While some enthusiasts focus on high-performance models, Pickups, or exotics, others prefer to live life at a more sedate pace. Nothing ticks the boxes for them more effectively than an unmolested classic offering a wealth of luxury touches. That may explain why this 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham has garnered so much interest. It isn’t perfect, but it is a genuine survivor that can be enjoyed immediately. The seller has listed the Caprice here on eBay in Butte, Montana. Bidding sits below the reserve at $6,100, with time remaining on the auction.
Chevrolet introduced its Third Generation Caprice in 1977, with the range receiving a mild update in 1980 and a more significant one in 1986. The company aimed to improve performance and economy by focusing on weight reduction and aerodynamic efficiency. Our feature Caprice Classic benefited from this new approach when it rolled off the line in 1988, and its presentation is above average for an unrestored classic of this vintage. The original owner ordered it in classy Dark Maroon with a matching Landau-style vinyl top. The paint doesn’t hold a mirror shine, but it still effectively reflects its surroundings, and the overall condition is very acceptable for buyers seeking a driver-grade vehicle they can enjoy immediately. The vinyl is free from deterioration and distress, and the panels show no signs of damage or rust. The seller indicates the Caprice is rock-solid, with no history of repairs or restoration. The chrome sparkles beautifully, and the car rolls on its original steel wheels, with wire hubcaps and narrow whitewalls.
Buyers ordering a 1988 Caprice could specify a 4.3-liter V6 or a 5.0-liter V8 to power their new purchase. This car’s original owner selected the larger engine, with its 170hp and 250 ft/lbs of torque feeding to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The overall length of 17′ means the Brougham is not the smallest car on the planet. However, Chevrolet’s weight loss approach means its curb weight of 3,699 lbs is surprisingly low. That combination means the Caprice provides relatively lively performance and can return consumption figures better than 20mpg when cruising on the open road at freeway speed. The seller indicates the odometer has just rolled over, meaning this beauty has 100,603 miles on the clock. The tires are in as-new condition, and the Brougham runs and drives perfectly. This classic is ready to provide its new owner with immediate enjoyment.
Identifying a standout feature with this Caprice is challenging, but the interior might hit a home run. The rich Burgundy velour trim is in exceptional condition for its age. There is no significant wear, marks, or other physical damage. The plastic is excellent, the carpet exhibits little visible wear, and the faux woodgrain hasn’t faded or lifted. I spotted a cover on the dash, and I hope it is for protection rather than hiding a problem. There are no aftermarket additions, and the interior is well-equipped for a car from this era. The buyer receives ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, remote exterior mirrors, cruise control, an AM/FM radio/cassette player, and a power antenna.
Buyer tastes have evolved in the past decade, and SUVs have usurped the sedans that once dominated showroom floors. The situation may change, but the cycle life of most models means it may take many years to happen…if it does at all. That leaves it to classics like this 1988 Caprice Classic Brougham to carry the torch, and it does so well. It has attracted thirty-five bids, indicating there are people who like what they see. It won’t appeal to everyone, but do you like it enough to pursue it further?
As a child born in 1976 who started paying attention to cars in the mid 80s this is my absolute dream car. Oh why oh why am I always broke I must have this.
I hear ya. Money is tough these days, and not for lack of effort either. Adjusted for inflation, everything cost us 3000% more than it did folks at the height of the great depression. This is a topic not enough people are talking about. I bought a beautiful 85 Caprice 2dr off a buddy of mine @2000. Def a highway star. I top it off down here in Naples, and glide into Tallahassee with an eighth of a tank still! I’ve owned a ton of cars, trucks, and a van, and none of them can do what that Caprice did. I really miss that car.
Adjusted for inflation, what do all the CURRENT ugly 4 door only all lookalike ugly appliances cost?! Have you been to a dealer recently?
& forget about ordering exactly what you want, let alone an all blue interior, for example.
As long as you bought something no later than ’74, the price was reasonable, except maybe the cost for a/c & radio. You could get a ’74 T/A(radio was not standard!) for $4300 new! & a formula for even less(w/o the t/a’s std p/b & p/s).
