A big block wagon with wood grain and shiny five-spoke wheels would have been the talk of the neighborhood in the ’70s, and this 1968 Chevrolet Caprice Estate in Laramie, Wyoming will draw a crowd at any car show. Originally Ash Gold, the big Chevy got this copper paint in what looks like a two-stage (base coat / clear coat) that’s since begun shedding its clear. The seller lists many new parts and other improvements here on Craigslist where $17,500 brings the running, driving classic home. From the absence of photographs or bragging, we’ll assume a standard grille graces the front and not the awesome optional hidden headlight unit. Thanks to Mike F. for spotting this sweet long-roof.
A claimed original 427 cid (7.0L) big block will draw a crowd whenever you pop the hood. Unlike Ford’s 427 which (aside from limited plebian use) mostly powered Ford’s hottest race cars, Chevy’s 427 propelled not only hot Corvettes but larger vehicles, coming in various flavors to suit boat haulers and speed freaks alike. Like many things that were young in the late ’60s, this claimed original mill blows a puff of smoke occasionally. The sturdy TH400 three-speed automatic transmission enjoyed a recent overhaul, and that aftermarket aluminum radiator should dissipate the heat. The seller provides stamping and body tag pictures but curiously no VIN.
After having its interior removed, the Caprice gained sound-deadening, recovered front and rear seats, and new carpeting. That steering wheel needs some help, though, and we never see the whole dashboard. That might be an air conditioning dash, but no related components are mentioned or shown.
Dual exhaust evacuates combustion byproducts from the mighty 427. Caprice marked the top of Chevrolet’s full-sized lineup, and despite the crank windows, this ride might have been a boss’s car, right at home hauling a foursome to the country club. Chevrolet’s brochures called the Caprice “limousine class.” Thanks to lov2xlr8 for some details. If this popped up on my neighbor’s lawn, my wallet might not resist its gravitational pull. Unless I frequently traveled off road, I’d take this Caprice over any SUV. Would you daily drive this partially refurbished big block wagon?
First thing… get rid of those gawd awful wheels and find some OEM wheels and covers!
Those wheels are fine .stock wheels are BORING!!!
My parents bought a new Caprice wagon in 1967, right after I got my license. It had the 327 rated at 275hp – what a sweet motor! I would take a ’68 Caprice wagon in dark blue (with the hidden headlights) any day over one of the ubiquitous potato blobs. A 427 would be just effing awesome. I agree w/ JDC about the wheels.
Ccrvt, for years I referred to these new cars as looking like turtles, but your new description of ubiquitous potato blobs cracked me up so I’m going with it.
Stock wherls are almost as ugly as those same color wheels HM was so fond of back in the day! I suppose you want the original air put back in the tires too. This is a great day2 car. Lots of cars never made it back home before stoppinh and the tire syore for some nice shiny wheels and bigger rubber!!! You want a boring ride?— buy a used Ugo!!!
The wheels make the car!!
Dumped again. I too like the wheels but the pipes look awful small for a big block. Cleaned up this could be a fun street runner.
This is not an a/c car. There would be the bulge in the middle of the dash. And the dash vents on both sides are the Astro Ventilation although I thought that was available only on Caprice WITHOUT vent windows until ’69. My Dad’s ’68 Impala had vent windows but no Astro Ventilation. So, I’m not sure what’s going on here with the dash.
Lose the wheels for rallys and whitewalls. Fix the exterior, finish the interior and probably repaint back to original colors
Jon, I agree on the non-A/C car. The hoses coming off the front of the block run right over to the heater core connections on the firewall.
ROGER CRVTT, that is real sweetness, My books are printed in Wyoming about a 3.5 hour drive from Parker co. I may just go see it.
I forgot to say to an earlier reply , NO AC bothers me not at all I grew up on a ranch and in 1962 in NAM we had a couple days at 132,…
Thank you for your service donilo.
UGLY to some lovely to me. as a retired navy guy on small pension, and yes I do have 4 books on the market, BUT I love older American wagons.
JOn it was my pleasure, all 43 years. And God kept me alive even through several wounds. Now at 03 I’m looing for my last great car. Selliing my 2012 2 dr 4wd dr pickup. A while back there was a 64 Buick wagon SWELL car, I tied to buy but the owner never contacted me. THat would have been perfect.,
tonio, we just returned from Hawaii. Went for a family matter but we spent a day at Pearl Harbor, a sobering experience to say the least. I have an autobiography by one of the Arizona survivors. Gruesome details. Ugh.
I had a cousin who was in ‘Nam. I registered but was never called.
Take care.
JON, you also saw BB63 BIG MO Battleship. we (UDT team 12) were taken aboard her after being at Inchon removing mines for the invasion. I was the only black UDT member at that time. . Imagine how I felt later when we were placed in chutes and jumped into the revivor battle. HARD TO FORGET, now because my military pension being so small its difficult getting a loan, BUT I will prevail.
Nothing says cool like plain steel wheels and a hunk of stamped stainless steel said no one ever. Leave the current wheels.
PAUL, for me it AINT about cool. For me its sweet muscle. kinda like me HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
In addition to the possible clear coat failing, some of the paint has flaked off above the tailgate trim and the sheet metal has started to succumb to the dreaded “tin worm”. You can’t tell from the pictures how deep the rust goes, but this car needs some help before the rust goes too deep and turns the body into Swiss cheese! There’s lots of potential here, including the potential to turn into a “money pit”! The only way to tell how bad things are is by an up close and personal inspection, including the underside of the car. I’ve seen worse, but this could go off the rails in a hurry.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to like here, but there’s also a lot that can go wrong. I hope whoever buys this car has the money to do a full restoration, as this car deserves one. Strip the body to bare metal, fix any rust found, then repaint it, check the frame for straightness and repaint it after it has been straightened or replaced, do a complete overhaul of the entire drive train, including all of the suspension bits, and put everything back together, then write a check for $50k or more when you’re done!
WOW, some bad news for a guy like me BUT if possible I will go after it. I have built cars before, YES at 93 I cannot any more .But have buddies at church to have the JOY with me.
I talked to the seller. He has 5 original wheels and 4 hub caps (yuck). It is a non AC car with Astro ventilation apparently 4dr sedans and wagons did in fact have vent windows (1 piece side glass not available). He sent over some pictures of the body and I have to say it looks pretty dang solid! He tried to update the listing but it was a nogo. Trying to get some finances in order and I may have to take a trip out west!
Thanks, Chevy guy! Keep us posted if you pull the trigger. Good luck! -Todd
Not a hide a way headlight car. There is not a vacuum resivoir tank and lines for opening and closing the hide a way headlights