conceptcarz.com

1970 Chevrolet Caprice

General Motors issued a memorandum stating that division managers would be required to drive the cars that paid their salaries. For Chevrolet bosses, the popular choice was either the Corvette or a fully loaded Impala. Both were spectacular automobiles, but these executives desired a posher image from a more exclusive and luxurious automobile. This led to the birth of the Caprice midway through 1965 as an option package, adding approximately $200 to the cost of a four-door Impala, which stickered around $2,700. The RPO Z18 was known as the Caprice Custom Sedan and added a heavier frame, softer suspension, a higher grade cloth and vinyl upholstery, thicker and softer carpeting, various trim changes, and walnut interior trim applique. Additionally, buyers were presented with a multitude of color options to help create a more stylized and unique image for their Caprice.

The Caprice became its own line in 1966 and was positioned among the finest models in Chevrolet's portfolio. Body styles include a four-door hardtop, a four-door hardtop, a six- or nine-passenger station wagon, or as a two-door hardtop with a unique, formal roofline in comparison to the two-door Impala. During its lengthy production lifespan (through 1996 in North America before retiring only to be revived in 2001 and built through 2017), the Caprice (and subsequent Caprice Classic as it was renamed in 1973) would hold the distinction of being one of the best-selling full-size cars in the world. Its popularity was partially attributed to its long list of standard features along with many optional extras.

The full-size Chevrolet models for 1970 included the Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, and the Caprice. The Biscayne was the entry-level model, followed by the Bel Air, then the Impala, and the range-topping Caprice. Prices for the full-size Chevrolet's ranged from $2,785 for the Biscayne and rose to $3,865 for the nine-passenger Caprice station wagon.

Chevrolet produced over 92,000 examples of the full-size Chevy Caprice in 1970. The base V8 engine was an overhead-valve unit that displaced 350 cubic inches. It had 250 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. They were well equipped with power front disc brakes, color-keyed wheel covers, unique body side moldings, and an electric clock. The sedans came with a center armrest seat. Station wagons had vinyl trim, a deluxe steering wheel, exterior wood-grain paneling, and window moldings. They had Dual-Action tailgates and a glove box light.

Styling was similar to the 1969 models, with the previous wrap-around grille and bumper unit replaced by a more conventional under-the-grille bumper. New triple vertical taillamps were located in the rear bumper, and fiberglass-belted tires on 15-inch wheels joined the standard equipment list, along with power front disc brakes. Optional eight-cylinder engines included a 350 CID V8 with 300 hp and a new 400 CID Turbo-Fire V8 with 265 hp. The top engine was the 454 CID Turbo-Jet V8 with either 345 or 390 hp depending on the configuration. The 350 Turbo Fire with 300 hp and the 454 Turbo Jet operated on premium fuel while the 250- and 265-hp Turbo Fire engines used regular gasoline. the standard transmission was a three-speed manual with column shift controls. The previous floor-mounted four-speed manual with Hurst shifter was no longer part of the options list, as were the center console and Strato bucket seats offered on coupes. The list of optional transmissions included the Turbo Hydra-Matic on all engines and the two-speed Powerglide on 350 V8s.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2018

Related Reading : Chevrolet Caprice History

Ford had introduced a luxury series called the LTD and in response, Chevrolet introduced the luxury trim package, Caprice, in 1965. It was available on the four-door Impala models with the name being chosen by Bob Lund, the General Sales Manager, after a New York City restaurant. The package included full wheel covers, a vinyl top, and an upgraded suspension. On the interior the cloth and vinyl seats,....
Continue Reading >>

1970 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1970 Caprice
$3,865-$28,120
1970 Chevrolet Caprice Price Range: $3,470 - $3,865

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1970 Chevrolet Models
$2,175 - $2,200
$2,725 - $3,888

Caprice

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
181,000
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,994 - $3,297
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 263.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 385.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$3,080 - $3,400
115,500
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 385.00hp
$3,220 - $3,570
166,900
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 326.70 CID., 235.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 255.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 335.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 390.00hp
$3,295 - $3,675
92,000
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 345.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 390.00hp
$3,470 - $3,865

Related Automotive News

Mecum Auctions to Return to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, March 5-9

Mecum Auctions to Return to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, March 5-9

Estimated 2,000 Classic and Collector Cars and 200 Road Art Items to Cross the Block Mecum Auctions, host of The Worlds Largest Collector Car Auction®, will return to State Farm Stadium this March 5-9 for its sixth annual auction in Glendale,...
Mecum to Return to Central Florida for Summer Special Collector Car Auction

Mecum to Return to Central Florida for Summer Special Collector Car Auction

Orlandos Orange County Convention Center to Host 1,500-Car Auction July 6-9 Following another record-setting result at the worlds largest classic and collector car auction in Kissimmee, Florida, in January that eclipsed %24217 million in sales,...
Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's : Best of Show

Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's : Best of Show

The Concours dElegance of America, established in 1978, featured over 300 significant automobiles on the beautiful green at the Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth, Michigan. This years featured classes included Vintage Bentley, Auto Show 55, Bonneville...
Auctions America Continues Successful 2013 Season with its Annual Fall Carlisle Sale

Auctions America Continues Successful 2013 Season with its Annual Fall Carlisle Sale

Auctions America rounds out its 2013 auction season in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 3-4 Two-day Fall Carlisle sale, held in conjunction with the Carlisle Events Collector Car Swap Meet %26 Corral, features a diverse roster of 300 classics, exot...
Barrett-Jackson Flavors Its January Scottsdale Auction With NASCAR Treats

Barrett-Jackson Flavors Its January Scottsdale Auction With NASCAR Treats

RACING HERITAGE, HIGH PERFORMANCE ARE RECIPES FOR CAR-COLLECTING FEAST SPEED™ SET FOR 39 HOURS of LIVE COVERAGE STARTING JAN. 15 The great Henry Ford once said, Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built. ...