Chevrolet introduced the Caprice in mid-1965 as a competitive match to Ford’s new LTD. Like the LTD was an extension of the Galaxie 500, the Caprice had the same initial relationship with the Impala. It was popular enough to become a series of its own in 1966, and sales continued to grow year after year. This two-owner ’69 Caprice looks rather tame until you see the “427” insignia on the front fenders, signaling that at least 390 horses live under the hood. Located in Arroyo Grande, California, this combination of luxury and power is available here on craigslist for $17,000 (thanks for the tip, Zappenduster!).
Conceived as a luxury car, we’re betting that most 1969 Caprices came with a 350 cubic inch V8. But because the entire Chevy engine catalog was available, you could opt for a 427 rated at either 390 or 425 hp. Production numbers aren’t available, but they could be as rare as an Impala SS 427 Custom Coupe, which would more or less mirror a Caprice 427. The seller doesn’t show us photos of this beastly engine, so we don’t know which is applicable here, but the lower-rated 390 would be more likely.
We’re told this Chevy has “low original miles,” but the listing says 146,600, which doesn’t exactly sound low to me. No mention is made of any rebuilds of the 427 or the likely TH-400 automatic transmission. We assume the car runs and drives as it should, and the seller doesn’t indicate if anything is needed (for example, the tires are “good”).
The blue paint is original but faded after 56 years. Perhaps it will respond to some wax, but the buyer may want to include new paint in the budget at some point. What we can see of the original matching interior looks pretty good and not in need of any attention. So, you should have a turn-key driver to show off to your muscle car friends. Delivery is available, but the $17k asking price is firm.
This car would have either the LS1 427/335hp, or the L36 427/390hp engine. The L72 was available, but was NEVER in any sales literature, nor was it on the option list. The LS1 and L72 differ in cam, carb, distributor and valve train.
Sorry, I meant to say the LS1 and L36.
Nevertheless, they DO exist. I ordered one @ the Freedom Hill PX in Da Nang, RVN in early ’69. A friend OWNS a 1969 4-speed L72 Bel Air, where my order was for a Biscayne.
The L72 was installed in an estimated 35 -40 caprice / Impala models
This is from an article
In hemming a several years ago
It was typical for Chevrolet in the late 1960s to hide the availability of its hottest V8s. There are no brochure references for the L78 396/375HP in Chevelle, Camaro, or Nova brochures, but the engine was available for customers who knew to ask for it and dealers who knew how to order it. Ditto for the L72 427/425HP (except for 1966) and the Chevelle LS6 454/450HP.
I wonder why the seller did not include a photo of the engine bay, particularly because the big block is the main attraction.
It looks like a very clean, CA black plate car that had an easy life.
Agreed probably worth half if it’s a 350
A real “Hot” rod. No A/C.
Prefer the 68. Styling went off a cliff for 69.
Agreed. 70 is probably my least favorite full size Chevy.
No pictures of the engine is a Craigslist thing.
The only evidence of a 427 is a pic of the emblem, fishy???
1969 was a really good looking year for the Chevy Caprice. You could get fender skirts and hidden headlamps and a fancy Cadillac like interior. It had the all new loop bumper styling too. It was a very good looking car. Modern! It even had hidden wipers! You could still get a whopping big V-8 in it and burn rubber. The roofline on the two-door hardtop was really nice. I loved the rear glass curvature. I don’t know which one I would’ve picked in 1969, a Ford LTD or a Chevy Caprice. The LTD was just as luxurious and had Ford ‘front room’. It was very nice looking too. To have a choice like that today, oh, my! Times have changed. I want to see cars again!
Were those turn signal indicators on the top of the front fenders factory or were they perhaps JC Whitney?
My 60 Cadillac had them built in to the end of a nice long piece of chrome but my grandparents 69 Buick Electra just had them stuck on the end just like the Chevy.
Those fender-mounted escutcheons were fiber optic lamp monitors. Chevelle’s & Stingray’s had this particular option as well, though only the Chevelle had the same chrome mountings. This U46 option cost $26.35 w/18,569 takers.
I’m not sure if you are correct about that. My Cadillacs had that in 1971 but I did not think any other vehicle had them before that. The fiber optics that is.
Total production of L72s in 1969 was 546, @ $447.65 a-pop.
This car looks very well cared for, straight and priced right. It needs a re-paint and a good inspection under the hood and underneath. I know alotta of us love stock, including me, but those bottom of the line hubcaps have to go. A set of 15X8 Chevy rims with no trim ring or center cap painted black with a Chevy dogdish hubcap would fill it out nicely and give a more “I mean business” look. Or the same rims silver with the traditional caps and rings would do as well.
Attached is a pic of the 66 I restored back in 92 with the 8’s.
Nice car but too many assumptions!
another outstanding G/L add chock full of info. this is a cool ride especially pack a 427 and the don’t even show it
Wonder what the passenger side looks like. If you’re asking this kind of $$$. At least pull it forward enough to photo all 6 sides.
Some people’s kids.
Gotta look a little closer – the odometer shows 4610 miles, not 46K, so it’s got 104K miles.
You could play football in the trunk of one of these.
I had a 69 396 Caprice. I’ve owned about 20-30 cars and the Caprice was one of the worst vehicle I ever owned. The car handled like a worn out school bus and rode just about as bad.