Chevrolet Caprice

Chevrolet Caprice
Production period:	1966-1996
Class :	Full size, cf. in DE with upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Chevrolet Impala Series 164
Successor:	Chevrolet Impala Series 1W

The Chevrolet Caprice was a full-size passenger car that was built in the model years 1966 to 1996 by the inexpensive Chevrolet division of the automobile manufacturer General Motors in the USA, initially as a luxury version of the Impala model and thus a top model. The designation was retained by four model generations and consistently belonged to the best-selling Chevrolet models. The last generation Caprice was also the last body-on-frame car produced in North America by General Motors.

Model history

1st generation - Caprice (1966–1970)

1st generation
Chevrolet Impala Caprice (1965)
Production period:	1966-1970
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.6–7.0 liters (143–313 kW)
Length:	5395-5512 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	3023 mm
Empty weight :	1624-1976 kg

At the beginning of the sixties, US automobile brands usually only produced a single car model, which was usually offered in three different equipment variants (trim level). When smaller cars gradually found their way into the manufacturer's portfolio from 1960, the traditional series was conceptually delimited with terms such as "Regular Size" or "Standard Size", from which the class designation "Fullsize" developed from the mid-sixties. Fullsize is originally a traditional , not technically defined term, which until well into the second half of the 20th century describes the traditional vehicle platform of a brand, largely regardless of its actual size, and which was only linked to standard dimensions and dimensions much later.

The Chevrolet division of GM group built its full size from 1950 to 1957 on the group's A platform, and from 1958 to 1995 on the B platform. In 1996 the platform was renamed GMT300 and discontinued at the end of the model year. For the model year 1965, the B-platform got a new ladder frame, which replaced the previously used X-frame. At the same time, the platform was subjected to significant technical changes. The traditional three trim levels Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala were accompanied by a special equipment package that was only available on the four-door hardtop sedan of the top trim level Impala . Vehicles equipped in this way were called "Impala Caprice".

1966

For the 1966 model year, “Caprice” became its own trim level, which took the top position in the trim level hierarchy. The availability was initially limited to the Sport Sedan and the Station Wagon (station wagon), the Caprice also received its own coupé body, which differed from the Impala Coupé in the steeper rear window and wider C-pillar.

In contrast to the less luxurious Chevrolets of the larger series, the Caprice was only available with V8 engines as the 166 series . The basic engine was 4637 cm ³ capacity and provided 195 hp (143 kW) at 4800 min ^-1 . The following engines were also available on request:

Type	Cubic capacity [cm ³ ]	Compression [: 1]	Carburetor	Exhaust	Power [PS / kW]	at speed [min ⁻¹ ]
Turbo-Fire V-8	4638	9.5	Fourfold	Easy	220/162	4800
Turbo-Fire V-8	5359	9.5	Fourfold	Easy	275/202
Turbo-Jet V-8	6489		injection	Easy	325/239
Turbo-Jet V-8	6997		injection	Easy	390/287
Turbo-Jet V-8	6997		injection	Double	425 / 312.5

1967

In the 1967 model year, the front indicators moved to the corners of the vehicle and formed a clear contouring of the front of the vehicle with the V-shaped nose. The hip bends over the rear wheel arches became more noticeable.

1968

For 1968, the front indicators became smaller again and made room for a front bumper that was clearly pulled upwards. The double headlights received rectangular, chrome-plated frames. The coupé lost its B-pillars and mutated into a hardtop coupé for a year. In 1968 it was a normal coupe again. Technically, little changed in these two years.

Chevrolet Kingswood Estate (1970)

1969

The series was again comprehensively revised for the 1969 model year. With the same wheelbase, the cars had grown again in length and width. The even more strongly contoured front showed a solid chrome frame on all sides, and the rear wheel cutouts had been reduced so much that the upper halves of the wheels were almost covered. The lower half of the rear end was taken up by the chrome-plated rear bumper, which also accommodated the three narrow taillights on each side. The station wagons - only available with V8 engines - were now called Kingswood Estate .

1970

The 1970 model year had few changes. The engine range was streamlined: a new V8 with a displacement of 5735 cm ³ and 250 hp (184 kW) was used.

2nd generation - Caprice / Caprice Classic (1971–1976)

2nd generation
Chevrolet Caprice Coupe (1971)
Production period:	1971-1976
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 5.7–7.4 liters (107–268 kW)
Length:	5512-5817 mm
Width:	2020 mm
Height:	1370-1475 mm
Wheelbase :	3086-3175 mm
Empty weight :	1796-2281 kg

1976 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

With the model change in 1971, a new era in US automotive engineering was to be prepared. Air pollution regulations and other legislative interventions in the freedom of design and development of the automaker had either already been passed or were expected in the first half of the seventies, so that market leader General Motors subjected all vehicles in all divisions to a departure from the “performance” image of the sixties. At the time, the GM “B” full-size platform was the best-selling vehicle platform per model year in the US, and the Chevrolet full-size Caprice and Impala the best-selling vehicle models. Larger, heavier, more luxurious and safe vehicles with lower pollutant emissions were to replace the previous displacement and performance giants in the “land yacht” era. As early as 1975, completely unexpectedly, under the influence of the 1974 oil crisis, the US Congress passed emergency energy-saving measures that made a large part of US vehicle production obsolete and forced manufacturers to rethink radically and extremely quickly.

1971

For the 1971 model year, the B-body and the ladder frame used under the body were completely redesigned for the 1970s in line with GM's design philosophy: the sedan's wheelbase grew from 119 inches (3023 mm) to 121.5 inches (3086 mm) Station wagons even up to 125 inches (3200 mm), which makes the 1971–1976 model years the largest Chevrolets in history. The Caprice was still only available as a sedan, the top trim level for station wagons continued to use the independent name "Kingswood Estate". Overall, the Caprice was offered in five body styles, as a hardtop, convertible (from 1973) and coupé with two doors, as well as a hardtop and sedan (from 1972) with four doors.

The technical changes that were significant apart from the increase in size only affected the station wagon models, which were the only GM fullsizes to use leaf springs for the rear axle suspension again after 1958. The two-part trunk lid had also been completely redesigned: the glass pane was pulled back into the vehicle roof to open, while the lower part of the flap was pushed under the loading floor. According to this feature, the wagons of the model years 1971-1976 are now called "clamshell" wagons, the GM marketing name was actually "Glide-Away". Front drum brakes were no longer available for all models.

All engines available in the series had undergone a compression reduction for 1971, in anticipation of the government's emission limit for passenger cars coming into force in 1975. The standard on the Caprice was the 400 cui (6.6 liter) small block V8 with 255 hp, two big block V8s were optionally available, the 402 cui (6.6 liters) with 300 hp and the 454 cui (7.4 liters) with 365 hp. Both big block engines were Mark IV blocks, even if the nomenclature at this point is extremely confusing: The 402 cui Mark IV is the expansion stage of the 396 cui Mark IV, whose old displacement designation was retained on other Chevrolet series for marketing reasons, although the displacement had actually increased from 396 to 402 cui. The trade name for the 402 in the Caprice is also “Turbo Jet 400”, which should not be confused with the 400 cui “Giant Small Block”.

1972

For 1972, the Caprice's bumpers were revised in preparation for the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard # 215 (FMVSS 215), which came into force on September 1, 1972. The regulation, also known as the "5 Mile Impact Law", forced automakers from model year 1973 to design bumpers so that "minor collisions" up to an impact speed of 5 mph (8 km / h) at the front or 2.5 miles (4 km / h) at the rear could not impair the vehicle's driveability or safety-relevant equipment; from the 1974 model year, the height of car bumpers was also legally stipulated. Accordingly, the taillights of the Caprice were integrated into a new, massive rear bumper as early as 1972, which covers almost the entire rear of the vehicle right up to the trunk lid.

At the same time, it was no longer permissible in the USA to specify engine output of new cars as “gross” horse power, so that the factory output data for 1972 appeared in “net” horse power (SAE Standard J1349). As a result, the engine output of all available engines was perceived as greatly reduced, without the manufacturer having made any technical changes. The basic 400 cui (6.6 liter) small block V8 was now specified with 170 PS (127 kW), the Turbo Jet 400 big block V8 with 210 PS (157 kW) and the 454 cui (7.4 L) big block V8 with 270 PS (201 kW). 1972 was the last year that the Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission was available in parallel with the Turbo-Hydramatic THM400 three-speed automatic transmission.

