1996 Chevrolet Caprice

Wagon

5.7L 350Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

1G1BL82P7TR105068

Clear

Gasoline

Video clips are given of the engine via weblinks below. Here we have a rare opportunity to get ahold of one of the last examples of an American icon. This is a 1996 Caprice Wagon with an LT1 (Corvette) engine. In 1996, there were less than 700 examples of this car made by GM. They are insanely rare and far more collectible than the earlier models.  This car has been rebuilt from the wheels-up and the driveline is the real secret to this car. Details are below. This particular car is nothing short of stunning. There is zero rust on this car and the paint is in excellent shape. I've poured through every single centimeter of sheetmetal and there simply isn't any rot to be found. This may be due to the fact that the car was treated by "Ziebart" sometime along its life, but the end result is an insanely clean car. Dent-wise, there is one on the lower driver's side front fender where it was nailed by a hubcap on I85. It is not that noticeable and is an easy fix should you be inclined to do so. All of the normal Caprice trimwork has been removed, professionally filled, and painted. The result is a very smooth, slick looking profile and the large metal flanks are like glass. The hood has had the Caprice hood ornament removed and professionally filled. I have not completed the paintwork on the hood. The grille is off of an Impala SS and has been painted to match, and a red chevy bowtie emblem installed on the new grille. Inside the car is as impeccable as the outside. There is some heel-wear on the driver's side carpet, but other than that -- it appears 'as new'. Seats are 'as new'. Dash, steering wheel, plastics, door panels and the like are all also 'as new'. The rear jump seat probably has never been used and looks like it. The headliner could use a re-do due to some snags in the back from my kids. It is NOT sagging anywhere and may be able to simply be fixed instead of replaced. New AutoMeter silver face gauges were installed in the A-pillar and the pod was painted to match the inside of the car. All the electronics work perfectly. The car was fully optioned from the factory -- power windows, locks, tilt, cruise, a/c, power release back window, intermittent wipers, power steering and anything else offered by GM at the time. It all works perfectly. I have replaced the OEM radio with an aftermarket top-of-the-line Sony unit that was over $300, before installation. Front door speakers and rear 6x9's were replaced with Boston Acoustic units. The car has been lowered by using application specific springs from Belltech. The shocks have also been replaced with units specific to a lowered Caprice wagon. The wheels are 18" up front and 20" out back with new tires. The wheels themselves were custom made specifically for this car by Foose. They had to be made in order to fit the 20" INSIDE the rear skirts without using oddball spacers since Foose didn't offer any 'off the shelf' fitments for a Caprice wagon. The engine was rebuilt and replaced in April of 2012 and has less than 3k on it. The aluminum heads had extensive portwork done, new valves, keepers, springs and screw in studs. The engine was bored, new pistons, rings and bearings were installed, the rods were re-spec'd, and the whole thing was balanced. The cam is a CompCams 502 and was new when installed. The ECU was re-programmed to perform with the new engine specs and it works flawlessly. The car has GOBS of power and runs like a dream.  The whole thing breathes through dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. It has a nasty growl. Here is a link to a YouTube clip of the idle. YouTube video of a COLD START. It shows the oil pressure at idle (50 PSI) as well as how fast it starts when cold. Ambient temperature was 39 degrees and it was the first start of the day. Hot PSI is between 20 and 30 at idle. YouTube video of engine idling underhood. No strange noises. YouTube video of engine revs to hear idle, engine and exhaust. No strange noises. The engine rebuild and ECU programming alone were close to $3,000. Now factor in the cost of the maintenance listed here and you’ll see what a deal this car actually is. Full maintenance items and corresponding dates are listed here. ALL DONE IN 2012: -              New Belltech wagon specific performance lowering springs (2/12) -              New LT1 355 cubic inch engine (4/12) -              New Optispark distributor (12/12) -              New plug wires and plugs (6/12) -              New