Delayed Donk: 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible – SOLD!

February 17, 2023, 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.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “Donk” in car culture, it started out referring to 1971-1976 Chevrolet Caprices or Impalas, modified with “high riser”  two-feet-diameter wheels shod with low-profile tires and tons of ground clearance. However, the term has shifted with time.  Typically Donked Chevys feature elaborate paint, upholstery, and air ride suspension upgrades to compliment the huge wheel look.

While the Donk style is not everyone’s cup of tea, the movement continues to scoop up suitable 1971 to 1976 Caprice and Impala candidates every time a stock example comes to market.  Consequently, prices of this vintage of Chevrolets, particularly scissor-topped convertibles, continue to rise.  This stock-appearing 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible last listed in January 2023 on Craigslist in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has avoided the Donk treatment. We hope that trend continues with the person buying this ride.

Last offered for $26,500, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for second-generation Chevrolet Caprices produced between 1971 and 1976.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Caprice convertible featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $19,400 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $27,000.

Chevrolet produced the top-of-the-line Caprice from 1965 through 1996 across several generations.  It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s and early 1970s, which, during its lifetime, included the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala.

Introduced in mid-1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop, Chevrolet offered a full line of Caprice models for the 1966 and subsequent model years, including a “formal hardtop” coupe and an Estate station wagon. The 1971 to 1976 models are the largest Chevrolets ever built.

For 1971 the top-of-the-line Caprice was completely redesigned on a longer 121.5-inch wheelbase and featured bold, Chrysler-like fuselage styling. Flush exterior door handles and double-shell roofs were new on the Caprice – both features first appeared on the 1970½ Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. The new styling was highlighted by a Cadillac-like “egg-crate” grille with a “Caprice” emblem in the center and brushed metal trim surrounding the taillights on the rear deck. The “Full-Perimeter” frame and all-coil suspension were refined for improvements in ride and noise reduction.

The Caprice models were renamed to Caprice Classic for the 1973 model year.  The convertible was moved from the Impala to the Caprice lineup for the first time in 1973.  The 1973 facelift included a new cross-hatch grille, five mile per hour energy-absorbing front bumper, and revised square taillights, again mounted in the bumper. New emission standards added EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valves to engines (with a new roller camshaft) as horsepower ratings fell. The standard Turbo-Fire 400 cubic inch two-barrel was now rated at 150 horsepower while the only optional engine was the Turbo-Jet 454 cubic inch V8 that produced 245 horsepower with dual exhaust. A new option on sedans and coupes was a 50/50 bench seat with a recliner on the passenger side. The instrument panel and steering wheel were now offered in a variety of colors to harmonize the interior, and the wheel featured a new “soft-grip” rim. Front seats were also re-positioned to give more legroom for taller drivers, but shorter people found the driving position awkward.

The Cars & Stripes YouTube Channel features this 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic commercial:

Among the 1971-1976 full-size Chevrolets, we always preferred the look of the 1973 models as it was the last year of the taillight-in-the-bumper detail Chevrolet had become famous for.  With a 400 cubic inch small block, power windows, and factory air conditioning, this caprice we hope does not become subject to the Donk treatment.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Donk or Detail: What would you do with this 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!