Cars that should be bought

[kevm14]

Gone

[Bob]

It was a stock 2013 SS 1LE with 60k miles for $19.5k. Not surprised it went quickly.

[Bob]

Low price on an Impala SS: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/ ... 01158.html

Might be good for someone with B-body trouble shooting experience.

[kevm14]

https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/6726341045.html

1977 Chevy Caprice - $1500 (Pawtucket)

1977 chevrolet caprice
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
v8 motor
70,000 + miles original
automatic

All the ad is missing is "ran when parked."

77 was the first year of the big downsizing, and the chassis would basically remain the same until 96 with a few small differences.

Many questions need to be answered. Rust? Interior? What is the V8? Best case it is a fairly limp 305 with probably no more than 140hp or so. Worst case it is probably that 267 V8 or whatever it was. Probably TH350. Would make a great sleeper though. Leave the exterior the way it is.

[kevm14]

Here's what it could look like in good condition.

And an 86 9C1.

I think it is rare that the later models of GM cars don't look better than earlier models. I can't think of a contrary example. Off the top of my head:
Corvair
Fiero
B-body (boxy and the whale bodies, look at a 94-96 SS compared to a 91 Caprice)
G-body
4th gen F-body (I think the LS1 cars look better than the LT1 cars)
C4 Corvette
Boxy D-body (I think the 90-92 Brougham looks better than the 80s ones)

[Bob]

I have often thought if I was going to start a website to compete with bringatrailer, it would be called ranwhenparked.com

[kevm14]

Look how they packed a fullsize car into midsize exterior dimensions (by late 70s standards):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet ... #1977–1979

And engines available from 77-90:
250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet Straight-6
229 cu in (3.8 L) Chevrolet 90° V6
262 cu in (4.3 L) Chevrolet 90° V6
267 cu in (4.4 L) Small-block V8
305 cu in (5.0 L) Small-block V8
307 cu in (5.0 L) Oldsmobile V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) Small-block V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) Oldsmobile Diesel V8

I always forget about the 250 I6. So weird. Chevy 3.8L V6 (229, NOT the Buick 231 - the 229 was not great and had maybe 110 hp).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet ... al_changes

Look at all the changes over the decade.

[kevm14]

The Caprice 9C1 with the LT1 engine became one of the fastest and most popular modern day police vehicles. This vehicle established such strong devotion by many police departments that a cottage industry thrived in refurbishing Caprices for continued police service after GM discontinued production of the car.[23]

Yup, this happened. Despite the availability of brand new Crown Vic P71s in 97 and later, there was an entire industry dedicated to literally taking used Caprice 9C1s, refurbishing them, and reselling them as replacement police cruisers. I don't know how long this lasted but it was years. The P71 eventually got pretty close to the LT1 but never actually reached the 260 hp of the 94-96 LT1.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-x ... story.html

Shaheen Chevy of Lansing Michigan. I remember this (not from 97 but from early in my 9C1 ownership). I think this was completely unprecedented and likely has not happened again since. Now that's a legacy.

[kevm14]

I have often thought if I was going to start a website to compete with bringatrailer, it would be called ranwhenparked.com

Lol, I missed this before. You might be onto something. Either a site to make fun of CL ads all over the country, or occasionally actually sell something. Either way, you'd sell ads...

[kevm14]

The 250 I6 was standard and the 305 or 350 was optional. Power info below. But the real reason I pulled this was to look at weight. The 77-79 was NOT the lightest B-body (they were lightest from like 80 or 81 to...something).

Coupe w/ 250: 3,643 lbs.
Sedan w/ 250: 3,675 lbs (coupes were rarely that much lighter than their sedan brethren)
Wagon w/ 305: 4,158 bs

Actually I think these are Impalas. Here are the Caprice weights:
Coupe w/ 250: 3,681 lbs
Sedan w/ 250: 3,716 lbs
Wagon w/ 305: 4,204 lbs

Weights include "regular equipment," grease, oil and 3 gallons of gas, and all engine coolant.

Some fun facts:
- A G92 axle was available. It was sold as "high altitude." I.e., the sackless V8 in the mountains needs extra help, so good luck highway RPMs given no overdrive...overall ratio availability was 2.56, 2.73 and 3.08 (2.73 and 3.08 on wagons thankfully).
- As expected, power locks, power seats, power windows and a power trunk opener was available.
- Not as expected, C61 auto climate control was available which I think lasted until 79. This was an old style wheel like a 70s Caddy, not digital yet.
- 250 made 110 hp @ 3800 rpm federal or 90 hp @ 3600 rpm CA emissions, and 195 lb-ft @ 1600 federal or 180 lb-ft @ 1600 CA
- 305 2bbl made 145 hp @ 3800 rpm federal or 135 hp @ 3800 CA, and 245 lb-ft @ 2400 federal or 240 lb-ft @ 2000 CA
- 350 4bbl made 170 hp @ 3800 rpm federal or 160 hp @ 3800 CA, and 270 lb-ft @ 2400 federal or 260 lb-ft @ 2400 CA