The 1975 edition of the Caprice would be the last year for full-size convertibles from Chevrolet. That only left Cadillac to field a drop-top in 1976 before the company discontinued them – for a while, at least. We’re told this sharp-looking Caprice has just 1,000 original miles and was purchased for John Wayne’s use in a parade in ’76. It’s been in storage since then (perhaps in an airplane hangar) and looks great, but the seller doesn’t mention having proof of the “Duke’s” association with the car.
Demand for the Caprice Classic in its last canvas top year was strong – 8,349 units. That’s because word got out that the end was coming, increasing sales from the 4,670 copies sold in 1974. The combination of red paint and a white top with a white/black interior may be the most attractive for one of these land yachts. They were the biggest automobiles ever sold by Chevy and would be downsized in 1977 to produce better fuel economy.
As the story goes, this ’75 Caprice was purchased for iconic actor John Wayne to ride in during a parade in Cody, Wyoming in 1976. We don’t know what parade that was or whether “Duke” used the vehicle before or after this event was over. The odometer reads just past 1,000 miles, so this Chevy could be the lowest mileage Caprice convertible left on the planet from that model year. We don’t know what the car has been up to the past 48 years or how well it was kept up (for example, are the tires the ones that came with the automobile when new?).
The condition of the car and its mileage have led the seller to ask $75,000. Whether it’s worth that amount is up to prospective buyers, especially if the John Wayne connection is true. Located in Billings, Montana, this sharp survivor is available here on craigslist without much other information offered about the vehicle. It does have a 400 cubic inch V8 with Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. At this price point, would you drive it or put it in a museum? Another bodacious tip from Tony Primo!
And after paying $75,000 for the car, the buyer, a big “Duke” fan, finds out that it was actually Jon Wayne who rode in it.
Even worse, “Lil Wayne”
Think I’d rather have Lil Wayne’s car than John Wayne’s.
It’s a nice car, but the ask is ridiculous.
So is the BS story behind it.
Todd, maybe there’s also a pencil in the glove compartment with his bite marks on it
Todd perhaps there’s a pencil in the glove compartment with his bite marks on it! Love the Seinfeld reference
Gacey
Jaun wayne car for 75 grand..
Its another Seinfeld show were its the wrong Jon Voigt car purchase
Good luck …but for 75 grand one needs proof..
Fyi: proof is not car in front of John Wayne airport in California 😏
I do like the color and top on this clean Impala 😎
A quick search provided evidence that John Wayne was, in fact, the Grand Marshall of the 1976 Bicentennial Parade in Cody, Wyoming, but the accompanying photos show him riding in an Eldorado driven by local Cadillac dealer Ken Nelson. Typically, parade cars are borrowed from local dealers, not purchased for one-time use.
Dammit! I was ready to write the check.
In fairness, the ad only says that the car was “bought for” The Duke. It doesn’t say that he used it. Perhaps he objected to riding in a car from 1975 in a Bicentennial parade (I certainly would have), and the local Cadillac dealer stepped up.
Yeah, but the headline reads “John Wayne’s Ride!” Extreme click-bait or bad punctuation.
Maybe John Wayne rode in this Chevy, from the airport, to the Cadillac dealer?
Right you are CC Fisher.
In the link below, you can clearly see that he is in a Cadillac El Dorado.
https://www.codyyellowstone.org/press/celebrate-july-4-in-a-big-way-in-the-small-town-of-cody-wyoming/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planetcody/6385782731
Beautiful car. Had a ‘75 Delta 88 convertible in the same color combo in the mid 80’s. It was always a head turner. The asking price of $75K seems steep but someone will pay it, especially if there’s supporting evidence to the celebrity connection.
Nice Chevy but the price is way too high.
Even if it was the Duke’s car and it is as nice as it looks and John Wayne was my hero growing up, I can’t agree with the asking price!
Nice Caprice and last of the run, so to speak. I would love to have the car but I wouldn’t be buying the provenance. Just not the Star struck type.
Car was owned and driven by Wayne Johns
What this entire thread tells me is that ole JW is still a legend…Pilgrims!
I think that this is the car I bought about 10 years ago at the RM auction. In Florida.
I paid just under 50k out bidding Rick from Pawn Stars.
There is no way that you have the same exact car right down the mileage.
Dude: You can’t possibly stop there
I lived in Cody in the 90’s. The Cody Stampede, a multi-day celebration held around the 4th of July, is a huge event for the town and area. It includes such things as a stop on the pro rodeo tour, and huge parades held on two days. (I drove my 1969 Mustang GT in the parade several times). So when I saw the John Wayne reference, especially in conjunction with the Bicentennial, my first though was “could be true”, as Cody was known to “punch above its weight” with respect to drawing important people to town for this event.
Turns out the provenance may not be exactly correct, but it deserved to be investigated (thank you CCFisher), as opposed to being knee-jerk rejected.
I, mistakenly, read that it was John Holmes’ car, my mistake. Darn, I was ready to wire the funds, too. Oh, well.
Not one photo of him in the car? Thanks, but no thanks.
Even if this car is not John Wayne’s car and I was a person of real means l’d buy it but I wouldn’t pay anything over 40 to 50k for it. I loved the Caprice and I love this last year convertible.
No title photo, no vin? I smell some BULL$#[+
There is a photo of the dash VIN tag on the Cl ad.
I like the color scheme, red with a white top and white interior and the low miles are a plus, but Duke or no Duke, there’s no way it’s worth $75k! Yes, it was well equipped, with A/C and power windows in addition to the usual accoutrements, and the condition is A+, #1 unrestored all original, but still, the ask is INSANE!
The 400 small-block wasn’t a common engine size for GM in general or Chevy in particular, and was only offered for eleven (11) years, 1970-81, according to Wikipedia, so I wonder if upgrades to 427 or 434 cubic inches are possible? Inquiring minds want to know!
Holy Barn Finds Batman! Bruce Wayne rode in this car.
A picture of the “Duke” in an Eldorado, not a Crapice
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planetcody/6385782731
If I could buy this car I’d bring it up to snuff and strike out across America. Enjoying all the looks stares and glances along the way. Going anywhere I wanted to see. First stop Vegas. What a beautiful Chevy.
I personally don’t get the celebrity car thing. I like driving and working on cars, I don’t see how a car owned by say Jerry Seinfeld is worth more other than the fact the car might have been treated to first class maintenance and care.
“Hey look my car was once owned by Bruce Willis!” So what.
I feel you MarveH. And one more point to ponder are these ultra low mileage 40, 50, 60+ year old cars. Rubber materials degrade internal and external and will have to be replaced.
I feel you MarveH. And one more point to ponder are these ultra low mileage 40, 50, 60+ year old cars. Rubber materials degrade internal and external and will have to be replaced.