Update: 1966 Chevrolet Caprice with Original Paint

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UPDATE 12/27/2023: If you are like me, you’ll find the prospect of post-Christmas sales boring. Many of the so-called bargains really aren’t, and some people become almost obsessed with the prospect of saving a buck on something they simply don’t need. However, there are exceptions to that rule, and this 1966 Chevrolet Caprice could be one. We recently featured it at Barn Finds, but it has returned for a good reason. It failed to sell last time with an asking price of $39,500. The seller seems serious about finding it a new home, dropping their price to $35,500. It received plenty of positive feedback previously, and I expect to see more on this occasion. The remaining details are unchanged, with the Caprice listed here on Craigslist in Henderson, Minnesota. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B for spotting it the first time and T.J. for discovering it has hit the market again with a significant price drop.

11/04/2023: Defining what the “wow” factor is with a classic can be challenging because that term can mean different things to different people. It could be the car’s styling, its performance potential, or its rarity. This 1966 Chevrolet Caprice possesses that factor, and its attraction rests in its overall originality. It has never undergone any form of restoration, meaning it is as it rolled off the showroom floor. It has a genuine 58,000 miles on the clock and is set to find a new home.

The Caprice gained standalone model status in 1966 after serving as an options package on the previous year’s Impala. These First Generation cars remained in production until 1970, with this car’s original owner getting in early when the Caprice first graced showroom floors. They ordered it in Marina Blue, one of my favorite shades from that year. That could be the first of several aces up this classic’s sleeve. The seller indicates the car is a genuine survivor, retaining the paint applied by the good people at Chevrolet. Its condition is genuinely astounding, if that is true because I can’t spot a flaw or defect in the supplied photos. The nose is an area prone to stonechips and other marks, but none are visible here. Metallic paints are susceptible to patchiness and checking, but the pristine state of this exterior suggests it has been garage-kept away from UV rays and inclement weather when not prowling the streets. The panels are laser-straight, and rust simply isn’t a consideration. The lack of visible problems and surface corrosion augers well for the new owner. Of course, this Chevy’s cause was helped by the original owner’s decision to have it factory undercoated. The tinted glass is flawless, the chrome sparkles beautifully, and the spare sports a hubcap matching those on the other four wheels.

The originality of this Caprice extends to its drivetrain, which is entirely numbers-matching. The original owner equipped the car with a 327ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. This motor was the most potent small-block available to Caprice buyers in 1966, pumping out 275hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque. Buyers could opt for a big-block, but this brought a 200 lb weight penalty when backed by an automatic transmission. This car’s engine bay is perfect, which is unsurprising since the engine was recently rebuilt. The seller had it dynoed to ensure it performed to its peak, but the TLC didn’t stop there. The fuel system received a new tank, sender unit, and pump. A new master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and other brake components ensure it stops on a dime. A new water pump and narrow whitewall tires round out the package. The seller claims the Caprice has a genuine 58,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but the condition makes the claim plausible. This is a turnkey classic where the new owner could fly in and drive it home.

The interior continues the originality theme with this Caprice, presenting as impressively as the rest of the vehicle. It is trimmed in Black cloth and vinyl. The seats are free from wear, marks, fading, and physical damage. The remaining upholstered surfaces look perfect, with the same true of the dash, pad, and faux woodgrain. I’m in two minds about the carpet because it might be slightly faded in spots. A perfectionist may contemplate replacement, but a purist would view the lack of physical wear as justification to maintain the status quo. There are no aftermarket additions, but there are enough factory options to ensure this Caprice is anything but ordinary. The buyer doesn’t receive air conditioning, although the original owner equipped this classic with a tilt wheel, compass, factory tach, and an AM radio. The under-dash genuine tissue box holder is probably the ideal finishing touch to an interior that needs nothing.

This 1966 Chevrolet Caprice is a stunning vehicle, and if its originality can be verified, it is a genuinely special vehicle. However, it needs to be because the seller’s price is well above what even the ever-optimistic Hagerty quotes as the value for a Concours example. I’m unsure whether they will achieve their price, but it will be fascinating to gauge your reaction to the figure and feedback on whether it will quickly find a new home. So, over to you.

Comments

  1. RamoneMember

    Beautiful. Great colors, no vinyl roof, and wire wheel covers make it work for me. Yes, priced high, but isn’t this a better way to go than a rough one for cheap?

    Like 33
    • Ron Ronald Lucchesi

      You’re right. It is absolutely beautiful. I remember when my dad brought home his brand new 66, same color combination! I wish he was still here so I could show him this ad.
      One thing that I find hard to believe is that it’s presenting its original paint!

      Like 23
    • Jeff

      If any car deserves to be priced high it is this one imo.

      One of one.

      Like 13
  2. Joe Haska

    The price seems to be on the high side, but you get what you pay for, it costs a little more to go first class, pay me now or pay me later, you will save money in the long run, I am sure you get my point. This is a nice car, step up to the pump.