1973

In 1973 the trim levels of the Chevrolet full-size series were reorganized: "Biscayne" as the lowest equipment was omitted, the independent naming of station wagon models was abandoned, all Caprice were now called "Caprice Classic". The Bel Air was now the basic model, the middle equipment was called Impala , the Caprice Classic was the top model.

The front bumper has been redesigned again to meet the 5 mile impact regulation. In preparation for the emission limit value regulations expected for model year 1975, all engines were equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

1974

In 1974 the second stage of the 5 Mile Impact Law came into force, which now also provided 8 mph impact resistance for rear bumpers, so that the rear bumpers of the Caprice models were redesigned - the taillight unit was again above the 1974 Bumper. All models were now equipped with the Seat Belt Interlock prescribed in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard # 208 (FMVSS 208) for 1974, which prevented the vehicle from being started without the driver (and possibly the passenger) having fastened their seat belts. Immediately after the start of the 1974 model year, the Yom Kippur War broke out in the Middle East in October 1973, and as a result the OPEC oil embargo against the USA and the first oil crisis, which had extremely far-reaching consequences for the US automotive industry .

1975

In the 1975 model year, GM introduced catalytic converters to comply with the new emission limits of the Clean Air Act in the 1970 version . This long-awaited and prepared technical quantum leap was completely overshadowed by the consequences of the OPEC oil embargo, which cut the USA off from the world crude oil market until March 1974 and drove the price of crude oil up by 300%. The intent of US automakers to implement the Clean Air Act regulations using larger engines with lower compression and catalytic converter support, and to offer buyers larger, more luxurious vehicles in return for power and speed, has been proven in the face of dramatic policy changes brought about by the oil crisis , Buyer expectations and petrol price development are no longer feasible. The “Landyacht” platform had become obsolete almost overnight. Shortly after the start of the model year, the US legislature took emergency measures and passed the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standard, which forced manufacturers to comply with fuel consumption efficiency limits from model year 1978 onwards. From the 1975 model year, the Caprice was available for the first time with the 350 cui (5.7 liter) V8 SBC with 145 hp, which had made a name for itself as a compact and mid-size high-performance unit since its appearance in the 1967 model year. At the same time, all engines received the electronic "High Energy Ignition" HEI ignition system, which was reserved for a few "Sport" models in the previous year, and all full sizes (except SEO vehicles) were delivered with radial tires for the first time.

1976

1976 was the last model year on the 121.5 inch frame. A convertible was no longer offered.

3rd generation - Caprice / Caprice Classic (1977–1990)

3rd generation
Chevrolet Caprice Sedan (1977)
Production period:	1976-1990
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Otto engines : 3.8–5.7 liters (81–125 kW) Diesel engines : 5.7 liters (77 kW)
Length:	5387-5479 mm
Width:	1980 mm
Height:	1450 mm
Wheelbase :	2946 mm
Empty weight :	1523-1884 kg

1990 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1

In response to the oil crisis of 1974 caused by the oil embargo of the OPEC in connection with the Yom Kippur War was triggered, issued the US lawmakers in 1975 extensive fleet consumption regulations for the US carmaker. The CAFE standard for “Corporate Average Fuel Economy” came into effect at the beginning of the 1978 model year. Since the manufacturers did not see themselves in a position to bring completely new models or significantly more efficient engines to series production in the short remaining time, some existing models were instead dramatically reduced in size. Pioneering in this downsizing practice referred was General Motors whose Flagship series, the full-size platform (B-body) has been so dramatically reduced for model year 1977 in size and weight that they essentially on the lead frame of the midsize platform (A- Body) could be mounted.

For 1977 GM presented a completely new B-Body: The full-size flagship was now smaller and lighter than its midsize counterpart (which was only downsized in model year 1978). Clear, rectangular lines and only restrained chrome jewelry should convey an image of slimmer, lighter, more efficient full sizes. This design idiom, known as the three-box design, had already been tried out two years earlier by GM with great success on the Cadillac Seville, and now it has been carried over to the entire B platform including the Pontiac Parisienne , Oldsmobile Delta 88 and Buick LeSabre . The new look of the large Chevrolet sedan was so successful that this three-box design finally became the leitmotif of almost all US sedan design between 1970 and the late eighties. The Ford full-size model LTD was redesigned in 1979 as a kind of Caprice copy, Chrysler's full-size replacement platform, the Midsize-M-Body, had already taken up the three-box appearance a year after the appearance of the comparably large Cadillac Seville.

1977

In 1977, Chevrolet had a brand new full-size model in its portfolio which, in addition to almost 300 kilograms, had also lost a trim level, a body shape and two engine types: the “Bel Air” trim level, which had been used on full-size Chevrolets since 1950, was the model change 1977 was discontinued as well as the four-door "Sport Sedan" without B-pillar and the use of the Mark IV engines available since 1965, which are commonly referred to as big block engines in contrast to the small block Chevrolet V8 (SBC) . The unpopular 3rd SBC family, the 400 cui (6.6 liter) “Giant Small Block”, has also been removed from the range.

What remained were the Trimlevel Impala and Caprice Classic on the new B platform, which, in compliance with CAFE, measured only 5.39 instead of 5.66 meters, and whose weight had dropped from 1891 to 1600 kilograms (in the basic version). For the first time since 1957, the full-size Chevrolets were only available with the two “traditional” Chevrolet engines, the SBC and the in-line six-cylinder. There was a choice of SBCs with 5.0 (305 cui) and 5.7 (350 cui) liters and 145 or 170 hp, alternatively the Chevrolet in-line six-cylinder, traceable to 1929, with 4.1 (250 cui) liters and 110 hp . Both trim levels were offered as a four-door sedan (sedan), a four-door station wagon (wagon) and, from the middle of the model year, a two-door coupé. The six-cylinder in-line engine was the basic engine for sedans and coupés, the 5.0-liter V8 was the basic engine for all wagons, and the 5.7-liter V8 was optional for all models. Six-cylinder models were equipped with the GM 7.5-inch rear axle, eight-cylinder models received the 8.5-inch axle. Sedans used the traditional 4.75 inch bolt circle diameter, wagons had 5 inch bolt circles.

Externally, the relationship between the “reduced” fullsize and the predecessor model remained clearly visible: the headlights, radiator grille and front bumper were based directly on the predecessor, with the exception of the “wraparound” side markers, and the taillights were also designed as three units per side. In the interior, the dashboard with the distinctive driver's cab, which also contained the radio, had given way to a flat dashboard with a central radio and HVAC controls (for HEAT / VENT / AIR CONDITION). The traditional high beam foot switch on the cabin floor had been replaced by a new type of control element on the steering column, which combined the direction indicators and the high / low beam function in a single “multi-function lever”.

1978

For 1978 both models received a slightly modified radiator grille and, in the interest of lower consumption, longer rear axle ratios.

1980

For the 1980 model year, the front section of all models was made flatter in order to improve aerodynamics and thus fuel consumption, while the rear of the sedan variant was raised slightly at the same time. Instead of the three combined taillights, all Sedans now had three free-standing taillights, the radiator openings in the front bumper were omitted, and Caprice Classic now had corresponding lettering on the front fenders. In the coupés, the curved rear window gave way to a flat window. The technical changes were far more extensive: In order to meet the CAFE specifications, the 5.7 (350 cui) liter V8 was now reserved exclusively for fleet buyers and was only available with the Police Package (9C1), which in turn was only available on the Impala Basic model could be ordered. The new top engine was the 5.0 (305 cui) liter V8, which got a quadruple instead of the previous double carburetor and developed 155 hp.

The newly developed 4.4 (267 cui) liter V8 with 115 hp took its place as the “smaller” V8. Due to its small bore (3.5 inches), this engine represents a separate family in the hierarchy of SBC engines - the most short-lived in the history of the SBC - and was discontinued as early as 1980. Instead of the in-line six-cylinder, a 3.8 (229 cui) liter V6 with a 90 ° cylinder arrangement was now offered, also with 115 hp. This 90 ° V6 was another new development - until now, Chevrolet had only produced inline six-cylinders. Like the 4.4 liter V8, the 90 ° -V6 was also used in the brand's midsize vehicles last year, and like the 4.4 liter V8, the 90 ° -V6 is also an SBC derivative, albeit by two Cylinder shortened. Unlike the 4.4 liter V8, the 90 ° V6 engine family became one of the most successful Chevrolet units in history. Its last expansion stage was used in series until 2014.

