Excellent Estate: 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Station Wagon – SOLD!

May 17, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

With minivans still a few years away, station wagons remained a mainstay of many suburban driveways throughout the late 1970s. Typically driven to the ground hauling kids or plywood, we would love to know the story of this 49K mile 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Estate originally listed in May 2022 on Craigslist in Sarasota, Florida. The seller reports his Caprice features the more desirable 350 cubic small block V8 and that everything works on the car.

Currently offered for $9,900 or the best offer, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, reveals the ask is only slightly higher than this guide’s five-year average of $12,057 based on 17 sales ranging from $2,750 to $69,300 for a Caprice-Based Batmobile replica.

Chevrolet launched the drastically downsized Caprice Classic in the fall of 1976 as a 1977 model. Engineers figured out ways to reduce its weight and exterior dimensions, while increasing headroom, rear-seat legroom, and trunk space compared to 1976 models. GM called its downsizing program Project 77 and invested $600 million to develop the most changed full-size Chevrolet to date. Weight savings of nearly nine hundred pounds versus the prior Clamshell-equipped wagon was quite substantial.

Station wagon models received a new three-way tailgate for 1977; the clamshell tailgate was gone. The three-seat models featured a rear-facing third seat for two occupants making these cars eight-passenger models. The cargo capacity was reduced to 87 cubic feet, and although the station wagon could still carry 4 ft × 8 ft sheets of plywood, this could now only be done with the tailgate down. The station wagons use the coil spring suspension in the rear, as for the sedans and coupes.

The 1979 models continued with only minor refinements. Again the front and rear styling were refreshed slightly. The 250 six gained five horsepower, while the 305 V8 lost 15 horsepower. The change to the 305 was a result of switching from the larger Rochester 2GC carburetor to the smaller Rochester Dualjet carburetor. The 350 engine was unchanged.

The Periscope Film YouTube Channel provides this 1979 Chevrolet Dealer Promo film highlighting the Caprice and Impala models that year:

Based on the pictures provided, this 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Estate appears to be a nicely preserved, low mileage survivor.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Very nice and clean Chevrolet Caprice Wagon, with less than 50,000 miles….everything works, no rust, no issues, nice and clean interior, runs and drive like a dream….350 Original Engine, one Owner, cold AC, good Tires.”

Show or go: what would you do with this 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Estate?  Please comment below and let us know!