    Like 26
    • Jon

      There’s a saying, “Go first class, it’s only a nickel more!” Lol!

      Like 13
  3. Nelson C

    If the dirty side looks half as good as the shiny side you’re going to like it. Lively motor in a comfortable wrapper. Great color, too.

    Like 13
  4. ClassicP

    A friend of mine dad had one just like this only buckets and a console when he start driving it was a cruiser.

    Like 5
  5. Jwzg

    Not a big fan of no AC, front drums, and powerglide for cruising, but this one is beautiful enough to make me reconsider my priorities.

    Like 16
    • Jon

      With the rebuilt engine and other upgrades and improvements, although likely necessary and understood, kind of take away the originality claim.
      And, I have to have a/c, even in Mn.😁
      On the other hand, beautiful interior and finish, although I didn’t look at the listing. And the wire caps add class to a classy looking car.

      Like 13
  6. Art Engel

    Beautiful car, color, slick top! Bench seat, dog powerglide, no A/C and price makes it a pass for me.

    Like 12
  7. wc shook

    IMO, the 66 was the best looking of the 60 model Chevy’s. I worked, part time for a time, at John Jochem Chevrolet in Stuart Fl in the early ’70’s. A customer brought in their 66 for a recall adjustment (motor mounts). It was beige. I thought it was the most beautiful car. Some don’t like it because of no A/C, powerglide, drum brakes and other modern day “must haves”, but they had to start somewhere. This would be a blast to drive as is. I wouldn’t mind being the driver!

    Like 16
    • Jon

      Those “motor mount adjustments” were those cable reinforcements the dealer added to the motor mounts because, if I remember right, the factory mounts were weak and the engine would actually rock a little.

      Like 15
      • Jwzg

        My 1966 Belair used to have a problem with a gas pedal stuck all the way on the floor. Yes, it was because of a bad motor mount that I almost totaled the thing twice.

        Like 14
      • Bill Bartels

        Or a lot in my experience

        Like 2
      • 19sixty5Member

        A broken mount could do more than rock, the drivers side would separate and can jam the throttle, not exactly a safe condition. The cable was a stopgap quick solution to limit the movement of the broken mount. Later mounts were designed with a positive stop and eliminated the cable.

        Like 0
  8. Zen

    Gorgeous car, almost too beautiful to make me wonder if it’s really all original or not. My first car was a 66 Impala coupe, I don’t remember there being an antenna on that quarter panel. I hope it finds a good home where it’ll be enjoyed and nicely cared for.

    Like 10
    • Jon

      Zen, the rear antenna was an option.
      Don’t ask me how I remember this, but on the ’69 Caprice and Impala that rear mount antenna was $9.50!
      I always thought they looked cool at the back.
      Funny how “optional at extra cost” became standard equipment.

      Like 9
    • C DICKINSON

      Rear antenna was opt, and if it was not specified, they got a front antenna. IIRC, on my 64 it was a no-cost choice, but on my 66 and 68s it was a $9.50 option. U69 was the option code.

      Like 5
    • Terry

      IMO Zen you had the best roofline style on your 66, it was classy, sporty and didn’t have the stodginess looks of the squard rear quarter windows the Caprice had. Chevrolet had a winner in the 65 and the subtle design “adjustments” like taillights and front fender caps in 66 were a disservice to the awesome design. This one is nice nonetheless.

      Like 2
  9. Mike FullertonMember

    My dad owned a 1965 Chevy wagon. I believe it was a Biscayne, it was the lowest model available. Oddly it had the 283 V-8, 2 speed auto, power steering, and power brakes. It went through several starters and the shift linkage came off a few times before dad got the recall for motor mounts. Once repaired no more problems. We lived in Iowa and it was the second car,was a rust bucket in 7 years.

    Like 4
  10. Ward William

    I love it. Now call me a butcher but I would install period correct bucket seats and center console and convert the shifter to a T-bar configuration. Nothing more. Not a big fan of bench seats. I am too old for watching submarine races.

    Like 5
  11. Courtney

    great looking example is this Danube Blue. as I’ve said previously my dad drove a used 1984 model of the same car from Oct 1993 to May 2000 and we both loved it

    Like 2
    • Terry

      IMO Zen you had the best roofline style on your 66, it was classy, sporty and didn’t have the stodginess looks of the squard rear quarter windows the Caprice had. Chevrolet had a winner in the 65 and the subtle design “adjustments” like taillights and front fender caps in 66 were a disservice to the awesome design. This one is nice nonetheless.

      Like 1
    • 19sixty5Member

      It’s actually Marina Blue, I just painted a 66 this fall.

      Like 1
    • Lenb.

