1966 Chevrolet Caprice Custom

Description

This car isn't supposed to exist. You won't find a 1965 Chevrolet Caprice Custom coupe in your auto history books. Instead, this is an exceptionally interesting custom creation with a desirable triple-black appearance, loaded A/C interior, and a big block V8 under the hood.

Chevy fans know this is something very special. 1966 was the first official year for the Caprice coupe. The name was introduced as the top option package for the Impala sedan the previous year. So with a little ingenuity, a 1965 body was grafted onto the 1966 chassis. Plus, the all-important '66 Caprice roof was seamlessly transplanted onto this special '65 body. There are even great details like correct T3 headlights and bright LEDs in the '65 triple-taillight package. It's such a well-integrated design that this is already a multiple award winner. Then again, everything is going to look good on a car this straight. Imperfections can't hide from black paint, especially when there has been a serious investment to get it this buttery smooth. And a black vinyl top is exactly what you want on a 1960s luxury machine. Being the top-level Chevrolet also meant not skipping out on chrome anywhere. But, as obvious as the luxury is on this Caprice, the callouts on the fenders and Rally wheels let everyone know that this coupe is meant for more than just cruising.

This dual luxury and performance attitude continues on the loaded interior. The bucket seats complete the ultra-desirable triple black appearance (paint, roof, and interior.) This top-of-the-line Caprice has all the right features. It has the sporty center console with floor-mounted shift, and in front of that the full quad gauge setup – yup these weren't just for Camaros. And speaking of sporty, this one even has a rare tach next to the ultra-wide speedometer. But this is a machine built for luxury, too. So you have great features for everyone, including the factory optional AM/FM radio and ice-cold air conditioning. And when was the last time you saw a fold-down center armrest for the rear passengers in a Chevy?!

Big luxury needs a big motor, and those 396 badges on the fender didn't lie. While the V8 fills the engine bay, the tidy setup still means you can easily see the details like the polished valve covers and bold block paint. Even better is that this L35 big block is original to the 1966 car used in this custom creation. Topped with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, it was advertised 325 hp when new – so there's plenty of muscle in this luxury Chevy. Backed by a slick-shifting TH400 three-speed automatic and a robust 12-bolt rear, it certainly has the hardware to support all that power. But remember, this is a luxury cruiser too, so the dual exhaust has a throaty rumble, but not an overpowering one. Plus, the rebuilt front suspension, power steering, and front disc brakes means you can comfortably take everyone on ice cream runs without breaking a sweat.

The sale comes complete with owner's manuals and Protect-o-Plates covering both model years, as well as build receipts and maintenance records. This is true a one-of-a-kind Chevy you wish you could have had in 1965, and so one lucky person will get it today. Will it be you?