water pump (6/12) -              Rebuilt rearend with highway gearing for mileage (4/12) -              New pass. Exhaust manifold (replaced due to crack -- 12/12) -              New mass airflow sensor (10/12) -              New ignition control module (10/12) -              New ignition coil (10/12) -              New O2 sensors -- all 4 (11/12) -              New and re-mapped ECU (6/12) -              New fuel pump (10/12) -              Engine grounds re-done (11/12) -              New GM starter (5/12) -              Trans service (10/12) -              Custom intake fabricated and installed (8/12) -              Fuel injectors rebuilt (6/12) -              A/C serviced (4/12) -              New front tires (6/12) -              New rear tires (3/12) -              New front disc brake pads and rotors -- pads are ceramic (6/12) -              New rear drums and shoes (6/12) -              New rear wheel cylinders (6/12) -              New radiator (OEM GM) (12/12) -              New oil cooler lines (OEM GM) (12/12) -              New trans cooler line (12/12) -              New serpentine belt and tensioners (10/12) -              A/C checked and charged (3/12) Everything that was replaced was either OEM/GM parts, or aftermarket with a lifetime warranty. Receipts will be provided to the buyer. The car gets around 23 MPG on the interstate cruising at 70, thanks to the gears in the back. Around town, it gets in the low to mid teens depending on what my right foot is doing. I have owned over 50 cars in my life -- everything from Porsches, rare imports, M5's, to absurdly valuable old American hot-rods.  NONE OF THEM has ever come close to getting the attention that this car gets. If you don't want to be noticed, this is not the car for you. Without fail, every single day, I get a thumb's up, a smile, a point by a kid, a wave -- some reaction from someone about the car. My daughter may very well kill me in my sleep if this car sells -- her little 8 year old heart adores this car, as does the hearts of her friends. It is nearly universal in its appeal. So, in summary -- I am presenting an exceptional example of an ultra-rare American car that is in nearly better-than-new condition. A car that represents a different time for most adults, and a car that brings a smile to people's faces. In addition to all of that, it's also insanely useful because it's the last full-size wagon that was made. You can put a 4'x8' sheet of plywood INSIDE the car between the wheelwells and close the door. Parents, why bother with a minivan or one of a billion SUV's? Why go with the flow and drive a Volvo or BMW wagon? This car has a fraction of the costs in regards to maintenance and scads more style, class and comfort. Plus, for all intents and purposes -- it's a new car. Look around at other '96's and see what they go for. Then look at the work and condition done to this one and you'll see what a deal it is. Note – once there is a bid on the car, THE BUY-NOW PRICE WILL DISAPPEAR. If you want it, get it. On Dec-13-12 at 18:20:16 PST, seller added the following information: The accident in the report was where someone backed into the rear quarter panel in a parking lot. This was before I had it.On Dec-17-12 at 05:45:53 PST, seller added the following information: Also, just wanted to be clear: there are additional things included with the sale of this car:- New ZQ8 bumpstops - in boxes- New, unpainted fiberglass rear roll-pan - Posi rear end (the original that came with the car) - it needs new bearings. - Belltech Nitro-drop front shocks. Nothing wrong with them - just wanted to try some others out. - Other odds and ends that I've accumulated in my time of ownership. Mostly spare parts and whatnot I am a car guy, through and through. I know that some sort of leap of faith is required when buying a car off of eBay. I am hopeful that my feedback score speaks for itself, but I think the fact that I am a fellow 'car person' is worth something. I have spent many, MANY hours, and many thousands of dollars more than what I am asking in creating the car you see here. At last tally, the number was in the five-figure range and then I stopped counting. I have done my utmost best to describe the car in explicit detail as I would have wanted were I a buyer. Make no mistake - it's a used car. It's a used 17 year old car. However, she doesn't show her age at all - in presentation or in performance. There may be a scratch here, a nick there, or something that I've undoubtedly missed, but it is my sincerest hope that the buyer will treasure the car as I have.