Chevrolet Caprice

The Chevrolet Caprice (later called Caprice Classic) was a series name of automobile produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, in the United States from the 1965 through 1996 model years.

Throughout its life, the Caprice designated the most-expensive (and most luxurious) model of the Chevrolet full-size car range, which during its lifetime also included the Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala.

Caprice, an international brand

In the United States, the Caprice was based on the Impala model, with additional trim and features; however, except for trim and other minor details, the lesser Biscayne and Bel Air models were essentially identical to the more-expensive models.

Two other model lines carried the Chevrolet Caprice name. In the 1970s, General Motors of South Africa sold the Australian Holden Statesman as the Chevrolet Caprice and Caprice Classic. Holden has also named its in-house-developed full-size car the Caprice (more precisely the Holden Statesman Caprice) and exports it to the Middle East where they are sold as Chevrolet Caprices. Model changes of these Caprices follow their Australian counterpart.

US History

The Caprice began life in 1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop sedan, in response to Ford's successful LTD series. This included a stiffer suspension, higher-grade cloth and vinyl seat and door trim (as well as thicker, higher-grade carpeting), walnut trim on the dashboard and door panels, pull straps on the doors, extra convenience lights, special full wheel covers and a vinyl top.

The package was very well received, and was expanded in 1966 to include a two-door hardtop and a station wagon. A V8 engine was installed in every Caprice. While features such as an automatic transmission, power steering, white sidewall tires, and vinyl top were extra-cost options, virtually every Caprice was sold with them. Also, customers frequently ordered luxury options such as air conditioning, power windows, power seats and stereo radios; several automotive history books noted that a fully-optioned Caprice rivaled the appearance, comfort and convenience of the Cadillac Deville.