Chevy’s Caprice was the company’s top-of-the-line “luxury” car. Plymouth had the Fury III and even more so, the VIP, and some other non-luxury brands that were known for making affordable vehicles were coming out with luxury models. This 40,000-mile 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Sport Sedan is posted here on craigslist in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the seller is asking $23,700! Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P., for the tip!
This is a second-generation Caprice, made from 1970 for the 1971 model year until the end of 1976. They hit the market a couple of years before the gas crisis so after 1973, the race was on to downsize vehicles. Imports were on the rise and the next generation Caprice (and other GM models) would be smaller and lighter, with better MPG yet still having the same or even more interior space. As in architecture, it often takes a few constraints to make a better project, or product in this case.
What a beautiful car! The seller is the son of the original owner, saying that their mother bought this Caprice brand new in 1973. It’s said to be all original other than regular maintenance items and they list it as having only 40,000 miles. That’s an average of 770 miles a year over the last 52 years. In case you were wondering, here’s what the trunk compartment looks like. Is that a bag of tire chains?
Some literature refers to the four-door hardtop Caprice as a Caprice Sport Sedan and the four-door post is a Caprice 4-Door Sedan. This car has a beautiful interior as expected, even on an Arizona car when padded dash tops are often cracked from the heat and there are other issues. The driver’s floor mat looks a little brittle on the edges, and the seller says some door seals have been replaced, I’m assuming this is due to the relentless dry heat, but it looks like a time machine inside and out to me.
The engine is Chevrolet’s 454-cu.in. OHV V8, which in 1973 put out 245 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a three-speed automatic, this one should spin at least one of the rear tires without too much trouble, even though it’s a bit over two tons. It looks super clean under the hood and this whole car looks like a jewel; and at $23,700, it should. Any thoughts on this Caprice Sport Sedan?
Gilbertson well written up. I would love to own this one. Top model. Biggest motor, 2.73 gears, Turbo 400 Hydramatic. Almost 4500 lbs. Heavy Chevy. Awesome car 😎
You’re way too kind, sir, thanks. What a nice car, but that price, dang.
Agreed, Scotty, the car is great but the price is about $10K too much.
Sure would look good in my driveway, though.
I bought a 73 Impala that was a demo with under 10k miles on it. Biggest piece of junk I ever owned. 3 transmissions in 30k, one under warranty. Alternator @ 26k, camshaft and lifters @ 60k. This car looks very good but once bitten twice shy as they say and especially at this price.
The 454 doesn’t know what vehicle that it is installed in. This car shouldn’t be any better or any worse than any other 1973 Chevrolet.
Bought a 73 Caprice Classic from my neighbor back in the 80s and neither he nor I had a lick of trouble with it. It drank a lot of gas though. This one looks like it has more than 40k on it. Nice shape, but the wear is evident.
Absolutely a bag of tire chains. You needed those when you head north out of the Valley heading up to Flagstaff and it’s heavily snowing there. Flagstaff is where the Amtrak Station brings the family out of the Midwest…
The Caprice is sporting Idaho plates, so snow chains make sense. Nice car, just a bit overpriced for a four door.
That is a gorgeous car in exceptional shape with some nice options, especially that 454! A bit pricy, but you never know! I hope it finds a good home!
I think Kramer drove a green one on Seinfeld , his license plate was Assman
My alky uncle owned one of these in the late ’70s. His was same color, 454, black vinyl top. He called it “The Grape” because of the red wine color. First car I ever spun tires in – at his urging and with his blessing as I still had my learner’s permit.
You just know that air conditioning compressor turned by that Rat 454 is ice cold!
Really nice original. But the price reflects some very strong sentimental value on the sellers part. IMO $12k is a realistic price point.
Nice car, but too high priced. being over 1/2 century old. With a HUGE 454 V8 you could not afford to drive it the way they burn gas.