Aug 30, 2018 • For Sale • 34 Comments
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It’s amazing how time changes one’s taste and perspective. As a kid, each day when I stepped outside our house I was greeted by the sight of our elderly neighbors’ yellow Chevy Caprice parked neatly in their driveway. I regarded the car as blase, run-of-the-mill, and unexceptional in just about every way. Fast forward to the present. As I scroll endlessly through Craigslist ads it turns out it’s this ’84 Caprice Classic, available here on craigslist in Syracuse, New Yorkfor $5,000, that catches my eye. What’s the appeal? Is it nostalgic memories of my youth or is it beholding the remarkable preservation of a car that a lot of people (such as myself) at one time regarded as dispensable?
The ad starts out by stating the “car [is] in great condition,” an obvious fact, but unfortunately that’s just about the extent of the information provided by the seller. Despite the hazy pictures, it appears this Classic is unmolested and all-original, including the light brown metallic paint, landau roof, hubcaps, chrome trim, and chrome rocker panel coverings. It’s clear this Caprice has been well-cared for by someone throughout the years. How many previous owners have there been? Has the car spent its entire life in Upstate New York? It would be interesting to learn more. The seller mentions the car recently passed inspection and it’s the recipient of “a lot of new parts,” but doesn’t specify what type of repairs have been performed.
Pictures of the interior are also hazy and my guess is they don’t do justice to this car’s seemingly pristine condition. Aside from the poor color choice of the steering wheel cover, the rich, dark brown vinyl dash and door coverings look beautiful against the simulated wood grain applique. The checkered upholstery covering the front bench seat is certainly unique and looks to be in decent condition, with perhaps a bit of stretching present on the driver side. I love the old-school pull-out headlight knob and levers for the fan and climate control, but I’m surprised this Classic came without power windows, an option that cost approximately $200 in 1984. The car does come with AC, which is presumed to be in working order. The clock is nicely positioned in between the center air vents right above the AM/FM stereo (sans cassette player). It would be nice to see the condition of the rear cabin area, but unfortunately, no photos are provided.
The photo above shows the amazing condition of the vinyl landau roof. It looks brand new with no cracks or fading and indicates this Caprice has enjoyed a lifetime of pampered, indoor storage. No photos are provided of the engine though, which is reported by the seller to be the optional 305 cubic inches, 5.0 liter V-8 with only 66,600 miles. The seller indicates the price is negotiable, indicating this car can potentially be had for under $5,000. Considering the market isn’t exactly flooded with immaculate ’84 Caprice Classics, that seems like a good deal for someone wishing to continue to preserve a beautiful example of a full-size sedan from the 1980’s.
