- Seller: nic b (Contact)
- Location: Belleville, Ontario, Canada
- Mileage: 117,058 Shown
- Chassis #: 1G1BN51E2KR189808
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 305cui V8
- Transmission: 700R 4-Speed Automatic
Some cars represent a bygone era of family sedans built with comfort, reliability, and understated style, and this 1989 Chevrolet Caprice hardtop is one such example. Offered here exclusively on Barn Finds, this car comes from its original owner, showing just over 117,000 miles (188,387 km) from new. With careful stewardship, including years of winter storage, this Caprice is a true survivor that combines originality with usability.
Finished in classic late-1980s Chevrolet styling, the Caprice hardtop boasts a clean, well-preserved appearance. According to the seller, the car was always garaged during the winters until last year, which helped preserve its condition. As a Canadian-market car, its odometer reads in kilometers, but that converts to a modest 117,058 miles. For a full-size sedan designed to eat up highway miles, that figure is hardly more than broken-in.
Under the hood sits Chevrolet’s dependable 305 cubic-inch V8, paired with a 700R four-speed automatic transmission. Known for smooth operation and robust longevity, this drivetrain was a staple of GM’s full-size lineup throughout the 1980s. The seller includes the original factory spec sheet, offering a rare glimpse into how the car was optioned when new.
Inside, the Caprice hardtop offers the kind of space and comfort that made these cars a favorite among families, long-distance travelers, and even law enforcement agencies of the period. The wide bench seats, column shifter, and straightforward dash layout are hallmarks of the era, and this example’s originality only adds to its appeal. While not over-the-top flashy, the Caprice represents a kind of practical luxury that is becoming increasingly rare to find in unmodified, one-owner form.
This Caprice’s story makes it especially compelling. With a single owner from new and careful winter storage for most of its life, it’s been preserved far better than many of its contemporaries. Today, it’s ready either for continued preservation as a survivor, or for regular use as a reliable and comfortable cruiser.
As GM transitioned into the 1990s, the Caprice would adopt new styling and technology, but these late-’80s models retain a boxy charm that enthusiasts are increasingly appreciating. With its originality, history, and clean title, this Caprice stands as a rare opportunity for collectors and fans of GM’s big-body sedans.
Would you keep this Caprice as a preserved survivor, or make it your dependable vintage daily driver?
I had a 1986 back in the mid 1990’s It was a brougham black and silver with a full vinyl roof. It had a 305 4 barrel carb I put a 1987 front panel with headlamp and grille assembly on it since the original was damaged. Great car and it made it cross country from NJ to Nevada in 1996. Sadly it was wrecked with 220,000 miles on it was wrecked by another car in 1998.
I had an 87 burgundy Brougham, same powertrain as yours. Great car and a slide ride. Bought it in 92 with 47K miles to tow my sailboat. Little did I know that suspension was as important as powertrain. No wonder it fishtailed easily. Duh. Engine and tranny were still strong at 227k and ten years later. I didn’t need a tow vehicle anymore. So many other things would fall off every now and then, and I got tired of it, so I let it go. Factory paid for repainting because of the water-based paint that checked on topside surfaces. Got T-boned at driver side rear door. I drove away; Ford van got towed away. Insurance totaled it. I bough it back; took it to a vo-tech school for fixing, which took only about three months. LOL. Meanwhile, I bought my bosses’ 71 Cutlass beater with rusty quarter panels and ripped vinyl seat to drive while mine was in the shop. A Delco-Remy engineer said that the cars were designed to be trouble-free for about 120k, then start falling apart, and mine was true to form.
I do drive a similar Caprice daily, a white 1990, V-6. Comfortable, economical, really the perfect car.
not too sure on that storage claim. looks like it’s been sitting on that tarp. where’s the rest of the engine parts at? lot of unknowns here
It isn’t a hard top because it has a B-pillar and frames around the side windows. This era of GM products was not available as hardtops, in order to comply with the roll over standards.
“but these late-80s models retain a boxy charm that enthusiasts are increasingly appreciating”. In simpler terms, that means some guys will buy anything that says Chevrolet on it. These were boxy turds when they first came out and nothing about them has changed.