The "Almost Last" Convertible: A Look at an Ultra-Low-Mile 1975 Caprice Convertible!

Take a walk around this 1975 Caprice Convertible with me.

[@neilouellette3004]

My father bought my mother a brand new loaded 1973 Caprice Classic Sedan w/the 400/2 barrel. Had every option you could get in a 73. Gorgeous trouble-free car that was bullet-proof. Took my drivers license test with it around 1979-80. Mom is 94 yrs old now and still says it was her favorite car ever. Pure luxury for the time.

[@I-Libertine]

I caught some air in one of those when I was 16. Right over a culvert. Mom was not amused.

[@johnandrus3901]

Very cool. You didn't see too many of the big, convertible cars back then. There was a guy around the corner from us who owned a 1971 LTD convertible. It was a dark green color and had a manual transmission. We had a '71 Galaxie coupe. It was a very nice car. Our schools all had the full-sized cars for driver's ed and we learned to drive in those big Caprices. Learning in those and our Galaxie made taking the driver's test a breeze. Great cars.

[@mb280sl7]

How funny I saw this car when it was in storage at Ellis Brooks on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco California. I believe the owner as Marie Brooks who owned the dealership. She had many special Chevrolets on the storage floor at her dealership. I just checked her name was Marie Brooks and she passed in 2020 at the age of 94.

[@mrluckyuncle]

The Ellis Brooks jingle still is in my head :-D

[@chrisjeffries2322]

R I P Marie Brooks. Your Caprice could not be in better hands.

[@chrismanteris9093]

@@chrisjeffries2322he don’t own this car

[@robertmedan7186]

"See Ellis Brooks Today for your Chevrolet at the corner of Bush and Van Ness". sung by Dinah Shore@@chrisjeffries2322

[@randyfitz8310]

Yes! The entire dealership was indoors! Sure miss her and that fine motorcar empire - part of San Francisco’s “auto row”

[@KO-pk7df]

Very nice to see these cars. The hard top version we had in our drivers ed class Glendale AZ, they were provided by the big dealership we all knew of "Lou Grubb Chevrolet". Lou Grubb was a cool guy and had the best TV & radio commercials. The big Chevrolet Caprice's and Impalas he provided for our Drivers Ed class was a big deal, getting to drive around Phoenix area in a nice new car like that was a treat. I once got to talk to him at the dealership, such a nice guy. He took me up to his office and explained all about car financing and how the whole car buying system worked. He then had me fill out an application which led to me getting hired at the Oldsmobile dealership down the street from my house. At age 16 in 1973 this was a good time.

[@stephenholland5930]

Must have been fun learning to drive in a land yacht. 🙂

[@vanatic22]

We all have those 'great love of our lives' cars, especially from our younger days. My first car in 1978 when I was 16 was a 1972 Impala Custom 2-door coupe with the small block 400 engine. That thing had power! My dad was even hesitant to let me buy it because of that engine! My next car was a 1975 Caprice Classic 2-door coupe with the 350 when I graduated high school. Medium Orange Metallic with black vinyl top and black velour seats, rear fender skirts. Loved that car! This car reminds me of my beloved Caprice. I cruised so much in that car! Ran Appliance 80-Spoke wire wheels on it and had a killer Pioneer stereo . . .ahhhh, those were the days!

[@rocknewtonfilsterwilly7364]

Dad was a car dealer and Mom had this car for a driver for about 5 years. She put it in her name and put her own plates on it so Dad wouldn't sell it. I used to drive it all the time when I was 16 before I had my own car. Lot's of memories cruising in this most excellent drop top. GM ruled back then.

[@damianbowyer2018]

Wow, such a beautiful car is the '75 Caprice Convertible, Adam😊👏

[@steves9905]

I have a 75 Grand Ville convertible, not as nice shape as this ultra low mileage Caprice. The truly unique thing about these ‘last’ convertibles is they all shared the scissor top, where side rails fold inwards and ‘scissor’ next to each other fully behind the rear seat, allowing for a full width seat. All the full size GM convertibles of this era shared the top, windshield/cowl, and glass, even the Eldo. Also, the chev and Pontiac convertibles were on the most expensive models, whereas the Buick and olds were on the lower end models. Great cars for ride and style

[@thejackofalltravels8267]

The 75 Granville I own has a top mechanism from a 75 Oldsmobile. The original was damaged when Jr stole the car when mom and dad were away and he was putting the top up driving the car into the garage. The front wheels came off the ground and the car went left and hit a bicycle down the drivers side.

