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Chevrolet Caprice
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Production	1965–1996
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body

The Chevrolet Caprice and Caprice Classic were full-sized automobiles produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in the United States and Canada from 1965 through 1996 model years and in Mexico from 1977 through 1983.

Throughout its life, the Caprice was the most expensive and luxurious model in the Chevrolet full-size car range, which during its lifetime also included the Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala. Its exit without replacement after the 1996 model year would leave the Ford Crown Victoria as the only traditional full-size American sedan.

1965-68

First generation
Overview
Production	1965-1970
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Oshawa, Ontario South Gate, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Related	Buick LeSabre Chevrolet Impala Oldsmobile 88 Pontiac Bonneville
Powertrain
Engine	283 in³ Small-Block V8 327 in³ Small-Block V8 396 in³ Big-Block V8 427 in³ Big-Block V8 454 in Big-Block V8 307 in³ Small-Block V8 350 in³ Small-Block V8 400 in³ Small-Block V8
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed manual 2-speed automatic 3-speed automatic

The Caprice began life in mid-1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop sedan, in response to the successful Ford LTD series. This included a stiffer suspension, higher-grade cloth and vinyl seat and door trim (as well as thicker, higher-grade carpeting), walnut trim on the dashboard and door panels, pull straps on the doors, extra convenience lights, special full wheel covers and an optional vinyl top. The name for the Chevrolet Caprice was coined by Bob Lund (Chevrolet's General Sales Manager) after a classy restaurant he frequented in New York City. However, some say the Caprice was named after Caprice Chapman, daughter of auto executive and influential Indy-car official James P. Chapman.

The Caprice was very well received during its abbreviated first year in 1965. For 1966, the Caprice was expanded into a full top-line series to also include a two-door hardtop with a squared-off formal roofline (in contrast to the Impala/SS coupe's fastback roof) and a station wagon with simulated wood exterior trim - the first Chevy "woody" wagon since 1954. A V8 engine was installed in every Caprice. While features such as an automatic transmission, power steering, white sidewall tires, and vinyl top were extra-cost options, virtually every Caprice was sold with them. It is interesting to note, however, that a few Caprices were ordered with the optional 4-speed manual transmission, few or no power accessories, and the 425 hp (317 kW) 427 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8. However most customers frequently ordered more civilized, but still powerful V8 engines such as the 325 hp (242 kW) 396 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8 to handle multitudes of luxury options such as air conditioning, power windows, Cruise-Master speed control, power seats and stereo radios; several automotive history books noted that a fully-optioned Caprice rivaled the appearance, comfort and convenience of the Cadillac DeVille (which ironically was based on the Caprice and other B-body GM cars, but on a larger and more expensive C-body).

The 1966 Caprice received only minor detail changes from its 1965 predecessor that included a revised grille and new rectangular taillights which replaced the Chevrolet-traditional triple round tailights used in full-sized cars each year since 1958 with the exception of the bat-winged '59 model. New options for 1966 included the automatic "Comfortron" air conditioning system on which the driver could set a constant year-round temperature reading and a "Tilt and Telescopic" steering wheel that could be adjusted vertically in six positions as well as be telescoped further out from the steering column for improved driver comfort.

The Caprice sedan and coupe came standard with a luxurious cloth and vinyl bench seats with a folding center armrest in the rear seat. Optional on both models was a Strato bench seat which combined bucket-style seatbacks and center armrest with a bench cushion for six-passenger seating. Coupes could also be ordered with an all-vinyl interior featuring Strato bucket seats and center console with floor shifter, storage compartment, courtesy lighting and full instrumentation at the front end of the console that was integrated with the lower instrument panel - in essence a more luxurious Impala SS in a formal-roofed bodyshell. Station wagons featured an all-vinyl bench seat interior.

The 1967 Caprice received a heavier restyling with more rounded bodylines along with revised grilles and taillights, optional front fender corner lamps which illuminated with the headlamps and a revised instrument panel with round instruments along with a new steering wheel. Engines and transmissions were carried over from 1966 and a new dual-master brake cylinder was introduced along with optional front disc brakes. Another new option was a stereo 8-track tape player. The same seating selections continued as before with revisions to trim patterns. Engines/transmission offerings were a carryover from 1966 except that the 425 hp (317 kW) 427 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8 was no longer listed on the option list, leaving the 385 hp (287 kW) 427 as the top power offering. Also the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission previously only offered with the 396 and 427 cubic-inch V8s was now available with the 275 hp (205 kW) 327 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8.

