There’s a Facebook group I follow called “Cars You Don’t See Anymore” and I would argue the third-generation of the Chevrolet Caprice is an example of such a model. What’s more is that it’s the kind of car you used to see everywhere, and now I can’t recall the last time I saw a B-body Caprice in the flesh. This 1987 mode listed here on craigslist looks downright mint, with just 90,000 miles on the clock. The seller notes it has been with the original owner until just recently, and the asking price is $14,500.
The Caprice was a mainstay on American roads for decades, and served in its capacity as reliable daily transport for all manners of drivers: private citizens, police officers, government employees, livery drivers, and more. It was perhaps one of the most recognized cars on the road, known for its durability and respectable performance. It’s hard to believe, but some road test editors at the time even praised the Caprice for having steady, predictable handling and half-decent driving dynamics. The car shown here has excellent paint, chrome, and other cosmetic details, like the original wire wheel hubcaps.
Luxury wasn’t necessarily top of mind for most Caprice shoppers, as they were more interested in reliable daily transportation and a heavy dose of comfort. You couldn’t fault the big sedans of this era, including the Crown Victoria and LTD, along with the Diplomat and Fury, for performing admirably in the tasks they were assigned: give drivers spacious interiors, huge trunks, reliable performance, and extreme isolation from the road, and do it as cheaply as possible. However, let’s not forget that for drivers of a certain age, a car like the Caprice Classic may very well be the last car they’ll ever own – and plenty of older consumers picked one of those big body sedans as their final ride.
The seller notes this Caprice started life in California, moved to Arizona, and finally ended up in Utah, seemingly remaining free of major damage and avoiding any extended period of neglect. I love this model year for introducing the flush-mounted headlamps, which marked a significant cosmetic improvement. The Caprice sports V8 power, likely in the form of the near-standard-equipment 5.0L V8, which was good for a respectable 170 b.h.p. and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. The seller additionally notes this Caprice still has a working power antenna, power seat, and functional A/C. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
On the east coast, you rarely see these cars anymore but I agree that not that long ago they were everywhere.