[@bobpierce115]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. (The thumb up was to you, not to what happened). Not sure how old the boy was when he did this. Did you get the Grandville fixed? @@thejackofalltravels8267

[@hockeymann88]

That is a great looking spec. I even like those wheel skirts.

[@DSP1968]

This car is a beauty! Back in the mid-1980s, I lived about 6 blocks from the Ellis Brooks Chevrolet dealership, which stayed in business until about 2015 or so. From this time period forward, Mrs. Brooks drove a dark blue or dark maroon loaded Caprice Classic Brougham/LS, parked in a special place in the alley that ran down one side of the dealership. The photos of this car were taken in Golden Gate Park. What a shame a Caprice, Chevrolet's fanciest car, had those tacky (now brittle) plastic lower door panels without carpet.

[@josephdipalma5989]

Another great video! The purpose of those Fuel Economy lights and gauges was that they would aid the driver in obtaining the driving conditions in which the fuel economy ratings were measured. Of course, some people just love any bell or whistle. In a sense, it blamed your driving style as to why you weren't getting the posted MPG.

[@markwagner4909]

I loved my 73 caprice convertible. It was a beautiful vehicle

[@flexjay87]

This is such a great looking car, and i remember them well. The blue color is quite good too !

[@bigcrowfly]

The door panel you show at 6:43 is the same as the Impala. The convertibles (and Caprice wagons) had Impala seats & door panels standard. Sedans & Coupes had door panels with carpeted bottoms, pullstraps and woodgrain and fancier seats.

[@philipfrancis2728]

My best friend owned this exact car when I was in HS (‘76-80). Same color and options. She went on to be a NYC model with the Ford Agency. We fit 8 of us in there! I was always sure someone would fly out the way we packed in that beast.

[@silicon212]

I had a baby blue 4dr hard top 1975 Caprice Classic. It was a boat for sure, but it was a beautiful boat. I bought the car in 1988 with a seized engine for $75. Replaced that with an engine I had and had a great car.

[@stevegordon5243]

I always loved the styling of the '75 & '76 Caprices. Always wanted one but never did. Great video!

[@bobpierce115]

I agree Steve, BUT... I've seen conversion photos of what a '77 Caprice convertible would have looked like, if produced. Can't say for sure, but am willing to risk saying you might like it even better. It's sleeker with a more 'taut' look that's sportier and sexier.

[@stevegordon5243]

Maybe so. I also liked the look of the back glass of the 77 coupe too. I had an 81 coupe which I loved and drove it into the ground@@bobpierce115

[@bubba99009]

Crazy how expensive that radio upgrade was. Well over $1000 in today's money. Assuming you had to pay something to get any radio at all at the time, though.

[@chadakoin1]

I graduated from high school in 1975. The school had a loaner 74 Impala for a driver ed car. Parallel park that a few times on a snowy side street with some crazy looking gomer with a tape measure waiting to check the results.

[@wmalden]

Same here!

[@bobpierce115]

So did I. Turned 18 5/26/75 the day after graduation. Interesting fun fact though on the '75 Caprice convertible here. One of my classmate friend's Dad was a co-manager of a Chevy dealership back then, and he wanted to put a full page ad for it in the back of our '75 yearbook! Scott mentioned his uncle had a '57 Bel-Air convertible since new. I was on the yearbook staff and came up with the idea of having that car and the new '75 convertible together on the showroom floor. Dad loved the idea of a publicity stunt and so did his brother. (Yaaay!) it was then just a matter of clearing out the showroom otherwise for the photo shoot of both cars. I wanted the 3 guys and girls on the staff in the picture too! Dad okayed it as long as our clothes and hairstyles were neat and clean. "You post-hippie, Watergate high school kids clean up nice!" he exclaimed at the time. We were positioned around both cars, and at the top it said "You don't have to be born in '57 to appreciate the '75. Both the last of their kind, and built to last!" (The 'one-off' ad was in black & white and turned out great.)