A minor facelift was made on the 1968 Caprice that included a new grille with taillights set into the bumper and optional hidden headlamps, along with ventless front windows on coupes. Federally-mandated side marker lamps became standard on all US cars that year; the Caprice carried over the optional white corner marker lamps at the forward edge of the fenders in addition to the now-required amber parking lights which were illuminated with the headlights. Also, a new 307 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8 rated at 200 hp (150 kW) replaced the 195 hp (145 kW) 283 small block as the standard engine. Inside, the instrument panel was revised with a return to the horizontal sweep speedometer and a revised three-spoke steering wheel. The horizontal sweep speedometer made adding an optional instrument cluster as was found on the Super Sport models a difficult proposition; this was solved by narrowing the speedometer within its opening and flanking it with engine-turned instruments in the place of warning lights. The fuel gauge, placed next to the speedometer within its own pod in the base models, was moved to its new place next to the speedometer. A tachometer took the place of the fuel gauge in the large opening left by the fuel gauge.

1969-70

The 1969 Caprice and other full-sized Chevrolets were restyled with crisper bodylines and front bumpers that wrapped around the grille (again with optional concealed headlights, for which headlight washers could be added as a new "one year only" option) along with ventless front windows on all models. The 119-inch (3,023 mm) wheelbase, inner bodyshell and framework were carried over from the 1965 model - along with the rooflines of pillared four-door sedans (which were offered in lesser Impala, Bel Air and Biscayne series, but not on Caprices, which continued only in two- and four-door hardtop choices only). The station wagon was renamed the Kingswood Estate, but continued to use exterior woodgrain trim along with exterior and interior trim shared with Caprice sedans and coupes. Inside, front seat headrests were now standard equipment due to a federal safety mandate and the ignition switch moved from the dashboard to the steering column and doubled as a lock for the steering wheel when the key was removed, a Federal mandate that took effect with the 1970 models but introduced a year earlier on all General Motors cars.

The 1969 Caprice also offered a new GM-designed variable-ratio power steering unit as optional equipment along with a seldom-ordered "Liquid Tire Chain" option. The standard engine was enlarged to a 235 hp (175 kW) 327 cubic-inch V8 with optional engine choices including a new 350 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8 rated at 255 and 300 hp (220 kW), a 265 hp (198 kW) 396 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8, and 427 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8s rated at 335 and 390 hp (291 kW). All V8 engines were now available with the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission for the first time though the two-speed Powerglide was still offered with the 327 and 350 V8s.

The 1970 Caprice got a minor facelift featuring a more conventional under the grille bumper replacing the wrap-around unit used in 1969 along with new triple vertical taillights in the rear bumper. Power front disc brakes and fiberglass-belted tires on 15-inch wheels were made standard equipment along with a larger 250 hp (186 kW) 350 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8. Optional V8s included a 300 hp (220 kW) 350 and a new 265 hp (198 kW) 400 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8. At the top of the engine roster, the big block 427 was replaced by a new (and bored out) 454 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8 offered in horsepower ratings of 345 and 390. Both the 250- and 265 hp (198 kW) Turbo Fire engines were designed to use regular gasoline while the 300 hp (220 kW) 350 Turbo Fire and both 454 Turbo Jet engines required premium fuel.

A three-speed manual transmission with column shift was standard equipment as in previous years but the floor-mounted four-speed manual with Hurst shifter was dropped from the option list for 1970 as were the Strato bucket seats and center console previously offered on coupes. Automatic transmission options included the two-speed Powerglide on 350 V8s and Turbo Hydramatic with all engines.

1971-76

Second generation
Overview
Production	1971-1976
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Oshawa, Ontario South Gate, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door coupe 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible
Related	Buick LeSabre Chevrolet Impala Oldsmobile 88 Pontiac Bonneville
Powertrain
Engine	350 in³ Small-Block V8 400 in³ Small-Block V8 400 in³ Big-Block V8 454 in³ Big-Block V8 305 in³ Small-Block V8

1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic sedan

The 1971 Caprice was completely restyled on a longer 121.5 inch wheelbase and featured more rounded fuselage styling similar to that pioneered by Chrysler Corporation on its 1969 full-sized cars, along with new flush "pull-up" exterior door handles and double-shell roofs - both features first appearing on the 1970 1/2 Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. The basic "Full-Perimeter" frame and all-coil suspension were refined for improvements in ride and noise reduction. The new styling was highlighted by a Cadillac-like eggcrate grille with a "Caprice" emblem in the center and brushed metal trim surrounding the taillights on the rear deck.

