1976 Chevrolet Caprice Estate

Discussion in 'Station Wagon Auctions, Craigs List and Other Stat' started by woodywagonman, Oct 21, 2014.

  1. wagon1

    wagon1 Active Member

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    the right of center chevrolet on the gate is correct for 71-73, but not 74-76

    scott
     
  2. woodywagonman

    woodywagonman Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if the tailgate has been replaced or did the emblem just fall off and someone put it back in the wrong place......Time to investigate. Not sure if there is a way to tell the difference between a 76 and 73 tailgate. I like oddities on these cars. There is always a story that accompanies it.

    Well, if it stays with me much longer it will get stored for the winter and then I will begin restoring it back to its former glory. It s OK right now, but deserves the full treatment. The 76 CE's are so crazy rare anymore that it will be hard to sell. Just can't replace them with good examples after you sell them.
     
  3. The Premier

    The Premier Well-Known Member

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    Ok I might be wrong but it looks like the wood trim on the 71-74 is a 4 piece aluminum trim and is attached with rivets and clips to the tailgate in the same way that the side trimming is across the 71-76 range, whereas the 75-76 wood trimming on the tailgate only is some sort of vinyl composite material and is stuck on with double sided automotive adhesive (what we call 100 mph tape!) instead of clips like the earlier models.

    Have a look at the back of mine above and you can see my trim has already fallen off. My trim has been salvaged but it is flimsy and wobbly and if you look at the back of your 76, it shows similar buckling to what mine would look like if I put it back on the way it is now. I know from my trim that they have mitered corners and are very fragile but I intend to experiment a bit to try and straighten it back out some how before it goes back on.

    So this fact is what may make your search a little more interesting.

    It seems that the 74 is the first with the vertical tail light trims and the first with the centered Chevy badge but the last with the clip on aluminum trims, making the 74's tailgate an anomaly in the range (in the same way that a vented tail gate can only belong to a 71). So according to your tailgate trim, it cant be from an off centered Chevy badged 71 (no vents) or 72-73 tailgate with the aluminum trim, or even a centered Chevy badged 74 because of the same earlier model trims. On the surface and as it stands and because yours has a stuck on trim, the tail gate can only be from a 75 or a 76.

    However, it is still possible that the tailgate maybe from a 72 or 73 during some previous repair because the metal rivets could have been easily ground back (or holes filled) during the repair only to be hidden under the later model vinyl trim once it was stuck back on. Evidence of this type of repair is what I would be looking for.

    I have never been around these cars ever so I could be miles of with my observations and I am happy to be corrected but this is what I have noticed since I have taken a keen interest in theses particular cars over the last couple of years.

    Cheers Mike
     
  4. woodywagonman

    woodywagonman Well-Known Member

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    Great information ! Very well said!!!
     
  5. jwdtenn

    jwdtenn Well-Known Member

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    Any more pics? :)
     
  6. Glide-Aways

    Glide-Aways Well-Known Member

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    Yes, they are bumper guards. My dad's '76 CE had them.
     
  7. honesthilb

    honesthilb Well-Known Member

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  8. woodywagonman

    woodywagonman Well-Known Member

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    I like that Honest! Sharp wagon...!!!
     
  9. jwdtenn

    jwdtenn Well-Known Member

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    Is that your red '76 CE, Honesthilb?

    She's a beauty! :bowdown: :yup:
     
  10. honesthilb

    honesthilb Well-Known Member

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    It belongs to a friend of mine. I've been trying to buy it for years, but he don't want to sell it. Hell, he don't even drive it.
     
  11. The Premier

    The Premier Well-Known Member

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    Nice wagon honest, at least you know where it is if it ever came up for sale. I like the color combo of this one and it is actually a little unusual compared to the normal colors that seem to come up often.
     
  12. jwdtenn

    jwdtenn Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, love that red in and out and it is a rare combo for these.
     
  13. jwdtenn

    jwdtenn Well-Known Member

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    Did your tan '76 Caprice Estate sell, Woodywagonman? :confused:
     
  14. woodywagonman

    woodywagonman Well-Known Member

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    Nope, just sitting here in the driveway. I have not really pushed it very hard. I am open to reasonable cash offers or interesting trades.
     
  15. impact

    impact Active Member

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    Anything non woodgrain for sale?
     

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