[@stephenholland5930]

​@@bobpierce115Cool story, you "post-hippie" school kid. 😂

[@anthonym.cardali1875]

Our Driver's ED cars from the Dealership were 75 Green Impala Sedan and a 76 Caprice Estate Wagon. You could drive a semi, after learning on them.

[@kevinkoepke8311]

My cousin Kathy has one of these, which was given to her by her Dad. Pristine low mileage and kept in a climate controlled barn. I've riden in it several times, both before she had it, and after.

[@briankrahn2000]

I had a 72 Chev Impala. To your comment on the springy ride I had go to heavy duty coil over shocks as the car would bottom out and tear off the exhaust at the X over pipes. 350 2bbl carb. 20 mpg and still made good power. Also white interior I was always trying out new cleaning products. Still a better interior than most vehicles have today.

[@JustMe-pc2ii]

This car is stunning and bullet proof. We drove cars like this in high school and the air cleaner lid was ALWAYS installed upside down. Sounded great full throttle. They would not die.

[@pmbair]

When we were first married and lived in Ft. Myers Florida, a co-worker had one of these. It was great driving down McGregor blvd. lined with palm trees in the moonlight … I thought it was much nicer, particularly the back seat than the Cadillac Eldorado another friend had.

[@williamhelms9942]

Absolutely sweet car!

[@philspear73]

My dad bought I believe it was a 74 sedan version for a trip from Nebraska to Arizona in the spring of 1989. Unfortunately it broke down on us in New Mexico, trans cooler I believe. But it was quite comfortable and always enjoyed borrowing it to drive in high school. Really plowed through snow drifts like a boss!

[@markbehr88]

Terrific looking car. You should get one Adam.

[@JeffHayes-c5h]

Your videos always educate. I enjoy viewing every one of them. Thank you. I owned a ' 74 Chevy 😊Caprice hardtop when I was 18. Bought it used. Drove it 3 years. Was a pleasure. Mine had the biggest engine, I had a dual exhaust installed. A big, fast car. Loved it.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Rip GM of 1960 - 2005. It was fun.

[@corgiowner436]

Amen brother.

[@kc0lif]

1980s last good cars.

[@madmike2624]

What kills me is Chrystler/Stellinis or whatever mopped the floor with them...Ford too....GM is (unfortunately "TOAST"..........

[@corgiowner436]

@@madmike2624 GM just quit making exciting cars. I bought a 2018 Hellcat and that was more fun than any GM car I owned.

[@zzoinks]

​@@corgiowner436too bad Chrysler doesn't make many cars after they make a lot of well renowned exciting cars in the 1990s. And perhaps 2000s?

[@tonybailey1637]

Our family had a '75 Caprice two door but with a hardtop. Same light blue paint. Purchased at Gannon Motors in Westboro MA. Grandfather had a '76 with the square headlights.

[@MarinCipollina]

For 1975 GM hardtop B bodies got an extra window in the C pillar.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Marcia Marcia Marcia....every time I see a convertible Caprice from the 70s I think of The Brady Bunch episode where Marcia and Greg had a driving contest. I know the model year is different but the body is essentially the same.

[@DerrickOil]

😂

[@heartlandfarmer2720]

That was a cool episode!

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@heartlandfarmer2720It was one of my favorites next to the time Greg bought a 56 Chevy convertible and "restored" it....😎

[@groovy1937]

That was a 1974, fun fact, but it was also used in several Mannix episodes the same year as The Brady Bunch. Mannix was Paramount studios - the old Desilu. Brady Bunch was Paramount. Mannix used it as a rental car when his was in the shop.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@groovy1937 Wow!

[@johneckert1365]

The symbols on those radio/lighter/headlight knobs always intrigued me as a little kid

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Beautiful car, and beautiful color!

[@petermacdonald3061]

What an incredible find, lowest millage on a a car nearly 50 years old. 1975 Chevrolet and other GM divisions released some non metallic shades and the Chev Caprice convertible in Blue or Green with white interior looked most impressive. I thin there was a light gray too.

[@petermacdonald3061]

I just checked the brochure there was also dark red.

