1987 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham 307 V8

Summary:

They don't build them like this anymore

Faults:

Side mirror, gas gauge.

General Comments:

In the family since new (31 years). Always garaged and never winter driven so it has zero rust (still has the original exhaust system!). Original paint too.

On the road, the 307 Olds engine (not 305 Chev) is smooth but sluggish. You can hardly tell when the 4 speed auto shifts and it puts modern transmissions to shame. The seating position is low compared to new cars. Handling is OK, but there is a world of difference compared to the 91-96 generation.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th November, 2018

19th Nov 2018, 02:15

Pretty interesting. Your Caprice must be Canadian built if it's a sedan with a 307 under the hood. U.S. built only used the 307 for the wagons, and 305 for sedans.

20th Nov 2018, 15:06

Yeah. The distance stated in km instead of miles would make that rather obvious.

2nd Dec 2018, 13:05

Built in the USA for the Canadian market.

3rd Dec 2018, 23:37

No, they were not.

The Caprice for the Canadian market 1971-1990 were manufactured at the Oshawa assembly plant located in Ontario Canada.

16th Dec 2018, 19:22

It was in fact built in the USA. The 11th character in the VIN is X, which was the Kansas City plant. My parents ordered it new in Canada in December 1986.

17th Dec 2018, 23:44

OK I'm not doubting you. Doesn't make much sense to me when the Caprice (and various Pontiac models from that era) for the Canadian market were built in the Ontario plant for over 20 years.

Anyways that will all come to an end shortly as GM will be shutting that plant down. Another big, bold move that will bite them in the ass in the near future.

1987 Chevrolet Caprice Estate 307 Olds

Summary:

I recommend it to anybody!

Faults:

- New air-adjustable shocks at 132,000.

- New battery at 133,000.

- Heater switch went, replaced the blower motor and hooked it to a toggle, $30 fix total. AT 141,000.

- Power seats stopped working at 135,000.

- A/C didn't work when I got the car.

- New exhaust cat back at 137,000

- Drivers power window broke (slammed the door too hard) 138,000.

- Rear driver window stopped working, bad switch I believe. 141,000.

General Comments:

I love this car. I bought it for $500 my junior year of high school, and it's needed very little. Besides the heater switch, nothing went bad on the car that was necessary to the operation of it (need heat in Wisconsin Winters).

I won a bet that it would not start and run at -30, and it did, with a 4 bbl quadrajet on her. I drove this car every day, rain, shine, sleet, snow, it was on the road, and with the heavy rear end, could keep up with 4x4's in the snow.

The car is very comfortable as well. Rides like a caddy, has tons of room and 3 rows of seats. I've hauled 8 people, I've hauled plywood, motors, transmissions, everything with this car. It never skipped a beat.

The 307 is a good runner, but leaks and burns, as they all do. It's not built for speed, but for torque. I pulled a Honda Civic that was stuck in gear with it.

I think it's a nice looking car too, lots of wood in and out, power options galore, and an air of class you don't see much in today's cars. I could go on and on all day about how much I love my old wagon.

I've owned a 60 Bel-Air, 2 Crown Vic Interceptors, a 58 Delray, a 79 Electra, a 63 Impala and I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but no car has been like a friend to me like the Caprice has.

-Tom.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th February, 2010

1987 Chevrolet Caprice Estate 307 Olds

Summary:

I'll always have a Caprice Estate, they are great for everything

Faults:

The cruise control doesn't work.

The wipers only shut off if you shut the car off.

It leaks/uses oil, not sure which, maybe both.

The headliner is indoor/outdoor carpeting.

Power seats just stopped working earlier this week.

Power window on passenger side rolls down, but not up from driver's side control.

Power locks require much effort to use.

Mirrors do not adjust (vandalized).

Exhaust snapped when pulling into a parking lot. I bottomed out, fixed with a tin can.

Rear air-shocks were shot, replaced for cheap.

General Comments:

I love this car. All the problems are simple little fixes I can take care of at my leisure. I can haul parts, plywood, or 8 people, with the rear-facing seat.

It is a classic looking car, earth tone paint job, cloth interior, wood paneling, nice chrome trim, and the classic luggage rack. Perfect symbol of Americana.

Parts are cheap and readily available, Caprices were abundant in their day and all the GM small block parts are interchangeable for the most part, making these babies easy to work on.

If I could find another one, I'd buy another one. It floats down the road. It's geared very low, with a 200 r4 trans. It is fine if you don't want to go fast, and is great in the snow and slop.

If you have a chance for a Caprice Estate, or any vintage GM wagon, take the chance. This beautiful big wagons are getting rarer and rarer, but are more dependable then most of what is being built today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2009