automobiles. Those of us who do love them for what they are are a small lot as opposed to the masses who believe the 1957 Chevrolet,  the most beautiful or coolest car ever made. Sorry. I think the 1957 Plymouth was a better looking 1957 Chevy than the Chevy was. And the 1972 Impala, as big and overwrought as it was, was the better looking car as well. Love is blind and most importantly has no reason.

 

There are more affecionados of this '68 that came before these 1971 vintage dreadnaughts. Remarkably, this '68 is but an inch and half shorter than our '72.   

 

 

The '72's smaller "shoulders" on the rear flanks lending the eye to tell the brain that the car is larger than the car it replaced. While it is a bit larger, it is no where near as large as it would appear to be. 

 

 

I've yet to find any evidence that there was any point to the '72's bulk; its cautious, evolutionary styling further suggesting a car that soldiered along with very little attention to purpose or concept. If you've spent any time behind the wheel of one of these you know that these things are quite the handful in anything more than being driven in a straight line as well. Then again, most if not all cars of this vintage were pondering oafs as well. The big GM's actually better than similar sized fairings from Chrysler and Ford. As big as this car is, starting in 1973 it got bigger. Government mandated safety bumpers pushed the front end out an additional five inches. Another five inches got tacked on in 1974 when the rear safety bumper was bolted on.

 

 

If you share in my appreciation of these cars and this one in particular let me know. While ambitiously priced at $8,000, I'm sure you could talk the owner down to a more reasonable six grand or so. The color doesn't help the value of this thing either but if you're looking for an old ride at a reasonable cost, you could do a lot worse. The owner claims 37,000 miles on her for what that's worth. Car is located in Pittsburgh.