[@Scalihoo]

That 73 convertible with it's 454 is gorgeous 🤩

[@kevinfestner6126]

I'm a sucker for that 1972 convertible. I like the front end, looks very, very elegant.

[@markwilliams5606]

The Chevrolet Impala is a legendary car. We have a restored 70 Impala. 400- 400 turbo. Retired GM.🇺🇸🏁

[@andypittman9850]

I just finished watching the BJ Auction at Scottsdale a few weeks ago where a similar Caprice convertible with 12,000 miles sold for $52,000.

[@SusanBrooks-g1p]

Took my driving test in that beast! Passed the first time!

[@73buickman]

Last year I acquired a 73 buick centurion 455 convertable I love the car it's a tru cruiser

[@TonyM132]

I'm impressed that Chevrolet had power operated convertible tops in 1975. I wonder whether a "tonneau cover" was available to cover the top when lowered (I assume so). And whether it was one piece or multi, soft or hard, and how common they were. That would be a nice video, Adam: Demonstrating how convertible tops worked in the '60's and '70's. And similarly, I think folks would like to see how four door hardtop windows sealed together, especially when opening & closing the rear door with windows rolled up.

[@gilromard]

It was pretty common by then. I believe GM cars had them from 1947 onward.

[@TonyM132]

@@gilromard Are you referring to power operated tops or tonneau covers?

[@gilromard]

Power operated tops. As far as I've ever seen, convertibles always seem to come with a top cover. My '64 Valiant has a power top and a vinyl cover.

[@chair8540]

reminds me of my old 74 impala. i didnt really think about it much except my family always liked it. i never knew.

[@thejackofalltravels8267]

I own a 75 Pontiac Granville Convertible it has the 76 styling with square headlight’s had a 2dr 76 hardtop version too great ride

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Very handsome car!

[@johnray7311]

Interesting comment regarding peppiness of 2bbl 400. Back in the 70s, I had a ‘71 Pontiac Le Mans Sport convertible with a Pontiac 350 2bbl-that car had excellent torque and I once got it to 115 MPH (scary lack of control)!

[@Clyde-2055]

As he said, in 1975, the then-new catalytic PERVERTers basically plugged the exhaust up. GM used a converter shell loaded with small beads which were packed tightly enough to be very restrictive. That, combined with very low compression ratios, zapped power severely. It took 10-15 years for manufacturers to figure out how to restore performance to low-emission engines.

[@Gary7even]

GM's bead-type cats (with replaceable media) was extremely restrictive. Ford and Chrysler used honeycomb matrix cats which were a little less restrictive. I know on my 78 Olds when I pulled the plug on the cat and vacuumed out all the beads, there was a very noticeable increase in engine pep.

[@dingecibbs]

OMG, just 29 miles.

[@angelo_giachetti]

I drove several 1973-76 Caprice convertibles. They had the structual integrity of a wet paper bag. Over RR tracks or a bump they would twist and flop like a landed fish. You could get them with a 454ci big block.

[@tonywestvirginia]

Beautiful.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Of course the Caprice Classic convertible is Mike Brady approved!!! 🤔

[@LongIslandMopars]

Marcia Marcia Marcia....

[@jamesbrewer-lk8te]

Great Automobile. Working man Cad.

[@tompease3022]

One of the reason for that wide backseat was the design of the convertible top: all the 71-6 GM big convertibles had the inward folding “scissor” top which folded up behind the rear seats. It apparently was very heavy and complex and a lot of shops don’t want to deal with them.

[@evanswinford7165]

Growing up in Oakland a great many Chevys were Ellis Brooks cars.I'm certain the photography was done in Golden Gate Park

[@davidgold5961]

2:55 the 1976 Caprice was differentiated from Impala by having full glass composite headlamps all the way across, not four rectangular headlamps. The four-door sedans also had a different roof treatment than Impala.

[@danielulz1640]

I think that the 400cid engine was the largest available due to California emissions standards.

[@christopherconard2831]

When I see the instrument panel I can hear John Davis at Motorweek screaming. The "milage warning" gauge was there to blame you, not GM, for the car's atrocious milage. It warned you not to use your right foot.

