1970 Chevrolet Caprice Sport Sedan: Aqua Dreamboat
Do you ever feel old? I don’t terribly often, but I do more so when I see a great old car. Today’s case in point: This magnificent 1970 Chevrolet Caprice. It’s almost 54 years old, but to me, it’s still only 20 years old—25 max!
I remember these due to a brief but vivid childhood memory. An old friend of my dad’s, Donnie Moore, always drove cheap used cars. He was hard on them, so they were replaced with rather frequent regularity. He nicknamed many of them: a Chevrolet Vega was “Darth Vega” and a Thunderbird of indeterminate age was dubbed the “Thunderchicken.” I also remember, at various points, a blue, circa-1975 Dodge Colt coupe, an ’84 or ’85 Buick LeSabre, and a Grand Marquis.
Whenever he got a “new” set of wheels, he would frequently stop by my parents’ house to show the car to my dad. And one day, probably around 1989–91, he stopped by with a full-sized 1970 Chevrolet.
I am not 100 percent certain if it was a Bel Air, Biscayne, or Impala, but it was a four-door pillared sedan in metallic gunmetal gray, with a black interior. I think it was a Bel Air, but honestly can’t remember.
It was in slightly weathered, but intact, shape—right down to the factory wheel covers. I think I was interested because it was the first 1970 big Chevy I’d seen up close. I was familiar with the 1971-up Caprices, because a neighbor down the block had a ’71 four-door hardtop in that light lime green metallic that was so popular back then.
Anyway, he stopped, parked in the driveway, and then he and my dad commenced chatting. I was approximately 10 years old at the time, and I proceeded to gawk and circle the Chevy with avid interest.
The ’70 Chevrolets were a facelifted version of the all-new 1969 versions, but there were several noticeable cosmetic changes. The biggest one was that the “loop” bumper/grille, encircling the grille and headlights on 1969 versions, was replaced with a conventional chrome bumper below the quad headlights and all-new grille. Out back, the elongated horizontal taillights were replaced with thin, vertical versions.
In 1970, Chevrolet still offered a dazzling variety of models, instead of the all-truck, all-crossover line today (except for the Corvette and Malibu). But never mind, we’re talking about the first year of the Me Decade, not 2023. You had trucks, Suburbans, Vegas, Chevelles, Novas. And full-size Chevys. Glorious, full-size, classy, attractive full-size Chevys.
Coupes. Sedans. Hardtops. Convertibles. In trim levels from plain to totally fancy. And there was no fancier Chevrolet in 1970 than the Caprice, unless we want to engage in a discussion about the Monte Carlo. But that’s a conversation for another day.
In 1970, Caprice meant luxury from GM’s contribution of Detroit’s Low Priced Three, which back then consisted of Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. Ford was making hay with its similarly luxurious LTD. Plymouth, meanwhile, had recently canned the top-trim VIP nameplate and its best model was the somewhat contradictorily-named Sport Fury Brougham.
But in 1970 GM was still a near-impenetrable juggernaut, the 800-pound gorilla of U.S. motordom, and so the Caprice and Impala were extremely popular.
First appearing in 1965 as a four-door hardtop only, as a super-deluxe appendix to the popular Impala line, the Caprice became its own model in 1966, adding station wagons to the mix. By 1970, it was an integral part in the full-size Chevrolet line, available as two-door and four-door hardtops, as well as the wood-sided Kingswood Estate station wagon, available in two- and three-seat models.
The 1970 Caprice Sport Sedan retailed at $3527 ($27,912 today) before options. Curb weight was 3905 pounds. At the time, Chevrolet didn’t break out models by trim level and body style, but from what I could glean from my automotive library, 92,000 Caprice V-8s were built for 1970, in all body styles.
Most expensive Caprice that year was the three-seat Kingswood Estate, at $3866 ($30,594). There was no convertible that year; if you wanted to go topless in 1970 you had to settle for an Impala. A Caprice convertible would appear for 1973.