The full name of this model is Caprice Classic Brougham LS. The primary feature of the LS package was the padded landau roof, which covered a fiberglass cap that provided a more formal roofline than the Brougham.
Good info CC. Id outfit this with every 9C1 police pkg part i could, and keep the wire wheels.
Beautiful car but that is the worst dealer decal I’ve ever seen.
Sadly, the front seat is badly worn. Certainly repairable if what’s needed can be found. These were very comfortable cars new. I love them, hopefully it finds a good home.
The Caprice/88/Lesabre/Parisianne of this era is probably the best overall car GM ever built, and I’d compare it favorably to just about any other car of that era…
These were some of the best made cars of my lifetime. (64 years)
Love it and at just 100k there are many more miles to go. I bought a Brougham version in yellow beige in 1999 with 87k on it. Now at 260k, one repaint and an ac overhaul, my car has given me NO problems. Comfortable, you bet. reliable, unequivocally. A GTO, I put Gas in it, buy Tires, and change the Oil. This will make someone a great car. I just hope it doesn’t end up purple with orange bucket seats and a trunk full of speakers. I would shred mine before I would subject her to that.
I like it 7500 is the most anybody should go
These were great cars, a favorite of law enforcement and of fleets.
This is a nice example, and wouldn’t need much to go the next level.
I SO want another one of these. Had an ’89 9C1 that was an awesome ride.
My dad had a 89. Just like this only black with Grey interior he loved that car. Never drove it in the winter in PA kept it in the garage. Beautiful ride. After he passed it ended up sitting outdoors unused at a relatives. It went downhill and ended up being junked. I lived out of state glad I didn’t see the car in the end. Miss the car and dad good memories
I hate when people do that to a nice car. Find a place for it, or sell it. The man paid a lot of money for that car and went to great lengths to care for it, and people don’t think about how he wouldn’t want that for his car. Maybe not your dad specifically, but people in general.
Great cars but choice of two engines. Anemic and really anemic. Don’t try to pass a string of cars, at 70 mph the air hitting that block front end overpowers a 305.
Not a really powerful engine, the 305.. but the one in my 87 Elky has enough power to pull a 16′ flatbed loaded with wood and scoot along all day at 75 mph. Never had any problems with not being able to pass.
The car now has 755k miles on it and still has the original timing chain. I’ve only replaced the carb twice.. fuel pump twice.. water pump once and 2 200-4r transmissions. Also.. NEVER EVER buy a Monster Transmission.. nothing but junk and zero help when they break.
I still get 24 mpg and just took a trip from Houston to Williston, N.D. for work. After 36 yrs its still my go to car.
What qualifies as a junk transmission? My 700R4 in my 85 Caprice was great, but the most durable trans I liked was my turbo 400 which came in my 77 Gran Prix (which my late wife totalled), but shoehorned the drivetrain into a 80 El Camino SS. It screamed in that car. 👍
I’d love this my dad drove a used 84 Caprice Classic for about 6.5 years when I was growing up when it’s original owner downsized to a Honda Accord. the Classic must’ve Downsized again for the 5th Gen as it had for the 1977 model year. that first downsizing of Chevy’s full size Lineup helped the Impala/Caprice be the best selling car for 1977-1979 Averaging 288,000 models of each per year. though the Impala is the best selling Chevy nameplate ever selling more than 16 million units believe Caprice is 2nd selling around 9 million units between 1965-1996
Youngsters today having never ridden in a car like that don’t know what a comfortable ride is
I had a 86 one of the best cars i ever owned !
These are a hot commodity in some places… guys are buying them and fully customizing them to the max, including LS6 engine swaps! Check out BigBox Chevy Movement on FaceBook…
Love these cars, but where I live it’s mostly seen in the hood..lol
25″ wire wheels.
As an owner of a 77’and 79′ I’d love to own this but 1. Its too far away and 2. The price has to be haggled down