1966 Chevrolet Caprice 42604 Miles Aztec Bronze Hardtop 396 V8 3 Speed Automati

Description

After the tremendous response to being offered as a luxury trim package on the Impala in 1965, the Caprice was introduced as its own model in 1966. It was positioned as the top-of-the-line Chevrolet and included numerous upgrades and options including the 396-cubic inch engine. Check out this car and see what luxury felt like for so many people in the 60s. It is still quite a smooth ride. Presented in its factory correct original color of Aztec Bronze, this... car looks great. A newer tan vinyl roof, (or Fawn to be correct about the color), gives the car a formal, distinguished look, following a more squared off roofline as opposed to the sporty fastback roofline of the Impala. Up front, a shiny new chrome bumper leads the way with quad headlights and polished brightwork surrounding the grill. Crossed racing flags announcing the 396 under the hood grace the front fenders, and there is a spotlight mounted on the driver's fender. A nice double pin-stripe runs the length of the car accentuating the curves of the front and rear fenders. All the brightwork around the windows, rockers, and wheels wells, as well as the door handles, and mirrors looks sharp. At the back, a big Bow-Tie emblem is placed on the big trunk lid just above another nice shiny bumper. The interior is very original. It is not restored, but rather a survivor in good condition. Open the door and you will find a beautiful panel in Fawn with wood, black and chrome trim outlining a pleated and buttoned center with a big armrest for your cruising comfort. A two spoke steering wheel with a chrome half-moon horn ring and a column shifter sits in front of a spacious dashboard. The control for the spotlight is on the left. The controls for the Comfortron ventilation and air conditioning system, really an early generation climate control system, enables the driver to set a constant year-round temperature and then makes the adjustments automatically. Just below those controls is an early gen equalizer for the radio tone and balance. The cloth and vinyl seats are super comfortable even though they are showing their 52 years of age in several spots along some of the seams. The carpets are in good shape with wear in some spots but are not stained or ripped anywhere and the headliner is in good shape. Pop the hood on this big car and you will find a big powerful engine. It's the optional 396 that could make this car get up and go without breaking a sweat. There is a polished air filter housing sitting on top of the original Rochester Quadra-jet carb, which is a nice, spread-bore carb well suited to smooth part throttle acceleration. Just what is called for in a luxury car. Polished valve covers add a splash of flash to the engine compartment. There are signs of good regular maintenance with a newer brake booster, A/C compressor and lines, and newer belts and hoses. Power is sent back through a 3-speed automatic transmission to a solid rear axle. Coil springs were used in the rear suspension of this car because they offer a better ride than leaf springs. Up front, a control arm system with coils springs, shocks and a sway bar get the job done nicely. The car sits on steel wheels with polished Chevy hub caps and 225/70R15 white wall tires all around. Check out what Chevy's top-of-the-line luxury car was like for 1966. Then maybe make it your top-of-the-line luxury car for 2018.