The high-ups at Chevrolet must have realized right off the bat that the Caprice name was destined for success, as in just its second year the moniker went from being merely an option on the ’65 Impala sedan to a stand-alone model for 1966, plus you could get it with 2 or 4 doors plus even as a station wagon. As the top dog in Chevy’s full-size lineup, the car came with lots of goodies to begin with but buyers also had an impressive list of options to choose from, many that can be found on this well-equipped 1966 Chevrolet Caprice here on Craigslist. The seller says it’s got just about everything that could be had, and it’s no straggler in the performance department either, as the car is powered by a 396. This one’s over on the east coast in Virginia Beach, with the asking price set at $13,500.
Barn Finds reader Tony Primo brought the Chevy to our attention, and we’d like to thank him for the tip! The seller thinks the car has been in storage since the early eighties, although we don’t get any detailed information regarding the circumstances or find out how long it’s actually been in his possession. One thing he does mention is that there’s some rust on the body, including the lower areas of both quarters and front fenders. The car’s got wheel well and rocker panel trim pieces, so it’s hard to know if anything else is hiding under those. I’ve seen a lot worse, but be aware that there will be moderate corrosion repair in your future if you end up with this one.
I’m guessing most if not everything inside is original, and while much of it could use a good refreshing there are some cool options in there, such as a tilt/telescopic steering column, power windows, cruise control, and a full set of gauges. There are also front bucket seats and a console, so even though the Caprice was branded as a luxury offering this one’s kind of sporty as well. It’s also got air conditioning.
The 396 is said to be the original numbers-matching engine, which has had some recent work including a new timing chain, water pump, new hoses, belts, and spark plugs. The big block is said to start right up and run fine, and there has also been some brake work performed so stopping shouldn’t be a problem either. No underneath shots are provided but the trunk pan is stated as good, with only some surface rust visible. although there is said to be a small spot on the floors. So it’s going to take some time and effort to get there, but once this Caprice is given ample TLC I’m envisioning a really nice cruiser. What do you think?
Like the car, hate the wheels
Agreed Tbone, those just might be the ugliest wheels I’ve ever seen. I can only imagine what the center caps might look like. Or better yet, walking into the local wheel & tire shop and asking the salesman if they knew where I could get a replacement set only to be laughed at and chastised out of the store. Decent asking price considering all the options and the amount of maintenance work already put into it. Should be ready for daily use while continuing with sprucing it up.
I had to go back and look at the wheels after reading both your comments. Yeah, what exactly are those, anyway?
Sourced from who knows where. Not even J.C Whitney I don’t believe.
Those wheels are Western Bullets. With the proper center cap.. now made from unobtanium.. they are a nice wheel. They were wheels that Chatanooga Choo Choo used on some of their Choo Choo El
Camino conversions. I bought a set new in 1975 for my 69 Mach 1 and I thought they looked good. But then again.. I hate the boring Crager SS 5 spoke because everyone and their dog has them.
I’ve got a set of caps for those wheels, I’ve had the wheels on a trailer forever
Wow, nice car, rare options, I hope it gets a total restoration to original, and showed off for the beautiful machine that it is.
They came with either wire wheel covers or mag wheel style covers. My 65 had the wire wheel covers and my aunts had the mag style.
Always loved the 66 – 67 Caprices. Had 4 67 coupes (at one time!) but wouldn’t kick a 4 door hardtop out of my garage. This one has the very rare stereo multiplex controls in the console door, necessary when combined with the console gauges. I’ve only seen one other setup like that, in an Impala SS – I’m a lover of the unusual options, would love to have a Caprice coupe loaded like this one, but would prefer different colors (and wheels). I don’t have garage/barn space for the ones I have, but you can always dream, right?.
I love this car for 12500, just hits all the right bases with A/C. Yes it’s kind of a beater, but a honest beater as everything looks original & while yes I’m thinking some rust if its been at Virginia Beach all its life not as bad as say Michigan . Got to love a 396 baby!
Always thought the design was elegant with the formal roof line the 66 model year across the line had the forward swept front fenders. Just an overall good looking car and this being a loaded Caprice just makes it better. Set of rally wheels with flat center caps would set it off.
Having had a few 66 Chevys in my family, including parents, I say “simply marvelous darling.” Just replace wheels with magnums.
Correct me if i’m wrong, was the telescopic steering wheel available at Chevy only on ’65-66 full size chevies(or just Caprice?!), & various year(but not all) corvettes?
Used ones seem rare & pricey. I wonder if unique new telescopic parts are even available for repair.
& are new aftermkt telescopic columns available?
I always thought the tilt/tele was only available in 1966, but have recently heard of it being in a very few 1965s. If they came out to ’65 it would have been very rare. It was available in any ’66 B body (full size) Chevrolet, I have a few all taken out of Impalas. I have a ’66 ElCamino that I put a column shift tilt and tele patinaed just like the rest of the interior, makes the Chevelle people scratch their heads!
Pretty sure not much is being reproed for them, but the Oldsmobile and Cadillac tilt/teles share a few of the mechanical parts and not too much goes wrong with them, just make sure you find a complete one!
Cadillac column I believe!!!!
T & T WAS AN OPTION ONLY IN 66. Required auto trans & PS.
Love it, has all the great options. Those ugly wheels came off a 1986 GMC conversion van. I had one all original about 10yrs. Ago. It had the 5th matching one mounted on rear door. So I assume they came with these. Correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks. I prefer the ss model but I would take this one 1st. Nicely optioned.
H
I think those Wheels are made by Western in the 70s. I like the 66 Caprice dig the rare steering column I think you could get the 2 spoke wood wheel also.
ONLY this wheel w T&T wheel. Same big, flat plastic wheel as Olds & Cad versions.
this car looks great wish I had my driver’s license and the money to buy it my dad drove a used 1984 Caprice classic sedan from October 93 to May 2000 Uncle Rico who had owned it from new downsized to a Honda Accord for better gas mileage
The wheels are actually American Racing Vector Turbine 10 spoke alloy wheels. I found a pair on eBay that look to be the same. Either way, they are still hideous.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115691133183?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=3wRXimErRPm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=w89bvT19TOS&var=&widg
No Boats!
Rare options, indeed. I believe the knobs on the console are for the rare multiplex unit for the AM/FM stereo.