Power front disc brakes were standard equipment, along with a larger 255-gross horsepower (170 net) 400 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8. This engine, along with all optional powerplants, were designed to run on regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline of 91 research octane or higher thanks to a General Motors edict that took effect for 1971 due to increasing stringent emission regulations that would culminate with the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975, which would mandate the use of unleaded fuel. Also designed to use the low-octane fuels were the optional 300 horsepower (260 net) 400 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8 (not to be confused with the two-barrel 400 small block) and 365-gross horsepower (325 net) 454 Turbo Jet V8. At mid-year, the Turbo Hydramatic transmission and variable-ratio power steering became standard equipment on all Caprice (and Impala) models.

Chevrolet specifications included both "gross" and "net" horsepower figures in 1971, which was a year of transition industrywide as a result of yet another federal regulation. The "gross" horsepower figures were based on the power rating of an engine as measured on a dynameter with no accessories or emissions gear installed, while the "net" figures were measured "as installed" in a vehicle with accessories and smog gear installed, leading to lower "advertised" horsepower ratings but considered to be more realistic than the "gross" measurements. Beginning in 1972, automakers would only include the "net" horsepower ratings in their engine specifications.

The 1972 Caprice received a revised grille that was lower in height than '71 but still in an eggcrate pattern flanked by a new 5 mph (8 km/h) front bumper one year ahead of the Federal mandate for such bumpers that took effect in 1973 (followed by similar mandated for the rear in 1974) with triple taillights now mounted in the rear bumper. Engine offerings were carried over from 1971 with the switch to "net" horsepower ratings including 170 for the standard two-barrel 400 Turbo Fire V8, 215 for the four-barrel Turbo Jet 400 big-block V8 and 270 for the four-barrel 454 Turbo Jet V8. Turbo Hydramatic transmission, variable-ratio power steering and power front disc brakes continued as standard equipment. New to the Caprice lineup was a pillared four-door sedan.

The Caprice was renamed the Caprice Classic for 1973, a year highlighted by a new cross-hatch grille over the new 5 mph (8 km/h) front bumper and revised square taillights, again mounted in the bumper. Increasingly stringent emission standards lowered net horsepower ratings to 150 for the standard Turbo Fire 400 two-barrel and a mere 245 horses for the big-block Turbo Jet 454 V8. A convertible, brought over from the lesser Impala series, was moved to the Caprice lineup for the first time in 1973 and the woodgrained-trim station wagon known as the Kingswood Estate since 1969 was renamed the Caprice Estate. A new option on Caprice Classic sedans and coupes was a 50/50 bench seat with recliner on the passenger side.

A new grille and taillights moved above the new 5 mph (8 km/h) rear bumper highlighted the changes for the 1974 Caprice Classic along with new thick "B" pillars and fixed rear quarter opera windows on two-door coupes, which essentially eliminated pillarless hardtop design much like the GM intermediates did the previous year. Other bodystyles including the four-door pillared and hardtop sedans, convertible and Estate Wagon were carried over with only minor changes from 1973. New to the engine roster was a four-barrel version of the small block 400 cubic-inch Turbo Fire V8 rated at 180 horsepower (which was the standard engine on wagons and all cars sold in California, optional on other models in 49 states). All other engines were carried over from 1973. Also new for 1974 were integrated lab and shoulder seat belts and the unpopular "interlock" system that required the driver and front seat passengers to fasten seat belts in order to start the vehicle. The interlock mandate received so much public outcry that Congress rescinded it shortly after the introduction of the 1975 models. A new option this year was a remote control for the passenger-side outside rearview mirror.

