This Week's Klockau Lust Object: '73 Caprice

Issa Caprese...

Time for another dose of Broughamage. This week it’s not another Cadillac, but the aspirational Chevy, the Caprice. In 1973 they were still in their Nimitz Class size, and would continue so through 1976.

But the ‘73 is pretty much my favorite. I love the vertical grille with the thin bars, the one year only wheel covers, and the striped upholstery. It was also the first year of the Caprice convertible. In 1971-72, you could only get an Impala drop top.

This year you could get your Caprice as a four door Sport Sedan (Chevy-ese for four door hardtop), Custom coupe, pillared sedan or convertible. There were also 2- and 3-seat Caprice Estate station wagons. All Caprices had fender skirts as standard, except wagons.

I think the reason I love 1973 full-size Chevys so much is repeated exposure to the 1973 007 film, Live and Let Die. I loved it as a kid—remember watching it on the late late movie once when I was really sick and recovering on the couch when I was about 7. Or was that The Man With the Golden Gun?

At any rate, I loved the movie as a kid and it is still one of my favorite Bond movies in middle age. And if you’ve seen it you know pretty much every new 1973 Chevrolet was in it—including a TON of Bel Airs and Impalas. Who could forget Sheriff JW Pepper’s police car? “Is that a boat in the sheriff’s car?” “Boy where you been, that’s one of them new car-boats!”

So, I like them. Not too many Caprices were in it, but I do recall at least one Estate Wagon. The Sport Sedan had a base price of $4,134. The most expensive Caprice was the 3-seat wagon, at $4,496. The convertible ran you $4,345.

70,155 Sport Sedans were built. And today’s subject is likely in the top tier of surviving examples. It’s currently on Phoenix CL with 40K miles.

As the seller relayed, “Red Metallic with Red cloth interior and red vinyl roof
454 V/8, Automatic with only 40,000 original miles.

“This Caprice was purchased in 1973 by my mother who was the original owner. I have had this car garaged here in Arizona for years since her passing and I would say that this car is in great original condition (except for replacing the tires, brakes, hoses, fluids, gaskets, door seals, tires and normal replacement items over the years). My mechanic has changed the oil and fluids on a regular basis over the years and the car runs and drives beautifully.

“You can tell by the finish and interior that I have always kept it in our garage and out of the elements. The vinyl dash has a couple of cracks in it but the cloth seats, headliner are in really excellent condition. All of the power options operate well and the air conditioner was converted to the new refrigerant several years ago.

“The 454 engine runs perfectly and the transmission is solid. I hate to see it go, but it is time to find a new home for this great car.”

The $23,700 ask is rather ambitious, but it appears to be an original, low mile car. And I can tell you that there were many of these in simply terrible, rust-eaten condition back in IL circa 1990.

I also imagine it’s priced as such to avoid the customizers. My friend Jason Bagge had a MINT 1974 Caprice Classic coupe, silver with black interior, about 6-7 years ago. It literally needed nothing.

Jason’s car, pre-ruination.

When he decided to sell it, the buyer swore he’d preserve it. That was the only reason he sold it to him. And later he found out the moron ripped it apart, put stupid wheels on it, and painted it a tacky shade of orangeish-red. Jason was sick over it when he found out. So here’s hoping this ‘73 stays intact—they’re only original once. It’s especially gorgeous in the triple burgundy!