Chevrolet introduced the luxurious Caprice in mid-1965 to compete against Ford’s popular new LTD. It would quickly prove to be in demand, too, and became its own series instead of an option on the Impala. Production of the original run of the Caprice would go on for more than 30 years. This sweet example from 1969 had one previous owner until recently and looks to be in great survivor-quality condition. Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, the seller has made it available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $16,000. But the reserve is unmet and the Buy It Now option calls for $29,500.
The success of the Caprice came at the expense of the Impala Super Sport. Within a couple of years, Chevy was building more Caprices than the SS, and by 1969, only 2,500 Impala SS’s were assembled, all with 427 cubic inch V8s. The seller’s car has the basic 350 V8 which put out 255 hp in ‘69 (2-barrel carburetor). It’s paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission which is a robust choice as the TH-350 was more common with that motor. We’re told they’re both numbers-matching.
This was a nicely equipped Caprice when new, although the original buyer elected not to specify factory air conditioning which had become fairly common by the late 1960s. It also comes with hideaway headlights, which were obtained from the options list and not as standard equipment on the Caprice. The buyer also checked the box for bucket seats and a console with a floor shifter, giving this machine a feel of the Impala SS of old.
No specific reference is made as to whether the paint is original, though the color is, and the matching interior looks great. A couple of blemishes seem to be present on one of the quarter panels. All the sheet metal is said to have come from the factory and the contrasting white vinyl top adds a nice touch. The car was rust-proofed (we assume at the beginning) which has no doubt helped the Chevy to hang in there. The tires are new, and we’re told the Caprice runs great at 78,000 miles. It appears ready for a road trip!
Hmmmm. Caprice was featured back on January 10th in a fine write up by JO; see that here.
https://barnfinds.com/well-documented-1969-chevrolet-caprice/
Was ‘sold’ on eBay (same seller) for $19,500 on January 13th; see that here.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334693080418?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=c2dk7jZHT-u&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=FyW9zq5zSU6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Seller hoping for a spring market bump?
That is curious Big_Fun. After the auction ended on Jan 13, (the car was listed out of Saratoga Springs, NY) in that first auction, it appears again on ebay, but the auction was cancelled because the “item is no longer available”. No bids were tendered in that 2nd auction, and that listing was out of Pompano Beach, FL, same seller. WTF??(Welcome To Florida)
Rex, you made me laugh out loud. WTF = Welcome to Florida.
I never thought of that one. Appropriate, too!
Especially considering that is where I live.
Impalas / Caprices 65-69 are the most beautiful vehicles ever IMO.
I’m not a fan of the formal roofline on the Caprice, but to each their own.
Beautiful automobile for sure. Oddly, the ebay listing has no picture of the rear of the car.
right on! especially the 1965 impala ss!
Didn’t think I’d ever say it but I guess I’m becoming a fan of 50s/60s cars. I guess that’s because of what we have to pick from today.
Somebody that makes a living off of cash only will snatch it up and “donk” it out. Maybe even go over asking price too.
Thanks for these comments! From them, it is obvious that the seller is trying to get far more money than what this car is worth. Note also, that the car doesn’t have air, and that R rear quarter will need work.
1969 is my favorite year for the Caprice & Impala. My Dad had one when I was little (Impala 4 door hardtop), but I love the look of the rear bumper and tail lights along with the loop front bumper.
This one is equipped really great with the buckets & floor shift, the hideaway headlights, and the 350 engine. I don’t particularly like air conditioning, so the absence of it doesn’t break my heart.
Yup, to say I want it is an understatement!
Actually, the 255 HP engine, also known as RPO LM1, was four-barrel carburetor equipped. It utilized a Quadrajet – I owned an Impala-equipped one for years.
Late in the model year (around May), some were produced with a 2-barrel carburetor that generated 250 gross HP. They were known as RPO L65 – it became the standard B-body engine in ’70.
Thx,
JO
Thats incorrect. The ONLY 4bl equipped 350 in the full size lineup was the L-48. It was rated at 300HP with a Q-jet on top.
Absolutely true! Our ’69 Chevelle Greenbriar also had the 350 4bbl, rated at 300 HP. My grandpa bought a new ’69 Impala 4 door hardtop with a 396 2 bbl. I don’t remember its HP rating, but it could really get up and move!
Wrong.I had a 69 Impala sport coupe with the 255 hp sbc and a qjet and a 69 caprice custom coupe with the same engine and a qjet. Bought the coupe out of Arizona for 500.00 and the Caprice for the same price when I was 16 from the owner of our local Mobil gas station and it was identical to this car with buckets and console but a green vinyl top and a/c.
396 large 2gc Rochester 265hp..Only year for a factory 2bbl bbc. My buddy just picked one up for free from an old timer cleaning his garage out.
The 255 was a 4 barrel and the most popular combination for NHRA drag racing. Look it up.
The base motor was a 327 c. i. 235 hp.
350 was optional. My uncle bought one new, dark brown with matching vinyl top with that motor. Had the unique dual stripe whitewalls, just a little wider stripes than the General Jumbo Belted 780 tires my Dad had on his ’70 Impala. Uncle’s car was the main inspiration for my first car, a 1970 Caprice cpe. Uncle’s did not have air, but I made sure mine did and I one-upped my Dad to boot with both model & options!
Very clever…. how they’ve disguised the heater core is bypassed.
Nice catch, didn’t even see that.
It’s worth whatever someone is willing to pay. It’s in good shape for the year but I think they are trying to get more than it is fair market value. Just my opinion.
Upstate NY and no heater…no bueno
Florida is the scammer capital of the US.
Run!! Besides, the ad states rally wheels. Those are NOT Rally Wheels. Just hubcaps
The “shysters” in FL start at the very top.
I wish Barn Finds wouldnt even give cars like this the time of day. I always get excited when I see these listings, then I open the ad and see what an overpriced pile it is. Dissapointing.
Welcome to Florida now go home!!!
Made it to $19,450, Reserve Not Met.
I wonder when it will show up again.