1976 Chevrolet Caprice Estate

I know 72KE, that woodgrain pattern is my all-time favorite. I wish they still made it, but like all the original di-noc patterns, it was done with a rotogravure process that really isn't used by the after-market suppliers, who use digital imaging on cast vinyl. The rotogravure process produces a superior, more natural looking simulation of woodgrain patterns and uses multiple layering of color tones to really give a great, rich appearance. It was only cost-effective to do the massive runs demanded by the car manufacturers, because of set up costs, etc., so even the 3M products you can get today (intended more for office wall-coverings than for car bodies) are not nearly as realistic looking. Probably the best way to get the same looking pattern today would be to bring lots of high-res photos of an original wood-grained wagon to a place like Woodgrain Specialists in PA and have them try to match it with a custom paint job, but it would cost a fortune.

 

Are we sure the woodgrain is incorrect for 1976? I guess I am not sure I am seeing that much deviation from the 1976 ad photos which admittedly are scarce.

 

Yeah, I am not a fan of some of that aftermarket woodgrain.

Hmm... not sure. I seen that pic and thought the same thing, it looks dark, but the pic is a little blurry. Its been so many years since I have seen another 75-76 Caprice wagon that I cant even remember what the woodgrain looks like. In fact, my wagon is the only Chevy Caprice clamshell I ever remember seeing in person, lol. The last two clamshells other than mine that I ever remember seeing in person was a '74 Grand Safari at a local cruise in a couple of years ago and a '74 Impala wagon about 20 years ago. lol.

I did go to Bing images and looked up '75 and '76 Caprice wagons and not too many photos I could tell much from... they looked a lot alike to me, but I cant say for sure. lol.

 

Ok. Now I can see the distinction in the woodgrain that is factory original for 1976. It is very subtle but it is slightly different. Still, this is a great looking '76 Caprice Estate.


I would love to own it.

 

Here's a pic with the factory 1976 wood-grain showing the tone difference better

http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/pictures/1976_Chevy_Caprice.jpg

 

Keep in mind, guys, that the original wood grain will look a different colour depending on the colour of the paint on the car. G.M. used a semi-transparent wood grain to let a bit of the paint colour bleed through to blend the colours better. Wood grain of one tone one a red car looks very different from the wood tone on a green car, even though the material itself is the same. When that came out, the salesmen had to be very aware of this, as two woody wagons, parked side by side on the lot, would not match for wood tone, and people questioned that.

 

Thanks, Mike!

Had no idea about that issue which would explain quite alot about the woodgrain appearance on this particular Caprice Estate.

 

I am a din-noc-aholic as some of you know, and know for certain that the grain pattern on this wagon is one used on Chevy "woodies" between 1966 and 1972. The model year correct pattern for this car was only used on '75 and '76 Caprice Estates. (the '73s and '74s used a "bigger" grain pattern with golden tones). As for the semi-transparent di-noc, I only remember it being advertised on Pontiacs around the 1970-72 model year and it was touted as a night-time safety feature because the panels would "glow" when illuminated by another car's headlights. The di-noc on these Pontiacs was also quicker to fade and when they did, even more of the paint color showed through, but I don't recall the same issue with the Chevs, Buicks and Olds models of that era.

 

90Merc: The reflective dy-noc was, I believe, only on the tailgates of the Pontiacs. The rest was the 'normal' kind.

 

Mike, I am not trying to show you or anyone else up, I am only wanting to share correct info here on the forums. The Pontiacs had the translucent stuff on tailgate and body sides. Ford, however, did the translucent on tailgate only for a couple of years around that time on the Country Squire and Torino Squire.

 

Sorry, just realized I made a mistake. The Ford di-noc was reflective on the tailgates, but to my knowledge, not translucent . It would light up when shined on at night, but did not show the underlying body paint color.

 

Yeah, I am not sure what all years and makes that GM used the woodgrain that would let the color of the car bleed through, but I know at least the early 70s Chevrolets did, I don't know if that was the case with the later ones, but I think so. Do the other GM wagons have the translucent woodgrain? I think Pontiac did and like you said, had the reflective feature on the tailgate.

Not sure why Pontiac was the only one to have this.

(Btw, I thought he was referring to the pattern of the woodgrain, not the color. LOL).

 

Well the bidding has seemed to have froze at $8100. Will be interesting to see how this one goes.

I have seriously been considering putting mine on to see how it goes, it needs a lot of work (engine work and body work), so I know it wont bring nowhere near what I have invested (which is a mind boggling $4700). I know if I well I will have to take a huge loss, but it may come to that.

 

90Merc: I defer to your obviously more extensive knowledge. I have not seen a clamshell in person in any shape, for about 20 years. Our climate plays HELL on cars, and those 70s cars were particularly vulnerable.

 

Kingswood if you were closer I would give you $3,500 cash for your car. But shipping it home would be another $750 and right now I don't have that cash laying around. I have ways loved your car