1969 Chevrolet Caprice

The Chevrolet full-size lineup for 1969 included the Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, and the Caprice. The Biscayne was the entry-level model, offered as a two- and four-door sedan, and a station wagon with prices that ranged from $2,645 to $3,170. The 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with overhead valves and 155 horsepower was standard in the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala. The standard eight-cylinder engine was the 326.7 CID, overhead-valve V8 with five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and 235 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. The Bel Air, also available as a two- and four-door sedan and station wagon, had additional trim molding, fender side script, twin taillamps, and updates to the interior. The Impala had triple taillights, the Impala name along the body side, additional brightwork along the lower portion of the body and between the wheel openings, plus additional standard amenities. Body styles included a sedan, hardtop sport sedan, hardtop sport coupe, Formal Top Custom Coupe, convertible, and Kingswood station wagon (with six- and nine-passenger seating). The six-cylinder engine was available in the sedan, hardtop sport coupe, and hardtop sport sedan.

The full-size Chevrolet platform had a 119-inch wheelbase and measured 216 inches. Comparatively, the Nova had a 111-inch wheelbase, and the Camaro's measured 108 inches.

All full-size 1969 Chevys wore new styling with new body lines and a bumper that wrapped around the grille. The front windows were ventless, there were flared wheelhouses, lower body sides that kicked up, and chrome molding around the grille surround. The parking lamps were in the front gravel pan and the taillights were round-corned rectangular-shaped located within the rear bumper. The Biscayne had twin lamps and other full-size models had triple lamps. Each had its model name at the center of the grille and behind the front wheel well. Chevrolet script was on the left hood side and the right deck lid edges.

The standard equipment on all full-size Chevys included Astro Ventilation, Hide-Away windshield wipers, dual-speed electric wipers and washers, all-vinyl trim, carpeting, heater and defroster, front head restraints, ashtray light, and dual-action tailgate on station wagons. The Bel Air added a Deluxe steering wheel, thicker foam seat cushions, and courtesy lights. The Impala had glovebox and luggage compartment lights, extra foam seat cushions, a Deluxe steering wheel, and door and window frame moldings. The convertibles had all-vinyl upholstery and carpeted lower door panels.

The Chevy Caprice was the top-of-the-line full-size Chevy and offered solely with the eight-cylinder engine. Body styles included a hardtop sport sedan priced at $3,350, a Formal Top Custom Coupe at $3,300, and the Kingswood Estate Wagon at $3,565. The nine-passenger version was an additional $115. The Kingswood Estate had full wheel covers, a glove box light, window moldings, a two-spoke steering wheel, Look-of-Wood side paneling, recessed step-in boarding-type rear bumper, Kingswood Estate identification script on the rear fender sides, wheel lip moldings, sculpted wheel openings, and a two-spoke steering wheel.

Optional equipment on the Caprice included retractable headlights and the variable-ratio power steering was a new extra-cost feature. Standard equipment on the Caprice included full wheel covers, unique side molding treatment, Caprice signature script, front fender market lamps, an electric clock, and a front seat armrest.

Optional engines included a new 350 CID Turbo Fire V8 in 255 or 300 horsepower configuration, a 396 CID Turbo Jet V8 with 265 horsepower, and a 427 CID Turbo Jet V8 rated at 335 or 390 horsepower. All eight-cylinder engines were now offered with the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission for the first time, but the 327 and 350 V8s could still be ordered with the two-speed Powerglide automatic.

Chevrolet produced approximately 68,700 examples of the Biscayne, 155,700 of the Bel Air, and 166,900 examples of the Caprice. The most popular full-size Chevrolet was the Impala with around 777,000 units built.

Chevy Caprice
The Caprice was part of Chevrolet's lineup in North America from 1965 to 1996. The 1965 Caprice was an option package on the Impala four-door hardtop, becoming its own model for 1966 and serving as the top-line full-size Chevrolet. The traditional triple round taillights used on the Impala since 1958 were replaced with new rectangular taillights, and a revised grille and front bumper. They had unique wheel covers, luxurious cloth and vinyl bench seats with a folding center armrest in the rear seat, and an optional 'Strato bench' seat. The 1967 Caprice was given a restyling with rounder body lines, revised taillights and grilles, a new steering wheel, and a modified instrument panel with round instrumentation. The backup lamps were repositioned into the rear bumper and the taillamps lenses were all red.

The Caprice was completely restyled and redesigned for 1971, gaining a 121.5-inch wheelbase platform, Chrysler-like fuselage styling, double-shell roofs, and flush exterior door handles. The styling introduced in 1971 would continue through 1976, with updates along the way.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021