Photo: eBay seller theaxman1
The Caprice was born out of Chevrolet's desire to repeat the successful Impala strategy from the late '50s. The GM brand launched the Impala as part of the Bel Air version, eventually upgrading it to series status a year later.
The concept was simple, using an established nameplate to give the new model enough exposure in an increasingly crowded full-size market.
It worked like a charm, with the Impala becoming an overnight sensation. Chevrolet tried to do the same thing with the Caprice in 1965. It launched the new model as part of the Impala lineup, eventually promoting it to a stand-alone series a year later.
The Caprice started eating up Impala's market share, especially because it shared similar styling, equipment, and engine options.
The 1968 model year followed the same recipe, regaining the L72 engine option to provide buyers with a big-block engine. The 427 developed 427 horsepower and returned after being pulled for the previous model year. The 307 was the new base V8 in the Caprice lineup, replacing the 283 on the Impala after nearly a decade.
A 1968 Caprice landed on eBay a few days ago with a very intriguing setup and typical issues requiring urgent rust repairs. Seller theaxman1 says all body panels "have rust or rust holes," so it's safe to assume you'll spend a lot of time with the metalwork.
While the body condition is rough, the all-original Caprice comes with good news under the hood. The wagon rolled off the assembly lines with the new 307 V8 in charge of putting the wheels in motion. The 2-barrel unit was paired with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. The car's condition is concerning, but the engine is still alive, as the owner says the V8 is not seized and turns over easily. Find a good mechanic, inspect the engine thoroughly, and you could end up with a rare Caprice worth a complete restoration.
The mileage is intriguing, though it's unclear if it's also original. The odometer indicates 14K miles, but I believe the actual reading is 114K miles – you'll have to check it out in person, especially because the owner shared no information, other than the current numbers on the clock.
Unfortunately, nobody wants this Caprice, possibly because of the rough shape. The owner posted the wagon on eBay as part of a no-reserve auction, and despite the bidding starting at $1,000, nobody has entered the digital fight so far. The auction will likely end without someone taking the car home, which is quite a shame, considering this Caprice doesn't cost more than a new iPhone.
You can find the Caprice in person in Germantown, Tennessee, and you'll need a trailer to take it home, given its shape.
It worked like a charm, with the Impala becoming an overnight sensation. Chevrolet tried to do the same thing with the Caprice in 1965. It launched the new model as part of the Impala lineup, eventually promoting it to a stand-alone series a year later.
The Caprice started eating up Impala's market share, especially because it shared similar styling, equipment, and engine options.
The 1968 model year followed the same recipe, regaining the L72 engine option to provide buyers with a big-block engine. The 427 developed 427 horsepower and returned after being pulled for the previous model year. The 307 was the new base V8 in the Caprice lineup, replacing the 283 on the Impala after nearly a decade.
A 1968 Caprice landed on eBay a few days ago with a very intriguing setup and typical issues requiring urgent rust repairs. Seller theaxman1 says all body panels "have rust or rust holes," so it's safe to assume you'll spend a lot of time with the metalwork.
While the body condition is rough, the all-original Caprice comes with good news under the hood. The wagon rolled off the assembly lines with the new 307 V8 in charge of putting the wheels in motion. The 2-barrel unit was paired with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. The car's condition is concerning, but the engine is still alive, as the owner says the V8 is not seized and turns over easily. Find a good mechanic, inspect the engine thoroughly, and you could end up with a rare Caprice worth a complete restoration.
The mileage is intriguing, though it's unclear if it's also original. The odometer indicates 14K miles, but I believe the actual reading is 114K miles – you'll have to check it out in person, especially because the owner shared no information, other than the current numbers on the clock.
Unfortunately, nobody wants this Caprice, possibly because of the rough shape. The owner posted the wagon on eBay as part of a no-reserve auction, and despite the bidding starting at $1,000, nobody has entered the digital fight so far. The auction will likely end without someone taking the car home, which is quite a shame, considering this Caprice doesn't cost more than a new iPhone.
You can find the Caprice in person in Germantown, Tennessee, and you'll need a trailer to take it home, given its shape.
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