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Garage Find? 1973 Chevrolet Caprice

Looking eerie, this 1973 Chevrolet Caprice hardtop reminds me of something one might find in Hannibal Lecter’s garage. There’s really no backstory as to how, or why, it ended up where it is, as it is – but this has been brevity listing day for me, so I’ll put the story together as best I can. This Caprice is located in Washington, D.C. and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $5,500 with a make an offer option available. Thanks to Larry D for this discovery!

This is how it is supposed to look!

By 1973, the Caprice was offered in five body styles, a new convertible – moved over from the Impala trim line, four-door hardtops and sedans, a two-door hardtop, and a station wagon that was once again referred to as a Caprice and not a Kingswood Estate (though there was no difference other than the name).  This is the preferable four-door hardtop, made so by the elimination of the center B-pillar and door window frames. It allowed for uninterrupted,  panoramic side views. As an aside, I used to reside in Washington, D.C., and finding regular parking was tantamount to the Hunt for Red October. But when you did find a covered space, frequently you’d find a car in this condition that had been sitting in a garage for an indeterminate length of time – it’s not that odd an occurrence in the District.

The seller does state, “CAR WAS STRIPPED DOWN TO BE PAINTED AND NEVER GOT PAINTED ALL THE PARTS AND MOLDINGS ARE IN THE TRUNK…” That’s a bit peculiar, strip it, park it and forget about it, I guess. It’s tough to make a value judgment on this car as the dust, and two poorly positioned images, tell one very little about it. There is a pile of parts in the trunk that should comprise the removed trim, maybe it’s all there and maybe not. There is visible rust-through in the lower driver’s side fender leg and that’s not surprising with this generation of Chevrolet B-Body, though these held up better than their 1965-1970 predecessors. The hood and driver’s side fender look like a well-used paint drop cloth.

Under the hood is the standard Caprice engine, and one of Chevrolet’s bigger disappointments, in the form of a 150 net HP, 400 CI, small-block V8 engine. The 400 was never a world-beater and it took a 20 HP hit in ’73 for emission control reasons. I’ve driven many of these, and with just a driver aboard, it’s an adequate experience at best.  It’s a safe bet that this Caprice has not run in many moons. A Turbo-Hydramatic 350, three-speed automatic transmission channels power to the rear wheels.

The view inside is limited though it looks as if someone was angling for some sportiness with that aftermarket steering wheel. A split seat seam can be spied on the driver’s side seatback, on what looks like light green cloth and vinyl upholstery – a valid selection according to the ’73 Caprice sales brochure. Also noted is the “Comfortron” heating/air conditioning control head as opposed to the standard Four-Seasons variety. When inoperative, Comfortron is a bear to straighten out and parts are not commonly sourced any longer.

When you talk barn, garage, or parking lot finds, this is it, this is the essence of a car that appears to be long forgotten, recently discovered, and now for sale. And I think the for sale part is where the problem may arise – the price seems a bit steep for what this car is but the make on offer option could prove to be handy, don’t you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Jcs

    Amazing survivor!

    Couldn’t resist.

    .

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Steve R

    It comes with two air cleaners and a cool wooden steering wheel, plus the front end already sits high, it’s a bargain at twice the price.

    Steve R

    Like 9
    • Avatar Hemoglobin

      Surely you jest…

      Like 3
      • Avatar Steve Clinton

        Yes, and don’t call me Shirley. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

        Like 6
  3. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    500

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Fauffmon

    As a variant, yes

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Maverick

    How much lol😣

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Rbig18

    I would be in 100% at 4k (after all it’s a 4 door survivor. ). But 5k is crazy. Ha ha ha

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Miguel - Mexican Spec

    Is this a joke post?

    If it was an all original survivor running and driving it might be worth the $5000.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Arby

    Riot damage?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Steve Clinton

    They should have found a better garage to store it in!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar bone

    Impala Donk ? More like Impala junk . The derby guys would be all over this at $500 , but this guy is dreaming if he thinks anyone else would be interested.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Gary Raymond Member

    Where’s the guy who always says “make a low rider out of it”? Seems like a reasonable fate…

    Like 1
  12. Avatar John Oliveri

    Junk value, 500.00,

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Chuck

    Wow.
    I think I’d rather scatter $5500 on the ground somewhere and watch how excited people would be to find it.

    Like 6
    • Avatar johnny

      Good one Chuck, tears steaming down, I’m laughing so hard!

      Like 2
  14. Avatar Glenn C. Schwass Member

    It was silver and was painted yellow? If the rust isn’t too bad and it can be made to run cheaply, it’s worth a few K… Not a fan of silver or yellow so it would neat acnew color..

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Sam Shive

    Cut The Roof Off, Put 24″ DUBS On It And Make It A DUNK VERT. It Already Has The Steering Wheel.

    Like 2
  16. Avatar J Maxwell

    This car will have zero problems selling.

    Like 0

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