Hi, I saw this Chevy today and took a video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sULfrlL9Y0g It's rather rusty, Perhaps the rear window doesn't close anymore which is why it was partially open. The garage wasn't open so I couldn't ask any questions. I did a little searching about these 80s wagons and given the smoother headlights than those on the 84 Caprice Classic I drove there, I think it (The wagon) was manufactured in the 1986-1990 manufacturing years. (Edit - I did post my introduction in the introductions forum but it hasn't been approved by a moderator yet, I think) Austin
All I can tell from the video is it would be anywhere from 1987 to 1990. If its a 90 it would have the naughty door mounted seat belts.
Thanks, Mike. I've not heard of the door-mounted seat belts in 1990 models before, Are those mounted only for the front seats? Edit - I just read that they were for the front seats. It sounds like I might avoid buying a 1990 model! Austin
In the future, just make note of the 10th digit of the VIN and check it it against a chart easily found online. That designates the year model of a vehicle.
My best guess, based on colour, headlights, and seatbelts, is that this is an 88 Caprice Classic wagon, without the Estate (woodgrain) package. It does seem to be well wquipped, since it does have power mirrors, tilt wheel, power windows, etc. If those are the factory wheel covers, it has the base suspension package, as the 'Handling Package' came with different wheel covers. It has the vinyl interior, which is not as nice as the cloth. Leather was not available on these wagons. It will have the Chevrolet 305 under the hood, backed up by a 4 speed overdrive, likely a 200-R4, transmission. The body looks to be in pretty decent shape. Those dents in the quarters can likely be pulled out using a sink plunger. They will likely almost vanish. The paint looks like it is sun damaged. I bet, though, that a lot of that will buff out and it would look fairly decent. The back bumper is a bit rough, and the filler panel is missing. It looks like there is some rust below the tailgate, but the gate itself looks promising. Neat find, that's for sure!
It was 88 when the one piece dual head lamp came in, other than that the body/body skin was the same until the whale wagons came out.
The one-piece headlights were first used in the 1987 model year, and the square body wagon was built through the 1990 model year. The whale-body cars were introduced for the 1991 model year. The door-mounted belts were used in the 1990 model year to satisfy the federal passive restraint requirements without resorting to air bags (which would have required a major dash redesign for only one model year). The INTENT was that you leave the belts buckled and when you open the door the belts go with the door so you can get in and out. It sounded a lot better than it actually worked.
