We’ve all seen plenty of classic cars where the owner makes some outrageous claim about low mileage, but the claim made about this 1975 Caprice Convertible would appear to be true. The owner states that it has covered a genuine 9,483 miles and that he holds documentation to verify this. If you concentrate purely on the Caprice and ignore everything in the background, it would easy to believe that you have managed to travel back in time to 1975. This car is a spotless survivor, and the time has come for it to head to a new home. If you think that your home might be the right one, then you will find the Caprice located in Sylvania, Ohio, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the 1970s giant has now reached $29,800, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
Some classics are notable because of their understated good looks. The Caprice, on the other hand, is bold and brash, and I actually don’t think that this is a bad thing. It is saved from being gaudy or tacky by the choice of color. Dark Red Metallic is a shade that has a touch of class about it, and when you team that with a white top, the result is quite an attractive vehicle. With such low mileage, it is no surprise to learn that the majority of the paint is original. The exception is the bumper filler panels, which did show some deterioration. This was a common issue, so these have been removed and refinished. The color match is said to be perfect, which is a good thing when you look at the condition of the rest of the exterior. The panels and paint appear to be flawless, while the same could be said for the top. The exterior trim and chrome have a great shine, while the Soft Ray tinted glass seems to be free of any obvious scratches or marks. The owner says that the Caprice is rust-free, and there are certainly no issues visible in the photos.
Lifting the hood reveals more spotless presentation, with the Caprice featuring a 350ci V8, a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, along with power steering and power brakes. It’s worth noting here that this is a car that is most definitely a luxury cruiser. The 350 produces 145hp and has to propel a vehicle that weighs in at a pretty hefty 4,484lbs. Performance is all that you would expect from such a combination, with the Caprice taking a whopping 14.4 seconds to accelerate from 0-60mph. However, what I find quite surprising is the fuel consumption. It isn’t flash, but 11.9mpg as an average is far better than I was actually expecting from this giant. Anyway, this car is in really sound mechanical health. It has just received a new master cylinder, with the whole system being flushed, bled, and adjusted. The radiator has been fitted with a new core, the heater has also received a new core, the wheel bearings have been fitted with new seals and the car rolls on a brand new set of Hankook whitewall tires. The owner says that the Caprice runs and performs faultlessly, with no smoke, leaks, or odd noises.
The red-and-white color scheme continues when you slide behind the wheel of the Chevy. The seats and door trims are white, while all of the remaining interior trim and the carpet is deep red. The first thing that I noticed is that the white vinyl upholstery has avoided the sort of yellowing that can plague trim of this color. The second thing that I noticed is how good the overall condition of the interior is. I struggle to find anything that I can really fault because it does look like it has just rolled off the showroom floor. This is a car that comes fully loaded, which seems so appropriate. As well as air conditioning, the Caprice features power operation for the windows, locks, and trunk. There is also a cruise control, tilt wheel, AM/FM radio with an optional rear speaker, and a remote exterior mirror on the driver’s side.
This 1975 Caprice Convertible is a stunning looking car, and it comes with a significant collection of documentation that verifies its low-mileage claim. Its overall condition is extremely impressive, and the color combination is one of the best that was available in that model year. Bidding on the car has been strong, and even though the reserve hasn’t been met, it is now getting up towards the top-end of normal market valuations at present. It isn’t clear where the reserve has been set, but logic tells me that we must be getting close to the mark. It makes me wonder whether any of our Barn Finds readers are going to be willing to pursue this one further.
Really nice presentation. The issue is what to do with it. It’s definitely wanting to sell for all the money in the Hagerty valuation, and that’s fine. But it’s so tempting to buy and daily drive. Falls in a strange place for a collector.
Parts are readily available. The 400 in my Grandville will do 13 mpg. Its a tough choice. Hope for appreciation, which is likely, or enjoy.
I always thought the wire wheel covers looked odd on these, like a pep boys add on. But they were common.
Marcia Brady did not knock the egg off the cone.