This Caprice, absolutely gorgeous in Misty Turquoise with matching turquoise brocade interior, was spied at the annual car show in Bishop Hill, Illinois, a tiny enclave with Swedish roots in Henry County, Illinois. I attend every year, and it never disappoints. Today’s subject was my favorite car at the show this year.
If you’ve read enough of my columns, you know that I love Detroit land yachts and I love turquoise. I was about three-quarters through my walkthrough of the show and had just taken pictures of a gorgeous 1971 Oldsmobile 442 convertible when I spied this off to my left. Zounds! After stopping for approximately 12 seconds to photograph the 1979 Seville parked next to it, I commenced drooling over this Caprice.
My favorite body style and my favorite model. So sharp. And although I would have preferred the color-keyed factory wheel discs and fender skirts, this remarkably well-preserved example was just as pretty with its Chevy Rally Wheels and whitewalls.
It also had the optional 265-horsepower Turbo-Fire 400-cubic-inch V-8, a step up from the base 250-hp, 350-cu-in V-8. All the better to motivate you while riding in turquoise brocade, cushioned comfort.
As the 1970 brochure stated, “Some people have professional interior consultants design their living area. Some people. You. All you need to do is choose the Caprice interior that strikes your fancy … everything is color and design coordinated. Seat shape and material, carpeting, wall and ceiling fabric, instrument panel form and function. Everything. Beautiful.”
Such a comfy car, in such beautiful colors! I loved it. Every bit of it. And I walked away feeling just a little bit sad that you can no longer get American cars like this. Caprices, LeSabres, Bonnevilles. They were such great cars: Chevrolet built 162,800 full-size cars in 1970. Today? Zero. But some still live on, even in this day and age. I salute them.
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A super-nice car. Thanks for sharing it. Looking at it, I’d love to own it, but…
My family owned a 1970 Townsman (Bel Air) wagon from new. A Janesville plant “Friday” built car, with assembly-related issues from the start, none of which should have made it past final inspection or dealer-prep (except maybe the howling differential which was most noticeable on the highway). By 2 1/2 low-mile years, though, basic design and quality of material problems were evident. The carpet wore through on the driver’s side. Knobs fell off the window cranks. The power tailgate window stopped working. The turn signal switch (internal, not the lever) broke. A front shock mount broke off the left lower control arm. Worst of all was rust perforation-fenders near the rocker panels, doglegs, and the bottom edge of the left quarter panel. My dad used to say the car may have had Fisher Body’s “flush-and-dry” rocker panels but it also had “plug-and-rot” fenders. Granted, this was in the Rust Belt, but none of our “famously rust-prone” Mopars rusted that fast or severely. It ran great (the un-rebuilt engine probably still powers something somewhere, a million miles and going strong), and the THM trans held up fine, but the car around them was a disaster.
I think maybe the malaise era started earlier than we realize…
Loved this color on the 68 SS Coup with hideaways.
“I attend every year, and it never fails to disappoint”? Or it never disappoints?
In 1979, a good friend lucked upon a 1969 Turquoise Impala 4 Door hardtop with the 350 4v. It was immaculate, with the dog dish hubcaps, and AC so cold, you could hang meat inside. It was the deeper color, that I used to think, would be a good color of car to rob a Bank with, it was so common. What great road car, though the black vinyl interior was less than opulent. He sold it off when the motor started to tick. Turned out to be a 17.00 dollar rocker arm!
I still have an Impala coupe in the same color scheme. Sadly eons ago mine was involved in an accident. I could not bear to get rid of it. The interior of mine is the same color and condition. I bought my car from the original owners wife back in 1994. Cars were each unique then as mine was ordered with a 350 with a power glide. The buyer however opted to add disc brakes with the same wheels. He also added the power windows and locks, along with a power seat, factory ac, and power steering with a tilt wood wheel. As age increases this car will likely head for the wrecking yard soon as I limit my projects. It was a great driving car and still does but is only a blip of its former self.
