High-powered family wagons are a favorite segment of our favorite muscle cars here at Barn Finds and this 427-powered 1968 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon doesn’t disappoint. The Caprice is a limited production example in that only 200 or so other examples were built the way this one was, complete with a 12-bolt rear end with limited slip and power steering and brakes. The seller reports it is a runner and capable of yard drives but won’t need much more fine-tuning to be a road-going runner. This hot rod family wagon also looks to be largely solid, and it’s always a good sign when a car like this is located in Colorado. Find it here on eBay with bids to $2,650 and the reserve unmet.
The Estate Wagon wears great colors, too, looking like a burnt orange or tan and likely featuring wood paneling at one point in time. It looks like the Caprice was previously repainted, as there appear to be two shades of copper paint on the rear tailgate and edges of the rear quarter panel. The taillights give this wagon a rear-end like few others, and it even retains a roof-mounted rear spoiler. The Caprice is mostly straight up and down the sides, but given the rough condition of the paint, I’d want to inspect the body more closely; still, if it hails from Colorado, there’s likely little in the way of rust to worry about, and big-ticket items like the chrome bumpers appear to be in excellent condition.
When it came to ordering a wagon with the big motor option, you knew you were dealing with an enthusiast who bought the car new. There were a few Dads in every community that likely knew the only path to a family car with some decent snort was through custom ordering an estate wagon like this with the heavy-hitter engine option. Throw in the limited-slip rear and now you’ve got a wagon that will carry the groceries and the kids, and will also be a blast to drive. The engine bay looks very complete and it’s always encouraging to see the original engine block paint still present. The numbers matching 427 is paired to a reliable TH400 automatic transmission.
As far as confirming the production numbers, well – we’ll leave that up to you, readers. But it does seem likely the seller’s claims are true that this Caprice is one of fewer than 200 built with this engine option, and it’s great to see that despite its performance potential, it wasn’t needlessly abused. The interior is in good shape, just showing the typical signs of age (and black upholstery – man, the original purchaser of this Caprice did everything right!), and the fact that it still runs and drives is as good of a sign as any that the wagon was kept up with, especially if the seller is correct that only minor additional sorting is needed. I’m surprised to not see more active bidding on this high horsepower hauler, especially given the Buy-It-Now is $17,500.
Holey-Shamolie – dem’s some BIG side mirrors!
And yes, not much rust to speak of here up in the Mile-High.
Those were a common sight back in the day on any vehicle that did some serious towing. I’m sure that this car was ordered this way for towing capacity.
Based on the mirrors and hitch, this baby was specd to tow a large trailer. Too bad no AC.
Great write up. Hats off to the individuals who originally specified these special cars; whatever they may be. They do leave a legacy. If you have never ordered a vehicle, I suggest that you do someday.
There’s a homeless encampment filled with RVs that look like they’ve had the crap beat out of them. This would fit right in.
I inherited one of these from a sibling who wasn’t inclined to work on his car. No big block, just a 327. It had a bad steering box and required a lot of attention to control the wandering on the highway, but I didn’t care, it was a free car.
It was a solid tank, and one night got rear ended by a drunk doing about 90, who me and my passenger ended up pulling from the burning wreckage of her car. I drove away from it, albeit with some slight damage to the rear.
I know. I hit one!
That’s not a spoiler, it’s an air deflector. Its purpose was ostensibly to blow dust off the back window, but I can’t recall if they actually worked.
Ugly rust bucket for 17 large?
Wow………
Crappy photos of a crappy car.
Exactly. So buy it for a reasonably price, pull that 427, and put it on an engine stand. Find a cheap 327 in the junkyard and put it in the car. Clean it up and sell it. Rebuild that fabulous 427 that in my opinion is probably the highest winding big block GM ever produced with what is arguably the best horsepower to weight ratio big block they ever made, and drop it into anything with a Bowtie on it (Camaro, Vett, Nova, etc). Put a spring-loaded Hurst four-speed or a built 2004R transmission behind it and just hang on!
The lightest highest winding big block ever made is the 1970 455 cu in buick. AKA the hemi killer.
Thanks for the information Michael, I obviously wasn’t aware of that. I think my suggestion of the most cost-effective way to manage the future of the Caprice Estate Wagon is still the best path forward though. Rebuilt properly, that 427 would make a monster out of any lightweight Bowtie car.
Located in:
Grand Junction, Colorado
Ended:
Oct 03, 2021
Current bid:
US $10,688.00
[ 35 bids ]
Reserve price not met