It almost came to blows between a kid named Paul and me one day. This because the other boy made an enormous pronouncement about me: “You haven’t been the same since your dad bought that Caprice Estate.” He was talking about our new 1976 Chevy wagon, procured as a “demo” for the same price as the lower-level trim Impala would have been. Dad stepped up for the luxury Caprice trim level, and apparently this made me a worse person. Now it’s your turn to become (what? an insensitive jerk who Lords it over others?) a person of taste with your brand-new-to-you 1976 Caprice Classic four-door sedan. It’s up for auction here on ebay with the price sitting just past two grand. You’ll have to visit the Left Coast if you get it, because it’s in Orange, CA at the moment.
Chevy produced the Caprice from the mid-1960s until just a handful of years ago. This 1976 model closed out the second generation, which ran from 1971-76. The car then downsized and got more square and angular. This particular one is equipped with a 350-CID V8, and the odo is showing under 50,000 miles. The engine pictures look very clean, with less indications of use than, say, the front bench seat. The state of the vinyl there suggests more miles than the odo indicates. On the other hand, the interiors of the doors look pretty clean and not worn out like they might be if this were 150,000 miles.
The vinyl roof is peeling off, and perhaps it’s a good thing that it is, because this allows for a full view of the rust damage at the base of the rear window. This will need some serious attention, and probably points to problems with the trunk floor as well, though what you can see in the trunk looks pretty good. Too bad the seller didn’t clean the junk out from back there so buyers could get a better look.
One possible drawback if you want to keep the Caprice in the Golden State is that, as a 1976 model, it is subject to smog regulations. The seller, a dealer in donated vehicles, doesn’t promise that it will pass. They just offer a 90-day certificate that allows you time to deal with the complications of getting the car to pass its emissions test. That could be the most frustrating 90 days in your life, mind you, so consider yourself warned. There is no claim other than that the car “runs and drives” and “needs engine work.”
Did Paul and I get along after our contretemps? Well, I think so. I stopped bragging about the full wheel covers and faux wood adorning our car, which in any case was replaced with smaller-model Ford sometime around 1980, an altogether less commanding looking ride.
Your point about CA smog compliance is valid. I bought a low mileage, excellent condition ex-Navy Ford E-350 van from a military surplus sale in California (I was a CA resident). Being a government vehicle, it had never been registered or smogged. It was a months long process (and expensive) to get it so that it could be driven legally on the road.
I love the coupes, and I wouldn’t mind this. I know many fellow BF have commented that this seller is very ‘regimented in the process. They look like and impound lot.
Factory FM Stereo. Makes sense, many FM stations in California, compaired to the Midwest (in ’76). If you didn’t want to spend money on the Vinyl roof, mask and paint in simular colors. Remember in the ’90’s, they had that texture spray paint for bathrooms? I’ve seen it on the roof of some Hoopies like this….
John Eder, hoo boy to experience with that.
We had “Air Care” in B.C. Not any more.
When going for the inspection we would advance the timing on my ‘85 Roadtrek, 318 v8 , Lean her right out as far as possible.
Passed air care every time.
Then set the timing back after.
Maybe not politically correct today.
I sympathize with Paul somewhat, as my parents were poor as church mice and all they could afford my first 8 years of life were worn out sedans with 3-on-the-column shifters and no air conditioning. Such as it is on a small Kansas farm, with five kids in the 1970s.
These Chevrolets were ubiquitous in rural Kansas, and I thought those who owned them were the well-to-do.
We did finally get a Ford LTD with auto, air, AM radio and rear speakers! Man. We were living.
This seller has been featured many times (I don’t know why) Those interested not close had better read all the sellers terms prior to placing a bid. You only have a week to pick up. Not enough time for those that have to arrange shipping. After which is $25. a day. Fees, also need to be understood. There is a selling price scale. Get ready to pay up.
I bought a car and had my driver waiting. To do this cost an additional $750. The pickup was marked hot. My driver was screwed around for hours waiting for them to simply bring my car toto the loading area the point he was ready to leave without it. Luckily he was a big Russian guy and wasn’t easily threatened.
He dropped the car off to me in three days. He did an inspection prior and noticed the car had no vin plate . You could see it in the pics. My state does an out of state inspection prior to title transfer. That would mean being impounded. Talking to the seller no one speak english when having a problem. Contacting ebay not much help. I was given only a partial refund. Shipping not refunded. So needless I have $2500 in a parts car worth less than half. Buyer beware.
@AMCFAN
I, too, had a similar experience on Flea-Bay. Bought a car from an individual in southern California and it was grossly misrepresented. Flea-Bay always brags about their Buyer Protection Plan, but they did nothing to help. They told me I needed to contact the California DMV due to the vehicle being misrepresented. NEVER, ever, buy a car on Flea-Pay. If you must, then pay a local professional to review the vehicle ahead of time. It will be money well spent.
Well if it got me outta school I might have been ok with it
I kinda like these cars, and it has interesting options like tilt wheel and power windows. Too bad the damned vinyl top causes so much rust. This car, not being worth much, is probably better parted out, especially the tilt column and power window parts. Or, someone will sadly enter it in an endurance race or demolition derby. It’ll get destroyed because it’s so big and underpowered.
The seller sounds like a real sweet fellow to deal with. And this old Chevy looks like it’s ready to become a convertible.
Did I miss it or did the story say how much this pile is going for.
$3200 bucks is a expensive demolition Derby car, had a light blue one when I was19 leaked lots and lots of oil
Had a 75 Caprice Classic Army green same color interior 350 4- bbl V-8. Loaded. Wasn’t a bad car but very government looking.
About a 1k car tops imo. Roof is gone . You can put a fist thru the holes.Too much rot.Be a good work beater.Almost 3500 now.Not for me.
I thought I was the only kid that got into fights at school over cars. Try being a very young British car buff in a very small KY coal mining town. Wonder I was never stoned to death
I know what you mean- I was concerned about being stoned at school also…
So, being stoned to death is a bad thing?
Oh boy! A set of 22s, hose that puppy some neon orange, a set of whatever bucket seats with some giant console. Then roll about 30 yards of the most hideous purple vinyl over the entire inside. Install custom steering wheel. Blow holes in every panel and wherever for a jillion speakers. Fill trunk with more speakers and boom stuff. Gold knobs, plate header panel, add big loud dual exhaust and walah a true classic.