The third generation of Chevy Caprice left automotive pundits breathless with enthusiasm when it arrived back in 1977, offering a downsized full-size car with the performance of the original, but better fuel economy. Now, we have the opportunity to buy a probably like-new 1978 Chevy Caprice Classic that has recently come on the market.
With a mysterious history that might have been spent sitting in a barn or garage, this 1978 Chevy Caprice has been posted for sale in Nashville, Tennessee. The odometer reading of 15,175 miles is believed to be original, along with the car’s pristine paint and chrome.
Beginning with the exterior, this 1978 Chevy Caprice is still decked out in the factory Carmine Red Metallic paint, which still has the original smoothly gleaming, polished sheen. The crisp white vinyl top is still in the same condition as when it rolled off the assembly line in the late 1970s, and the chrome bumpers are bright and clean.
The original wheels of the Chevy Caprice are wrapped in 2022 tires, one of very few modern replacements for original tires that were likely made brittle by the passage of four and a half decades.
The interior is roomy – described by the seller as having “huge space to spread out inside” – and still features the original Carmine Red interior to match the exterior color. The occupants may be able to keep cool with the factory air conditioning system, though it currently needs work. This Chevy Caprice even features its original CB radio and antenna.
Finally, the trunk is clean and offers decent cargo space. True to its character as a time capsule, this 1978 Chevy Caprice also comes with all of its original paperwork, including the dealer invoice and original window sticker.
Turning to the powertrain, this Chevy Caprice is equipped with the 5.0L V8 LG3 engine which was fitted with a new aluminum intake manifold for the 1978 model year, a change that took 35 pounds off the powerplant’s weight. The engine is rated at 145 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. The Caprice has a rear-wheel drivetrain and transmits power via a three-speed automatic transmission.
So what do you think, dear reader? Is the approximately $23,000 asking price worth the mysterious background and seemingly nearly pristine factory paintwork, chrome, interior, and engine?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
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Comments
WOW WONDERFUL
Like you said WONDERFUL. My Dad owned 3 of them one better than the other. Plenty of power with the 350 in it and it felt like driving on a cloud nice and smooth. Good old Detroit Steel.
Who do I call.if I’m interested??¿???????
Pops had a blue ’77 Caprice Classic(MT Car of the Year) with the F41 “police suspension”. He just got rid of it last year. Wonderful car.
The 3rd generation Caprice/Impalas were a home run for GM. The F41 optioned cars were pulling better skid pad numbers than some sports cars. My dad went from a 74 Caprice to a 79 Pontiac Parisienne. Pontiac made a major blunder by dropping the full size Bonneville to a mid size in the U.S.. Pontiac saw the error of their ways and created the Parisienne as their version of the Caprice.
Dad ordered a 1984 with F41 suspension. I had it for couple years till.I bought his ’91 wagon. The sedan handled well and could tow, too. Was a dark red/maroon.
Holy cow, that looks amazing. What a fantastic car. Is it worth 23 grand? Probably not, but it will most likely sell for that or close to it. After all, you can’t get them like this any more. You want a full sized car, too bad! So someone will step up and put this into a collection.
Wow that’s a real beauty.
I think the price is too steep , I had 3 of these a 79, and 81 and an 82.
The 79 was a 350 4 barrel , the 81 and 82 were 305 4 barrel
The 78 is a 2 barrel ,that is very anemic
The cars i bought were in Canada in Canadian dollars and were better equipped. My had F41 suspension wider tires and better shocks, Posi track rea end and 3.08 gears.
New I paid $11,800 , $12,500 and $12,800
This car looks to have the standard suspension and weak engine , there is noting special about it other than in great shape, but it does not represent the best that Chevy put out at that time.
I would love to have one like my 81 . it was dark maroon , with spoked wheel caps , 305 4 barrel , F41 suspension , posi-tack
air , power windows and locks , and mine had a front mounted power antenna with silver body side pin striped just below the window line . These were a factory option.
These were great cars, just the right power and fuel economy, and the 305 4 barrel could kick down and get out of its way.
The ride was smooth and controlled , and many of the critics praised the F-41 cars for their handling liking them to a full size German brand at the time!! The build quality and reliability were first rate at that time in history !!
The 305 had the notorious soft cam issue in these years so it’s possible that was making the 305 weaker than normal. We used to swap out to a higher performance cam generally the one used for the L69 305’s from the 80’s and either modified the 2BBL carbs with larger jets or swap out over to a 4BBL and that woke these engines up big time.
