GM downsized its full-size cars in 1977 to be more fuel efficient by way of lower weight and smaller engines. This generation (1977 to 1991) of the Chevy Caprice would remain popular, including the Estate Wagon, which was akin to the Buick Estate Wagon, Olds Custom Cruiser, and Pontiac Safari. The seller’s 1986 Caprice Estate Wagon looks to be a nice survivor, and its mileage may be as little as 28,000, but since a dealer is involved, no history is divulged. Located in Grapevine, Texas, this eight-passenger transport is available here on eBay. $5,600 is the top bid so far, but there’s a reserve still in play.

1980s Caprices were 300 lbs. lighter than those of a decade earlier. That meant that a 305 cubic inch V8 engine could get the job done (but barely). The ’86 Caprice Estate Wagon, when fully loaded, wasn’t going to get the rear tires chirping or beat a compact in the quarter mile. 2.9 million Caprices were built from ’77 to ’91 and 45,000 were Estate Wagons like this one in ‘86. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive was in play because gas mileage on the highway had become the order of business.

If you cut through the dealer’s sale hype for this wagon, you’ll find that the vehicle is as well-equipped as you would expect. That includes factory air conditioning, wire wheel covers, AM/FM radio for cruising tunes, power steering and brakes, electric windows, and radial tires (age or tread life not mentioned). Since it’s a three-seat wagon, you can put two of your more rambunctious kids in the third seat which faces to the rear.

After 1985, the Impala name was retired (temporarily), so your choices were either the Caprice or Caprice Classic (the Estate Wagon was part of the latter). This survivor-quality wagon was how people hauled the tribe before SUVs, Crossovers, and so forth began to take charge. If you have room in your garage for this still-large vehicle, does an Estate Wagon scratch an itch you may have?