1968 Chevrolet Caprice Estate 20k, 396, One Owner

Description

1968 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon PLEASE INQUIRE FOR LINK TO 130+ HIGH-RES PHOTOS - INSIDE/OUT/UNDER Exceedingly Rare Big Block ONLY 20,986 ORIGINAL MILES Complete Documentation & Window Sticker Numbers Matching 396ci 4bbl 325hp, Turbo Hyrda-matic, Factory A/C, Front Disc Brakes, AM/FM 8 track, Dual Exhaust, 3rd Row Seat, Power Steering ONE OWNER FROM NEW! Vin # 166458J296591 Trim Tag Decoded: Body: 1968 4-door Custom Wagon 3-Seat (68-16645) Trim: Turquoise (845) Paint: Tripoli Turquoise (K) Assembly Plant: Janesville, Wisconsin (JAN) Evolve Motors and Chicago Car Club are pleased to present this 1968 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon! This is a car we’re excited to have. We were actually on the fence about even listing it for sale, because how often do you get the opportunity to own such a mint, original, well-documented big block wagon? Not often, that’s for sure. This car is a real crowd-pleaser; just about everybody that enters our showroom makes a beeline straight for the wagon without even glancing at the other cars, no matter if they’re a car-nut or not. This car is a true A-level survivor offered in completely original order with a known and well-documented history from new. The backstory of this wagon is as follows: The car was delivered new to Chevrolet GK of Downer’s Grove, IL, where it was then sold to a Mr. and Mrs. Young in early November of 1968. The car sat on the dealer’s lot for nearly a year before being sold at a hefty discount; manufacturer MSRP as optioned was $5,191, but the price the car actually sold for was just $3,400. At the time, an optioned-to-the-moon big-block wagon was a tough sell, as a wagon was more of a family-friendly, utility-only kind of vehicle. This one was likely a showroom display car, as it was loaded with just about every available option at the time, then cut loose at a discount to sell before the end of the model year. Mr. and Mrs. Young drove the car from November 1968 until the mid 1980s, when it went into storage under a car cover in their backyard barn. Mr. Young kept a handwritten log of fluid changes and mileage increments, with the final recording being an oil change in June 1980 at 18,222 miles. The car sat there in their backyard barn from the mid 1980s until early 2017, when we peeled back the car cover and pushed it out into the daylight. Mr. Young didn’t just keep handwritten recordings of mileage, he held onto every bit of the original paperwork he could. Included in the sale is the dealer window sticker with options list and build specs, the original title, Mr. Young’s check stub from the purchase, original Protecto Plate as well as a replacement (from when Mr. Young thought he had lost the original, later to be found), original owner’s manual, and the original Bill of Sale. Since taking possession of the car, we’ve gone through it and serviced where due. Services included a fluid flush, removal and refurbishment of original fuel cell, replacement of fuel sending unit, and replacement of distributor points. We have since began to rack up the mileage and man, this thing feels truly excellent on the road. Not only is it a tremendous head-turner, it feels every bit like a 20,000 mile car. It starts right up immediately, doesn’t smoke, idles smooth and quietly, shifts smoothly, brakes straight and effectively, and winds out without any sort of stuttering or hesitation. The Exterior: - Tripoli Turquoise is the perfect color for this car. Paint is 100% original, as confirmed with an Elcometer (digital paint gauge). There are absolutely no spots on this car that have been resprayed. Elcometer readings are between 2.4 and 3.2 on every inch of the car. - As paint is now 50 years old it’s not 100% perfect, but it’s pretty damn close. There is some minor spotting on the upper portion of the doors, as well as one light scratch on the driver’s door, which a close-up photo of is provided. The entire surface is smooth and light spots may be removed with wet sanding. We wanted to leave it as original as possible. Aside from that, imperfections are limited to a couple very minor chips on the lower front end, consistent with 20,000 miles of road use. - Chrome is like-new throughout. No damage, no oxidation. Mirror-like throughout. - Weatherstripping is excellent throughout. Not dry or weathered. - Vinyl “wood” siding is original and in phenomenal condition. Only one very light scuff on the vinyl siding, which is on the lower forward corner of the driver’s side. - No bubbling anywhere on the car. Not even at the lowest points of the corners or ahead of the rear wheels. - All pinch welds are clean and look like new - Panel fitment is perfect - Door checks feel like new - Hinges, pillars, and door jambs are spotless - Original T3 headlights The Interior: - Unrestored Turquoise interior is truly time-capsule level - Front seats wore a cloth cover since new and as a result, show as-new. No scratches, fading, scuffs, or wear of any sort. - Rear seats and third row are perfect as well - Photos may make the front and rear seats look to be slightly different tones of turquoise; they are absolutely the same color. We use an SLR camera and manual focus to take listing photos, and the lighting made the colors look slightly different. - Headliner is in perfect shape and holds nice and tight - Original rubber floormat set (also turquoise) is in great shape - Carpeting is as-new - Dash and all interior trim is as-new. No scuffs, warping, fading, or damage of any sort. - Everything functions as it should. All interior lights, radio and 8-track player, analog clock, gauges, lights, wipers, blower, defrost. Factory air conditioning is currently not functioning as the seal on the compressor has dried and the refrigerant has leaked out. We elected to leave it alone as it’s the original compressor. - Spare well and under rear seats is spotless. No rust, no bubbles, no dirt in any of the interior lower corners or jambs. - Roll-up windows track nice and easy like new Under the Hood / Under the Car: - Original drivetrain with just over 20k miles. Optioned with 325hp Turbo-Jet 396cid V8 and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. - Original 4bbl carburetor - Original Harrison 3 core radiator and AC equipment including factory clamps - We’ve elected not to paint the engine to show just how original the car is. Still has the original GM belt on it. If the buyer would like us to disassemble and paint the engine to really bring it to the next level, we can absolutely do so. - Original wiring throughout - All plastic clips still intact - Assembly numbers still clearly legible drawn on underside of hood - Underbody is in great shape. Extremely dry and solid. Very light surface rust on suspension components as expected, but underneath the car is rock solid. Structurally excellent. Floors and frame rails are in great shape. No damage or modifications visible underneath. - Truly excellent on the road. No tendencies of concern whatsoever. This car runs and drives every bit as nice as it looks. The Final Assessment: This is a rare opportunity to own such a phenomenally well-preserved, well-optioned, and well-documented Caprice Estate Wagon. It is extemely rare to be optioned the way that it is. While yes the car does look fantastic in the photos, it is truly even more impressive in person. This car is undoubtedly one of the most impressive “survivors” we’ve ever seen. It is sure to make the next owner extremely happy, whether they plan to retire it to a collection or load up the kids and grand-kids and head to their lake house for the weekend. Buy with confidence folks, this 396 wagon is truly one in a million. Please reach out to Jake or Mike at Evolve Motors at 773-273-8257 with any further questions or requests.