The year 1975 was a transitional one for many automobile manufacturers. Getting serious about emission control and getting the lead out brought about the introduction of catalytic converters across many automotive brands for the first time. The muscle car was truly dead with the demise of the Plymouth ‘Cuda, Dodge Challenger, Camaro Z28, Pontiac GTO and SD equipped Pontiac Firebird the preceding year. Corporate Average Fuel Economy or “CAFE” standards were voted in by the U.S. Congress and horsepower ratings had hit a nadir, most notable when compared to the penultimate ratings of just five years earlier. Hardtops and convertibles were on the way out in ’75, a few still existed but worries about roll-over standards were slowly squashing the open, breezy, and the seemingly unlimited visibility advantage of a “B” pillarless two or four-door model. At GM, things were still large and in charge, as the enlarged, full-size “B” bodies, introduced in model year ’71, were still the mainstay but sales were adversely affected by a lingering hangover from the previous year’s recession. One model that continued to sell well for GM’s Chevrolet division was the top drawer Caprice. And it just so happens, a 1975 Caprice Coupe has turned up for review. It is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and is available, here on eBay, for a current bid of $7,900, no reserve and one day to go in the bidding action.
By 1975, the Caprice had lost its true two-door hardtop though the four-door version, along with a convertible, was still offered. The two-door was really a sedan with a B-pillar with frameless-window equipped doors. Introduced the previous year, it was the sole two-door, steel roofed model for the ’75 Caprice (Impala still had a true two-door hardtop in the line up) and it was referred to as the Caprice Classic Coupe.
The seller refers to this example has having 60K miles, so we’ll go with that as the actual mileage or the kilometer equivalent. This Chevy’s Silver Blue finish, which seems like it adorned half of its total Chevrolet production in the mid-’70s still presents itself extremely well, especially considering that it is 45 years old. The same goes for the vinyl top, it’s actually so nice that it looks like it’s a replacement. The “big” chevy “B” bodies, produced between 1971 and 1976 did a much better job in the corrosion resistance department than their predecessors. Sure, given the right conditions, they’ll rust, but there is no sign of that problem with this example.
Under the hood is Chevrolet’s Mark IV, 454 CI, big-block V8 engine. By ’75, it was down to 215 net HP and a shadow of the performer that it had once been. It was in pretty solid company though as all domestic manufacturers were facing the same tough issues of reducing harmful exhaust emissions while trying to improve fuel economy. The seller mentions an extensive list of improvements that have been bestowed on this big Chevy and its engine, including: a new starter, new alternator, new radiator, all new belts, new hoses, rebuilt transmission, replacement of most brake system components and driveline components, much of the steering, best of all a new “higher energy camshaft and lifters for increased power” rebuilt cylinder heads, a new water pump, a rebuilt carburetor, a rebuilt distributor, refurbished air conditioning system and all new fluids, filters, etc. Do you think he missed anything? It’s practically a new car! The rebuilt transmission referenced would be a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic unit, always nice to find. The seller adds, “I feel it’s almost needless to say but, for posterity sake, I will…. The car runs, drives, and performs excellent (sic).” Of note, the EGR valve has been removed though being a ’75 model should make this Caprice emission testing exempt. And that “454” air cleaner sticker is an add on, Chevrolet stopped using engine size decals in 1971 and the sticker in place is the one-year-only version from ’70.
The living room-sized interior continues the very clean exterior vibe. The driver’s seating position is showing a bit of typical wear but the rest of the interior belies the age and mileage of this Caprice. Of note, is the “Comfortron” HVAC, automatic system. Talk about a hair puller! I owned an Impala with this system and it has about a mile of vacuum tubing connecting it all together. It’s a basic R12 system but trying to find someone who understands how it works, coupled with its unique parts, is more of a challenge than most would want to endure. Also new for ’75 was the “Fuel Economy” gauge, located right of the speedometer. It’s nothing more than a vacuum gauge and had been prominently featured as an option in ’65 and ’66 full-size cars. The only difference is that back then it was just called a “vacuum” gauge.
The listing is a collection of curious assemblages, such as the seller exclaims, “PLEASE, don’t ask me where the car is located. It’s in Calgary, Alberta.” So much for subtleties. He also estimates a price to ship the vehicle to Florida; why does everyone think everything wants to find its way to Florida? Yes, I’m nitpicking. There is some important information rendered in the listing, however, about U.S./Canada border crossing during the pandemic, and I did find that to be newsworthy.
This is is a whammer jammer of ’70s Detroit Iron. It’s in great shape and has had a tremendous amount of work and expense leveled at it. Considering this is a no reserve auction, and there’s only a day to go, someone is going to get a pretty good deal, don’t you think?
Cool car but be careful and take what the seller says with a few grains of salt.
Amen. Jay Leno…..what? Ok, have gone through the brake system but apparently did not touch the booster or the master cylinder, how about detailing them so they don’t look terrible?
Selective painting under the hood = bad….spend some time and money and detail it correctly.
Put some wheels on it that make it interesting. I know “no armor all” on the tires = dirty ugly tires on bad steel wheels and hub caps shouts “I’m ugly, don’t buy me”.
I love steel wheels and hub caps on a total sleeper like a BB muscle car (Ford, Chevy, Dodge….any really) from the late 60’s that had some kick ass HP but the car did not look like it…..that is COOL. I bought a 67 442 ordered in 67 as a 442 with steel wheels and hub caps = cool. This, = not cool.
1975 and 1976 were funny years for full size Chevys. The 75 Impala looked like the 74 Caprice and the 76 Impala looked like the 75 Caprice, where the 76 Caprice developed a slightly new look. This was also the final step at making cars use unleaded fuel which they were slowly working towards since 71.
