The muscle car movement of the mid-1960s was largely focused on mid-size automobiles like the Chevelle SS 396 and the Pontiac GTO. But a sleeper in the group was the new Chevy Caprice which could be ordered with a 427 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. In other words, it’s a luxury car that could also go fast. The seller’s ’67 Caprice is one of them and it’s probably rare today, though in rough condition and needing lots of love. Located in Moss Landing, California, this Beastly Bowtie is available here on eBay for a flat $20,000.
Arriving in mid-1965 in response to the successful Ford LTD, the Chevy Caprice was a plusher version of the Impala. It went over so well with buyers that it became a series of its own in 1966 and was treated to a restyle in 1967 along with the rest of Chevy’s full-size cars. Most Caprice buyers likely went for the base 327 V8 engine because they wanted a fancy car for a lot less money than, say, a Cadillac DeVille. Caprice buyers in 1967 could order any Chevy V8 in the Caprice except for the 425 hp version of the 427 – that was reserved for the Impala SS. But that didn’t exclude the 385 hp 427 from being dropped into an unknown number of Caprices.
From the looks of things, this ’67 Caprice 2-door hardtop has been buried in a barn for quite some time. We’re told it starts and runs well and has new brakes. But the photos suggest otherwise and only one photo is provided of the full body. So, we don’t know what damage there may be to the rest of the car and whether rust is an issue (the seller says it’s not). Lots of interior photos are provided and it may be dirtier than anything else.
The potential rarity of this Chevy is that the 427 and 4-speed are said to be numbers-matching. It has a bucket seat interior which plays into the hands of muscle car fans. This could be a worthwhile project to restore, but it won’t come cheaply. However, when finished, the Caprice could appeal to folks in two camps: those who worship muscle cars and others who like luxury car amenities.
Looks like the barn didn’t have a roof. Lot of Bondo under that emblem. Price out of sight and the dollars to fix it are going to be too.
Is that a Nissan Patrol lurking in the background?
Probably a rusty mess a Moss Landing Cs is right on the ocean and wet 24-7 365 days a year
Not a fan of the notch back roof line, but I hope this car gets saved. It will of course take deep pockets to do so.
saw a couple of these new; awesome cars. Think 396 chevelle would have a hard go against one of these. Went with my Grandmother in Oct 1967 she bought a new 1968 Impala 396/325 4 dr dual exhaust hardtop off dealers lot.It was no slouch,
Whoever ordered this car had eclectic taste, 427, 4spd, posi, bucket seats, console, upgraded radio/speakers/tape deck, wood wheel, power windows, formal roof, manual steering and brakes.
Rust might not be as bad as assumed, fog and salt air in California often doesn’t penetrate more than a mile or two inland from the coast, often less. If interested in this car it’s worth a look, the seller might be willing to negotiate.
Steve R
The L72 427/425HP wasn’t available on the full-sized 1967 Chevrolet. Records indicate that 11 such engines were manufactured, but it is not known if these were installed in production cars or used for other purposes. No documented 1967 full-sized L72 cars are known to exist. Like the never-built Monte Carlo 454/4-speed, rumors persist, but no legitimate cars have been found.