1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

The 1975 model year was significant for Chevrolet, marking the start of the catalytic converter and the final year for the convertible. The Caprice Classic was part of the full-size lineup, shared with the Bel Air and Impala, and wore a distinctively new exterior design with a more elegant and trimmer appearance. The 'stepped' headlights added prominence to the new grille, and the rear fender skirts helped accentuate the Caprice's elegant look. Among the vast list of available body styles was the convertible, of which just 8,349 examples were built in its final year.

1976 would be the final year for another body style, this time it was the end of the line for the 'true' pillarless four-door hardtop. Front-end styling was again updated, and mechanical refinements were made to the brakes and the engine. Prices rose by approximately $500, with the coupe, sedan, and sport sedan similarly priced at approximately $5,025. The Landau Coupe had a factory base price of $5,285, the estate wagon at $5,430, and the three-seat version at $5,550.

The front featured new quad rectangular headlamps, a new grille with chrome bars (horizontal and vertical with smaller inner bars), with a similar design repeated in twin segments along the front of the bumper. Wide molding traversed the body side, from the back of the front wheel well to the rear of the vehicle, with color-keyed textured vinyl inserts.

The standard engine on the Caprice was the 350 CID (5.7-liter) V8 with two-barrel carburetion. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a cast-iron block, offering 145 horsepower at 3,00 RPM and 250 pound-feet of torque at 2,200 RPM. A four-barrel version brought horsepower 165 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A four-barrel, 400 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 was optional, along with a 454 CID (7.4-liter) V8 with four-barrel carburetion. The 400 CID offered 175 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, and the 454 CID V8 had 225 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. A three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was standard on each engine.

Some of the engines received modifications, including the 454 V8 that received updated ignition tuning and carburetor metering. Some models equipped with the 454 received upgraded brake lining materials, larger brake drums, and a larger brake pedal radio.

Power steering, power brakes, a heater and defroster, and deluxe bumpers were standard on the Caprice, along with carpeting, Caprice nameplates, illuminated visor vanity mirror, electric clock, rear fender skirts concealing GR78 x 15/B steel-belted radial tires, and accent stripes.

The Landau coupes came equipped with twin body-color sport mirrors with the left side being remote-controlled, landau identification on quarter-window glass, bright moldings, accent stripes, deluxe bumpers with impact strips, and body-colored wheel covers with landau markings. Sport sedans had a bright metal vinyl top molding, and the wagons had LR78x15/C tires, a cargo light, and a glide-away tailgate.

The interior of the Caprice Classic had new simulated rosewood accents on the instrument cluster, above the glove compartment, and the steering wheel. There was a new bright steering wheel trim, and a knit cloth and vinyl interior in several colors including dark blue, black, or dark mahogany. The Caprice Classic coupe could be purchased with all-viny white trim.

The wheelbase measured 121.5-inches, except for the wagons, which measured 125-inches. The suspension was comprised of unequal-length control arms, stabilizer bar, and coil springs in the front, with a rigid rear axle with coil springs, lower trailing radius arms, upper oblique torque arms, and stabilizer bar. Steering was controlled by a recirculating ball and braking was performed by disc brakes in the front and drums at the rear.

The most popular body style on the 1976 Chevy Caprice Classic was the sport sedan with 55,308 examples built, followed by 47,411 of the sedan, 28,161 of the coupe, 21,926 of the Landaulet Coupe, and 21,804 of the three-seat estate wagon. The six-passenger estate wagon accounted for 10,029 sales. The total 184,639 units built accounted for approximately 9-percent of Chevrolet's 1976 production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021