Let someone restore it, Do Not take it to a wrecking yard these cars are real jewels
Hey Chris if ever want to sell your car, and it is repairable condition please let me know know I’m fan of 1969 Caprice. My name is Daniel. I too remember seeing these cars on the road everywhere when I was 10 yrs old.
Dad bought a new dark green coupe in ’70 from Dick Barone Chevrolet in PA. I still remember the radio fading out going under a bridge on I-95.
I bought a 70 Impala new in Halifax Nova Scotia while I was in the Canadian Navy just before I was ready to go to cilvian life. It was dark green with a tan interior 350 ci, 3 speed automatic, sport coup Impala, drove until 76 and then home in Ontario bought a new 76 Pontiac la maons, both cars were very good 👍 😀
One note….the Caprice first came out mid year i. 65 ad a 4 foor hardtop only..a $230 or so option to the Impala..the coupe was offered in 66.
My parents bought a 1970 Caprice 2 door coupe brand new in Bloomington, IL. I was 5 or 6 at the time. It was light blue with a dark blue vinyl top and dark blue cloth interior. It did have some unique options at the time being factory AC and a tilt steering column. I thought that car was awesome. It had ‘400’ badges on the front fenders. The wood applique interior panels seemed to be everywhere inside as well as the word ‘Caprice’ was all over just to make sure you knew what you were driving. I like what was said about all of these cars being individual in their respective builds. That is so true. These were the days before option groups, packages, etc. Either you picked what you wanted and waited for it to come from the factory or found one on the lot that was close enough with the options and color you could live with. What memories! We kept that car until 1974 when my parents bought another 2 door ‘Caprice Classic.’ A few months later and Dad said he saw the 1970 at the dealer with rear end smashed. So sad. Thanks for this post. Loved seeing this Caprice looking so sweet.
70s impala was a big long car in the day and many of the..I passed my driver’s test in a 73 impala. In 1973…..I still own a 2015 impala..they are good cars..r
My first car was a ’70 Caprice coupe, Gobi Beige w/ tan vinyl roof, matching
wheel covers and gold interior. The dealer brochure shows my brocade interior at the center fold minus the blonde! I actually like the knot cloth and vinyl just a bit better. 400 s b V8 like the one pictured & TH trans. First one in the family with a/c. I added skirts & a factory AM-FM stereo.
My Dad owned a ’70 Impala at the same time. His was Champagne Gold with gold cloth interior. His car exterior is also in the brochure, also minus the blonde! I had fun teasing him that my car was nicer which had little effect on his stoic personality. Lol!
Car at the show is a beauty.
My father bought a new ’70 Belair 4dr sedan….dk green in color with matching interior…350 2V…turbo 350 auto….not many options…power steering…am radio, block heater, and the fancier hubcaps usually seen on Impala’s….was it a good car?…hmm mediocre in my opinion…after a couple of years some of the paint started peeling off the roof and the rocker panels….and the driver’s side of the seat had to be rebuilt….and…my father always found it annoying that he couldn’t get more than 8,000 miles on a set of spark plugs. Back in the day before unleaded gas…the antenna was in the windshield….not very good in pouring rain whenever the wipers crossed over the antenna…lots of static..cost $4300 in Ontario Canada…by contrast my parents had acquaintances in Ohio who bought a new ’70 Electra 225 for $4300 American…In 1973 my father bought a new Ford LTD..
I had a ’67 (I think it was) Caprice sedan in that exact livery and color. Wonderful big block sleeper…
Thanks for the reminder I got out of high school…..54yrs ago! But back to the big Chevy. My dad had one and the few times he let me “borrow” it for a date……Let me tell you, datenight at the drive in movies, that backseat was heaven😆
Bruce, I borrowed my Dad’s 1970 Cadillac for the drive in. Did not need to go to the back seat, was enough room in the front!!
Mine was my first car in 1970….1 1960 top of the line Impala 4 dr hardtop. It had only 50 odd thousand miles but I guess Chevy had done some tinkering with piston rings and it blew out oil like crazy. But it was a nice cruiser