1973 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Convertible on 2040-cars

 This is a 1973 Caprice Classic Convertible that has been in my family since the mid 70's...we are the second owners...mileage is actually about 117000.

I grew up in this car and wanted my children to do the same, that's why when I started the restoration, money was no object...I wanted the car to be as close to original as possible, so they would experience the car as I did...But as the saying goes, s_ _ t happens! 

In 2009 after spending over $28,000(including labor) to get the car to the condition you see in the pics, I had to stop the restoration before it could be finished(physical and financial reasons). Car was being restored to be a very clean driver, not a trailer queen.

The car still needs to be gone through. It hasn't even gone on it's maiden voyage yet to get all the kinks worked out. The way you see her in the pics is the way I got her back from the shop when I had the restoration stopped in November 2009. She still needs finishing touches and the new owner will have to do a little work but the majority of the hard work has been done and with your added small investment you will have a great deal for half of what I put into it.

As noted above, during the restoration the cowl tag was loose and got lost

Anyone familiar with the 73 Caprice knows it doesn't share certain parts with other years and they can be expensive. When just over 7000 were produced it doesn't help when those parts aren't supported by the restoration industry(at least when I started the resto). For example: Cost to rechrome front and rear bumbers and polish brightwork...$5500, NOS grills...$1100 and NOS wheel well moldings...$700.

I have a lot of extra parts, some that still have to go on the car, that will go with the car...original, used and NOS...it's a few boxes...about $1500 worth.

Here is everything done to the car that I can remember:

MOTOR is the Numbers Matching 400 2bbl and was rebuilt from top to bottom(air cleaner to oil pan). Other new parts in the engine bay include:

 - new hoses, belts and tower style clamps, under hood insulation

 - new wiper motor, washer pump

 - new master cylinder, power booster, alternator, battery and starter

 - new rad and A.I.R. injection pump

BODY has all rust free panels, fenders, doors, trunk lid and hood. The quarters are reproduction. Car was painted the original shade of dark green, looks great on this body. Front grills are NOS, tail lights are mix of original and NOS. Front and rear bumpers along with the bumperettes were rechromed and all trim was polished except the trim at the base of the convertible top. Lower body trim has been cleaned, just needs the painted black stripe applied. I never had them installed because I found 2 NOS pieces and was looking for the other 6. Buyer can finish as he/she pleases as they will get all the pieces.

CONVERTIBLE top frame was cleaned up, painted and had a new header bow added along with the new original style convertible top material, glass window and new well liner and weatherstrip pieces. Instead of buying a new electric top motor I had the original electric top motor rebuilt because the housing has a date code stamped on it...new top relay was also installed.

INTERIOR floor has a patch put in on the drivers side. The floor was then cleaned up and sprayed with rust preventative paint before adding the new factory style sound deadening under the new original style carpet. The front and rear seats were covered in NOS material I found at SMS Auto Interiors and finished in the exact pattern of the originals. The rear side panels have holes cut in them for speakers that my father had installed years ago...don't know if I still have the speakers, might have lost them in the resto, I will include them if I find them.

TRUNK was cleaned up, had a small patch put in and then covered with GM splatter paint.

SUSPENSION items that were worn out were replaced.

BRAKES are new front and rear...new pads, shoes, rotors, calipers, wheel cylinders and brake lines all the way up to the master.

TIRES are new and you also get 3 sets of the original hubcaps...the original set, a very nice used set that looks NOS that is on the car and an NOS set.

List of items I noticed need to be finished or addressed:

1 - top worked before the resto and once the new top was added but about one month after I got the car back, I tried to put it down but the top only moved about 8 inches. I sent the electric motor out to Hydro-e-lectric and they told me the motor was a little week but still good...I had it rebuilt anyway and also a new relay added but it still only moves about 8 inches. I remember never having any problem with the top so it has to be some kind of adjustment but I can't afford to have someone look at it...remember that's why we're here at auction.

2 - shifter is a little sloppy going into gear...don't know if it's adjustment or vacuum or ??

3 - turn signals need bulbs.

4 - plastic piece between front bumper and header panel has spiders in paint(see pic)

5 - some light scratches the size of a 50cent piece at the bottom of the passenger side door right where the lower body side molding goes...so it would be covered.

6 - there is a leak in the small A.I.R. injection tube that goes into the drivers side exhaust manifold.

7 - stereo needs to be connected...speakers are missing...I will include them if I find them.

8 - sill plates need to be installed

9 - needs the cowl screens

As I said above, the car still hasn't had it's first ride down the two lane blacktop to work out all the kinks...just cant afford to finish and insure her...that's why we're here. 

I have sold a couple of rare cars on ebay and both buyers said the cars looked better in person over my description. Maybe I'm picky but I try not to leave anything out in my description as I don't want the buyer to have any surprises.

If I have missed anything or you have any concerns, please ask and I will try my best to answer your questions.

I reserve the right to end the auction early as I have the car for sale locally.

Buyer is responsible for paying and arranging for vehicle pickup.

Car is sold AS IS, NO WARRANTY included, implied or sold.

PAYMENT

All moneys must be transferred into CANADIAN FUNDS.

DEPOSIT - A NON REFUNDABLE $500 deposit is due within 24hrs of the end of the auction....You may use PAYPAL ONLY FOR THE DEPOSIT!

BALANCE - is due within 5 days of the end of the auction and must be via WIRE TRANSFER, CERTIFIED CHECK OR CASH IN PERSON.....NO PAYPAL FOR THE BALANCE!

In case of Wire Transfer or Certified Check, the car will be released once funds have cleared my bank.

Thank you and good luck bidding.