454Door: 1972 Chevrolet Impala Four Door Hardtop – Sold?

April 15, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Do the math (or just Google it these days) and you learn that a 454 cubic inch V8 bored thirty-thousandths (0.030) increases the displacement to nearly 461 cubic inches. That’s what the current caretaker did to what we believe is the original engine in this 1972 Chevrolet Impala four-door hardtop “sleeper” originally listed in March 2021 on Craigslist in Seneca Falls, New York with an asking price of $7,400. The Collector Car Market Review indicates the current asking price falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $5,600 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $8,200.

The 1971 redesigned B-body would be the largest car ever offered by Chevrolet. All 1971 Chevrolet engines featured lower compression ratios to permit the use of regular leaded, low lead or unleaded gasoline of at least 91 Research octane per GM corporate mandate in anticipation of the catalytic converters planned for 1975 and later models which necessitated the use of unleaded fuel. A high-performance big-block V8 was available in the form of the Turbo-Jet 454, which produced 365 hp in 1971, but power decreased as the years went along.

The 1972 Impala introduced a lower height grille that extended below the bumper and revised taillights now set in the bumper.  Total Impala production for 1972 ended up at 597,500 units.  For most of the 1972 model year, all Impalas were V-8 powered and came standard with Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The standard Impala engine was now the 165-net 350-cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8 with optional engines including the 170-horsepower, 400-cubic-inch Turbo Fire V-8 (the base Caprice/Kingswood Estate engine), 240-horsepower, 400-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet V-8 (rated at 215 horsepower on station wagons), or the 270-horsepower, 454-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet V-8 such as the engine featured in this car.  The Astro Ventilation system was redesigned for 1972 with the vents relocated from the trunk lid to the doorjambs for improved reliability and efficiency over the troublesome 1971 system that was a major source of complaints from owners to Chevrolet and its dealers.

The Bionic Disco YouTube Channel currently has this ’72 Impala commercial posted:

Most of us have long forgotten how comfortable a big, six-passenger American full-size sedan can be when cruising. The warmed-over 454 in this example increases the fun quotient for you and five of your friends. We like this Impala because it’s a diamond in the rough the appears to be well-sorted mechanically and now just needs a focus on the cosmetics to make it a fine-looking “sleeper.”

Here’s the seller’s one-sentence description:

“Chevy Impala 4dr 454 bored 30over – Listed items that are new, Rear brake cylinders, new rear brake springs, clips, new brake line, drums, shoes. new fuel line, fuel pump, new 600 Edelbrock carb/ electric choke. E-3 plugs, new front wheel bearings, new rotors pads. New master cylinder, brake booster, new vacuum can for stopping at low idle. New Thermostat, Tranny filter, New tires, and Rims 15inch Torker II. some things to do fuel gauge? may need new cable / or plastic gear for tranny. Fuel gauge not working, headliner is up but could be replaced, could use a new dash, front bench driver side could use new covering, not real bad, rear seat still has plastic on the seat, the car runs and drives fine. I had it inspected last year and will do it again soon. It runs great now. I had to have a full Rt knee replacement the end June and am having a hard time doing work on the car, so I am selling it. thanks for looking,”

Restore or Restomod: What would you do with this Impala Hardtop?  Comment below and let us know!