I don’t get it. How could anyone justify 30k for this car? I get it. Low mileage, not another like it but 30k? I purchased the 7900 original mile Formula featured on BF last year and didn’t pay close to that. A true documented mid seventies original paint “muscle car” and a four speed! I wouldn’t have paid 30k for the Formula and certainly not for a luxury cruiser. Can someone explain this to me
2 ebay bidders must really want it. I just hope one is not a shill bidder. Either way reserve isn’t met. I’m amazed it’s bid so high already.
Just goes to show everyone that there is an a$$ for every seat. Somewhere out there is a buyer that went to their prom or got lucky in the back seat and wants to recapture that. As people age there seems to be a trend that is toggling the value of the mid to late seventies cars. I suspect this will continue in to the Monte Carlo SS range as the IROC Camaros are now picking up. Seems like the Tri Fives have plateaued, late sixties cars are no longer affordable and non-badged GM cars (Skylarks, Chevelles, Lemans) are getting out of reach. The passing of Burt Reynolds bolstered the TA’s and the fever of Mecum and BJ seems to be hitting high benchmarks on many models we all once considered a value buy.
What in your eyes is affordable (and desirable) these days?
Really nice car. If one doesn’t want keep it a pure show car, maybe driving it a few hundred miles per year to local events would be okay.
In hindsight, what is interesting to me is that a full-size convertible was even in a model line-up by the mid-70’s. The 60’s, sure; but by the 70’s, things had changed.
GM’s whole cohort of “Last Convertibles” of ’75 (and ’76 Caddy) are relatively common to find in this shape, there was so much buzz about them when they were new that a significant number were bought and put into storage immediately.
I’ve been watching the scissor top cars since I bought mine in 1989. These were expensive cars in the day. If you plug $6000 into an inflation calculator it’s around $29k in today’s dollars. So, the people who bought them generally had some money to keep them in a garage and take care of them. And let’s face it, they weren’t really young people cars. So low mileage is common.
In regard to the overall value, I would opine it’s hard to find a six seater convertible for 30k today. Even a six cylinder mustang convertible is 30+. So for the right buyer, maybe these numbers aren’t over the top. I’ll definitely be watching this to see what happens.
My recollection exactly, nlpnt. I remember discussions amongst gearheads in this period that everybody should buy these last full size American convertibles because they would never be made again. Mothball ’em for decades as an investment. I even have a book from 1975-76 that focused on dying US production ragtops. Funny, it took about 5 years and we had factory convertibles again, albeit downsized luxury cars. (Chrysler Lebaron)
Take it out, drop the top and do a little cruising, maybe stop for some ice cream before you go home. Good looking car, hope it finds a good home.
Beautiful car for sure, but those particular wire hubcaps are “not” original for 1975. These type were not available until late 70’s thru mid 80’s for caprice, impala, el camino,etc. Also, most caprice’s from 1973-1975 had a “400” engine, or a “454”. This one is even more rare with the “350” drivetrain.
Those are not 75 wheel covers. I was asst service manager at a Chevy dealer then. Our boss had a red one with vanity tag LASTYR. Great cruiser. I drove it several times. It had a 350 4V carb. He had the car several years. But like any GM junk made then, it leaked water. We undercoated the car. $29,000. No thanks. $15,000 tops. Gas hog.
Nice unit. 350 2 bbl not that desirable a power train.
I have Moms 76 Caprice Classic Landau coupe, 400 – 4 bbl. Antique white and black interior. I have not been able to get 10 grand for. Converts always more in demand.
I’d like to see that car you are talking about!!!!
I think it’s at the top of the range. I’ve seen several ultra-low mileage Caprice Converts sell in the $25k range. Great color combo. But the base engine. Mine was a 454 4bbl w/posi and a TH400 w/17K miles on it. If it had a big block, I’d be a bidder, but not w/a 350 2bbl TH350 and those terrible 2:73 open rear ends.
What is an Open Rear end ? 😁🤣😂
as a very positive comment you really do not understand automobiles and the great years of the 60’s and 70’s and your close minded.