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 Dan Vaughan

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, and carpeting were of better quality. The dashboard and door panels featured walnut trim. Pull straps were added to the doors to make it a little more luxurious and easier when closing the door. Additional convenience lights completed the package.

The market rewarded Chevrolet for this new offering with strong sales. The following year Chevrolet made the package available on more of its body-styles such as the two-door hardtop and a station wagon. The list of amenities that the Caprice trim offered was expanded to include a standard V8 engine. Other items were offered as optional equipment but most of the Caprice was purchased with the options. The list of popular options included power steering, white sidewall tires, automatic transmission, and vinyl top. Additional items such as power seats, stereo radio, power windows, and air conditioning were also available.

The Caprice was quickly evolving into a luxury car that could rival most other cars in its class. Chevrolet wanted to continue this momentum. The Impala, which was the top-of-the-line model was downgraded and by 1973 the Chevrolet Caprice became the new top-offering. A new body style had been introduced for the Caprice in 1971 and came standard with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission and a 400 cubic-inch small-block engine.

In 1973 the Caprice was given an addition to its name, now known as the 'Caprice Classic'. A convertible became available but that only lasted for three years and discontinued in 1975. 1973 began a trend of slowing sales for the Caprice Classic mostly due to the oil embargo. Rising fuel costs had customers searching for alternatives to the thirsty V8 luxury vehicles. It took Chevrolet a few years and in 1975 the standard engine was now the 350 cubic-inch V8 replacing the 400 cubic-inch unit.

A slight redesign occurred in 1974 that changed the structure and appearance of the two-door vehicle. The rear quarter window was now fixed and sat next to a thicker 'B' pillar. Part of this change was to comply with ever-increasing government regulations and safety requirements. In the event of a roll-over, the vehicle would be better able to protect its passengers.

Sales continued to slow. Chevrolet began work on a design that was introduced in 1977.

The restyling of the Caprice in 1977 would last until 1996, though major styling changes were performed in 1980, 1986, and 1991. To say the Caprice was popular would be an understatement. It was awarded Motor Trend's Car of the year in 1977 and again in 1991. In 1983 it made it onto Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best List. Because of its popularity the sister company, Pontiac, did not sell very many Catalina's. As a result, it was soon removed from Pontiac's line-up. Slow sales were not solely reserved for Pontiac as many other companies experienced the same problems.

In 1979 Chrysler stopped selling their V8 big-block engines. Many Law enforcement agencies and cab companies had been buying their fleet vehicles from Chrysler but with the absence of this power plant, began to look elsewhere. Within a few years, the Chevrolet Caprice and Impala had claimed around sixty-percent of the police market and continued to gain market share into the early 1990s. In 1992 Ford introduced their redesigned Crown Victoria which immediately began to introduce on the Chevrolet fleet-vehicle market.

The Caprice was offered as a two-door pillared coupe, four-door sedan, and a station, having two or three seats.

In 1985 Chevrolet no longer offered the Impala. In its place was an entry-level Caprice. The introduction of the Caprice Classic Brougham of the same year was one of the top-of-the-line offerings for the Caprice. The interior was luxurious, spacious, and accommodating. The front seats were 60/40 bench styled clothed in velour. In 1987 the LS option package became available on the Caprice Classic Brougham which introduced even more luxury and exclusivity. The roof was Landau vinyl room trim and the interior could be decorated in their leather or cloth upholstery. The leather was optional and would set the buyer back an additional cost.

The boxy design introduced in 1977 was replaced with a more aerodynamic design in 1991. Major changes occurred to the exterior but under the body shell things were mostly the same. The chassis, frame, and many mechanical components were still the '1977' technology. Though Chevrolet tried desperately to reclaim popularity and once again be hailed as 'America's favorite automobile', their attempts were left unrewarded. The Caprice had ventured into a design that was controversial with many and not well received. Chevrolet quickly answered by restyling the vehicle in 1993 with the most visual change being the removal of the skirted rear wheel wells. The station wagons did not receive this change only the sedan models. Various other changes continued throughout the years such as new wing mirrors and a redesign of the quarter windows in 1995. The C-pillars also received minor attention during that same year.

By 1996 the Chevrolet continued to take abuse from critics. Many saw it as a large, beached whale. In 1997 Chevrolet made the decision to replace the Caprice with the Lumina LTZ.

The Caprice had begun life as additional trim on the Impala. Within a few years, it was given its own name and continued a long production life span which lasted until 1996. Early into its life span, it received the prestigious designation as being Chevrolet's most-expensive and luxurious full-size model. Many within GM felt that the market place was shifting from large vehicles to SUV's. Slumping sales, outdated styling and technology, and faith in other up-and-coming models were some of the reasons for the demise of the Caprice.

by Dan Vaughan