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).

With the 229 CID V6 installed, the Chevrolet Caprice had the highest fuel-economy rating of any full-sized Chevrolet to date, with 20 miles per US gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

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.

All full-size Chevrolets were fitted with All-Season tires and the Caprice Classic was fitted with the standard amenities of the Impala, plus dual horns, head-lamps-on buzzer, bumper rub strips on all body styles except the wagons, wheel opening and lower bodyside moldings, and a quartz clock. Items shared with the Impala include an argent grille, power brakes and steering, full wheel covers, two-speed wiper/washers, bright moldings, folding front center armrest, a lighter, padded door panels, an AM radio, day/night mirror, and cloth bench seats. The station wagons had vinyl bench seating, heavy-duty front and rear suspension, a power liftgate window, and a locking side compartment. They came standard with the V-8 engine and backed by an overdrive automatic transmission.

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 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