That’s a lot of car you’re getting for $7900. Some ‘70-ish Rally wheels and white letter tires would do a lot of good. It’s as unmolested as they come, too. Nice buy :)
I know the horse power ratings had dropped by 1975 however it would not take much to wake up this motor from that era!! Big luxurious car that would be great for a long road trip for a family of five!! Great find!!
Had this setup in a wagon. Would pull anything you put behind it. Just couldn’t pass a gas pump. 4mpg city 7 on the highway until you hooked a trailer to i then god help you.
This Caprice SCREAMS for a set of white wall tires! 70’s luxury cars were designed with a look that included WW tires; blackwalls just don’t mix with the “upscale” look. GLWTA! :-)
The epitome of American built cars!
That vinyl roof looks like it may have been dealer installed (at least aftermarket). Notice the bright plastic perimeter moldings around the fixed rear quarter windows are missing. And it doesn’t look quite right at the base of the back window. When the 1973 ‘A’ Body colonnade two doors first came out, the bright perimeter moldings around the fixed rear quarter windows were stainless steel. Part way through the ’73 model year they switched to plastic to save $$$$$$. Not good, as the plastic moldings would shrink and thus become ill fitting.
I remember a round trip drive from NY to Florida in a white 4 door ‘70 Impala complete with a black vinyl roof in the summer of ‘72. No AC. My dad swore never again would we own a car without AC. The following summer he traded in the Impala on a beautiful dark metallic ‘73 Caprice 4 door with the black vinyl top and AC! I loved that car so much that I’ve tried to find one just like it for the past 20 years. I found a gorgeous ‘71 Caprice 2 door HT (with AC) a few years ago out of OK that I’ve done ton of work to. Too bad I can’t post a pic. As much as I love it I think Chevy hit the sweet spot with the ‘73 as. far as styling goes.
I would imagine with that silly hp rating, i guess this car originally came with single exhaust. I dont think 454s like a pellet filled cat converter.
Such a wide car & the HVAC controls are to the left of the driver – ridiculous.
I remember seeing a commercial or 2 in the 70’s where if you banged into something with the 5mph front bumper, the GRILL would also move inwards! I don’t think it’s this model, tho.
Today, “bumpers” are an expensive joke.
How hard is it to find the “V-split” rear window? Looks kinda futuristic.
I bet today you would get a ticket for taking up 2 parking spaces or sticking out too far with this thing – parking spaces today, as well, are a joke.
Joe:
The 454 CI engine used a large diameter “Y” pipe from the engine into a single, pellet cat. and then another “Y” pipe from the cat. which fed the mufflers that were located on either side of the driveshaft and placed, in the traditional location, in front of the differential. Those, in turn, fed the resonator equipped tailpipes that exited where the tailpipes on this example exit.
I was going to elaborate on that in the article since it was quite an exhaust system mash-up but I figured that I had written enough and I let that item drop.
JO
I bought a ’75 Caprice Classic used with 5k on the clock. Black ex. black leather interior with the bill engine. It was beautiful but it burned gas like it was free. That was one of the worst Chev’s ever made. I had Chevy cars all the way but that was my last (except 3 Corvettes) Obviously someone loved this car and really cared for it but I doubt it will excite many people.
Gas hog. Otherwise a very reliable car. I worked at a Chevy dealer when these were new. Many of them had high oil consumption. The factory HEI distributor was bullet proof. Watch out for rust under that roof. The more you wash a car and do not dry it properly. RUST.
SOLD for $8,100.
I agree the car looks really good, especially the interior. It actually gives me the impression i am sitting in a new car. Given all the changes, minus the egr valve removal, i am perfectly impressed with all the work that was done to the motor. I hear what others are saying, but to me, it looks great underneath the hood. The plus of having this car, like a few have already mentioned, is that it is a sleeper. Most likely among the most comfortable cars to drive, that is safe, has power, and is unique. Great buy.
Vinyl roof, protective bodyside mouldings and pinstripe all aftermarket.
a very clean car for Calgary we are a rust belt city, we get a freeze thaw situation every winter. this comes from what we refer to as the Chinook. you US folk my know of it as an Alberta clipper. the city of Calgary piles on the salt by the tons, so unless this car has been garaged every winter there will be rust on the undercarriage. these cars went to 1977 not 1976 and the last year for this body style had sguare headlights which is my favorite year. 1978 was the first of the square body chevy caprice and impala.
1977 was the year that Chevy slimmed down the Impala and Caprice.
I actually do not remember seeing a ’76!! – why would Chevy tool up a 1 year only front end when the car was on its way out?!! Imagine anyone doing that today! …
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/11/27/16/11/1976_chevrolet_caprice-pic-53662-640×480.jpeg
I’m not crazy that they made the rear side windows fixed on 2 doors(excluding convertibles) for those in the back seat, as opposed to side windows that rolled down on earlier models.
I think i can change your mind on the best looking caprice.
I didn’t realize there were not 1 but 2 commercials for the ’68 with hidden headlites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsqaqTNpNPw
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ReryLKm5g
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtPp70YJNAw&t=33s
I only ever seen 1 caprice with this option in ’68.
I GUESS most people still wanted the little vent windows in the doors oddly still available on all other big chevies in ’68.
Good old Astro Ventilation that got rid of the side vent windows. My’ ’70 Corvette had it. It was vacuum operated which meant that it didn’t work by the time I got the car. Never bothered to fix it.
Those hidden headlights are pretty cool – they operate in 2 separate pieces. I’ll assume that they were vacuum operated like the Corvette’s.