Chevrolet Caprice

The Chevrolet Caprice was an automobile of the upper middle class, to 1996 by Chevrolet in the U.S. first so that the top model was built in model years 1966 as a luxury version of the model and Impala. Today, the model name for variants of the Holden Caprice is used in different markets.

Model history

Caprice Series 166 (1966-1970)

Chevrolet Kingswood Estate ( 1970)

In model year 1965, there were four-door hardtop sedan for the model Impala a popular equipment package, which bore the name Caprice.

1966 Caprice was for their own series and replaced the Impala as a top model in the large Chevrolets from. There were four models, a four-door hardtop sedan, a two-door coupe and five-door station wagon with two six or nine seats. The flat, wide and long cars showed in a shallow V forward-facing nose and had over the rear wheel arches a modern hip bend.

In contrast to the less luxurious Chevrolets of the great series there was the Caprice with V8 engines as series 166 The base engine had 4,637 cm3 and made 195 hp (143 kW) at 4,800 min -1. On request, there were also the following engines:

1967 hiked the front turn signals to the vehicle corners, forming the V -shaped nose, a significant contouring of the vehicle front. The Hüftknicke over the rear wheel arches became clearer.

In 1968, the front turn signals were smaller again and made a clear upswept front bumper area. The dual headlights were square chromed frame. The coupe lost his B-pillars and mutated so for a year for hardtop. In 1968 there was a normal coupe again. Technically changed in these two years little.

Once again presented itself completely revised series for model year 1969. Given the same wheelbase the cars were grown in length and width again. The more strongly contoured front sides showed a massive chrome frame and the rear wheel arches had been so far reduced that the upper halves of the wheels were almost covered. The lower half of the tail statements were taken from the chrome rear bumper, which also absorbed the three narrow taillights per side. The station wagon - only with V8 engines available - were now called Kingswood Estate.

In 1970, there was little change. The engine program streamlined: A new V8 with 5,735 cm3 displacement and 250 hp ( 184 kW) was used.

Caprice / Caprice Classic Series 166 1B, 1N ( 1971-1976 )

Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau Coupe Series 1B (1976 )

1971 came out a completely new full-size series. The combination models were called Caprice continue Kingswood Estate. The wheelbase was " grown in the station wagon as much as 6" in sedan and coupe by 2 ½. The massive, heavily contoured front showed a low front grille and turn signals back to the corners of the vehicle. All the big Chevrolets got disc brakes on all four wheels. The engine power decreased by 5 per bhp.

A slight revision of the vehicle front left 1972 shrink the grille in height. The wheelbase sedan and coupe put again to ½ ". Starting this year, the engine performance in net hp ( nhp ) were specified. The most powerful V8 engine had 7,440 cm3 and made 270 hp ( 199 kW). The new model name was in this year 1N series.

After the Biscayne was no longer offered in 1973, it was in the upper middle class, only three series, the Bel Air, the Impala and the Caprice. The combination models were called Caprice Station Wagon again and there were two new models: a four-door sedan with B-pillars and a two-door convertible. The car got a slight revision of the front and rear view and were a little longer. The performance of all engines was under the impression the oil crisis by 10-20 reduced nhp.

In 1974 there were no changes, except for a slightly revised front fascia, chrome-ringed grille with her from the first time the cheaper models differed. 1975 catalysts were introduced. As a second model variant came a " Landau " to do so. Otherwise, there were few changes.

1976 was also the Bel Air from the model range of the upper middle class. Thus there were only with the large Chevrolet Impala and the Caprice, which was renamed this year for the Caprice Classic Series 1B. As a new model was a four-door sports sedan to the convertible was gone. The front view was again slightly reworked and now showed a prominent forward set, narrower grille, flanked by rectangular triple headlights in chrome frame. The drive served V8 engines with 5,735 cm3 and 165 hp ( 121 kW ), 6,554 cm3 and 175 hp ( 129 kW ) or 7,440 cm3 and 225 hp ( 165 kW).

Caprice / Caprice Classic Series 1B ( 1977-1990 )

Chevrolet Caprice Classic ( 1985)

In 1977, the big Chevrolet as part of the downsizing were first smaller; over the base model Impala still ranked as the Caprice Classic coupe, sedan and station wagon.

