396 V8 Parts Car? 1965 Chevrolet Caprice
Chevrolet introduced the Caprice mid-season in 1965 as a luxury version of the Impala. The move was intended to give Chevy a head-to-head competitor to Ford’s new luxury car, the LTD (a glitzy Galaxie 500). It became a series of its own in 1966 and the nameplate would stick around for ages. The seller’s 1965 Caprice may be all original, but it’s been sitting for years, and rust has turned it into a donor car (per the seller). The upside: it has a factory 325 hp, 396 cubic inch V8!
The Caprice would go on to be a big seller for Chevy. But the downside was that it drew sales away from the Impala Super Sport, which would see its production numbers decline while the Caprice’s rose. This ’65 Caprice was a well-equipped auto, including power windows, a power front seat, and tilt steering. The interior was a step up from the Impala, though leather was not likely involved. The seller’s edition is the Sport Sedan, which is another name for a 4-door hardtop.
We assume this Caprice was a barn find as it sits atop a trailer and that’s where all the photos are taken from. The machine appears to have 158,000 miles as we’re told the odometer has rolled over. The seller says this was a one-owner vehicle and is original down to the Holley 4-barrel carburetor. Because of a great deal of corrosion, the seller thinks this vehicle would better serve as a parts car rather than a restoration project on its own merits (too must rust, too many doors?).
The car was subject to some tough winters in Peoria, Illinois, where it was a daily driver until it was parked. The engine has not been started in ages, but you can get it to turn with a ratchet bar and a socket, so there’s hope for the big-block motor. Located in O’Fallon, Missouri, this family luxury/muscle car is available here on craigslist for $6,800. The seller can deliver it for a fee, depending on distance. Another tip brought to us by “Zappenduster”!
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Comments
Looks just like the one my dad had in the 70’s but it was a a 327 and had a custom stereo with controls mounted under the dash. It was also the same color and from the St. Louis area. She was a beauty.
It seems able to be brought up to a “driver” status. It’s very desireable and doesn’t seem tht bad.
First thing is first, structure.
those ’65 – ’66 years were very prone for frame rot, looks very pleasing on the outside, find a decent donor with a good frame and this would be an excellent money maker, once restored.
The 65’s even more than the 66’s. Most Impala folks will tell you the 66 has fewer frame and other issues.
Technically, it’s an Impala Sport Sedan with the Caprice Custom option. All 1965 Caprices were Sport Sedans. This one seems too nice to part out, unless the frame is toast. A frame-off restoration probably isn’t in the cards, but what we can see doesn’t really look that bad. Lots of desirable options on this one, too, and given the state of the interior, I wouldn’t be surprised if the odometer hasn’t turned over.
way too nice to part out; very rare car. sure looks like 58.000 miles from interior pics.
I’ll take his word for it on the rust but too bad. The interior looks near mint. But if the body and pans are rusted through, yeah, you’ll quickly have way more into it than it’s worth unfortunately.
Check the frame on these 65-70 Impala they are the weakest point, you wouldn’t think that, but these cars are known for frame rot even if the body doesn’t seem bad, I had a white 65 Impala just like this in the 80s, the car ran great and drove well, but the frame was broken in 3 places, rusted through everywhere, this was 30 years ago
If the floors/truck are good and the frame is good, I’d try and get it road worthy, and preserve and enjoy it for what it is, a fun toy. I wonder if it were a demo since every option was unusual in those days.
Overpriced for a parts car. Running, driving in fair condition wouldn’t be much more.
When a seller tells you it’s “it’s too rusty to repair in my opinion”, believe them.
Steve R
Oh, I bet some slick salesman at Holz Chevrolet in Milwaukee( one of the biggest then), sorry ladies, not many women in car sales in the 60s, tried their darndest to sell my grandfather, the Packard one, this car. Sadly for them, grandpa was a mizer, with grandma close behind, and he opted for a basic Impala 4 door. Grandpa got very few options, like most Chevy buyers then, to the tune of over 800,000 Impalas sold. The base price with a 6 cylinder was about $2800. Cars like this were well over $4. The only options he got was a V8( 283), Powerglide, P/S and a clock. Grandma always insisted on a clock. With his ’61 BelAir trade in, I bet gramps and grammy grams coughed up at least $3grand. A lot of money in 1965. I’m sure the folks at Holz remembered his ’61, and when he got the ’72 Nova, from yep, Holz Chevrolet. People did that then. He bought everything at Sears, and his cars from Holz.
This is a wonderful find, as most of these became Toyotas, I read, but the 396 just isn’t needed today. I bet hot rodders still want those and a small block, or even a 6 will do just fine. Call me old fashioned, but a grand here tops, as is.
If you had a nice 2 door body, this would make a great parts car.
A Holley carb on a 396/325, is that correct? My ’65 Impala SS, 327/300 has its original Quadrajet. Several of my friends had ’68 and ’69 SS 396 Chevelles and they had Quadrajets.
Part it out for the options and motor, and dump the body !
get it running and freak out the neighbors
Yep…..most likely a showroom display car with all those goodies….insides don’t break down in the North and East so it could easily have the 158,000 miles by the loving first owner. The cost of this new might just have been above a base Vette !
The body doesn’t look terrible but no pics of the frame trunk or floor. If they are good I would fix this one up and drive if not I’d find another 4dr hardtop to move all those sweet options over to.
No dents or excessive wear showing, fully loaded, complete and not looking abused. It’s definitely worth a look and close examination. If the underbody rust isn’t excessive replacing or repairing the rust in the doors and fenders isn’t an overwhelming amount of work. This would make a great driver with power and comfort.
Unless the frame is rotten, that is a fixer. A matching numbers car(?) with a big block, so what if it’s a four door. The two extra doors makes it easier to take the grandkids out for ice cream. The Europeans make some very fast, very desirable cars with 4 doors. Bob Glidden had a real fast race car that had four doors. Could be a real sleeper with a few modifications.
The only 4 door Pro Stock car I remember was the Gapp and Roush Maverick. The Tijuana Taxi.