Chevrolet Caprice - generation change from Impala to Holden

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In our time, manufacturers surprise us with new and new car models. Some of them are mass-produced and serve as a tool to conquer the market. These are such as Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf - cars famous all over the world. And some, on the contrary, are rare even for collectors. For example, the Lamborghini Veneno was released in only three copies, and the Nissan R390 GT1 Road Car saw the light of day in the amount of two pieces. But there are models that are classics of a certain period, region or even subculture. I would like to tell you about one of these cars.

Hollywood movie premieres of the late twentieth century were full of cars, creating images for worship and promoting the products of automakers. One of these cars could often be seen by us, residents of the post-Soviet space, on TV screens. This Chevrolet Caprice is the brainchild of General Motors. However, until our time in the CIS there are not so many such full-size beauties left.

This sedan originated in the United States of America andyear of birth - 1966, after the Chevrolet Impala Caprice equipment was separated into an independent model, which occupied a separate line of Chevrolet brand cars.

In its existence, the machine has survived six generations, the completion and return of production to America.

First generation: 1966-1970

The first generation entered the series as the top version of the Chevrolet Impala and was a full-size sedan. It used a more advanced and stiffer suspension, the materials in the decoration were more expensive to indicate premium over classmates. The car was developed on the basis of GM B-Platform and had a frame structure. Chevrolet Caprice immediately became the flagship of the company and was produced in several body styles: four-door sedan, two-door coupe and station wagon. All cars were equipped with eight-cylinder engines with a volume of 4.6 to 7.4 liters, which worked together with mechanical and automatic transmissions.

Second generation: 1971-1976

The next generation Chevrolet Caprice began to be produced not only in the US, but also in Canada. Cars have become even larger than their predecessors. The length of the body reached a stunning 5700 millimeters. The range of bodies has been expanded. Now, sedan, hardtop sedan, coupe, hardtop coupe, convertible and station wagon were offered to buyers. The heart of the machines was in two versions of the V-shaped "eights" (pitch-block and big-block) with a volume of 5, 7, 6, 6 and 7.4 liters.

Third generation: 1977-1990

Cars went into the series in only three variations: coupe sedan and station wagon. Moreover, they became a little smaller and shorter than their predecessors: 5400 millimeters - a sedan, and 5500 millimeters - a station wagon. However, the range of engines has expanded, and in addition to the classic V-shaped "eights", "Caprices" received in-line and V-shaped six-cylinder engines. And also diesel power units were launched into the series. All this was paired with an automatic transmission for all trim levels.

During this period, the Chevrolet Caprice Classic was released - the longest in years of production, which can be seen just in many Hollywood films. Cars are beginning to be used by the police, and therefore, high-speed chases on the Caprice flash in many pictures.

Fourth generation: 1991-1996

This generation was the last to be produced in the US at that time, giving way to rival Ford Crown Victoria, which became the only full-size American sedan after the Chevrolet Caprice left the market. The platform and dimensions remained the same as the third generation, but the appearance has changed dramatically. The aerodynamic performance of the body has been significantly improved, making it look more streamlined. This caused a mixed reaction among adherents of the model.

Only eight-cylinder engines of 4, 3, 5, 0 and 5.7 liters returned to power equipment. BUTthe four-speed automatic remained unchanged.

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Caprice Wagon began to look more like Oldsmobile, but this did not affect its ergonomics and interior spaciousness.

But most of all, this generation was remembered by American law enforcement officers. Almost all police departments were equipped with a special version of the Chevrolet Caprice Police car, which was equipped with the most powerful engines in the line. The cops liked the faithful assistant so much that even after the cessation of production, "Caprices" served in departments for a long time and were repaired in specialized offices.

This is the end of the story of classic purely American Chevrolet Caprice sedans. But this is not the end of the story as a whole.

Fifth generation: 1999-2006

After three years, the model name is back on the market. Only now in the Middle East. And it was an Australian Holden model Statesman, only with a Chevrolet nameplate. Nevertheless, officially it was the new predecessor of "Caprice". The car was equipped with V-shaped six- and eight-cylinder engines with a volume of 3.8 and 5.7, respectively. In 2003, the appearance of this generation was changed, which gave the sedan a more presentable and businesslike look.

Sixth generation: 2007-2017

The modern Chevrolet Caprice is still the same copy of the Australian, designed specifically for the Arab countries. The power plant is the onlysix-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission. Externally, the body received a more menacing look, which clearly gives it solidity. But unlike the fifth predecessor, in 2011 the car returned to the US market again as a patrol car for all the same police departments. However, there is no free sale of the American version of the sedan, and the police version, unlike the civilian one, is also equipped with a 3.6-liter six-cylinder V-engine.

It's hard to say that this is one of the best cars. The characteristics of the Chevrolet Caprice do not surprise with their super performance. But what is in this car? Classic engine and sweep. That's all it takes to understand the American auto industry.