[@garyruark9506]

Really nice looking cars except the 75 grill is so plain. I think the 73 is the best of this body style. However the 72 is growing on me. The interiors weren't very good. Cheap components.

[@tommywatterson5276]

75 Chevrolet full size cars were really handsome styled cars. I honestly don't know why anyone would buy upper brand GM cars when the Chevrolet's looked that good, were very reliable and cheaper. Being very practical with your monetary funds. The CPA's appreciated that.

[@TheHobbyPeople]

Day 1 of asking: video about 1973 Oldsmobile omega 350 rocket 2 door coupe. No one talks about this unique car and no one has heard of it. We own one

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Chevrolet Corvair had convertibles all the way to the end of production in 1969.

[@hiitsstillme]

We're generally not fans of the big bumper era, but Chevy carried it off pretty well with this model.

[@chriscadman6379]

Had one, rear frame rails rotted out. it was a windsor Canada car though.

[@kencooper2059]

I always thought they were beautiful cars!

[@FLYEAL]

Actually, it did sell 2/24/21 for $51,166. Most of these photos are from the BaT auction.

[@perdanielsorensen7775]

I prefer visible screws over fragile clips. I've broken so many clips on my cars, I've lost count. I noticed that this car appears to have factory cold air induction: The intake to the air cleaner continues all the way to the front of the engine bay. That's quite modern compared to most of the cars in your videos.

[@hq21]

Maybe Greg couldn't handle the heat from the black vinyl seats and that's why he ended up knocking down the egg?

[@woody95124]

Pretty car.......

[@maurykendall]

Seeeeee Ellis Brooks today, for your Chevrolet...

[@49commander]

Interesting that they put a little chiclet to identify the Lighter and Lights. Wonder why??? I would have preferred a swath of carpet on those plain door panels!

[@davidallen5776]

Ragtops would come back in full force starting in 1982, thanks to Lee Iacocca at Chrysler!

[@groovy1937]

The Chevy Caprice Convertible was out in 1972, you said 1973. Mr. Brady drove a blue 1972 Caprice convertible for that year before the red 1973. Edit: Mike drove an Impala Convertible for 1972 - no Caprice Convertible for 1972, my mistake.

[@bobpierce115]

I think what's meant here is that the '73 Caprice convertible (as all new cars then) would have just come out in Sept. '72. I checked online and the Caprice convertible was '73-'75 only.

[@jmc7573]

That was a impala, caprice convertible started in 73

[@groovy1937]

@@jmc7573 Your are right, Impala for 1972, Caprice started in 1973.

[@groovy1937]

@@bobpierce115 The 1972 Mike drove was an Impala, my mistake, no Caprice convertible for 1972

[@bobpierce115]

No problem. The Caprice after all was just a more deluxe Impala anyway.@@groovy1937

[@EyesWideOpen61]

Are the non-convertible Caprice door panels as plasticky is this? Because I was thinking perhaps durability and sun exposure might be factors in the drop top version . Those look like police or taxi trim

[@rightlanehog3151]

We had a 1973 Caprice wagon. The door panels were just as cheap.

[@EyesWideOpen61]

@@rightlanehog3151 Thanks

[@DanEBoyd]

The 1980 or '81 California spec Corvette had a 305!!

[@johneckert1365]

California 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@votingcitizen]

beauty mobile patio living. whats up with the blank to the right of top and rear defog controls?

[@Rom3_29]

That would be low rides dream car or a Donk car. In Finland big American cars have a cult following. Some owners would buy plane Chevy or similar four door and convert it into convertible or two door hardtop by ordering a body shell from US wreckers. They wouldn’t care about gas mileage or cost of fuel per liter.

[@compu85]

Did the windshield wipers on these cars lift off the glass when they parked? Or did they rubber scrub across the bright trim?

[@eddiepetrick6222]

When did speedometers start displaying the encircled 55 mph to help with fuel economy?

[@richceglinski7543]

After the 1973 gas shortage congress pass the national 55 mph interstate Hwy act that rediculously stay in effect until 1996

[@frederickbooth7970]

@@richceglinski7543 We have a 1984 S10 long bed 3/4 ton from factory truck that has the 55 mph marking on the speedometer. Don`t really want to drive much faster than 70mph as the low gearing has the engine well over 4,000 rpm > 70mph.

