In 1965, Chevrolet created the Caprice as an Impala variant, primarily to follow a formula it had previously tested in 1958. In those days, the Impala made its debut as a Bel Air variant in an effort to stand out from the crowd. The concept was the same in 1965, the year Impala broke all sales records in the US, and as a result, the Caprice quickly became well-known.
Caprice received series status a year later, so beginning in 1966, Chevrolet sold it separately, despite the two models still sharing the look, many parts, and engines. Caprice ended up cannibalizing the Impala, as sales of its parent series declined in 1966, particularly due to the two models parting ways.
The reason the new moniker was able to establish a strong following in the States is demonstrated by a 1969 Chevy Caprice searching for a collector’s garage. The car is offered in absolutely flawless condition, with no signs of damage and nearly perfect paint. The vendor 4brick did not specify whether this Caprice had previously been restored, but they assert that it is an entirely original, matching-numbers car with every component still in place.
At first glance, the Caprice seems to check all the boxes for a survivor, so chances are it’s an unmolested and unrestored gem whose place should be in someone’s garage. On the other hand, if the car has already been restored, you must check the quality of the job, as an amateurish overhaul would significantly impact the selling price.
The Caprice rolled off the assembly lines with one of the best engines available in 1969 – the 427 TurboJet big-block unit developing 390 horsepower. The owner says only 2,000 Caprices received this engine for the 1969 model year, though I couldn’t find confirmation for these numbers. The engine is paired with an automatic transmission and starts, runs, and drives perfectly.
The cabin is excellent and has no tears or rips. The Caprice was equipped with a wide range of extras, such as a headlamp washer, power windows, a motorized front seat, and a rear window defogger. The car doesn’t need anything to get back on the road because everything is operating.
The engine has 92,000 miles (148,000 km) on the odometer, which could suggest that it has never been rebuilt. The majority of 1969 Impalas I’ve recently seen look absurd in comparison to a Caprice that is almost immaculate, especially considering that those Impalas had severe rust issues, were missing their original engines, and required extensive repair to get back on the road. You can get in the driver’s seat and drive this Caprice home if you’re determined to buy it.