1969 Chevrolet Caprice Sport Coupe 86165 Miles Glacier Blue Coupe 396 cubic inch

1969 Chevrolet Caprice Sport Coupe Description

Rare Caprice hardtop loaded with virtually every single option you could get, including L66 396 cubic inch V8. Beautiful frame-off restoration, extensive documentation including build sheet and Protect-O-Plate. Awesome full-sized luxury muscle!
E.L. Mettler walked into Wagner Chevrolet in Baltimore on November 25, 1968 and bought a 1969 Caprice Sport Coupe loaded with more than $1600 worth of options—pretty much every single one on the list and adding almost 50% to the bottom line. Some of the more notable upgrades include A/C, power windows, power locks, disc brakes, cruise control, tilt column, hidden headlights (which were optional on the Caprice and not available on any other models), fiber-optic headlight monitors, remote trunk release, and much more. He specified Glacier Blue paint with that awesome blue brocade interior and a blue vinyl top. It was restored about four years ago and the laser-straight bodywork probably looks better today than it did in 1969. Fit and finish are excellent and aside from a few small nicks on the lower rockers from being driven, it's in fantastic shape. All the chrome was restored and the stainless trim was polished and straightened. The folding headlights work properly, the doors swing closed with that big car THUD, and gaps are uniform all the way around. This big brute makes a statement.
The blue brocade cloth interior is almost entirely original save for the carpets. The funky fabric is ideal for the late-60s time period and while there are a few signs of age and use, it's remarkably well-preserved. There’s a tilt steering column that makes it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel (in fact it was called ComfortTilt) and you'll note it has both cruise control and Speed Minder so perhaps Mr. Mettler was concerned about getting a speeding ticket. The original AM radio is in the dash and powers an optional speaker on the rear deck and you'll note ultra-rare fiber-optic headlight monitors out on the front fenders and above the back seat. The trunk is finished with correct spatter paint and we have a reproduction mat on order that will be included with the car, and it’s quite possible that's the original spare tire.
Unique to 1969, the L66 396 cubic inch V8 was designed to bridge the gap between the 350 and the thundering 427. It was all about smooth torque and apparently trailer towing was a big deal in 1969. From the factory, it was rated at 265 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque, but that was with a 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust. This particular car has been outfitted with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor and matching intake manifold, headers, dual exhaust, and maybe an upgraded cam inside because it’s got a little bit of a lope to the idle, so I'm guessing it's a bit stronger. Aside from the flashy headers and MSD box, I suspect few people will notice the upgrades and it doesn’t change the Caprice’s easy-cruising personality. We believe this is the car's original, numbers-matching engine, although the stamping pad was wiped when the block was decked. It is date code correct, it is a correct 3955272 casting, and it has proper Hi-Perf markings, so the clues add up. The engine bay is nicely detailed with Chevy Orange paint on the block and it wears a factory single snorkel air cleaner with the right decal on the lid, making it a bit of a sleeper. The engine runs beautifully, starting easily and pulling all 4200 pounds of coupe around like it weighs far less than it does.
The TH400 3-speed automatic was mandatory if you wanted an automatic with your 396, as was the 12-bolt rear end, which is full of highway-friendly 2.78 gears on a Posi limited slip. Both the transmission and rear end are numbers matching and verified by the Protect-O-Plate. Power steering and power front disc brakes were—remarkably—both options in 1969, but this car has them so it's easy to drive and confident in traffic. The floors are beautifully finished and appear to be original with no cutting or patching, the suspension rides and handles like a luxury car thanks to new Bilstein shocks, and correct Rally wheels are fitted with brand new 15-inch redline radials.
Documentation includes the original invoice and purchase agreement, original window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, shipping manifest, and other factory paperwork. We also have most of the build sheet, which is in pieces but portions are legible, including the VIN and the L66.
It's easy to love cars like this--the quality is tangible, the pedigree is bulletproof, and there's just something special about a big car that can run with Camaros and Chevelles. You couldn't come close to restoring this car for the asking price, even if you got the car for free, making it a whole lot of car for the money. Call today!
Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any car in our inventory prior to purchase.