Ford caught Chevrolet off-guard in 1965 with the introduction of their Galaxie 500 LTD. Chevy reacted later in the model year with the Caprice, but it was an only an option package for the Impala Sport Sedan rather than a separate line of its own. It wasn’t until 1966 that the Caprice became the top-of-the-line luxury package that we know and love today, one that included a Custom Coupe that we see here.
This particular Caprice happens to be a numbers-matching 396 car. It seems as if a fair number of these 396 Chevys are coming up for sale lately, and we’re all the better for it. In its first full year of availability in the full-size cars, the 325-horsepower L35 was a nice step-up option for the big Caprice. The seller says that this one turns freely, but also says nothing about its status as a runner. Let’s assume it isn’t.
Unfortunately, we don’t get much more information than that, aside from the fact that the “rear end is locked up/seized,” meaning the car will have to be towed away, probably on a flatbed.
Some potential good news is that this Caprice appears to be a Los Angeles-built car, so it’s possible that it spent some time in that kind-to-old-cars climate. It is currently being sold in Maryland, so there are no guarantees there. The underhood picture shows an air-conditioning compressor, and the trim tag verifies that, in addition to the Turbo 400 transmission that one would expect under the tunnel of a 396 Caprice. The original color is Mist Blue, which appears correct (and is a beautiful color).
My favorite element of the ’66 Caprice coupe is the roofline, which wasn’t available on other Chevrolets in 1966. It looks good with or without a vinyl top, and I think I might even prefer it to the Impala Sport Coupe’s roofline. There’s no doubt that this would be a beautiful car going down the road.
Unfortunately, that might take some time. Based on the quarter panels and the lack of information in the text, one must assume that rust repair will be involved, in addition to whatever mechanical and interior work it needs. Are you up for a challenge? This Caprice is for sale on Craigslist for $8500. Thanks to Tony Primo for another great find.
If it really is numbers matching, and not hopelessly rotted, especially the frame, it’s definitely worth restoring. With that engine, factory A/C, that is a NICE car!
The rear end locked up/seized could be as simple as the rear brake shoes rusted to the drums. I’ve seen that many times on vehicles in long term storage.
When I first got my License, my Dad gave me a Choice, His 66 Impala SS 396 or his brand new 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton pick up. My brother was just starting his electrical business and being 16 I took the SS, the Truck went to my Brother. Although it did not have factory Air, it had a under dash from Sears. I drove the car until 75 when I was run off the road on my way back from California after ” A ” school in the military . The car was quick, with Headers and Side pipes I added it looked and sounded like the beast it was supposed to be !
If the bottom is as nice as the top it might be worth your while. That frame is the sketchy part.