The Chevrolet Caprice is no longer a part of the General Motors portfolio, but in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the full-size family car was one of its most important moneymakers. Caprice sales peaked in 1965, when GM managed to move more than one million examples, and eventually declined before it was discontinued in 1996. The Caprice nameplate returned on a rebadged version of the rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore in the mid 2000s, but this model was only ever offered as a Police PPV in the U.S. and was short-lived.
GM Design recently shared a design sketch of the handsome second-generation Chevrolet Caprice, which it pulled from the secretive GM Design Archive & Special Collections.⠀This sketch was done by GM designer Bill Michalak in 1972 and appears to have served as inspiration for the 1976 Chevrolet Caprice, which was the last model year before the third-generation arrived in 1977. The 1976 Caprice (pictured below) has similar rectangle dual-segment headlights as the sketch and a similarly shaped grille opening, though the grille pattern is quite a bit different.
Earlier second-generation Caprice models had circular headlights, as opposed to the rectangular lights Michalak used in this 1976 design sketch. Earlier Caprice model years also featured wider, narrower grilles as opposed to the taller, more squared-off grille used for 1976. The Caprice front end actually didn’t change very much in moving to the third-generation model, retaining its dual-segment square headlights and rectangular grille. The fourth-generation model’s styling was much more svelte and smooth than the two generations the preceded it, as was customary for the 1990s.
Let us know what you think of this very 1970s design sketch for the 1976 Chevrolet Caprice in the comments down below.
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Comments
1 million Caprice sales in 1965?? No. The Caprice was an option package on the Impala in ’65 and all together (Impala and Caprice) there were over a million sold. The Caprice was a separate model starting in 1966.
My first car was a Caprice. 1970 4 dr. HT, 350/300. Paid $800 for it and it had loads of Bondo in the rear quarters, but it never let me down.
The caprice may have been called a separate model in 1966 but we know that was just marketing. It was still the same as the Impala.
Both the picture of the blue and red one make me miss the more elegant and simple style of those years. Good looking cars. I fondly recall my parents having a 1972 or 73 light green Caprice. Great car, but dad wanted a Cadillac. So the next car was the one year old used 1975 Cadillac DeVille also in light green.
looks like the grill design from this sketch went to the 76 Impala
I’d buy a Caprice Classic if it was FWD
I’d buy a Park Avenue or Ninety Eight (FWD)
But all the cars I liked are gone; never to return. Malibu is your only choice people or Cadillac ( but there are no familiar names left)
When I grew up Impala was a cheap model; so I never really wanted one. There’s a lot in a Name
The ones writing the comments know more facts than the author of article.
1971-1976 caprice & Impala would be the the largest and heaviest vehicles fitted with the largest engines available. The styling would further integrate European Renaissance theme known as “baroque”. Landau roof, opera lights, Corinthian leather, etc
As was the case with Ford and Chrysler.
Building large oceanliner type sedans with
5 mph crash steel bumpers. No crumple or crimple zone between the cars bumper qne the unfortunate pedestrians knees and shins.
Downsized GMs, Downsized Fords, and bancrupt Chrysler in 1979, It was the beginning of the end for the big oceanliner cars.
We seriously need these designers in America today
Saw a 78 built in Australia, weird to see the steering wheel on the right.
I was a Lowrider in the 60’s 70′ I had a 1964 impala with a ‘283’ you could work on these vehicle’s blind folded.. Also I had a black on black ‘vinyl top’ ’67’ Caprice with the double low tranny and a 396 engine.I could give a Vette a run for the Money.And it floated down the Hwy great rideThe Caprice was different from the impala the Caprice was more luxurious.I loved them both.I drive a 2013 Ltz Impala now.
if GM bring it back into production and call it a 2020 Donk it’s stocks will jump tenfold .. YouTube Donkriders …
When I was 10, my parents had a 68 Impala wagon (327-325hp..Factory duals, and a damn good running car) and my father ordered a brand new 76 Caprice Classic. Silver with maroon full top with maroon interior, 3:23 posi, and a 400…
Dad sold the 68, but kept his 68 RS Camaro…
I remember during the summer of 77, dad took a notion at lunch one day and stopped by the Chevrolet dealer close to his office in downtown Charleston and swapped his 68 for a brand new 77 4-speed Z28 for his 25 minute ride home…man…the sound that car made backing into the garage….I want one to this day…
I still have my 1965 Impala with 396, and my brother still has his 1976 Impala. These rides will always be Americana at its finest.
I have a 76 Impala 2 door LS swap 6.0 with the auto 6L80
To whom it may concern, move over 1970 chevelle. 1974 to 1976 Caprice Classic Hard Top and Convertibles are clearly one of Chevys Finest. Thats not to say 1971 to 1973 are special as well.Those cars now have became a must get car,if u don’t believe jus take a look around, u’ll see the new Chevy Movement!
Definitely a Man’s Car!
I own a 76 Caprice that’s sat in the barn for over 30 years only has 38,000 mi on it my wife and I bought one brand new had it for 10 years and it was stolen my brother found this one for me in a barn I’ll never get rid of it love it to death what a design
Great car….i used to drive a caprice during my high school days….
1974 Caprice Classic 2dr hardtop I got for free because it needed a starter. Small block 400 and posi rear with 150 pounds in the trunk and snow tires would go anywhere. Driving as a little old lady got 12-14 mpg. I recharged the AC system with propane would freeze your cajones. I sold it for $500 and is yet another car I wish i still had today.
I would love for GM to bring that Caprice Brougham back on an F body chassis with a plush brougham worthy interior and the 7.0 LSA engine option with an LS3 6.2 as standard with 8L90 or 10L90 transmission that would be my next car I would trade my 2016 Chevy ss for a car like that. A true American land yacht with power the thought gets me thinking about driving across the 7 mile bridge sunroof open going to the Keys in Florida with some Gap Sauce for those foreign jobs
My Uncle Donnie was a Vietnam War veteran and always drove triple blue full size Chevrolets. He had a 74 Impala, 75 Impala, 75 and 76 Caprices. They were like magic between 70 and 110 on the open interstate.
Still have Mom’s 76 Caprice Landau coupe. White with Black interior. Mom bought it new. It has a 400 with original 4 barrel. It’s a huge beautiful brute. I have spent a lot of money keeping it mint