[@richceglinski7543]

Edit Stayed in effect until 1996

[@dejarezcarnell2117]

What’s the ticket?

[@HypocriticYT]

$113 extra for the engine, wow 😮

[@marko7843]

I hope that someone has been firing this thing up every few months for the past 50 years. This post showed me another false memory I had. I would have bet money that I had seen Caprice convertibles with the rectangular lights... possibly on The Brady Bunch. Oh, and when you flashed the 1971 it remind me of the 1st-generation Monte Carlo front end.

[@SeaTravelr123]

30 Miles ??? OMG

[@matthewcrowley9204]

Nice looking car, except for the rear tail-lights.

[@MarinCipollina]

I recall when Chevrolet dealers had acres of new 1975 Chevrolets on their lots. Engine performance that era was pretty disappointing for all cars.

[@______638]

Didn't Leland Palmer drive one of these fine automobiles?

[@johnleport9352]

My dad had a 75, kept it for years, didnt look like this. This sure looks like a 76

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@CORVAIRWILD]

1st 1987 Electra Estate wagon view

[@butterhole7]

Do 70 - 72 cutlass and 67 pontiac gp convertible

[@askcgr]

See Ellis Brooks today For your Chevrolet Corner of Bush and Van Ness

[@sagbutt]

Weirdly, the Japanese Police bought a few of these, and later in the 80's, some LeBarons

[@randyfitz8310]

I have seen this 29-mile 1975 Chevrolet Caprice in person in Ellis Brooks’ dealership here in San Francisco it was Marie Brooks own car even after selling the franchise. The dealer plate was placed by drilling holes into the deck lid! I daily drove a ‘73 Buick Centurion for nearly two decades; love these big GM convertibles!

[@itsnotme07]

Love these cool rides!! My sister had a hardtop 74 Caprice Classic 2 door coupe in dirty gold/yellow with black/beige interior. I never got to drive the car as she totaled it before I got my license. Of course she was fine, because look at the size of this thing? Haha. Got to drive a few of these type cars in my job as an Airport parking lot attendant in the mid 1980's.

[@ludovicoc7046]

I wouldn't mind seeing the USA in one of these.

[@drno-xc1yt]

These are handsome 1970s malaise-era cars. The long rear deck paired with the thin fender skirts is a really nice design.

[@bobpierce115]

Yes, and the fender skirts are in good taste. I can't STAND going to car shows and seeing '57 Chevys with those horrid fender skirts, ugly front/rea bumper guards, goofy fender mirrors, and the horrible continental kit. Just because they were legitimate options (unfortunately) didn't mean they looked good. It's hard to find/see any without that. It's really f'd looking.

[@dueljet]

I believe that the owners manual for my 82 Malibu Classic refers to the crotch cooler as a lap cooler!

[@silicon212]

The 2 bolt main 400 block is stronger with aftermarket 4 bolt splayed caps than the standard 4 bolt 400. Even stock, the 2 bolt block is stronger because the 4 bolt blocks had a tendency to crack. The 400 uses a larger diameter journal crank than other small blocks, and the 2 bolt caps are like big block 2 bolt caps with wider registers.

[@johneckert1365]

I get good money for those 2 bolt #509 blocks from thr race car guys

[@destry232]

10:19 The symmetry is awful in this area. Cheap switchgear, exposed screws, and the mirror control close to the tuning knob, controls off-center. Poor overall design.

[@GregPerryman-kk2gs]

Did you notice that it has an AM 8 track radio?

[@anthonym.cardali1875]

I remember that in the owners manual of my 73 Malibu AM , AM/FM Monaural , AM/FM Stereo on top of the line only *they had to do extra dash speakers like a Caddy, or AM 8-Track. No Cassette in 73

[@HypocriticYT]

Garaged storage is key to preserving any vehicle 🚗. Nice to see good examples of convertibles that have not had major restoration

[@seiph80]

Couldn't agree more. Twenty years later, my Crown Victoria still looks good, always garaged since day one.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, Your Caprice proves Chevrolet broke the mold after 1970.