Sometimes, it only takes a single attribute to separate a good project candidate from a great one. Take this 1967 Chevrolet Caprice as a prime example. It looks tired, requiring a complete restoration to recapture its former glory. The process will include rust repairs, meaning the new owner faces hours of cutting and welding. However, the fact that its engine bay houses its numbers-matching big-block V8 that turns freely may be enough to tempt a few of our Barn Finds readers. The seller has listed the Caprice here on eBay in Dripping Springs, Texas. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve, sitting at $9,000 at the time of writing.

The Caprice first appeared as an Options Package on the 1965 Impala range before Chevrolet granted it standalone status for the 1966 model year. The First Generation remained in production until being replaced by a larger model in 1971. This 1967 4-door Hardtop appears to have literally lived a colorful life. Most of the exterior wears Bronze paint, although there are areas where what appears to be Marina Blue is peaking through. I can also spot Butternut Yellow, meaning that the first step in a faithful restoration would be to examine the Cowl Tag to learn the truth. The panels are surprisingly straight, with no major flaws or defects. The seller confirms that the frame is solid but that this Caprice isn’t rust-free. They reveal that the floors and trunk pan require attention, and this could be a case where complete replacement is justified. The windshield is badly cracked, but the remaining glass, most of the trim, and the vintage Cragar wheels look quite good.

Lifting the hood reveals the party piece with this Caprice. The first owner ordered it powered by a 396ci V8. The company’s Sales Brochure confirms that it would have generated 325hp in its prime, feeding through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels. That would have provided effortless acceleration, while the inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes would have accentuated that feel. The seller states that this gem is numbers-matching, which many readers will view as positive news. The car doesn’t run and hasn’t done so for several years. However, the big-block turns freely and does try to fire briefly. That suggests that a revival might be fairly straightforward.

I wasn’t surprised by the seller’s interior shots, which reveal that this Caprice is begging for a retrim. The carpet seems to be the only missing item, but it would be easier to list the items not requiring replacement rather than compiling a shopping list. The upholstered surfaces are toast, the wheel is cracked beyond salvation, with the same true of the pad. However, the radio is intact, as are the components for the factory air conditioning.

The fact that this 1967 Caprice has only received six bids may suggest that it hasn’t generated any true interest in the classic market. However, the statistics tell a different story. This auction has received over 670 views in the past day, and 50 people have added this big-block beauty to their Watch List. This may prove meaningless when the hammer falls or could indicate that people are biding their time before making a last-gasp attempt to become its new owner. Monitoring this auction could be fascinating…unless you decide to take it one step further by submitting a bid. I wish you luck if you do.