As a further post-oil crisis measure, a diesel engine with 5.7 liters (350 cui) displacement and 105 hp was available for Wagons for the first time in 1980. In spite of the cubic capacity, this novel, alternative drive concept was not a further variant of the Chevrolet SBC design, but a unit developed by Oldsmobile on the basis of an Oldsmobile Otto engine. A poor understanding of diesel engines by both buyers and mechanics, coupled with considerable problems with the cylinder head gaskets of the first production version, brought the Oldsmobile diesel to a sudden drop in sales after initial success. Today the 5.7-liter diesel is considered to be one of the worst engines ever used by the GM group. Caprice intended for delivery to California were equipped with a Buick V6 instead of the Chevrolet V6 because of the stricter emissions regulations that apply there.

1981

The year 1981 marked the low and at the same time a turning point in the post-oil crisis full-size history: The Rochester Quadrajet four-way carburetors of the series were replaced by Rochester CCC-Quadrajets, CCC for Computer Command Control. The CCC is a so-called electronic feedback carburetor with variable immersion needle position - and thus the link between the mechanical carburetor and the electronic injection system. The CCC technology reduced the output of the V6 engines and the 5.0 liter V8 by 5 hp each. At the same time, a new automatic transmission called the TH200-4R was introduced for the 5.0-liter. The TH200-4R had four forward gears instead of the usual three, and it was also equipped with an electric torque converter lock, both of which were technical innovations that had not been available before. In addition, Chevrolet implemented a finding for vehicles with the TH200-4R that had already been developed in 1976 in fleet field tests with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD): Drivetrains with "longer", numerically lower rear axle ratios are significantly less efficient than calculation models under real conditions had suggested why the four-speed automatic received a standard rear axle gear ratio of 3.08: 1.

1982

The Impala Coupé was discontinued in 1982, the Caprice Classic was still available with two doors. The diesel engine was now available across the entire range.

1983

In the 1983 model year, the range was cut to include an Impala sedan and the Caprice Classic as a sedan and station wagon. The 4,4-L-V8 was also no longer available.

1984

In 1984 the Caprice Classic Coupé was reintroduced. The four-speed automatic could be combined with all engines.

1985

The 1985 model year brought far-reaching changes to the engine line-up. The base 3.8 (250 cui) liter V6 was omitted, as was the Buick V6 used in California. Both were replaced by a new version of the 90 ° V6, which now had a displacement of 4.3 (262 cui) liters. This engine with the designation LB4 was equipped with a Rochester central injection (TBI, for Throttle Body Injection) and made 130 HP and thus 20 HP more than the 3.8 liter of the previous year. The LB4 is also an SBC derivative, identical in stroke and bore to the 5.7 (350 cui) -Liter V8 SBC. The 4.3-liter was the standard engine in all sedans and coupés, and could be optionally ordered with the TH2000-R4. The 5.0 (305 cui) -liter V8, which remained the base engine for wagons and optionally for sedans and coupés, also underwent changes: the compression ratio went from the 8.6: 1 to 9.5, which has been common since the beginning of the catalytic converter era : 1 raised. At the same time, the V6 received electronic ignition timing control , together with a revised version of the successful GM HEI (High Energy Ignition) distributor, in which the ignition coil was no longer integrated into the distributor cap, as was the case with the first HEI generation. The 5.0-liter now developed 165 hp, 15 hp more than in the previous year. The Oldsmobile 5.7-liter diesel was discontinued shortly after the start of the model year.

1986

For the 1986 model year, the traditional American trim level hierarchy, which went back to before the Second World War, was largely abandoned for the Chevrolet full-size. The inexpensive Impala aimed at fleet buyers, originally introduced in 1958 as a top trim level and slowly downgraded to the base trim level over three decades, was discontinued, so that from 1986 all Chevrolet fullsizes were called "Caprice", even if the old three-tier hierarchy was at least in the Caprice Trim levels Caprice, Caprice Classic and Caprice Classic Brougham reflected. The basic level "Caprice" and the "Brougham" equipment were only available on Sedans, wagons and coupés only as "Caprice Classic". With the elimination of the Impala, the Caprice also became the first carrier of the Special Equipment Options (SEO) packages 9C1 (Police Package) and 9C6 (Taxi Package), which were traditionally reserved for the lowest trim level in the series.

The exterior of the Caprice was given a makeover: the main headlights, which had previously been a single unit with the radiator grille, were "released" by narrowing the opulent chrome surround and were now all around in the body color. The new radiator grille with vertical instead of the previous horizontal rectangles received the same treatment, and the Caprice hood ornament was omitted. Conversely, the previous six free-standing rear lights have been combined into two triple units, each with three chambers (and an integrated rear light on each side).

1987

In 1987 the Caprice Classic became available as “Brougham LS” in addition to the “Brougham” level. This variant has a "Landau" vinyl roof over the rear part of the cabin. The base level "Caprice" was now also available on wagons. The 5.0 (305 cui) -Liter V8 SBC has been deleted for all wagons and replaced by a lower-emission "Group engine" with almost identical displacement (307 cui) and 142 hp. This engine is an Oldsmobile design and not to be confused with the 307 cui (5.0 L) V8 SBC. Visually, the Caprice has undergone a significant change: Instead of the four rectangular main headlight housings with sealed beam headlight inserts, all Caprice got two large “composite” plastic headlights with replaceable bulbs - and the hood ornament that was missing in the previous year was returned. In 1987, in the influential vehicle procurement tests of the Michigan State Police, the Caprice 9C1 was the very first time a Chevrolet beat the Chrysler Group's Dodge and Plymouth models, which had dominated the series of tests.

Dramatic changes otherwise only took place on the two engines of the SBC family, whose valve trains were converted to roller hydraulic valve lifters. All SBC engines simultaneously received “Center Bolt” valve covers with four screw connections aligned along the center of the cover instead of the “Perimeter” or “Rim Bolt” screw connections along the valve cover gasket used on the SBC since 1955. The 5.0 (305 cui) liter achieved an output of 170 hp in the course of this revision.

1988

In the 1988 model year, the coupé fell out of the line-up for good; all four-door models were now full sizes. As before, Chevrolet refined the attempt to create a new, contemporary equipment and model hierarchy. Since the Impala was no longer available two years earlier, the fleet buyer segment had no longer had its own model - this task was now to be taken over by the simple, basic version "Caprice", which in 1988 was again only available as a sedan and no longer as a station wagon was available. The “Caprice Classic” level, on the other hand, was available as Caprice Classic, Caprice Classic Brougham and Caprice Classic Brougham LS based on the earlier GM trim level hierarchy. Wagons were only offered as "Caprice Classic". All civil models now used the TH200-R4 four-speed automatic transmission.

For the second time, a Caprice 9C1 won the MSP vehicle tests in Michigan in 1988, and for the first time it was evident that the range's performance and top speed were on an upward trend, for the first time since the B-Body was downsized in the CAFE state of emergency.

1989

1989 was also characterized by post-CAFE optimism: the only engine for all civil sedans was now the 5.0 (305 cui) -liter V8, which was also equipped with the Rochester TBI central injection that year. The 5.7 liter was still available for fleet buyers, the V6 was discontinued for the civilian market and could also only be ordered in SEO vehicles (SEO for Special Equipment Option). Wagons continued to use the Oldsmobile V8 with 307 cui.

1990

1990 was a shortened model year, since production of the next generation started in the middle of the year. The most important technical change for 1990 was the introduction of an "automatic" seat belt system for the front seats. After eight years of struggle for an implementable regulation, the legislature had obliged the car manufacturers to equip vehicles from model year 1990 either with a driver airbag or at least with automatic front seat belts. All fullsizes of the model year have therefore deflected and attached seat belts on the front doors instead of on the B-pillar, so that the driver and front passenger have the seat belt attached to the center tunnel "automatically" when the doors are closed. The fact that this particular solution becomes inoperable if doors open during an accident or rollover was the subject of a congressional hearing and a civil case against General Motors only a little later.