The length of the new Caprice was "only" 5.39 instead of 5.66 meters as its predecessor, the weight of the base version dropped from 1891 to 1600 kilograms. Were driven Impala and Caprice by a 4.1 -liter six- cylinder or V8 engines with 5.0 or 5.7 liter engine. In the program, Impala and Caprice Classic were two-door coupe with each as arched rear window, four-door sedan and five-door station wagon. The Caprice Classic differed from the Impala by a slightly better amenities ( Two tone horn, chrome trim, clock ), a grille with more chrome and sitting next to the headlamps, turn signals ( the Impala they were under the headlights ).

1978 received both models slightly different radiator grilles and lower in the interests consumption, longer rear axle.

For model year 1980, the front of all models equipped flat was designed in order to improve aerodynamics and fuel consumption. In the coupes more the curved rear window of a flat disk. The six-cylinder was replaced by a 3.8 -liter V6, new to the program were a 4.4 -liter V8 and, for the wagon, a 5.7 ​​- liter diesel V8 Oldsmobile, the gasoline engine of the same size, there was no more.

In 1981 the five-liter four-speed automatic transmission and a like almost every year there were detail changes to grille and chrome trim.

1982 accounted for the Impala coupe, the Caprice Classic, there were still two doors. The diesel engine was now available across the entire range.

In model year 1983, the program was slashed on a Impala sedan and Caprice Classic sedan and station wagon. Even the 4.4 liter V8, it no longer existed.

1984 Caprice Classic coupe was reintroduced. The four-speed automatic was combined with all engines.

1985 replaced a new 4.3- liter V6 with 132 hp the previous 3.8-liter. The performance of the five- liter increased thanks to new exhaust system from 157 to 167 hp. In model year 1986 accounted for the Impala, it had been since 1958. The Caprice had it as a sedan in new basic version, plus as Caprice Classic ( sedan and wagon ) as well as a new top model Caprice Classic Brougham. The diesel engine was discontinued due to lack of demand from the offer.

The base Caprice there were in 1987 as a station wagon, and the model program was rounded up by the new Caprice Classic Brougham LS with partial vinyl roof and chrome strip running across the roof. The combination got another five-liter engine (307 instead of 305 cubic inches ), which only made ​​142 hp. On all models replaced the wide-band headlamps small rectangular dual headlights used before.

With the model 1988, the coupe finally flew from the offer. The simple Caprice there was again only as a sedan, not wagon.

1989 accounted for the V6, the five-liter V8 in the sedan was upgraded by a manifold injection, winning 5 hp.

Caprice / Caprice Classic Series 1B ( 1991-1996 )

Chevrolet Caprice Sedan (1993-1996)

In 1991 a new version of the Caprice was the first time after 15 years presented. Its design was driven by the great success of the Ford Taurus, but was never really accepted. Many described the new models as " obese whales ", which was due not least to the small rear wheel arches, which were therefore increased from 1993. Only the combination held until the end of production the same wing section.

Popular was the Caprice because of its robustness as well as taxi and not least to the authorities; the model of the years between 1994 to 1996 is considered one of the best police cars that have ever been made ​​. The sports version of the Caprice was called " Impala SS " ( Super Sport), had a 194 kW ( 264 hp) Corvette LT1 V8 was initially very sporty only available in black and for a sedan of the time. There were also a revised grille, 17 -inch wheels and Impala emblems. This model is still looking for what is emerging among other things to the value of stability.

Even in the private sector of the Caprice found his customers, a Station Wagon (Estate) in which 8 people can sit, the Caprice was ideal not only for the American extended family. The sedan (saloon ) is sufficient for the transport of 6 persons.

1996 ended the production of the extremely durable model series in the United States after more than 30 years and produced 4.35 million copies. General Motors needed the factory in Arlington ( Texas) to create new capacity for the emerging SUV boom. Together with the Caprice were also all other identical models, such as the Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, and of the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, affected. Today in Arlington the full-size SUV ( Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe ) are produced as before.

Caprice Series WH / WK / WL (1999-2006)

Chevrolet Caprice SS

Since the setting of the actual Caprice continued to exist in the markets of the Middle East a strong demand for a large rear-wheel drive sedan below the premium segment, which is produced in Australia is exported as a model Holden Caprice Chevrolet Caprice and offered since 1999. It differs little from the technically Holden and also passes through all facelifts of its sister model.

Caprice WM Series (since 2006)

Chevrolet Caprice LTZ

The generation of the WM Holden Caprice is offered as a Chevrolet Caprice.

Since 2011, the corresponding model is offered as a police vehicle again in the United States.

182282
de