1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

During the latter part of the 1970s, the Chevrolet Caprice grew smaller, becoming drastically downsized to reduce weight and improve fuel economy. Although smaller, the headroom, rear-seat legroom, and trunk space increased. The 1980 model year brought about another major restyling, with even further weight reductions and a more aerodynamic profile. Although the Capire wore new exterior sheet metal, the appearance of the car only changed slightly. Aerodynamic improvements included the hood that tapered lower and a higher trunk area. Weight was reduced through the use of aluminum, including in-bumper reinforcement, and the doors and components, including the window crank mechanisms, were redesigned with weight reduction being paramount. In the front was an egg-crate-style grille and the taillight panel housed three separate square lights on both sides. Additional fuel-efficient features included low friction ball joints and easy-roll radial tires.

With the higher trunk area and a now-standard compact spare tire on a 16-inch wheel, cargo capacity increased to 20.9 cubic feet. The bumper-mounted lift jack was replaced by a new frame-mounted jack. Both the sedans and coupes came standard with a larger 25 (US) gallon fuel tank and larger front suspension bushings. New optional equipment included cornering lights and puncture-sealant tires.

Engine displacement grew smaller, with the previous standard 250 cubic-inch six replaced by a new 90-degree, 229 cubic-inch Chevy V6 with the same bore and stroke as the 350 cubic-inch V8. Due to California emission requirements, cars destined for that location received the Buick 231 cubic-inch V6 rated at 110 horsepower, five horsepower less than the 229 CID six (but the same output as the 250 six used in 1979).

The base V8 was also new for 1980, standard equipment on the station wagons, and with a 267 cubic-inch displacement and a Rochester Dualjet carburetor it produced 115 horsepower. This engine was not available in California. The most powerful engine and the one used as standard on California station wagons was the four-barrel 305 CID V8 (previously using a two-barrel setup) with 155 hp. The 350 CID V8 was no longer available, except with the police package option. Station wagons could be equipped with the Oldsmobile-built 350 CID Diesel V8 rated at 105 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque.

All engines were backed transmissions with an electronically controlled lock-up torque converter clutch which aided in increased fuel economy.

Minor styling updates were applied in 1981 including larger sections of the egg-crate style grille and redesigned front disc brakes to reduce drag, plus a translucent plastic master cylinder reservoir. Minor revisions followed in 1982 and for 1983 only four-door and eight-passenger station wagons were offered. The 267 CID engine was discontinued and the 305 CID V8 with the automatic overdrive transmission was standard on station wagons. Car and Driver selected the 1983 Chevrolet Caprice Classic for their Ten Best.

The two-door sport coupe returned in 1984, and once again, styling remained unchanged and was nearly identical to the 1981 models.

1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Both the Impala and Caprice Classic full-size models continue to rest on a 116-inch wheelbase platform and had an overall length of 212.8-inches for the sedan and 215.1-inches for the Caprice wagon. The Impala four-door sedan had a base price of $9,520 and the Caprice Classic sport coupe listed at $9,890, the sedan at $10,040, and the station wagon at $10,715.

The standard engine powering the Monte Carlo, Impala, and Caprice was a 262 cubic-inch V6 with overhead valves, a cast-iron block and head, hydraulic valve lifters, 9.3:1 compression, four main bearings, fuel injection, and 130 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 210 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. The base engine powering the Caprice wagon - and shared with the Z28 Camaro - was the OHV 305 CID V8 with five main bearings, a four-barrel carburetor, and 165 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The compression ratio for the 305 CID V8 had increased from 8.6:1 to 9.5:1 and it gained an electronic spark control resulting in a fifteen horsepower increase. The 350 CID diesel V8 built by Oldsmobile used a fuel injection system, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 105 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. This was the final year for the diesel engine (dropped in January) and it was not available in California. The standard transmission was a three-speed automatic with the four-speed automatic with overdrive being optional.

The 1985 Chevy Caprice Classic wore a crosshatch grille flanked by quad rectangular headlamps, parking lamps inset into the bumper, and wraparound cornering lamps. The 'Caprice Classic' script could be found on the forward end of the front fenders and there was a standup hood ornament (the final year for the standup hood ornament).

While exterior and mechanical changes were minimal, the interior received its most significant update since 1977. A modern horizontal speedometer was standard while a round speedometer was included with the optional gauge package. A modern DIN-and-a-half style radio replaced the previous shaft-style radio, and the pull-out headlight switch was replaced by a push-button style switch. A simulated silver metallic applique on the dash replaced the previously simulated woodgrain applique. The toggle-style switches were replaced by rotary switches for the climate controls, the fan, and the rear window defroster.

The most popular body style on the 1985 Caprice Classic was the sedan, accounting for the bulk of the production, with 139,240 units built, followed by 55,886 of the station wagon, and 16,229 of the sport coupe.

The 1981 through 1985 Caprice Classic had received only minor styling updates, and for 1986 it was given its first major restyling since 1980. Chevrolet discontinued or moved all other sedans, except for the Caprice which now rode on the B-platform, to the smaller, front-wheel-drive H platform. The Impala was rebranded as 'Caprice' (without the 'Classic'), bringing all full-size Chevrolets under one model name umbrella. The styling continued down the aerodynamic path, especially to the front fascia, and the grille became smaller with prominent vertical chrome divider bars.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021