Chevrolet Caprice Coupe (1978)
Chevrolet Caprice Sedan (1982)
Chevrolet Caprice Wagon (1987)

4th generation - Caprice / Caprice Classic / Caprice LS (1991–1996)

4th generation
Chevrolet Caprice Classic Sedan (1991)
Production period:	1990-1996
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.3 L V6 (LB4) 96 kW 1992–93 5.0 L V8 (LO3) 127 kW 1991–93 5.7 L V8 (LO5) 137–184 kW 1991–93 4.3 L V8 (L99) 147 kW 1994–96 5.7 L V8 (LT1) 194 kW 1994-96
Length:	5438-5519 mm
Width:	1996-2022 mm
Height:	1415-1547 mm
Wheelbase :	2944 mm
Empty weight :	1770-2026 kg

1992 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1

At the end of the eighties, the future of the large Chevrolet platform was more or less in the stars. The full-size B-body was no longer the only market-dominant since the GM group first introduced a “medium-sized” group platform in 1964 with the “intermediate” A-body. While the "compact" X platform (Chevy II / Nova) introduced in 1962 did not pose a threat to B-body quantities, car buyers with the A-body from 1964 (Chevelle) had a viable alternative to the traditional full-size automobile for the first time. In 1971, GM expanded the range of vehicle classes with the H-body again down to the "Sub Compact" segment (Vega / Monza), and from 1976 General Motors' US version of the "global" Sub-Compact T platform ( Chevette ) available in parallel on the US market, so that the traditional B-body was already being offered in its 3rd generation (1977–1990) parallel to three smaller, rear-wheel drive (RWD) Chevrolet vehicle series. The traditional perception of the full-size class as “regular size” or “normal size” no longer coincided with the reality of the number of units on the US market.

Under the persistent impression of the oil crisis and the CAFE measures, the traditional mid-size and compact platforms A and X on the US market were gradually replaced by new, much smaller, front-wheel drive (FWD) models from 1978 onwards, including the new FWD-A and -X bodies. The T-Body was dropped, the H-Platform replaced by the Chevrolet Cavalier on the J-Body - which was sold in Europe as Opel Ascona , among other things . The discontinuation of the Impala trim level in the 1986 model year was also seen by the public as the manufacturer's departure from its last traditional RWD platform. In the 1988 model year, production of the makeshift G platform ended, on which a few midsize models of the RWD A body, which was formally discontinued in 1981, had been produced.

Against this background, there had been a continuous decline in full-size sales (to increasingly older full-size buyers) since 1965, from more than 1.5 million vehicles in model year 1965 to below 200,000 units per model year, and against this background there was a new edition of the traditional large Chevrolet within the GM group is not without controversy, since a significant future demand for the entire vehicle class could no longer be assumed with high probability. This was finally remedied with the decision to adopt the entire technology of the 3rd generation for the 4th generation, including the floor pan of the vehicle cabin, 1: 1.

Quantities

Model year	Overall sedan	Willow Run plant	Arlington plant	Total wagon	Willow Run plant	Arlington plant
1991	196.754	144,684	52,070	13,600	13,600	-
1992	103.379	47,994	55,385	13,400	13,400	-
1993	89,430	46,043	43,387	10,546	10,490	56
1994	96,919	-	96,919	7,805	-	7,805
1995	87,150	-	87,150	5,361	-	5,361
1996	94,594	-	94,594	638	-	638
total	668.226	238,721	434,455	51,350	37,490	13,860

Engines

designation	Cubic capacity [cm ³ ]	Displacement [cui]	Type	Power [PS / kW]	Years	transmission
LB4	4297	262	V6 TBI	130/96	1992-1993	4L60
LO3	5002	305	V8 TBI	172/127	1991-1993	4L60
LO5	5733	350	V8 TBI	180/132	1992-1993	4L60
LO5 HO	5733	350	V8 TBI	195/142	1991-1992	4L60
LO5 HO	5733	350	V8 TBI	205/151	1993	4L60
L99	4346	265	V8 SFI	200/147	1994-1996	4L60E
LT1	5733	350	V8 SFI	264/194	1994-1996	4L60E

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

The vehicle Indentifizierungsnummer short FIN (English vehicle identification number , in short VIN) is the internationally standardized 17-digit number that uniquely identifies a vehicle.

position	1	2	3	4 & 5	6th	7th	8th	9	10	11	12-17
example	Country of origin	Manufacturer	Brand name	model series	Body shape	Restraint system	Engine code	Check digit	Model year	plant	serial number
1991-1993	1	G	1	BL	5	3	E.	9	M.	R.	140921
	1 = USA	G = GM	1 = Chevrolet	BL = caprice	5 = 4-door sedan	3 = Manual Belts / Driver SIR	E = 5.0 TBI V8 (LO3)		M = 1991	R = Arlington
				BN = Caprice Classic	8 = 4-door wagon		7 = 5.7 TBI V8 (LO5)		N = 1992	W = Willow Run
							Z = 4.3 TBI V6 (LB4)		P = 1993
1994-1996	1	G	1	BL	5	2	P	0	R.	R.	191444
	1 = USA	G = GM	1 = Chevrolet	BL = Caprice Classic	5 = 4-door sedan	2 = Manual Belts / Dual SIR	P = 5.7 SFI V8 (LT1)		R = 1994	R = Arlington
				BN = Caprice Classic LS	8 = 4-door wagon		W = 4.3 SFI V8 (L99)		S = 1995
									T = 1996

Model years

1991

In autumn 1989, a new version of the Caprice was presented for the first time since 1977, which was based on the chassis and floor pan of the previous generation, but had a completely redesigned, aerodynamic body. Production of the new model began as early as February 1990, so that the vehicle appeared on the market as the early 1991 model year in March, technically speaking as the 1990½ model. The "Aero" caprice met with mixed market reactions: The future of General Motors' full-size platform in the post-oil crisis vehicle market in the US had been openly and publicly discussed since 1985, and a number of reporters would have a smaller or even smaller one and front-wheel-driven GM flagship, similar to the new FWD X and A platforms, considered to be much more contemporary. This led to considerable initial criticism of the very traditional technical layout of the last B-body generation - since it was completely adopted from the 3rd generation - but this did not prevent the new model from significantly exceeding sales expectations. Even European reporters rated the new Caprice model very positively.

In the first model year, civil models were delivered exclusively as central injection with LO3 5.0 liters (305 cui) TBI-V8 with 170 hp. For the police version (9C1), Chevrolet's famous 5.7-liter (350 cui) V8 was still available, unlike in the 3rd generation of the Caprice, however, now also as TBI (LO5) with 195 from 1991-1992 and in model year 1993 finally with 205 hp. All vehicles of the series were exclusively equipped with the 4L60 automatic transmission (MD8) with four forward gears, which had been used in Police Package vehicles under the old type designation TH700 since 1983.

The only major technical change compared to the 3rd generation was the B-Body for the new "Aero" body, an anti-lock braking system from Bosch, the control electronics of which were still openly mounted in the trunk in model year 1991 because of the new, untried technology little trust was shown. The driver received an airbag integrated into the steering wheel - by fulfilling this legal requirement, the problematic door seat belts from model year 1990 could be omitted.

From October 1990, at the actual beginning of the 1991 model year, in addition to the four-door sedan (Sedan, B19), a station wagon version (Wagon, B35) was also offered, optionally with a third row of seats for a 6 + 2 seat configuration and with a new version of the traditional one GM “Dual Action” tailgate that can be opened both as a flap and as a door. A police version of the station wagon was sold under the option code 1A2, the equipment levels were called Caprice and Caprice Classic, the sports version of the Sedan (with chassis and brake components and the digital speedometer from the police package) was called LTZ. “Caprice Classic” was only available on the sedan. "Classic" buyers were given, among other things, aluminum rims, cornering lights, a "higher quality" 55/45 split seat at the front, center armrests at the front and rear, a color-coordinated "Pinstripe" on both sides of the vehicle and "Caprice Classic" lettering as exclusive features, as well as the others optional reading lights on the inside mirror and "make-up mirror" in the sun visors and central locking as standard equipment. Only Caprice Classic could be ordered with the optional leather interior.

