The Caprice began in 1965 as a luxury option on the Impala, Chevy’s way of competing with Ford’s new LTD. The car quickly became a series of its own and would stick around through 1996 (as built in the USA, that is). Although the focus was on creature comforts, you could also put some zip in your step by ordering your Caprice with a 396 cubic-inch V8. That’s the case with the seller’s 1968 edition, which has the 325-hp version of the big-block powerhouse. Triple in color, this Caprice looks like a survivor-quality automobile, except that it has been lowered (well, it is California). Located in Sacramento, this low-rider is available here on craigslist for $35,000. Barn Finder Pat L. is at it again with this cool tip!
In the 1960s, Chevrolet didn’t keep exacting records on the production of many of its products. So other than knowing that about 115,000 Caprices were built in 1968, we don’t know how many had the 396 V8 (the 327 was probably the most common selection). But the 396 was not an uncommon sight as we’ve seen plenty of numbers-matching Biscayne’s, Bel Air’s, and even station wagons here on Barn Finds. But few are as nicely decked out as this 1968 Caprice with the formal roofline.
Little is said about the originality of this car, but an extensive list of the items that would have been on the window sticker is present. That includes the optional “hide-away headlights” which are said to work, front fender cornering lights, factory tachometer and assorted gauges, an 8-track tape player (technology that I don’t miss), wire wheel covers with knockoffs, and about every power accessory you could add. The 396 V8 has 123,000 miles with no mention of a rebuild, although the TH-400 automatic transmission has been treated to one.
The most noticeable thing about this machine is that it has been lowered two inches closer to the ground. But that was done without cutting anything. Custom springs and tube A-arms were used with the original coils and A-arms were retained should the buyer want to go back to a stock appearance. Featured with black paint, vinyl top, and interior, this Chevy looks rather aggressive set up the way it is. Which is all cool unless the Caprice happens to jump up and down. The car has been in California for ages as it comes with original black CA license plates.
Low Riders are the best! This one needs some hydro, a cholita, then ready for action!
Only thing missing from this jukebox is the coin slot so you can play music!
Google tells me that a “cholita” is a young Bolivian woman. Is that what this car needs Taco?
This thing is loaded to the max, including the exceedingly rare fiber-optic lamp monitors on the front fenders. The tachometer has to be rare, too. Nice find!
I would raise it back to stock height and put a set of Corvette rallies
I do not believe knock off wire wheel covers were available after 66. Round centers without tabs 67 and later.
Very nice.
It’s missing wheel opening moldings on the driver’s side, front and rear. Otherwise, a very nice Caprice.
just think, if this was a 69 model it would probably have the 2 barrel 396
Which my ’69 Caprice did have for an engine.
Too rare to be customized since it has the hideaway headlite option! – Incredibly, i bet very few people ever seen such a CHEVY!! with that option in the flesh! …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20bXuLI1fpI
Wow that’s a cool one!
Very nice Crapiece, for some reason the formal roof line just doesn’t appeal to me. I much prefer the fastback style but don’t think that was a choice for a Crapiece . Never the less I really like this car it’s optioned out perfectly except maybe it’d be more perfect with a 427 instead of the 396 & a 4 speed instead of the 400 Turbo.
@CCFIsher
You wrote: “This thing is loaded to the max, including the exceedingly rare fiber-optic lamp monitors on the front fenders.”
The other part to that light monitor system is the piece just inside the rear window which monitors the tailights, brake lights, turn signals and tag light. The driver would look at his inside rearview mirror and he could see the status of all those lights. I know because I had a 1969 427 Caprice and it had the light monitor system. I had that car in the early ’80s and that was really far out Star Wars type stuff at that time.
Mine had the factory fender skirts and I think this one would look good with them too.
Unfortunately, it also has those aftermarket screwed/riveted-on side moldings that were so commonly added to cars in the 70s/80s.
What a sweet, loaded ride!
Wow, and almost identical twin to the one I purchased at 16 years old in 1980 for $500. Mine was butternut yellow/black top and had the exact same option load plus buckets and console, Comfortron dial temp AC, power locks and rally wheels.
THE most loaded Chevy of the era I have ever seen To this day. Amazing to see another! The AM/FM eight track that flowed into the console Was very cool. Always wished I would’ve checked the 427 box, settled for the 396. I never really cared for the roof line on the 68 Caprice. If this was a fast back super sport I would be making that call to California……..
More amazing to see one with hidden headlites that work, regardless of the other options!
If this car was a fastback(or any version of Impala, Biscayne, or Belair) it would not have/you could not get hidden headlites OR ventless door glass – very odd & only in ’68.
Did yours have a manual trans? – would certainly be strange in the LUXURY Caprice.
@ Steve Weiman, How do you check the option box on a 12 year old $800.00 used car ?
Slip of tongue there (d%&$ auto correct…) wish the original owner checked that 427 box! I actually purchased that car age 15 and made payments to my brother with the plan of Pay off by the 16th birthday (I drove the car many times on the sly before I got my license.) A friend of his was driving the car And rolled it off the side of lookout mountain into a tree. One day before I turned 16.
No more Caprice….. :(
The formal roof on the ’69 Caprice looked much better, and I believe it was standard for that model. You could special order that formal roof for the ’69 Impala coupe too, as my old manager owned a gold one.
JoeNYWF64, No 4 speed in mine (that would’ve been fantastic!) , turbo 400 on the floor. I remember how cool the fiber optics were at night on the fenders and through the rearview mirror on the deck below the rear window. The hidden headlights were a crazy Rube Goldberg Mechanical/vacuum system. I believe the power locks were also vacuum operated. The vacuum lines under the hood and under the dash for those systems as well as the air conditioning was A staggering amount of hoses and wires. But not surprisingly it all worked!