10k: Big Block Party: 1969 Chevrolet Caprice
If you are a regular on this site, you’ve seen the high contrast pseudo-HDR photos from the ebay regular ClassicsbyLash in Lakeland, Florida. Like a lady covered in tattoos, the photo style elicits a fight or flight love or hate response deep in the cerebellum of the common male. Photographic technique aside, the seller certainly has an extraordinary supply of minty clean low buck classics offered at no reserve…and…for this one, I say get a hep-B booster and go lay some rubber. Find this 1969 Chevrolet Caprice 396
currently bidding for $8,600 on ebay with one day left to go.
The first generation Chevrolet Caprice was built from 1966 to 1970 on GM’s best selling (4th behind the Beetle, Model T and Lada Riva for all time world wide sales) B-platform, which included Buick LeSabre, Chevy Impala, Olds 88 and Pontiac Bonneville. This one with 60k miles on the odometer (no word on how many times it has flipped over) looks really nice in the pics.
Under the hood is a numbers matching 396 cubic inch big block “turbo jet” V8, pushing an SAE gross 325 horsepower. Unfortunately, neither turbos, nor jets, were used in the production engine, but it was a huge lump of iron that bludgeoned the rear tires into submission with torque and fuel.
The inside is delightfully scrumptious buffet of late 60s gauges, (faux?) wood trim, vinyl seats with button accents, and a badass looking shifter mounted in the optional center console. Whatever you call it– grandpa, gangster, gangsta, pimp — this thing just reeks of pungent funk of the impending 70s.
See another big beautiful and bold classic that has been spit shined and chromatographically enhanced? tips@dailyturismo.com
This is just plain awesome all around.
We don't need no stinking AC or power brakes!
When I was a rookie cop, we got these (4door) with the 396/325. They would really fly but would not stop too well with no power brakes and drums up front. I had a lot of fun chasing down your standard Camaros and Mustangs of the day.
Pungent Funk? You definitely need shots. While I applaud almost amything built n the sixties, ths is kind of a poseur. Turbo slushbox……..yes I know.they were great on the straightaway..still.but hey beats a Hyundai seven days a week