Dark blue, red, gray and beige were available as interior colors in all variants and equipment levels, fabric was the standard material, leather was optional, vinyl and fabric front / vinyl rear combinations were for police (9C1 / 1A2), taxi (9C6) and Fleet applications (1AA) can be ordered. In 1991 and 1992, the fabric and vinyl door panels were stitched vertically in the upper area, the pattern can also be found in the same width on the seats and the rear bench. Civil speedometer instruments end at 80 mph (128 km / h), the instruments of the export versions show 140 km / h. Early production models, possibly even early vehicles produced in Willow Run, have wide black “impact strips” on the bumpers. These stripes disappeared from production very early without replacement.

All Caprice model years 1991–1993 were produced at both the Arlington plant in Texas and the Willow Run plant in Michigan. The Caprice, which in 1991 received the prestigious title “Car of the Year” from the US magazine Motor Trend , was an LTZ, not the standard civil version. “Car of the Year” in the Wagon class in 1991 was an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, technically identical to the Chevrolet Caprice.

1992

In 1992 the 5.7-liter, previously reserved for the police, was available in a civilian 180 hp version in civilian station wagons and in the 195 hp police version also in the LTZ. The police version, sometimes also referred to as HO for "High Output" in the GM works literature, differs from the civilian version in that it has an uninsulated intake, larger injection nozzles and other spark plugs, but mainly because of a modified camshaft 1993 order the taxi model (9C6) under certain purchasing conditions with the 4.3-liter LB4 V6 (instead of the 5.0-liter V8), which was already available in the previous generation. Unlike in the 3rd generation, LB4 buyers did not get a slimmed-down V6 but a full-fledged V8 chassis with an 8.5-inch rear axle and 11-inch rear drum brakes.

Chevrolet had already produced two different export versions for Europe and the Middle East for 1991, and from 1992 to 1993 a third export model specially tailored to the needs of the German market was available through the Opel dealer network, which among other things featured eye-catching orange direction indicators at the rear and in the bumper has recessed rear fog lights. This version is often mistaken for the "European model" - in fact the simpler "Marketing Area Europe" (MAE) version is much more widespread. The simple version has km / h instrumentation and no third brake light. On the other hand, the detailed modifications of the "German" model go much further: glass headlights, folding exterior mirrors, towing eyes at the front and rear, belt locks with brightly colored release buttons, a headlight washer, decorative strips on the hood edge and a horizontal hood badge instead of the traditional, upright bowtie hood emblem are the main features In addition, all chrome-plated plastic switches in the interior have been replaced by uncoated black plastic switches and rubber padding has been attached around the ignition lock. All European export versions together only reached three-digit numbers per model year, while around 20% of the total Caprice production was delivered to the Middle East.

The history of the export models is hardly documented. The "Export" Service Manual published by General Motors for 1992 describes only the "German" export version and does not mention any other market-specific versions. Unlike the American editions of the Service Manual, the Export Manual has a "GM ODC" logo for the GM Overseas Distribution Corporation on the cover, despite the identical publisher and the same cover design, to which all Caprice export markets were subject at that time .

The visual changes to the US model for 1992 were of a minor nature: B-pillars were now painted in the vehicle color (instead of black film as in the previous year), the ABS control unit was installed under the dashboard instead of in the trunk for 1992 and the "wood" - Applications on the dashboard and on the door panels were given a lighter " root wood " pattern. The ABS lettering on the left at the rear was omitted at the end of the model year. The interior color red in 1992 differs slightly from the red of the 1991 model year, the scale of the civil speedometer instruments extends from 1992 to 100 mph (160 km / h), export speedometers end at 200 km / h. At least one advertising brochure for the MAE version for 1992 shows a speedometer that ends at 180 km / h.

1993

For 1993, the Caprice underwent a much more elaborate visual revision, among other things, the aerodynamically designed rear wheel arches were opened, the rear was provided with a transverse chrome trim and new taillights without a horizontal chrome trim, and the grill was supplemented with a "Chevrolet" lettering. The previous lowest equipment variant "Caprice" was omitted, "Caprice Classic" was retained and added at the top by "Caprice LS". Interior colors and decor remained unchanged. Cars that were ordered with steel rims were equipped with brushed stainless steel hubcaps from 1993 after the clips for the plastic hubcaps from the 1991 and 1992 model years had proven unsatisfactory, which gave the early decorative panels the nickname "Frisbee" (and a free exchange campaign of the manufacturer). The quilting on the door panels was omitted, the quilting on the seat cushions are twice as wide from 1993 as 1991–1992. After the detour from 1992, the red interior color corresponds to that of the 1991 model year.

For 1993, Police Package vehicles received an expansion stage of the “Police Only” version of the LO5 5.7-liter V8 with 205 hp, and for the first time an air intake silencer that had previously only been fitted to civilian vehicles.

1994

For 1994, the production of the Caprice was concentrated on Arlington, Texas as the sole plant. The production of export models for Europe was given up. The entire model range was converted from Chevrolet's venerable Generation 1 Small Block V8 (1955–2002) to the brand new Generation 2 V8 (1992–1997), which was available as a 4.3-liter (L99) with 200 hp and 5.7- Liter (LT1) with 264 hp was available.

The LT1 in particular is surrounded by considerable confusion, as the Chevrolet Corvette (Y-Body) had already switched to Generation 2 engines in 1992 and the Chevrolet Camaro (F-Body) in 1993, and contemporary observers were unable to identify the new ones To differentiate aggregates of the full-size series from the generation 2 machines of the sporty GM products. LT1 is intended as a model-specific option code for all GM 5.7-liter MPFI V8 engines of the era, regardless of their specific nature, and not as a designation for a single, specific engine. The B-Body-LT1 does not share the block, the cylinder heads, the intake manifold or the camshaft or any other essential parts with the Corvette-LT1 - nevertheless the error of the early reporters has become a popular myth to this day, the Caprice from 1994 declared to be "full sizes with Corvette machine".

While the L99 served as the standard engine for the sedan, all station wagons received the LT1. The LT1 was optional for all sedans except for the taxi package (9C6). Civilian buyers had to order the B4U “sports package” in order to be able to select the LT1 as an optional engine. With the new engines, a new expansion stage of the 4-speed automatic transmission was introduced, the 4L60E, as the successor to the 4L60 from 1991–1993. Since the Generation 2 water pumps were operated by a shaft via a camshaft drive and no longer had a pulley, the traditional central mechanical cooling fan of the Generation 1 engines was replaced by two electric cooling fans directly behind the main radiator. Only vehicles with the optional heavy-duty cooler package were still equipped with a small mechanical fan offset to the side in addition to a single electric fan.

In the interior, the series received a completely redesigned dashboard with a new steering wheel, front passenger airbag, new display instruments and a digital speedometer. Blue (Medium Adriatic Blue) was the predominant interior color and replaced the previously offered Dark Adriatic Blue. Red, beige and gray were also available, the previous selection of fabric, leather and vinyl was retained - however, single front seats were now standard instead of the bench in “Special Equipment Options” (SEO) vehicles such as the police and taxi packages.

Also for 1994 the sporty LTZ was discontinued for the home market and for Europe, and replaced by the Impala SS (WX3), which was initially only available in black. LT1 5.7 liter V8, 17 inch rims, differential lock and a rear axle ratio of 3.08: 1, gray leather interior with integrated front head restraints, rear spoiler, DeCarbon shock absorbers, 1 inch factory lowering (25.4 mm) in comparison the civilian model (2 inches compared to the 9C1) and the rear disc brakes from the 9C1 police model made the SS an "instant classic" that was particularly popular with older buyers who could still remember the last Impala SS from 1969. For the export market in the Middle East, the LTZ was retained and supplemented with a local version of the Impala SS, the Caprice SS (WX8), which was designed for leaded petrol and had no catalytic converters, making it the fastest model in the entire series. For 1994, the 9C1 version of the Caprice was not only fitted with standard individual seats, but also as the first GM full-size in history to have disc brakes on the rear axle. The police chassis (7B3) received a revision, in which, among other things, the long shock absorbers of the 1991–1993 models were greatly shortened, and the eye-catching screw-on hub cap with the designation N92 on a redesigned heavy-duty steel wheel (N97) was used. Fleet buyers of 9C1-LT1 vehicles could optionally order vehicles without speed limit, provided that tires in the 235 / 70R15V format were selected, 9C1-LT1 with the standard 225 / 70R15H format were electronically limited to 130 mph (208 km / h), civil vehicles ( except the WX3 and WX8) at 108 mph (177 km / h). "Actually, you can hand in your driver's license right away" was the headline of a US car magazine with regard to the driving performance of the police version measured at 143 mph (230 km / h) as part of the MSP test. This made the four-door Police Package almost 10 km / h faster than the Ford Mustang Special Service Package (SSP), which had been the only fast American-made police vehicle during the CAFE decade.