For 1975, the Caprice Classic and Estate Wagon received revised grille and tailight trim along with six-window styling on four-door models with the third window on the four-door hardtop essentially an opera window. The dashboard, radio and climate control graphics were revised; the speedometer read up to 100 mph, and had smaller numbers for kilometers per hour. The Caprice convertible would be discontinued after the 1975 model year along with its full-size B-body ragtop counterparts including the Oldsmobile Delta 88, Buick LeSabre and Pontiac Grand Ville. Just about 8,350 Caprice Classic rag tops found buyers in 1975, and both surviving Caprice Classic (1973 to 75) and Impala (1971, 1972) ragtops have demonstrated quite an appreciation in value. This depends on the car's overall condition with a low mileage, unmolested original, always being highly coveted by collectors and fans.

1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau — during the 1975-76 model years, the Caprice reached its greatest overall length.

As fuel economy became a bigger priority among Americans following the Arab Oil Embargo of late 1973 and early 1974, Chevy made the smaller 145 hp (108 kW) 350 cubic-inch small block V8 with two-barrel carburetor standard on all Caprice models except wagons for 1975, except in California, where a four-barrel 155 hp (116 kW) 350 V8 was the base engine. Optional engines included the 180 hp (134 kW) 400 small block V8 (standard on wagons) and 215 hp (160 kW) 454 big block, the latter not available in California. The catalytic converter was introduced this year along with a standard GM "High Energy" electronic ignition and radial tires that were advertised as part of "Chevrolet's New Efficiency System." The theme of economy continued through to the new options this year: A new "Econominder" gauge package included a temperature gauge and a "fuel econominder," the latter being a gauge alerting drivers as to when their driving habits caused the engine to use more or less fuel. Also new on the options list: intermittent windshield wipers, and 50/50 seating options on the Impala coupe/sedan and Caprice Classic convertible models.

The "Landau" model was also introduced in 1975, and was primarily an appearance package. Carried over unchanged into 1976, the Landau featured a choice of special paint colors, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, color-keyed wheel covers, a landau vinyl roof (with chrone band across the roof), a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pinstriping. Inside there were color-keyed seat belts and floormats. Fender and dashboard emblems rounded out the package. With minor changes, the Landau would be carried over into the 1977-era coupe models.

The 1976 Caprice Classic marked the sixth and final year of a body style introduced in 1971—the '76 Caprice weighed approximately 4800 pounds (2180 kg) and was 222.9 in. (5.66 m) long — longer even than many modern full-size pickup trucks. Only minor changes were made for '76, including an eggcrate grille similar to that of the 1976 Cadillac Calais/DeVille/Fleetwood flanked by new rectangular headlights, along with revised exterior and interior trimmings. It was also the final year for the big block 454 V8 to be offered, along with hardtop body styles and the clamshell-tailgate design for the station wagon.

1977-1990

Third generation
Overview
Production	1977-1990
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Oshawa, Ontario South Gate, California
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door coupe
Related	Buick LeSabre Buick Estate Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Oldsmobile 88 Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Parisienne Pontiac Catalina Pontiac Laurentian Pontiac Safari
Powertrain
Engine	267 in³ Small-block V8 305 in³ Small-block V8 307 in³ Small-block V8 350in³ Small-block V8 262 in³ Chevrolet 140 hp (104 kW) V6 250 in³ Chevrolet Straight-6
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in (wagon) Template:Auto in (sedan)
Width	Template:Auto in (wagon) Template:Auto in (sedan)
Height	Template:Auto in (wagon) Template:Auto in (sedan)

The 1977 models were downsized, with General Motors leading the a wave of re-introducing a smaller vehicle with the same nameplate and similar styling, and similar interior space as the previous larger car. GM would later follow with a smaller Malibu and replace the Nova with the renamed Citation. Chrysler and Ford would also respond with creative badge-engineering by applying full size nameplates such as Fury and LTD and even LTD II to what were once classified as intermediate or compact cars. American Motors dropped out of large cars in 1978, and Chrysler's effort at a downsized full size car would also soon falter, leaving only Ford and GM in this market segment.

The 1977 Caprice Classic was not only smaller in overall dimensions, but also in engine size and power than previous models. For the first time since the Caprice was introduced in 1965, a V8 engine was no longer standard equipment in sedans and coupes. The base engine in those bodystyles was Chevy's long-running 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder powerplant which was last offered on lower-line full-sized Chevrolets in the early 1970s rated at 110 hp (82 kW). Standard on station wagons and optional on other Caprice models was a 140 hp (104 kW) 305 cubic-inch version of the Chevy's small-block V8 introduced the previous year in compact- and mid-sized cars. A 170 hp (127 kW) 350 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carburetion was now the top engine offering as the larger 400 and 454 V8s were discontinued.

