The third generation Chevrolet Caprice Classic was introduced in 1977 as
a lighter and leaner version of the previous full sized Chevy sedan.
The Caprice received two minor restyles during its 13 year lifespan, the
second in 1986 restyled the front for a more aerodynamic look, but
still maintained the boxy goodness that was lost with the 1991
introduction of the 4th generation. Today's example is a later style example and it hides a few wicked tricks under its black coat. Find this 1988 Chevrolet Caprice offered for $4,500 in Napa, CA via craigslist. Tip from Balzac.
This Caprice looks copish with its black steelies with polished hub caps, but don't expect to be able to eat a donut and shoot out tires when you are driving this thing around. You'll need all of your hands (and feet) because the 5.7 liter Chevy LT1 V8 mounted up front is connected to a T-56 6-speed manual gearbox. One terrible picture is all the seller is willing to share, but this thing has serious sleeper potential.
See another 4-door V8 powered sedan with a 6-speed gearbox for cheap? Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com
'88 with a Holley 650 DP? Ain't gonna smog that in California.
ReplyDeleteCalling on our resident photo enhancer(s?) to take a look at the passenger side windshield where it meets the cowl... is that the scarlet letter [number] indicative of a car whose registration has lapsed? If so, that probably lends credence to what MrKwong mentions above.
DeleteThe only way you are gonna get this past the local DMV is if it was a diesel when new....although the Caprice diesel may have been dropped in 1986, so that might not be the case.
Deletenot many pixels to work with - but i'm guessing it's a dash mounted police light
DeleteWhat Caprice diesel? So far as I recall the only B-body that offered a diesel was the Olds 88.
DeleteThe earlier cars were carbureted and you could get almost anything past a smog test in one of those as long as it has an EGR valve and a stock air filter housing on top of the carb. Backfitting an EFI car with a carb is going nowhere unless you've got video of your smog tech sodomizing sheep.
I've never owned one (all my diesel experience has been with Germans), but according to wikipedia, the Caprice was available with an Olds diesel 350 starting with the wagon in 1980 and continuing with the sedan through 1986.
DeleteI'll add that I have some experience with these things, my parents bought one new in '78. They weren't a bad design, but the build quality was interesting, and there was evidence all over the car of dealer touchups of places the factory screwed up.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a bad design, but you could tell looking at the parts that the company had given up on trying to get 'work' out of the plant workforce (in this case, South Gate, California.)
Random trim-screw location, random upholstery stitching, panel shutlines that meandered like the Platte River, paint that peeled off in sheets, etc.
This Caprice is one of my all-time most hated cars. I have no explanation why. I recall once tearing the interior apart on one many years ago for no other purpose than expressing my rage at such a vehicle. I gots problems, I tells ya. Truly a rage against the machine.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was just like the car in Men in Black but that was a Ford. Same premies though. Pretty neat sleeper.
ReplyDeleteSo can anyone tell if it is a 67 or 68 Mustang Convertible in the background?
ReplyDeleteSend it North to Vancouver they just got rid of our AirCare program that inspected cars for clean air compliance... They figure most of the old cars have rusted into a pile and the newer ones with fuel injection are clean burning anyways. I like this old sleeper its not too expensive, the Jimmy Hoffa trunk makes great bass for speakers mounted in the parcel shelf and you could run it until the LT-1 got tired then put in an LS-1.
ReplyDeleteSend it North to Vancouver they just got rid of our AirCare program that inspected cars for clean air compliance... They figure most of the old cars have rusted into a pile and the newer ones with fuel injection are clean burning anyways. I like this old sleeper its not too expensive, the Jimmy Hoffa trunk makes great bass for speakers mounted in the parcel shelf and you could run it until the LT-1 got tired then put in an LS-1.
ReplyDeleteSend it North to Vancouver they just got rid of our AirCare program that inspected cars for clean air compliance... They figure most of the old cars have rusted into a pile and the newer ones with fuel injection are clean burning anyways. I like this old sleeper its not too expensive, the Jimmy Hoffa trunk makes great bass for speakers mounted in the parcel shelf and you could run it until the LT-1 got tired then put in an LS-1.
ReplyDelete