1995

For 1995, a last remnant of the original "Aero" design was removed from the appearance of the Caprice: From 1995 the Caprice had large exterior mirrors on the front edge of the side windows, where previously small "Aero Pod" mirrors had been on the door skin. In addition, the lower C-pillar was pulled forward - a purely visual design element integrated into the body panel from 1995, which the Impala SS had created in 1994 with a plastic cover over the rearmost side window. The engine and gearbox selection remained unchanged for 1995. Under the hood, the previous layout of the brake and ABS lines gave way to a new installation that replaced the rust-prone bundle of lines above the upper left wishbone with several individual strands. The upper compensation hose between the radiator and the radiator reservoir was omitted without replacement. From 1995 onwards, the WX3 and WX8 were still only available with a gray leather interior but also on the outside in Dark Green Gray Metallic (DGGM) and Dark Cherry Metallic (DCM), which has retroactively led to the formerly only exterior color black among enthusiasts as "BBB" is designated. Also for 1995, the entire series received redesigned radios, fabric seats in civil models have strongly contemporary additional color samples from 1995.

Production Sequence Number 100020 of the model year, an LT1-9C1 and the twentieth of a total of 21 pre-production cars produced by GM for the final visual revision of the model series, has survived and was on display in the GM Heritage Collection in Detroit from 2003 to 2008 - it is now in a German B-body collection.

1996

For 1996, the entire series was converted to the OBD- II standard that was mandatory in the USA on January 1, 1996 . In addition to more complex engine management, this also means the use of four instead of the previous two lambda sensors. The engine and gearbox were retained, the interior was gray instead of blue, and all fabric seats in police vehicles had vinyl side panels from 1996 onwards. The only difference between the 1995 and 1996 models is that the platform designation “B” was changed to “GMT 300” for 1996 after 37 years, and the format of the Service Parts Identification Label in the trunk lid that was changed in this train. In 1996, for the first time, a station wagon version of the police model (1A2) was no longer available. Only the WX3 and WX8 were upgraded: the digital display instrument shared by all models in the series was replaced in the "SS" models with a fully analog cockpit with a rev counter. At the same time, the automatic selector lever moved from the steering column to the Center console. 1996 was the last time the Caprice 9C1 competed in Michigan State Police (MSP) vehicle tests, with the stated goal of winning the six-step testing process for the 10th time in a row. This intention led to the dispatch of a specially prepared test vehicle elsewhere by Volvo, and the third attempt by Volvo since 1975 to gain a foothold in the US fleet market. The clash of the Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 and the Volvo 850 Turbo during the MSP tests for 1996 on September 16, 1995 is still seen by enthusiasts as the showdown between US and European automotive engineering of the 20th century. The result of the MSP test has been captured by photographer Tom Yates for eternity - his well-known picture shows Chevrolet Special Vehicle Division engineers in the test caprice on the Chrysler circuit in Chelsea, Michigan, who are unassailable in the lead on their way to 6: 0 victory have hoisted the Chevrolet Special Vehicles flag from the passenger window of the test car.

In 1996, the decision was made at short notice to use the Arlington plant only for SUV production . The upcoming model year 1997 of the Caprice was no longer produced, the Impala SS planned for 1997 in the color Medium Marble Metallic (MMM) has never appeared despite the fact that parts production has already started. General Motors extended the expiring model year 1996 by almost three months in order to process existing orders until production of the Chevrolet full-size series in the United States ceased after more than 40 years on December 13, 1996 at 2:32 p.m. local time.

Together with the Caprice, the B-Body Buick Roadmaster and the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham , based on the technically almost identical D-Body, were discontinued. The Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was withdrawn from the market at the end of the 1992 model year. Today the full-size SUVs ( Cadillac Escalade , Chevrolet Tahoe ) are still manufactured in Arlington .

Two-Gen Motors: LT1 / L99

The "Generation II" engines available on the Caprice from 1994 onwards are the subject of considerable confusion. One of the reasons for this is that from 1955 to 1997, Chevrolet continuously adhered to the basic block design of a single V8 engine family. This first generation, originally referred to as the “Small Block Chevrolet”, is the defining engine of American automobile construction, and with well over 100,000,000 units produced, it is the most frequently built car engine in history. It was not until 1997 that the series generation I engines were gradually replaced by generation III engines. Generation I has not been used since 2003, but the SBC continues to be manufactured as a “crate engine”. In contrast to the almost 50-year history of use of Generation I, Generation II was only available for six model years - and was available parallel to Gen I, from 1992 to 1997, which has earned it the nickname "Forgotten Generation" or "Lost Small Block". "Two Gen", "Two-Gen", "2nd Gen" or "Generation II" are used synonymously.

Two-gen engines differ from the first generation primarily in the changed cooling: The generation I cooling circuit runs pump> engine block> cylinder heads> main cooler, while two-gen engines cool "backwards": pump> cylinder heads> block> Main Cooler - Also, the two-gen water pump is powered by a camshaft output through the back of the housing, rather than a pulley from the crankshaft. The Generation I distributor is mounted at the top of the rear end of the block through the intake spider and also forms part of the oil pump drive. Generation II uses a flat, optically controlled “pancake” distributor called “Optispark”, which is attached directly to the front of the camshaft. Both changes have contributed significantly to the extreme power output of the two-gen engines, and enthusiasts have also heard More than 35 years of SBC experience but hardly welcomed benevolently. A design weakness of the first version of the Optispark created additional cause for criticism of the two-gen design - even if this error was corrected back in 1993, the Optispark is completely wrong to this day - Reported considerable technical weaknesses.

Two-gen use was limited to three platforms, GM Y (Chevrolet Corvette), GM F (Chevrolet Camaro / Pontiac Firebird), and GM B (Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster). Two different cubic capacities were produced, a 4.3 (265 cui) liter (L99) and a 5.7 (350 cui) liter (LT1), which in the Corvette (and the Camaro SS) is also known as the LT4 in a slightly modified form (1997) was available. The L99 was also offered as a CNG version and was only available in the Caprice, all Buick Roadmasters used the LT1.

It can't be overemphasized that the LT1's for the Y, F and B platforms are three different engines that use the same block design - but different blocks (and cylinder heads, camshafts, valve trains, etc.). Most enthusiasts will be able to understand that the Corvette was shipped with various 350 cui SBCs between 1955 and 1991 without all of the other 350 cui SBCs automatically becoming Corvette engines . Generation II is stubbornly denied the same logic - in contemporary and contemporary reporting, LT1 is almost always equated with "Corvette engine", even if the Corvette LT1 and the B-Body LT1 do not even share the engine block.

One reason for the persistent misconception is to be found in a peculiarity of the GM Regular Production Option (RPO) catalog: Option codes have generic content, but are vehicle-specific in use - the code T90, for example, stands for "LAMP, SIGNALING & MARKER, EXPORT" and generally describes direction indicator units with export-specific equipment - in this case with yellow direction indicators. T90 was used on all exported GM model series, including the Caprice and Camaro - without their taillights being in the least similar. The T90 (Caprice) is a completely different component than the T90 (Camaro), but both meet the definition of "Lamp, Signaling & Marker, Export".

The same applies to the option code LT1 - "ENGINE GAS, 8 CYLINDER, 5.7L, MULTIPOINT FUEL INJECTION, HIGH OUTPUT", which includes all the different versions of the definition without necessarily being identical.