A 46 year old car in great, original shape comes with a hefty price tag. Someone will buy it for that or near that.
I currently own a 1978 Chevy Caprice Classic 2 Door Coupe With 28K Original Miles, These Are Awesome Cars, It Will Probably Fetch That To The Right Person.
Handsome Chevy. I liked the matching red vinyl top Chevy offered better though. Is it worth the price?
Absolutely. My guess is it will fetch more. 23k doesn’t buy much these days. Yikes.
Right car at the Right time.
I owed a 1979 Caprice Classic Landau. One of the best cars I ever had.
I still owe a 1979 Malibu Classic. Also one of the best cars I ever had.
Nice car, remember the 80’s and 90’s when most of the cars on the road were American!
I had a ’78 and still own an ’83. These may be the best passenger cars ever made – comfortable, reliable, nice looking, exceptional riding and riding (for a passenger car) and reasonably economical. Considering its rarity, I think it’s easily worth $20,000 – and more. Think about what that will get you today.
Those were great cars, my HS buddy’s parents had one just like the photo.
Had a 78 4-door sedan and a ’79 wagon. Both hauled azz and sucked gazz but were very dependable rides.
Back in 1986 I restored a 1978 Caprice with my father. It had some body damage, the door and post. We also replaced the engine and we gave it a new two tone blue paint job. New brakes, tires and rear adjustable tires. This was a great car since it was much less bulky than the pre 1976 versions, and handled well with the air shocks, with a smooth an quiet ride.
We did all of the work and paint in my parents garage.
I don’t think that is a factory CB, but fun regardless. Surprised that it has no tilt wheel, or cruise control, and has crank windows. Also surprised it has vinyl seats. Certainly would be a kid proof car, and as others have mentioned 23k isn’t that much for cars these days. sad, but true. It will sell.
It is a nice ride but 23k? I know we are in the era of Putinflation, but too much IMO.
The B body platform GM vehicles were good vehicles, very simple construction and easy to service.
I worked as a technician at a Chev, Olds Cadillac dealership from 1980 through 2003 and purchased a lightly used 4 door ’80 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham (Canadian version of the Bonneville in USA).
Radial Tuned Suspension, full load options, C68 fully automatic HVAC and the 305 4bbl with TH350C (lockup torque converter) transmission, made for a nice ride. Power was adequate if not exhilarating, but was fine on the highway.
It really didn’t need the 350 ci engine to get the job done any more than most truck buyers don’t need a 6.2L over the 5.3L today.
Flat exhaust cam lobes on cylinder #5, with backfiring through the carb, was an issue on some and I did my fair share early on, but it never happened on our car. Normal services, brakes, one starter and one alternator was all it ever needed.
The Parisienne served as our family vehicle through 1999 and the fuel mileage was an average 25 mpg (imperial gallon) with A/C on with the vehicle loaded. It wasn’t the quickest off the line, but with the 2.41:1 final drive ratio it was an excellent vehicle for covering large distances in comfort.
It did have the smaller 7.625″ axle with 9″ rear brakes, but was never an issue. 8 way power velour front “bucket” seats (couches) were comfortable.
Even the most upmarket model of the Caprice in those days didn’t have the level of options in compared to Pontiacs, Olds or Buicks (BOPs), but all B body cars rode well and were easy to maintain vehicles.
Strangely equipped. No tilt wheel, no cruise, no bumper guards but bumper rub strips, sport mirrors instead of the more common chrome deluxe mirrors, vinyl interior instead of the more popular velour. No power windows, door locks, or color matching deluxe seat belts. Had to be a special order. I ordered cars for a Chevy dealer in 1978.
When I met my wife, she had an old first generation VW Rabbit 4hat bounced around like it’s namesake. That had to go. But as a 20 year old with average driving skills and pregnant to boot, I had to find a reasonably priced tank to protect her from whatever came her way. Fortunately, the local police was auctioning off Impalas with police packages to make way for replacements. There i found a powder blue undercover vehicle with 110K miles I acquired for $4500. Plenty of power, clean, heavy duty everything, cloth seats that hid spills perfectly and plenty of back seat to conceive a second child. Gave it to a buddy at 225K miles after getting a new SUV. Solid Chevy reliability. Good times.
I use to own a 1979 brown with tan plush interior. Bought from my dad for $1.00. I loved that car. Flip the carburetor top upside down n listen to the 4 barrel. Was amazing vehicle. Man would I ever love that car back.
Is car Available????