Caprice was born as an Impala version in 1965, specifically supposed to follow a recipe that Chevrolet previously tested in 1958.
Back then, the Impala debuted as a Bel Air version, using an established nameplate to make itself noticed. The idea was the same in 1965, the year when Impala smashed all sales records in the United States, so the Caprice rapidly gained everybody’s attention.
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.
A 1969 Chevy Caprice looking for a collector’s garage shows why the new nameplate managed to build a solid fan base in the States.
The car comes in almost impeccable condition, exhibiting no rust issues and nearly spotless paint. eBay seller 4brick did not reveal if this Caprice has previously been restored, but they claim the vehicle is an all-original matching-numbers car that still has everything 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 fantastic, showing no rips or tears. The Caprice left the factory with many options, including a rear window defogger, power windows, a power front seat, adjustable tilt steering, and a headlight washer. Everything is working, so the car needs nothing to return to the road.
The odometer indicates 92,000 miles (148,000 km), which could be a sign that the engine has never been rebuilt.
The selling price is unsurprising, as the owner hopes to get $30K for the car. A Caprice in nearly spotless condition makes most 1969 Impalas I’ve seen lately look ridiculous, especially because they exhibited heavy rust problems, lacked the original engines, and needed a lot of work to return to the road. This Caprice needs nothing, so you can jump behind the wheel and drive it home if you’re committed to a purchase.
You can find the Caprice in Boise, Idaho, if you believe an in-person inspection is required before taking it home.