In the automotive enthusiast world, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for some specific tangents of cars and trucks: sleepers is certainly one category, and wagons another. Combine the words “fast wagon” and you’re bound to get a few people interested in what words come out of your mouth next. Though this is far from the fastest wagon out there, it’s an intriguing model we don’t see all that often: a Chevrolet Caprice with the unusual 1AD package. This Caprice can be found here on GovMoCo.com with an asking price of $3,250. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Henry Reining for the find.
First of all, it’s important to note this is not, literally, a police wagon. It is not “pursuit rated”, as someone who is well-versed on police packages might say. From what I can deduct, it’s more like a “county government rated” vehicle, in that the 1A2 package is more intended to hold up to the abuse that comes from being driven by people who no stake in a car’s long-term well-being. The 1A2 package got you heavy-duty items like an upgraded cooling system, alternator, steel wheels, and even more durable bucket seats. However, you didn’t get upgraded suspension or brakes.
However, what it does have is the optional 260 b.h.p. 350 V-8. Of the two V8s available, this was the one to have. So, suddenly, this wagon gets interesting again, even without having all of the go-fast goodies. Sadly, the one thing that may hold you back from wanting to build a high-speed pursuit wagon is what often stops every otherwise-deserving project: rust. This Caprice sadly suffers from the body rot that many of them do, and it is found in some unfortunately tight spaces. Inside the door jams, the rockers, the wheel arches, and so on, all paint a picture of this Caprice being used and abused by government workers with no mind given to being driven in the slop and the salt.
The seller has priced the wagon accordingly, as I’ll bet it would command a fair amount more if it were not so rusty. It looks good otherwise, with a complete interior and no real modifications to complain about. The seller doesn’t hide this fact but does note it drives quite well; he has made some improvements to give it a better stance, and also adds that given the engine doesn’t smoke despite having 282K miles on the clock, the engine was perhaps rebuilt at some point in the past. The good news is sheet metal from rust-free southern or desert cars is readily available in junkyards; the bad news is you’d have to really love this thing to justify the labor. What’s your take – is it worth de-rusting this rare wagon?
I bet the govt workers went racing for the keys to drive this rocket 🚀 wagon
My kind of car! I was amazed at the low price,
until I read your comment about the rust.
This is the kind of wagon I wanted, back when
we had three young kids.I settled for a practical ’78
Fairmont wagon instead,with a 200 6 cylinder.
This era wagon with the LT1 make great cruisers, but “fast” is a stretch. I found one drag test for a stock 1993 9c1 Caprice that ran low-16’s at 83mph and another for one with an aftermarket reprogrammed ECU that ran 14.80’s, at best your probably looking mid-15’s bone stock. They are good highway cars, but that’s about it.
Not sure how desirable the engine is, they were popular swaps in the late-90’s to mid-2,000’s, then were surpassed as the go to for late model engine swaps by any 5.3 or bigger LS engine well over a decade ago.
The sellers asking price is probably about right.
Steve R
Funny this was the first program I worked on design team (Did hood ornament/base)
My First and last job on the board before it all went 3D design.
The top Engineer was Terry Quatro who was Suzi Quatros cousin which I loved, I’m a HUGE Suzi Quatro fan
Too bad about the rust. Like Angila, I was thinking “what is wrong with this wagon,” as it seemed too good to be true for the price. Still though, if you don’t want to put a ton of time, and or money, into sheet metal and body work, neutralize the rust, and if stored indoors, it should be good for many years. Could make a fun beater if one’s expectations are not to have the wagon look showroom new.
The great white whale! Last of her kind.
I am all in on the “fun beater” concept. My wife wants me to purchase a motor home so that we can travel the country when I retire in a couple of years. Not going to happen. But…an inexpensive used station wagon, with a luggage rack, to me sounds like a viable alternative. Just drive the snot out of it, and don’t fret the road rash and depreciation. This station wagon probably has too many miles already to endure an extended, multi-year road trip. However, the “fun beater” concept has got my attention!
I see on the listing site that the 1A2 spec sheet says the Speedo goes to 200 MPH? Not that this one could climb that high but still fun for bragging rights
1A2s are not exactly rockets w/their 2.56 axle ratio. As well, I believe they “speed limited” from the factory.
Until you get out on the highway Utesman, and floor it. 😎 🚀
Circa 2000, down in Alabama visiting my parents, on the I-85, see Blue lights approaching rapidly in the rear view….
Caprice Wagon, doing at least 100mph,
Later found out it was from the State Medical Examiner’s Orifice, on its way to an interview with somebody who probably didn’t want to be there and didn’t have much to say.
Frank