When I was a kid, there was something about hidden headlights that drew me to certain cars. Perhaps it started with my dad’s 1967 Cougar, so the cars that interested me most had their headlights concealed behind some doors. Cars that stick out include my preschool teacher’s 1970 LTD, that 1967 Grand Prix that was by Forwood Elementary, the 1975 Country Squire that Andy’s mom drove, and that 1969 Charger that Herbie’s neighbor owned. And then, one day, I saw a 1968 Chevrolet Caprice I once saw at Kiddie World by the Tri-State Mall.
I had seen plenty of 1968 Caprices on the road, but never one with hidden headlights. The next time I saw one, it was years later and I was an adult. Reminded of my childhood experience, I checked up on this option and was able to determine it was a $79 option only for the Caprice and that 14,929 were built − not very rare at all, it seemed (about 12 percent of production), but sightings were rare. The option certainly cleaned up the front end a good bit!
So on the occasion when I see a 1968 Caprice with this option, I always have to pause and admire, which is why this Caprice on eBay caught my eye. Sure, it’s been hot-rodded to a fault and could use some TLC . . . well, according to the description, its non-factory 454 was done right, and it has a custom paint job and interior, but those seem to be an acquired taste. If I squint, I imagine a 427 4-speed Caprice with those nifty mag wheelcovers, but that combination on a Caprice is extremely unusual and rare.
Chevrolet would produce concealed headlights for the Caprice for one more year, which was something I had seen several times as a kid. Considering 23,797 Caprice buyers ordered this option, it is still somewhat amazing how 1968 Caprices with concealed headlights are much more elusive in comparison.
Comments
I have a 68 Impala convertible and when I do a full restoration on it, I will consider adding the hidden headlights, and a mix of the 68 Impala SS body panels upgrade. It will surely give it that custom look.
Hey, 68 Impala above, good luck finding a working hidden headlight setup for a ’68 – & BTW, they were ONLY available on CAPRICES for that year!
& as for the pic at the top of this webpage, one of the rarest big Chevies on earth should NOT get “modern” rough riding huge tires & wheels under any circumstances. I’m gonna start putting 13″ & 14″ tires & wheels on “modern” “cars” if this nonsense doesn’t stop. That’s why i stopped my Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine subscrpition.