Package Cars: Special Equipment Options 9C1, 9C6, 1A2

1996 Caprice 9C6

From 1991 to 1996 the Caprice models (like the previous generation) could be ordered with a number of option packages. For all vehicles and all buyers, a catalog of mostly surcharge options and option packages was available, so-called Regular Production Options (RPO), some of which could already be ordered as "packages", such as the "sports package" B4U. Under certain conditions, buyers could also order certain basic packages which, in addition to a number of specially compiled RPOs, also contained "packages" of so-called special equipment options (SEO) that could not be freely ordered, as well as other (again subject to surcharge) options from the SEO catalog made available.

The three main SEO packages available on the fourth generation Caprice were:

9C1 (Police Package)
9C6 (Taxi Package)
1A2 (Special Service Wagon)

Even within the GM works literature, there is disagreement about the exact designation of the individual packages. “Police Package” (or “Taxi Package”) has established itself in common parlance, while according to the technical structure of the GM ordering system, “SEO Identification Police Car” would be the most correct name. The internal GM “master list” for all RPO / SEO uses “SEO Police Vehicle”, while the Chevrolet parts catalog for the Caprice breaks down “9C1” as “Police Car”. The term “Public Service Vehicle” was also used for the 1A2 package. The sometimes used term “Police Package Wagon” is certainly incorrect, as the 1A2 station wagons explicitly did not have a full “Police” rating, similar to the SSP and B4C packages for the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, or the “Scout” Car ”rating for various Chrysler FWD products. A comparable package was not offered on the Caprice limousine, but was e.g. B. for the Chevrolet Lumina or the later W-Body as 9C3 "Police Vehicle, Limited Content" available.

From a technical point of view, the Chevrolet Police Package dates back to a time when police vehicles primarily needed additional charging capacity and power supply for what was currently very heavy radio equipment. It was not until the sixties that the packages became the “go fast” option, and by the seventies the “police package” was mostly synonymous with “cheap” and “exempt from emissions regulations” - the latter a concession by the legislature to the conditions of police use in the Era of the national 55 mph (88 km / h) speed limit and the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Standard (CAFE). It was only in the eighties that a balance between “cheap”, “durable”, “usable” and “fast” was established.

The Caprice 9C1 LT1 from 1994 to 1996 is now considered the best patrol car of the 20th century in the USA - the B-platform itself has won the Michigan State Police vehicle tests 10 years in a row, three times (1990, 1991 and 1996) even all six Test categories at the same time, which no other vehicle in the history of the MSP tests had succeeded in doing. Only one other patrol car, the 1969 Dodge Polara, reached comparable top speeds - but not in an official measurement. Only the Camaro B4C was faster than the 9C1 under comparable conditions, although it does not fall into the same vehicle class. It was not until 2005 that Chrysler was able to surpass the performance of the Caprice 9C1 with the new edition of the Dodge Charger as a Police Package sedan.

designation	SEO	Vehicle type	Motor standard	Motor optional	Years
Police Package	9C1	Sedan	LO3, L99	LO5, LT1	1991-1996
Taxi Package	9C6	Sedan	LO3, L99	LB4	1991-1996
Special service wagon	1A2	wagon	LO3, LO5, LT1	LO5 (1991)	1991-1995

costs

A large part of the specific modifications for the policy and taxi package primarily serves the “cheap” feature, for example through simplified interior fittings with bench seats in the front (until 1993) and unadorned door panels, less insulation material, zero options, no interior paneling in the Trunk or more resistant materials for seat cushions and seat cores. SEO buyers also had various “delete” options, such as canceling the radio (UL5), and conversely, the Police Package rubber floor in the cabin (6A3) could be canceled - the car was then delivered with carpeting.

Police and taxi package vehicles were actually no cheaper than their civilian counterparts due to the other far-reaching modifications, despite all the savings measures. The base price for a civilian model of the model year 1996 in the basic version (1SA) was $ 29,045.00, while the Police Package, which was listed as 1SP in the order nomenclature, already cost $ 29,190.00 in the basic version.

durability

For the purpose of durability, different bushing material was used - and from 1994 additional frame bushings. Age-resistant silicone radiator hoses (1T1) can also be assigned to this category, as can the support joints from the Light Truck class on the front axle that were used from 1995 onwards. 9C1 and 9C6 share both the chassis (7B3) and the 1T1 option, but not the braking system. Confusion surrounds the much-cited “reinforced” lead frame of the 9C1 version. Although the 9C1 and 9C6 ladder frames have a different stamped mark over the rear axle than "civil" frames, the actual frame differs from its civilian counterparts only in the way it is equipped with axles and chassis parts. In the GM spare parts system, only one part number for Sedan frames is stored per model year. It can be assumed as probable that the indication "Heavy Duty Perimeter Frame" from the GM sales literature for police vehicles should emphasize a differentiation to the predominantly self-supporting vehicles of the era - but is now incorrectly understood as a differentiation from "civilian" vehicles of the same series. In fact, the roof structure was reinforced in the middle at the level of the front seats (6G2), which should enable the installation of a rotating beacon at this point, even if this type of special signal was hardly used by the police services in North America from 1991 onwards.

Usability

Special equipment option T53

The meaning of "usability" in the sense of special requirements in police or taxi operations includes, for example, relocating the electric trunk opener out of the glove compartment, to the externally accessible position next to the light switch (1994-1996), the waiver of warning tones for light, ignition key, Direction indicators, etc., for police vehicles a number of freely configurable "access restrictions", such as rear doors and windows that cannot be locked or operated from the inside, or front doors that can also be opened from the inside when locked. Package buyers also had the opportunity to order certain electrical preparations, such as cable harnesses for light bars or taxi roof signs. Police vehicles could also be ordered with warning lights in the trunk lid (T53) or additional brake and indicator lights on the parcel shelf (6J6). Both packages could be supplemented by an additional pick-up of the speedometer signal for odometers or speed measuring devices, 9C1 vehicles had calibrated speedometer instruments. Taxi vehicles have a handle in the interior above the rear doors and a “Door Ajar” warning light for all doors and the trunk lid. All SEO vehicles were “single key” cars, with one key opening all locks (at least two keys for doors and ignition were US standard in the 20th century). The fleet key and searchlight were optional on both packages, and the position of the spare tire in the trunk could be selected for SEO vehicles (left or center).

Often “stab-proof” back panels are suspected in the seat backs of the front seats of the 9C1 vehicles - however, such a device is nowhere mentioned in the GM sales and parts literature. The "bulletproof" doors and / or glass panes, often attributed to police vehicles, were also never available on the Caprice. Front "protective doors" for police vehicles with a light armouring of the US protection class III-A were first offered on the US market in 2006 by Ford as an option subject to a surcharge. To date, no manufacturer has offered series-produced police vehicles with any kind of special protective glazing.

performance

"High-speed" options are reserved for the Police Package. These include, for example, the higher top speed limit, disc brakes on the rear axle, enlarged front brake pads, stronger cooling fans and external coolers for engine and transmission oil as well as servo fluid and, from 1994, air baffles to cool the front brakes. The steering gear with a shorter gear ratio is less noticeable; special “handling” shock absorbers (8X3) from the German manufacturer Bilstein were optionally available. Unlike in the sixties and seventies, when special high-performance police engines were generally available, all patrol cars in the nineties used engines that were essentially identical to those of the civil series. The 5.7-liter V8 LO5 central injection (1991-1993) in the Caprice was actually configured as a "high output" version for police vehicles, but its output only deviates by 10 (1992) or 20 HP (1993) from the its civilian counterpart. The only real SEO engine reserved exclusively for the fleet market is the 4th generation of the 4.3-liter V6 LB4 central injection, which could only be ordered together with the 9C6 package. With the exception of the engine, the V8 and V6-9C6 are technically identical. Only the fan cowl and both radiator hoses of the V6 model are longer than those of the V8 version. Even the peripherals of the two units differ only in that the LB4 uses an earlier version of the TBI exhaust gas recirculation system.

From 1994 to 1996 around 75% of all 9C1s were ordered with the optional 5.7-liter LT1-V8, the 4.3-liter L99-V8 were often only purchased for “non-emergency” purposes and administrative tasks. Notable exceptions to this rule include metropolitan police services such as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the New York Police Department (NYPD), both of which have almost exclusively used 4.3-liter vehicles on uniformed patrol duty.

