First engine block cracked at 48,000 miles -- replaced with GM crate motor for free - 1987
second engine failed at 100,000 miles? Can't really remember this was in 1991.
Third engine at 148,000 miles -- replaced with GM crate motor again.
Engine block basically cracked three times... supposedly GM said it was a malfunctioning engine temp control and did not catch it till the second engine failed.
Other than the engines everything else was maintenance...
Belts, pumps, oil pans, oil changes, brakes, tires, suspension parts, etc.
This car is my favorite American car that my family ever bought new. My Grandfather ordered this car through a family member at GM, and we picked it up from Detroit Michigan from General Motors. I cannot remember where it was picked up at because I was too young, but it wasn't from the GM center.
Painted dark gray, this car was ordered with everything possible without having to get leather, because my grandmother's physical condition would have made it hard to get inside the car. They drove this car for 2 1/2 years, then it sat in our garage until 1987 when my dad's '74 Couger died.
It was a beautiful car, and had only one dent on it when we pulled it from the garage, from a rear end accident my grandpa was involved in that left only a crease in the trunk lid... these old cars were strong. We could not drive it till we replaced the engine block though.
The Minnesota salt ate at the car, and made it so the doors would rattle when closed, but you could not see the rust. Always looked like a beautiful car, especially when the wire wheel covers were shined. This car got a lot of attention when in cities like Chicago or Minneapolis, and we got a lot of offers for her, but we would never sell it for anything.
Nov of 2001 the car was sitting in Uptown Minneapolis with 299999 miles with no chrome left on it or any hubcaps. It was my project car, and I had replaced the doors and things, so the car looked bad, especially where I sprayed painted the tan and blue doors dark grey. One of the rear windows would not roll up and I had covered it up with wrap, and within a few hours of sitting parked, it was stolen and dumped in Saint Paul. The car was completely wrecked and was left in the impound lot.
Gets lots of looks in Chicago and Minneapolis? Word to the homeboys, ridin' like a pimp.
Should of sold it when you had the chance...
Well it probably never had good resale value, but at least it made it through the years as a reliable car and it looked very good... better looking than the crown Vic in my opinion. When I was little I thought it was awesome that we got this car from General Motors and not a car dealer. My grandfather only paid 25% of its value since he bought it from his son at GM. It was walked all the way down the assembly line to make sure it was a good one. However they did not catch the engine temperature control fan thingy... I really don't know what it was, but it caused the car to over heat. I am not sure if it came from the Texas assembly plant or not. I thought I heard they built these things in Jersey too but I am not sure? I was too young to know.
Three times breaks in engine block are out of question, frankly speaking. Goblin-like toughness once existed in GM-made V8 engines had miserably disappeared in mid-1980s, the trust of Chevrolet or other GM brands was largely jeopardized in those era.
Your Chevrolet Caprice was assembled by Mexican workers, wasn't it?
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