The 305 V8 would be offered in Caprices through the entire 1977-90 run for this bodyshell while the 350 was discontinued from civilian use after 1979 and became exclusively available for police vehicles. The 250 six, a descendant of Chevy's original Stovebolt six, was replaced by a new 229 cubic-inch V6 in 1980. Added to the option list in 1980 were a short-lived Chevrolet 267 cubic-inch V8 and an Oldsmobile-built 350 cubic-inch Diesel V8 that was offered through 1984.

This platform was retained — with a major body restyling for 1991 — for nearly two decades until 1996, a much slower redesign cycle than during the 1960s when the car was restyled or redesigned every few years. The 1977 body style was so popular that 1,000,000 Caprices and Impalas were sold in the first two years. This far overshadowed the next most popular GM offerings sharing the same basic body, the Oldsmobile with 400,000 Delta 88s and Ninety-Eights and about 100,000 Pontiac Bonnevilles and Catalinas. These sales figures led to the demise of the Catalina after 1981 and re-configuration of the Bonneville into a mid-size sedan based on the Malibu platform. The full-size Pontiac sedan was resurrected as a Pontiac Parisienne, essentially a Caprice with a Grand Prix gate-style grille, horizontal bar taillights. These cars were so similar that they shared the same dashboard, although steering wheels were different. This car was offered initially in Canada and sent southwards when Pontiac dealers complained of a lack of a full-size car for their traditional sedan buyer. Most all station wagons and certain sedans — mostly those wearing other-than-Chevrolet badging — used the Oldsmobile 307 in³ (5.0 L) engine, while Chevrolet sedans used the Chevrolet 305 in³ (5.0 L) or 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8.

During the 1977-1990 era, major styling changes were made in 1980 and 1986. The 1986 refresh brought a new grille and taillamps, with composite headlamps added the following year. Model offerings included a four-door sedan, two-door pillared coupe and 6 and 9 passenger station wagons. The wagon re-introduced a fairly conventional 3-way tailgate, rear facing 3rd row seat, and boxy styling instead of the unusual slide-into-the-roof rear window and clamshell tailgate used previously. In 1985, the woodgrain dashboard trim was replaced with a fake metal dashboard trim, but reverted to woodgrain in 1987. The lower-line Impala was renamed "Caprice" for 1986, the same year that a new Caprice Classic Brougham was introduced with a more luxurious interior than the regular Caprice Classic with pillowed velor 55/45 bench seats. In 1987, an "LS" option package was made available on the Caprice Classic Brougham that included an exclusive Landau vinyl roof trim with opera lamps on the b-pillars and an even more luxurious interior available in cloth or optional leather upholstery — the first full-size Chevy in the North American market with real leather seats since the 1952 Bel Air.

With the introduction of the downsized 1977 models, Chevrolet took a larger portion of the law enforcement market with their 9C1 police-spec Caprice, after Chrysler (who had dominated the law enforcement/emergency vehicle market) phased out their big-block engines in 1979. The Chevrolet division held 60 percent of the police market in the late 1980s, with the major competition coming from the Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury, rising to about 80 percent after the 1989 cancellation of the Dodge and Plymouth sedans. The Caprice and Impala were also the preferred choice for cab companies during this time. They began to cede their market share on fleet vehicles when the Ford Crown Victoria was redesigned in 1992.

• 
  Beveled rear window "fishbowl" type
• 
  1977-1979 Chevrolet Caprice Coupe
• 
  1981-85 Caprice Classic coupe
• 
  1987-90 Caprice sedan
• 
  1978 Caprice Landau coupe
• 
  1979 Caprice Classic sedan (European export model with amber rear turn signals)
• 
  1981-1985 Caprice Classic (European export model)

1991-1996

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	1991-1996
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Ypsilanti, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Related	Chevrolet Impala Buick Roadmaster Cadillac Fleetwood Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Powertrain
Engine	4.3 L L99 V8 5.0 L L03 V8 5.7 L L05 V8 5.7 L LT1 V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in (wagon) Template:Auto in (sedan)
Width	Template:Auto in (wagon) Template:Auto in (1991-93 sedan) Template:Auto in (1994-96 sedan)
Height	Template:Auto in (1991-93 wagon) Template:Auto in (1994-96 wagon) Template:Auto in (sedan)

