Rebuilt 427 V8: 1969 Chevrolet Caprice
The Chevy Caprice debuted in mid-1965 as a direct competitor to the new Ford LTD. As the LTD was a gussied-up version of the Galaxie 500, the Caprice was a decked-out Impala. It would continue as Chevrolet’s top-line automobile for three more decades. The car’s first generation would continue through 1970, selling 166,900 copies in 1969 alone. This one seems mostly good after more than 50 years and was treated to some older performance upgrades to its 427 V8. Residing in Del County, Delaware, the old Chevy is available here on craigslist for $15,000. Thanks for the heads-up on this one, Gunter Kramer!
Physically, the Caprice was the same car as the Impala but had a higher level of trim and creature comforts. It was available as a 2-door notchback coupe and 4-door hardtop, although a Caprice variation of the station wagon was also offered (called the Kingswood Estate). The Caprice would represent one out of every seven full-size Chevies built in 1969, with the rest taken by the Impala, Bel Air, and Biscayne. One outstanding feature of the Caprice was their optional hideaway headlights, not available on the Impala.
The only engines available in the Caprice had eight cylinders. You could get one up to the 427 cubic inch V8, of which the seller’s car likely was fitted with the L36 390 hp. Less likely is that it was the 425 hp L72 motor that was the “secret” 427. Only 546 of those engines were ordered for any full-size Chevrolets in ‘69, and it was not listed in any sales or dealer materials. At 127,000 miles, this motor received a “high performance” build at some point and that included the addition of a Gearvendors overdrive package to help the TH-400 automatic transmission.
While the interior looks practically new, the body and paint haven’t held up as well. The paint is faded on the upward-facing surfaces and the passenger side is dented and dinged and may have some rust in the lower portions behind the rear wheel well. This Caprice probably had factory air conditioning when new, but the hardware under the hood is no longer there. If you’re in the market for a full-size muscle car and don’t mind a few rough edges, this 427 might impress at Cars & Coffee.
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Comments
You can get all of the patch panels to make this one nice. I really like this one. Normally I would complain that the price is high, and it is, but I would pay the price for it. Wish I had the cash for it!
GearVendor setup alone is worth $2500. Add 4.10 gears and that will wake it up!
With that drive train setup, this car could fly providing the rusted pieces don’t fall off at 100mph.
This was a factory AC car, you can tell by the “suitcase” on the firewall. It was also likely equipped with cruise control, the remnants of which are on the drivers inner fender. Those are signs shortcuts were taken at some point. Based on the wording of the ad, it’s probably the engine is a replacement. Potential buyers would be wise to remove their rose colored sunglasses and inspect this car with a critical eye.
Steve R
What Steve R said. Needs the seldom seen optional hideaways.
If you look at the spec sheet for the motor build you see the rod clearance at .025 that’s 25 thousandths! Valve clearance 250 r? Type of wrist pin Weseco? Maybe Wisecos? CC’s on the combustion chamber? Lot of typos for a professional shop. Looks like the owner filled that out to me.
In 1969 our Boarder bought this model. My Father had the 68 Parisienne 2dr. I know that he loved that 427 over his 327.
In 1969 our Boarder bought this model. My Father had the 68 Parisienne 2dr. I know that he loved that 427 over his 327. I feel the price is in the market.
I had a car almost exactly this in high school (about 1981). Same color, same engine, all the options, green bucket seats with the console shift. Originally it had belonged to an older couple who put about 90,000 miles on it. I bought it from a friend who had crunched the left front fender for…..$300.00 I pulled the engine and rebuilt it. I later needed money so I sold the engine and junked the rest of the car. Still kicking myself for that!
There’s one of these 427 Caprices in an old wrecking yard near me except it’s a four speed car. Not surprisingly it’s cowl and vin tag are gone. I’d post a pic if the site would let me. Somewhere out there there’s a fake 427 4 speed caprice.
I sold this exact car 15 yrs ago for $250 without the motor and transmission. The body of my car had one hole the size of a baseball on the bottom of the passenger front fender, no other rust anywhere.
I sold this exact car 15 yrs ago for $250 without the motor and transmission. The body of my car had one hole the size of a baseball on the bottom of the passenger front fender, no other rust anywhere. I don’t miss it. Rode like a piece of junk and handled even worse. Nice looking though.
69 B bodied cars could also be had with a 335 hp 427. Torque at 470 lb/ft was actually higher than the higher horsepower 427s 460 lb/ft.
About 35 years ago I bought a 335 hp 427 with ideas of putting it in a 67 Chevelle 300 Deluxe wagon but the factory 327 ran too nice, so the 427 has sat in my granary since then.
I owned a 1969 Caprice Classic 300 HP 350 with the hideaway lights, 4 speed. Gold with black buckets. Full power,tilt with gauge package with a speedometer that drove me nuts bouncing all speeds. 12 bolt 3;55 that was kind of a slug on 1st with long gear changes. Heavy car to get motivated.
The best thing was the 10.5 compression, 186 camel heads. With cam scorpion 650 dp and Mallory ig, and headers the only limit was the cast pistons and crank. Still pulling to 6500 was fun and replacing pistons with broken ring lands got to be a chore after I replaced 4 or 5. Then 40 over forged flat tops and a 200 dollar balanced steel crank and then it was 2nd gears breaking and u joints.
I think that the only thing that didn’t get broken was the stock 12 bolt posi. In hindsight I bet if I changed the carrier and went to the 4:10 or higher the axles would of been next. And steel belts were just beginning to be made. The Goodyear Polyglass were my favorite tires. I still have an original pair in the garage. The car is long gone but the drive train is on the pallet racks.