      Danube Blue was the very dark shade of blue in 66. This one is Marina Blue

      Like 0
  12. Rick

    Ahhhhh… The good old days, brings back memories

    Like 4
  13. William Milot

    Rebuilding the engine at 58,000 as well as replacing the fuel tank and system as well as the brakes sure don’t sound like the way it came off the showroom ORIGINAL floor to me! Wanting that kind of money for a non a/c small block version seems ridiculous! Even if it were a 396 or 427 version it would be hard pressed to pull $40,000! It’s a beautiful car and the body & interior might be unmolested, but, I would’ve rather seen it truly untouched under the hood as well. I could understand re-gasketing and a new water pump, but rebuilding it makes me wonder why. In todays economy only a rich man could afford to buy this one for something to play with at that price. The rest of America is wondering if they’ll still have their jobs or houses in the near future and I don’t think they’ll gamble on it being an investment at that price being a small block non a/c Caprice.

    Like 8
  14. HCMember

    This 66 Caprice is priced as if it were an Impala SS. If it is a true 58,000 mile survivor why did it need an engine rebuild? Maybe the odometer rolled over once already. Maybe it had a respray at some point in its life? A Non factory AC car with all drum brakes is a pass for me.

    Like 6
  15. Ashtray

    I will start out with, the car looks really good. Really, really good!
    But, a 57 year old original lacquer paint job looks this good? A bullet proof engine needs rebuild?
    I won’t ramble anymore

    Just my oponion!

    Like 7
    • Bob T.

      I agree 100%

      Like 2
  16. Jon

    This car is about 40 miles outside of Minneapolis. If I was more interested, I’d drive down and take a look. No a/c and other comments about the engine rebuild and I’m not going. Too expensive too.

    Like 4
  17. GIJOOOE

    It’s a beautiful car, absolutely love the marina blue on any mid-60’s Chevy but if I’m spending forty large on a full size Chevy it better have at least a 396 and a 4 speed. For some reason I really dig a bench seat and a stick, the wife can snuggle up to me on the way to the car show while I accelerate through the gears.
    Once again- beautiful car, but the price is about $10k too high for a small block and powerglide with no a/c. Just my opinion.

    Like 5
  18. JoeNYWF64

    This is the 1st car i ever seen with a factory tach & no aux gages! & on a Caprice yet! – i guess possible even on a 4 door, but not if it had a 6 cylinder?

    Like 1
  19. On and On On and OnMember

    Really beautiful car. An iconic example of awesome 60s styling. Unfortunately still way overpriced…………..for that dough you can get a top of the line upscale model from several GM divisions. No wonder it didn’t sell. Too bad. GLWTS.

    Like 4
  20. JoeNYWF64

    Picture how much of the road you could see under the hood, if this was, say, a Biscayne with the straight 6. Try seeing that much if any of the road on modern
    vehicles, with length x width area being much smaller.
    When did Chevy start liquid cooling the powerglide? I’m guessing doing the latter made them bulletproof, but that does not matter much now with classic cars getting very little use these days.

    Like 1
  21. Thomas L. Kaufman

    I bought a used one while stationed in Germany, serving in the Army, back in 1970, and I think I paid $1100.00 for it. It was a nice car with a 396, Vinyl roof, etc. MSRP on these cars averaged between $4000 and $5000 depending on the add-ons, and accessories. This seller seems to me to be attempting to cut a fat hog. $20,000 is all its money.

    Like 4
  22. ClassicP

    My friends dad had one in 68’ fabulous condition and buckets with console. Same color combo as this one. I remember summer months the a/c cars had a nice factory tint.

    Like 1
  23. Jack

    It is not an original survivor due to the rebuilt engine. They weren’t taking this to the dragstrip with that power glide. The 327 275 HP was a good engine that shouldn’t have needed a total rebuild at 58 thousand. As soon as I saw that repainted Chevrolet orange paint job, I figured it wasn’t original.

    The Chevrolets I had new did not have very good paint jobs on the engine from the factory. It was difficult to keep them looking like the one in this picture. I found that stock ones would seep oil in the gasket areas.

    Like 2
  24. Jack

    It is not an original survivor due to the rebuilt engine. They weren’t taking this to the dragstrip with that power glide. The 327 275 HP was a good engine that shouldn’t have needed a total rebuild at 58 thousand. As soon as I saw that repainted Chevrolet orange paint job, I figured it wasn’t original.

    The Chevrolets I had new did not have very good paint jobs on the engine from the factory. It was difficult to keep them looking like the one in this picture. I found that stock ones would seep oil in the gasket areas.

    Like 2
    • john atanasio

      I agree with you Jack. a car that only has 58000 miles on it should not need an engine rebuild.those 327 were good for at least 125000 miles without anything to do to them other than change a water pump starter and maybe a thermostat.that’s all mine ever needed and it went over100000 miles.

      Like 1
  25. Larry D

    Very nice Chevy, though yeah, kinda pricey. Hagerty has that model at $23.4K #2, $34.1K #1. That aside, A/C could be added, as could front disc brakes (which weren’t available as a factory option in 1966, so I’m not sure it’s fair to ding it for that)(same with the Powerglide, as the 3 speed 400 THM was only available with the big block). So . . . find another one this nice.

    Like 1

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