The 1991 model had a substantial restyle, and was awarded the Motor Trend Car of the Year award when it was introduced. It replaced the 1977-based rectilinear design with more aerodynamic sheetmetal, although the chassis frame and many other mechanicals were carried over from the previous model. Two trim levels were initially offered, base, and upscale Classic, replacing the previous Classic and Brougham models. While the Caprice was a larger car, General Motors hoped to join the trend towards aerodynamic styling and regain the top spot as America's favorite automobile.

1993-1994 Caprice sedan

The car's styling was outside the box, and for 1993 there were some revisions, the most obvious being the removal of the skirted rear wheel wells in favor of more conventional, open wheel wells. This applied only to the sedan model; station wagons retained the skirted wheel wells until the end of production.

1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS

In 1994 the Caprice received the new-generation GM engines, including an optional detuned version of the Corvette's LT1 350 in³ (5.7 L) engine that put out 260 hp (194 kW) and 330 ft·lbf (447 N·m) of torque. The LT1 was standard in the 9C1 police-package and the wagon. The 1994 Caprice's interior had a redesign which featured a Camaro steering wheel, digital speedometer and a new console. In 1994 Chevrolet also revived the Impala SS name by upgrading the 9C1 (police package) with a special body-colored grille, spoiler, C-pillar trim, special interior treatment and 17" alloy rims made by ROH on BF Goodrich 255/50/17 tires. In 1995 the sedan's rear quarter windows were redesigned to match the style of the Impala SS, and new wing mirrors were fitted. In 1996, the Impala SS was improved by moving the shifter to the floor console and adding analog gauges as opposed to digital gauges in the standard Caprice.

The Caprice 9C1 with the LT1 engine became one of the fastest and most popular modern day police vehicles. This vehicle established such strong devotion by many police departments that a cottage industry thrived in refurbishing Caprices for continued police service after GM discontinued production of the car.

Chevrolet Caprice wagon

The last-generation Caprice did not hold on to high sales numbers, and eventually the car's production was stopped in 1996. In 1997, the Lumina LTZ was introduced to take the Caprice's place as Chevrolet's premium passenger car. It was a corporate decision that more money could be made offering sport utility vehicles than full size family sedans. The assembly plant that had built the cars in Arlington, Texas was converted to SUV production. This specific plant built the Cadillac Fleetwood, the Caprice sedan and wagon, Buick Roadmaster sedan and wagon, and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon. The new product line was to be the GMC Denali and Yukon, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and more profitably the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade EXT.

With the exit of the Caprice, the Ford Crown Victoria, continued as the sole traditional rear-drive body-on-frame V8-powered American (Canadian built) sedan until the Dodge Charger arrived in 2006. It would soon dominate fleet sales to police departments and taxi fleets. The Chevrolet Impala has since moved upmarket to the position as Chevrolet's large family sedan. In its latest revision, it also offers a powerful V8, though in a front wheel drive configuration.

1999–present (Middle East)

Main article: Holden Statesman

2008 Chevrolet Caprice LTZ.

General Motors revived the Chevrolet Caprice nameplate in the Middle East markets on imported Holden Statesman/Caprice built by its Australian subsidiary Holden. The Holden WH Statesman was the first Statesman to be engineered to support both left- and right-hand drive (Middle Eastern market being LHD while Australia right-hand drive) in order to allow for manufacturing of export versions. Same was true for the related short-wheelbase Holden VT Commodore, whose left-hand drive version became the Chevrolet Lumina in the Middle East.

The Middle Eastern Caprice came out in 2000 in four versions, base LS, standard mid-range LTZ, a sporty SS and the range topper Royale (introduced in 2002). Differences between the models were mostly equipment and slight styling tweaks. The base LS and LTZ came standard with a 295 hp (220 kW) 5.7 litre Gen III V8, the SS and Royale came with a 325 horsepower version of the same engine. In 2003, Holden launched a revised and facelifted Statesman and Caprice, which was reflected in their Middle Eastern versions for the 2004 model year. The new models sported new front and rear fascias and completely redesigned interior. Engines carried over unchanged.

