Before the advent of SUVs, station wagons were the popular way to haul around the kids or a bunch of stuff. Prior to the 1950s, many of them were wood-bodied works of art until they became too cost-prohibitive to build and went all-steel. But examples like this 1973 Caprice Estate Wagon could be ordered with imitation woodgrain side paneling as a nod to those pre- and post-war classics. It looks original except for the wheels and has spent several years in storage. But it’s out in the open again in Oakwood, Ontario (Canada) and available here on eBay where the bidding has hit nearly $7,000 USD without triggering the reserve.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Chevy would flip back and forth between calling their full-size wagons by their own names or as part of the rest of the lineup. In ’73, the top-of-the-line wagon was the Caprice Estate which was available with or without “wood” siding and either two or three seats, making it capable of hauling up to nine people. This one has the paneling, but just two seats as did about 23,000 other Caprice Estate wagons that year.
The seller describes this carrier as a survivor as it still wears its original paint, and the engine may have never been apart. We’re told there is no rust on the luxury transport though the seller has tried to find some. The paneling is faded out and the interior is worn due to it having at least 100,000 miles on the clock. The electric rear window is in-op, but the seller is sending along a new motor to correct that problem.
This Caprice has a 400 cubic inch V8 with the TH-400 automatic transmission, so don’t expect it to sip gasoline. The car has been treated to new tires, exhaust, front brakes, and a fluids change. Only 20 miles have been driven since then and it seems ready for more. But if you want to stay cool while motoring, you’ll need to sort out why the factory air conditioning doesn’t work. The seller stands ready to help the buyer get the car out of the country (paperwork and transportation) for actual costs. The full-size Chevrolets wouldn’t go on a diet until 1977, so this is a big wagon!
Around 1980, my parents bought a gold 71 Chevy Kingswood station wagon, 350 with A/C that didn’t work. My father had a long commute and put a lot of miles on that car until the timing chain jumped and it wouldn’t start. Off to the junkyard it went. I was sad, I liked it. I think he had problems with that rear power window. He never liked the way the tailgate went down into the car.
Jumping the timing gear was common in early ’70s GM wagons, as many of them used Delrin nylon gears rather than steel.
Wasn’t just wagons. My 400 sbc in a 72 Caprice actually wore a rectangular hole almost all the way thru the timing cover.Changed the timing set got another cover and dropped the pan to remove all the sucked up nylon in the sump which is only 1/2 exposed.That was 1982.
Buicks, Pontiacs, Oldsmobile also used them, probably even Cadillac. Ford and Mopar used them as far back as 1965 or so, replaced a lot of them when I worked at a service station as a kid in the late 60-s early 70’s.
This monster of the roadway sure isn’t a fancy one. No power windows or locks. They should have put a hand crank on the rear window too, knowing that problems may show their ugly heads on down the road.
If they can sell it for what they want, WOW, more power to them. Even when these were only 7 years old, they only sold for right around $700 bucks. That was it. Even in primo condition.
I know, I bought one. I slapped some Corvette rally wheels on it and did some crazy driving with it up to the lake and back for 3 years. Then I got tired of it, sold it for $750 bucks and turned that into a 70 Chevell 2 door Hardtop. 350, bench seat, 4 speed and I was the second owner of it. It was sweet. Maroon, black vinyl top. Air shocks, fat SS Cragars on the back and skinnies on the front. Fun times!
Check the photo of the interior again. The power lock switch is just ahead of the door handle. Still not fancy, though.
Actually, if you look on the driver’s door, there is a power lock switch.
Wow!A pretty much rust free example in Canada?Has to be some kind of miracle.looks to be in great shape.having a 100k on it would prompt me to a rebuild,im sure its a bit of a smoker,maybe go to a 700R4 trans for better mpg
Chevrolet advertised that the woodgrain on these was translucent and allowed the paint color to come through. This one takes it a bit far, though.
Mini van then suv.
We had a 71 Olds Custom Cruiser. My dad’s favorite car of all time. Fast, powerful, comfortable.
Unfortunately, the rear clamshell could be problematic. IIRC, the rear power clamshell either had a rust issue or some other mechanical issue, where it wouldn’t retract more than a few inches. It was going to cost a fortune to fix, so my dad donated the car. We got a 1977 Vista Cruiser, and while he liked it, he totally regretted not getting the clamshell fixed.
My parents (ok, Dad as Mom had never had a license) bought a 71 Kingswood Estate 3 row. LOTS of miles put on in 5 1/2 – 6 years… probably well over 100K! Trans eventually went out & they traded it in ($400) on a new 76 Malibu wagon. When they bought the 71, there were 3 of us kids (6, 4.5 & 2yrs old with another coming), by the time they bought the Malibu… 5 kids – 11, 9.5, 7, 5 & 3 – in a “midsized” wagon!!
Dad & I actually argued for years about the motor (he’s no gearhead)…you could see the 400 callouts on the rocker panels, it took me finding actual documentation to show him that it was a big block “402”. While the rear window & tailgate never gave us issues (both power), I could see where it would. I loved that car, the Malibu – never! After they divorced, he took it with him to Cali & had it until the mid ’80’s if I recall.
Love the car hate the wheels imo.My neighbor had a 73 impala clamshell that had 400 callouts on the fenders.Might have been a bbc.My 72 caprice had 400 call outs but was a 400 sbc.The wagon sat for several monthes.He would not sell it to me because I wasn’t 16 yet.He junked it.That was 1981.
My 72 Kingswood Estate had the 400 call outs,small block
I traded my 1971 Imperial in for a 1973 Caprice Estate, blue with black interior, 400 Cid, crank windows but a power tailgate. CB. No third row. It was one of my best cars until it got stolen in Miami Beach.
Before that happened I drove it a lot between New Jersey and Florida. Crusin’ 90 miles an hour down Route 95, made Florida in 19 hours, although, Georgia got me once or twice.
Did these actually have more room inside than the smaller lighter ’67-’70 wagons? IMO, a monstrous heavy family of 2 & 4 door models GM should never have built during ’71-’76. MPG must have been horrendous with 454 or 455s wagons, espec those with 5 mph bumpers front & back.
These ALL must have sat parked during the 2 gas crisises of the ’70s. lol
Any ’71-76s built with 3 or 4 speed manual transmissions?
Had the same car in the 80’s. Paid 75 bucks for it. Owner said it ran rough and it did. Put points and plugs in it and drove it till its demise. 400 sb’s weren’t the greatest engines. Way to much money to pay for that boat.