The seller waxes lyrical about the condition of this 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic. From its sparkling paint to its immaculate interior, the overall condition makes the claimed odometer reading of 36,000 original miles totally plausible. It needs nothing and is a guaranteed head-turner. This Caprice would suit a meticulous enthusiast, and it is now listed here on Craigslist in East McKeesport, Pennsylvania. You could drive it home by handing the seller $30,000 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for using a finely-tuned classic radar to spot this stunning survivor.
Chevrolet introduced the Caprice as a series in its own right in 1966, with the larger Second Generation version appearing on showroom floors for the 1971 model year. It remained the company’s range-topping full-size vehicle when our feature car rolled off the line as a facelifted version in 1973. This Caprice Classic presents exceptionally well, with its Dark Red Metallic paint shining beautifully. The contrasting White vinyl top looks crisp and clean. Although I generally hesitate to describe any unrestored vehicle of this vintage as perfect, this Caprice wouldn’t look out of place on a Chevrolet showroom floor. The panels are laser-straight, and rust doesn’t appear to be an issue. The sparkling chrome and glass add to the positive impression, while the rear fender skirts accentuate the car’s size and presence. The seller’s decision to complete the package with narrow whitewalls was wise because nothing suits this classic better.
The seller describes the Caprice’s interior as being in showroom condition, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The new owner faces a sea of Red trim, with the cloth and vinyl seatcovers showing no evidence of wear. The back seat looks like it has never seen human occupation. The carpet is spotless, as are the dash and pad. There are no signs of cracking or discolored plastic and no aftermarket additions. The seller is short on details about the interior appointments, but I think the buyer receives air conditioning, power locks, and an AM radio. It might not seem like much, but it should make life aboard this classic pretty pleasant.
The seller supplies no engine photos but confirms that this Caprice features a 400ci V8 under the hood. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes should emphasize this car’s luxury credentials. The V8 produced 150hp and 295 ft/lbs of torque when the original owner took delivery, and with this Chevy tipping the scales at 4,343 lbs, the ¼-mile ET of 19.4 seconds is all you might expect from a vehicle of this type from this era. However, pointing it at a stretch of open road would allow it to cruise effortlessly at 70mph. The listing indicates this car is never driven, with its current owner using it exclusively for show duties. That makes it unclear whether it is genuinely roadworthy, meaning the buyer would be wise to treat the Caprice to a thorough inspection before attempting any long journeys. The seller claims it has a genuine 36,000 miles on its odometer but fails to mention verifying evidence. However, the buyer receives a collection of documentation with this classic, and the evidence may be hiding amongst it. The paperwork includes the original Build Sheet, Owner’s Manual, Service Schedule, Warranty Information, and a Chevrolet Consumer Information booklet.
I’m unsure whether it is a sign of aging, but I am finding gentle giants like this 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic more attractive with each passing year. This stunning survivor presents superbly, and if its odometer reading can be confirmed as genuine, it is an extraordinary vehicle that is almost beyond criticism. It is a big, heavy beast that will never set any land speed records, but that isn’t what cars like this are all about. They are designed to waft along gently, allowing the occupants to view the frantic world beyond its glass in splendid isolation. If that prospect sounds irresistible, it might be worth pursuing this beauty further.
My Mom drove a 4-door HT
version of this car for a short
while until it wouldn’t start
when the temperature fell below 40 degrees despite our
best attempts to make it do so. That thing spent more time at the dealership than it
did our garage so Mom drove
my ’50 Packard to work for most of the winter of ’73.
I’d leave the keys with her
before I left town to play music over the road. Since I
now live in Florida, I guess I
Would want one providing it’s
not cold natured.
Gotta put a broomstick in the carburetor to hold the choke open and the beast will start right up, even in -40 degree weather.
I hope it doesn’t end being a DONK!
I had 2 73 Impalas with 350s,I had to do the same thing from time to time. Also, the float would stick and I would hit the top of the carburetor with a wooden object to unstick it.
My second car was a ’72 all black Caprice cpe. 402 4bbl. with those bright
aluminum wire wheel covers with the knurled center cap. I think it was the first year for those. Had power locks but no windows.
This is a beauty back when paint was still decent and cloth interiors were more stylish than today’s grocery bag look. Sounds like the optional 400 ci engine here but no mention of 2 or 4 bbl. Price is high but may be someone’s dream car. Glwts.
My mother strayed from our FoMoCo roots and had a 73′ Caprice with a 400 for 3 months before she dumped it because of constant failure and poor quality.It’s a good looking car to be sure and nowadays cars are tuned up better and snugged up more tightly by caretakers and restorers,but off the lot in 1973 it was a piece of junk lemon.
Odd that some report these as a lemon. My folks bought a 73 new with a 454 that we drove as a family vehicle well into the late 80’s. Well over 100k miles with no real engine or transmission problems, just the occasional water pump, master cylinder, replacement, etc. The AC did stop working pretty early on, as I have more memories of windows down than not, but that seemed to be the norm for that era. They bought a 1990 Lesabre new to replace it, and it sat in a tractor shed for a few years. I pulled it out and did a few parking lot burnouts with it in HS, then dad sold it around 1993 to a guy who was going to put the motor in something else. It still ran fine when he sold it. I really don’t know how a Chevy small block or big block and a turbo 350 or 400 would’ve been so unreliable. You see these drivetrains swapped into everything.
I hope it doesn’t end being a DONK!
I bought an identical car like that in 1984 for $500. It was white with the same red interior. It was ok but I wouldn’t pay anywhere near $30k for a mint one. I think ten grand would be about top dollar for a 70s coupe.
This is a beautiful car. Power locks but no windows. I remember many passing through the wrecking yard equipped similarly way back. My mother bought a 71 Impala coupe new. That car went across country several times, here, there and everywhere and never stopped until around 1983 when it had around 200 plus thousand miles on it. I replaced the engine with a low mileage unit and it is still with me today. In the late 80s I bought a 72 convertible that I am driving today, it to has never had an issue in 30 years. I am glad it is expensive or it would likely end up with orange seats and its fenders cut for huge ugly wheels.
Strange to see a coupe with power locks and crank windows. No other options, not even tilt wheel. Still, it’s got a 400, most likely a 4bbl, and it’s in beautiful condition. Since it’s not a desirable car, I don’t see anyone paying more than $10k, though.
at 28K, I believe this car is going to be a hard sell. even in this nice condition.
71-76 were the worst big chevies ever built.