Here’s a great example of a disappearing, but at one-time common sight on American highways and byways, a 1992 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon. You couldn’t have pitched a horse-shoe from the ’50s through the ’70s without hitting a station wagon, especially in the emerging phenomenon known as the suburbs. Today, these old school people and “stuff” haulers have become quite popular with car guys and gals who are looking for something a bit different as a cruiser or maybe an interesting hot-rod candidate. This big Chevy wagon, located in Port Orange, Florida, is available here on craigslist for $4,800. Thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!

In early 1990, GM’s restyled “B” body cars were introduced as ’91 models. The critics were not kind at first referring to them in many different derisive terms such as “Beached Whale”, “Bathtub on Wheels” and “Bathtubasauris” among others. The ’91 and ’92 versions were a bit ungainly but a minor styling refresh in ’93 and again in ’94 helped considerably. The reality is that these were pretty good cars; the ’94-’96 Impala SS variant is a sought-after performance collectible and even the non-SS Caprice model, like this example, garner respect today. Throw in the station wagon angle and there is something here to investigate.

This Caprice is a 55,000-mile car and it looks it! The body and finish are in great shape for a 28-year-old vehicle; I would say it has been well maintained over all of these years. The finish, other than the rear bumper cover which is a bit faded, is still pretty deep (that’s a lotta’ blue!) and the body panels are nice and straight – no pictorially identifiable evidence of crash damage or rust. The seller states that this wagon was used in a daily 150-mile route but I’m left with the thought that the daily trek didn’t continue for too long, this car just looks too clean to have been put through that kind of rigor for long.

The interior pretty much mirrors the exterior in terms of condition (and color). The seller does state that the front seats have vinyl covers so I guess that means the original velour fabric has “issues”. Perhaps the 55,000 listed miles is not correct – this is another example of a reported low mileage vehicle where the seller makes no elaboration of it other than just stating the number in the listing – if the mileage is accurate, it would be a very attractive selling feature! Beyond the seats, the rest of the interior is in great shape. The cargo area in particular, which takes the brunt of the damage from transporting whatever, is very clean and unscuffed; it appears to have never been used for the intended purpose. This is an eight-passenger wagon so there is a “way-back” fold-up seat in the rear cargo section – a nice addition.

So, what makes all of this mass move? A five-liter (305 CI) small-block V8 which produces about 170 net HP. This variant of the five-liter engine is fuel injected but it is a throttle-body style injection system and not a port injection set-up. The seller doesn’t state how this Caprice runs but he does mention several parts that have been recently replaced. Of note is the non-working A/C system and the image of the engine shows an electronically disconnected A/C compressor so it appears something is up with that component. Power to the rear wheels is via a four-speed automatic transmission, probably a 4L60 or a 4L60-E GM Hydramatic.

This Caprice shows to be a very sound car. And even though station wagons fell out of favor in the U.S. long ago, they still have great functionality and are a pretty cool alternative to the infinite sea of CUVs/SUVs that are so ubiquitous today that they are not even noticed. If you need a people or a detritus-of-life hauler, this one is worth a closer look wouldn’t you say?