In November 2006, Chevrolet launched a completely redesigned Caprice lineup, again based on the recently introduced Holden WM Statesman. The new Caprice lineup includes the base LS, LTZ, SS and Royale, all sporting the new 360 hp (268 kW) LS2 6.0 litre V8. The Holden-sourced Chevrolet Caprice has become GM's top selling vehicle in the region.

Awards

The Caprice was twice honored with the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, in 1977 and 1991. The Caprice Classic was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1983.

Engines for United States models

Generation	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
I	1965-1967	283 in³ Small-Block V8
	1965-1969	327 in³ Small-Block V8
	1965-1969	396 in³ Big-Block V8
	1966-1969	427 in³ Big-Block V8
	1968	307 in³ Small-Block V8
	1969-1970	350 in³ Small-Block V8
	1970	400 in³ Small-Block V8
II	1971-1976	350 in³ Small-Block V8
	1971-1976	400 in³ Small-Block V8
	1971-1972	400 in³ Big-Block V8
	1970-1976	454 in³ Big-Block V8
	1976	305 in³ Small-Block V8
III	1977-1979	250 in³ Chevrolet Straight-6	110 hp (82 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1977-1978	305 in³ Small-Block V8	145 hp (108 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1977-1979	350 in³ Small-Block V8	170 hp (127 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1979	305 in³ Small-Block V8	130 hp (97 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980-1984	229 in³ Chevrolet V6	110 hp (82 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980-1984 (CA only)	231 in³ Buick V6	110 hp (82 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980-1982	267 in³ Small-Block V8	115 hp (86 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980	305 in³ LG4 Small-Block V8	155 hp (116 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980-1985	350 in³ LF9 Oldsmobile Diesel V8	105 hp (78 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1980-1988 (police)	350 in³ LM1 Small-Block V8
	1981-1984	305 in³ LG4 Small-Block V8	150 hp (112 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1985	262 in³ Chevrolet V6	130 hp (97 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1985-1986	305 in³ LG4 Small-Block V8	165 hp (123 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1986-1988	4.3 L/262 in³ Chevrolet V6	140 hp (104 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1986-1990	5.0 L/307 in³ LV2 Oldsmobile V8	140 hp (104 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1987-88	5.0 L/305 in³ LG4 Small-Block V8	170 hp (127 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1989-1990	5.0 L/305 in³ LO3 V8	170 hp (127 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1989-1990 (police)	5.7 L/350 in³ LO5 Small-Block V8	190 hp (142 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
IV	1991-1993	5.0 L/305 in³ LO3 Small-Block V8	170 hp (127 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1991 (police)	5.7 L/350 in³ LO5 Small-Block V8	195 hp (145 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1992-1993	5.7 L/350 in³ LO5 Small-Block V8	180 hp (134 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1992-1993 (police)	5.7 L/350 in³ LO5 Small-Block V8	205 hp (153 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1994-1996	4.3 L/263 in³ L99 Small-Block V8	200 hp (149 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
	1994-1996	5.7 L/350 in³ LT1 Small-Block V8	260 hp (194 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf
Impala SS	1994-1996	5.7 L/350 in³ LT1 Small-Block V8	260 hp (194 kW)	Template:Auto ft.lbf

Transmissions for U.S. cars

• 3-speed manual: standard 1965-early 1971
• 4-speed manual: optional 1965-1969
• Powerglide, 2-speed automatic: optional 1965-1970
• Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 and 400, 3-speed automatic: Optional 1965-early 1971, standard late-1971-1988
• Turbo Hydra-Matic 200-4R and 700R4/4L60, 4-speed overdrive automatic: Optional 1981-1988 models, standard 1989-1993
• 4L60-E electronically controlled 4 speed automatic w/overdrive, standard 1994-1996

References

• 1970 Big Chevrolet brochure (including Caprice, Impala and Bel Air models), Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corporation, 1969.
• Boyce, Terry V. 1971-1976 Chevrolet: Full-Blown Farewell To the Full-Size Era. Collectible Automobile Magazine, October 2005.
• Flammang, James & Ron Kowalke (1999). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-755-0.
• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Gunnell, John (2003). The Standard Catalog of V-8 Engines 1906-2002. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87349-446-6.