How much of an impact did the 1973 OPEC oil embargo have on the sale of big cars in the mid-1970s? Well, in the case of the Chevrolet Caprice, sales dropped from 250,000 units to 150,000 in just two years as buyers were flocking to 25 mpg automobiles. The Caprice was bigger than ever and would soldier on until all of GM’s big cars got downsized in 1977. The seller’s ’75 Caprice Landau Coupe has been a one-family car since new and seems to be in running, survivor condition. Located in the boonies near Denver, Colorado, the asking price here on craigslist is $17,000. Our thanks to Mike F. for another larger-than-life tip!
A 1975 Chevy Caprice was nearly 19 feet long and weighed way north of 4,000 lbs. So, not surprisingly, you spent a fair amount of time in gas lines refueling the car, which, on average, got in the mid-teens per gallon. This Caprice Landau, as did many others, has a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission. The lack of fun at the gas pump increased if you went with a 454 V8, which was still available (and detuned dramatically). The seller’s Chevy, which is now 51 years old, has traveled just 1,200 miles per year, on average.
The Landau Coupe, with its wide side windows and half vinyl top, was sort of rare when new, as just 3,752 of them were produced in 1975. I’ve never cared for those large windows, which probably required the factory A/C to be turned up on high to keep passengers in the back from roasting. We don’t know much about this vehicle other than it may have been passed down from one family member to another over the duration, and it runs and drives as a “survivor.”
The paint and interior look original, and rust doesn’t seem to be an issue. Except under the Landau roof covering. The chocolate brown paint on this size of vehicle makes it look like a fancy UPS delivery truck. And the rear fender skirts just add to the overall bigness of the car. One noticeable item is that the belt is missing from the air conditioning compressor, suggesting it no longer works. Who wants a big Chevy to tool around in?
“Sale pending” in the title on this
Love the hub caps.
17k for the love of god these were scrap for Derby cars .
There is nothing about this one that screams must have for 17k
I agree it’s overpriced….but looks like someone is paying it. There are fewer and fewer of them around for exactly the reason you say…. they were turned into scrap metal.
Drove a 74 Caprice 4 door land barge in high school. It was brown with a black fabric interior. I put duals on it, along with a cool Pioneer stereo and Kenwood deck speakers. That’s about all the customization my budget and that platform would allow. Loved that car. Wish I had it back.
I had a 76 Impala with the 350. Plenty of get up and go. Family bought it used for $2000 back in 84. Had it until 96, last I saw of it was the county fair demo derby.
Easy to work on, rode good. But, those Landau tops, even the full roof vinyl ones were areas rust was only too happy to go.
Sorry, but $17,000 for this is way too much. Maybe $4000, tops
hard to believe they actually found somebody willing to pay 17k for this 5k caprice. as they sat there is a butt for every seat.
$17k for a #4 condition vehicle? Someone is delusional! Right off the bat the buyer is looking at $1500+ in AC repair. Amazing!
It Does Look Like UPS Brown!
Needs a Set of Whitewalls…
Had a ’73 Caprice 454, duals with Cherry Bombs. Man! What a road locomotive! Buried the speedo needle on more than one occasion.
I had a 1973 Impala 4 door non post door car back from 1998-2002 green with a white roof350/350 with A/C and power bench seat. Sold it for 2500 out here in Las Vegas Nevada to a co worker of mine. Wow 17k for this one with A/C not working. Should of keep mine and sold it later for 8K.