Appearance

SEO options also opened up the possibility of ordering vehicles in special colors or in multiple colors. For example, taxi yellow for 9C6 vehicles that should be used in New York is an SEO color, as is the blue of Michigan State Police patrol cars. The black and white combination that is widespread in US patrol cars, on the other hand, is an SEO color scheme ("two-tone") that was available in many variants. For example, the blue and white combination of the NYPD's emergency vehicles used until 1996 is both an SEO paint scheme and an SEO color scheme. All SEO colors and color schemes were always delivered in conjunction with black exterior mirrors and basic trim strips . On all vehicles, trim strips could be canceled either for the front doors or for the entire side of the vehicle, as well as all emblems on doors and hoods, with the exception of the hood ornament and the Chevrolet badge above the trunk lock.

Availability

1993 Caprice 9C6 LB4

9C1 and 1A2 vehicles should only be able to be acquired by authorities, 9C6 vehicles should be linked to a “fleet buyer” registration. The regulating factor seems to have largely been the fact that the SEO packages were not well known either by buyers or by dealers specializing in the civilian sales market, and were simply not ordered by civilian buyers in ignorance of the possibility. In fact, 9C1 vehicles were often bought by authorities in general, or by municipal and state procurement departments for all connected authorities, so that sometimes strange combinations came about in which civil administrative activities were carried out by civilian administrative employees in highly motorized police vehicles. School administration authorities (especially in the southern US) have used 9C1 vehicles as well as the "Mosquito Commissions" - state insect fighters - in New Jersey or scientific staff from the universities of Nevada or the building regulations monitoring of the city council of Carson City . At the same time, police organizations such as the New York Police Department (NYPD) have also used taxi package vehicles for certain tasks .

The Special Service Wagon was not widely used, GM only produced 846 units from 1991 to 1995, the vast majority of which were used on the east coast. Around 90% of the 9C6 vehicles were also delivered on the east coast, as New York is the only city in the USA to have a factory taxi package as a prerequisite for the usability of a car as a taxi within the city area. The 1991 model year was the first year in the history of the 9C6 package in which no six-cylinder engine was offered. The fact that the only available engine (the L03 5.0-liter) was a V8 was obviously in conflict with the procurement policy of many New York fleet buyers, so that in 1992 the LB4 4.3-liter V6 from the previous generation of the Caprice was reactivated - exclusively for fleet buyers , and only for 9C6 vehicles.

Combinations of various, sometimes highly specialized, often conflicting options or even complete options have also been produced for fleet buyers , for example for the Security Police of the US Air Force , which ordered a total of 245 9C1 vehicles in 1991 - recognizable by the SEO code 1N8 " MARKING - REFLECTIVE BLUE, US AIR FORCE "- some of which were intended for use on air force bases in Europe. Since unleaded fuel was still not widely available in the European automotive emerging markets in 1991 (as was introduced in the USA in 1975), 32 of the USAF vehicles without catalytic converters and with modified engine management (NM8 "LEADED FUEL COMPATIBLE EXPORT / DOMESTIC MILITARY") delivered.

Not directly related to the Caprice, but an example of General Motors 'willingness to respond to special fleet buyers' requests, is the Chevrolet Malibu , which was produced in Canada in 1981 in unusually large numbers in a technically very unusual engine-gearbox option configuration as a state-Iraqi taxi version was produced. The so-called “Irakibu” gained local fame when Iraq refused to accept the last 12,500 vehicles from special production.

Quantities

Model year	9C1 total	9C1 LO5	9C1 LO3	9C6 overall	9C6 LO3	9C6 LB4	1A2 total	1A2 LO5	1A2 LO3
1991	34,562	29,313	5,249	2,046	2,046	-	134	-	134
1992	28,652	22.302	6,350	2,054	283	1,771	172	172	-
1993	27,642	21,177	6,465	2,565	1,035	1,525	168	168	-

Model year	9C1 total	9C1 LT1	9C1 L99	9C6 L99 overall	1A2 LT1 total †
1994	31,762	24,432	7,339	2.174	217
1995	26,351	19,864	6,487	1,889	154
1996	10,859	7,796	3,063	1,579	-

† GM counts show 216 1A2 LT1 and a 1A2 L99 for the 1994 model year, although the 1A2 was not offered with the L99, and for 1996 a 1A2 was not offered, although the 1A2 was not offered.

Rear view
Chevrolet Caprice Wagon (1993)
Chevrolet Caprice Sedan (1994)

Caprice (series WH / WK / WL, 1999–2006)

5th generation
Chevrolet Caprice SS (1999-2003)
Production period:	1999-2006
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 3.6-5.7 liters (147-250 kW)
Length:	5190 mm
Width:	1850 mm
Height:	1450 mm
Wheelbase :	2940 mm
Empty weight :	1685-1730 kg

Since after the discontinuation of the actual Caprice in the markets of the Middle East there was still strong demand for a large rear-wheel drive sedan below the premium segment, the model Holden Caprice produced in Australia was exported and offered as Chevrolet Caprice from 1999 . It hardly differs technically from the Holden and also went through all the model updates of the sister model.

Caprice (series WM, since 2006)

6th generation
Chevrolet Caprice LTZ (2008)
Production period:	since 2006
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.6–6.0 liters (195–270 kW)
Length:	5159 mm
Width:	1900 mm
Height:	1481 mm
Wheelbase :	3010 mm
Empty weight :	1802-1887 kg

The Holden Caprice's generation WM was also offered as the Chevrolet Caprice.

Between 2011 and 2017, the corresponding model was again offered as a police vehicle, Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle), in the United States.

Rear view
Chevrolet Caprice as an American patrol car

Web links

Commons : Chevrolet Caprice - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

The Caprice in film and TV productions; numerous photos

literature

John Gunnell (Ed.): Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. Revised 4th edition. Krause Publications Inc., Iola WI 2002, ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999. 3rd edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .

Individual evidence

^ "Fatal Automatic Belt Ejection Crash Brunswick, ME, 9/31/91", Calspan Report for DOT / NHTSA 2/91, abstract, p. 1
↑ Automotive Safety: Are we doing enough to protect America's Families ?, Minutes of the Hearing in the House of Representatives of the 102nd Congress, Washington DC, Dec. 4, 1991, p. 83
^ "Big steamers on European course" Auto Bild Nr. 30, July 23, 1990, p. 22
↑ Wording of the footnote under the "Powertrain" section of the Caprice Police Package brochure for 1991: "It is General Motors policy that the Chevrolet Caprice Police Package equipped with the 5.7L engine be sold only for usage by US, state, or local government primarily for police, law enforcement or fire fighting purposes "
^ "1991 Car of the Year", Motor Trend, Volume 42, Number 2, February 1991, p. 43.
^ "Engine Specifications - Chevrolet 5.7L (LO5)", 1992 General Motors "B" Carline General Specification Guide, General Motors Corporation, USA 1991, 6-15
↑ 1992 Caprice Taxi Package, Chevrolet Media Productions, USA 1991
↑ 1992 Caprice Export Service Manual, General Motors Corporation, Warren MI, USA 1992
↑ Passenger Car Engines Product Specifications, GM Powertrain, General Motors 1993,
↑ 1994 Caprice Dealer Ordering Guide, "Product Positioning / Buyer Demographics", General Motors, USA 1993
↑ Sanow, Edwin J., "Chevrolet Police Cars 1955-1996", Krause Publications, Iola WI, USA 1997, p 192
↑ Chevrolet 91-96 B Parts and Illustrations Catalog, GM Service Parts Operations, Grand Blanc MI, USA, 2000, p. 2216 9-G21
↑ MSP - Police Vehicle Test Results. Retrieved August 5, 2020 .
↑ Chevrolet 91-96 B Parts and Illustrations Catalog, GM Service Parts Operations, Grand Blanc MI, USA, 2000, p. 1443 6-I8
↑ 1991 Caprice Police Package, Chevrolet Media Productions, USA 1991, p. 3
↑ The GM nomenclature itself is inconsistent: in 1980 the 9C1 ladder frame is referred to in the sales literature as the "higher gage frame", and in 1981 the restriction "for certain frame members" was added
↑ 1991 Caprice Police Package, Chevrolet Media Productions, USA 1991, p. 13
↑ 2018 Chevy Caprice Info, Pictures, Specs, Wiki - GM Authority. In: gmauthority.com. Retrieved October 22, 2018 .
↑ autoblog.com: 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV - Anything But A Trivial Pursuit

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