A/C recharged 88,000, New tie rods at 90,000. Wiper motor at 88,000. Not a whole lot has gone bad with this car-they are mostly very tough and dependable if given some TLC.
This is an ex-cop car that I bought pretty cheap. Out west where these cars don't rust, they are a great value. I wish Chevy still made this car-I would buy one new and put it on blocks!! It runs great with a 350 4bbl, you can really get lost. It is built like they used to make 'em, and can still get respectable MPG's due to the overdrive and 3.08 gears. I leave a lot of newer cars in my taillights-maybe not the ultra hi-po ones, but when you compare $2500 to $25-$30,000 for a front drive V6 I feel I made the right choice. It handles like a Corvette as any 9C1 owner can attest. I will own this car for as long as I possibly can-it makes me smile every time I see her! 9C1 owners speak up- I want to hear from you!
Hello, I have an '88 caprice 9C1. It has 147,000 miles on the stock 350 4 barrel and I'm getting ready to pull it and replace it with a 355. I'm sticking with the stock quadrajet, but it will be rebuilt with a stage two upgrade and custom chip from jet, the carb and chip will be calibrated for my exact engine specs which are: 0.30 over 350 roller block, speed pro pistons,10.7-1 compression,.525-.525 lift cam, Edelbrock performer intake, stock center-bolt heads reworked, 1 5/8" headers with 2 1/2"dual exhaust and flow-master 2 chamber mufflers, stock 3.08 gears and 8.5" rear end. It should move pretty good considering it weighs 3860 pounds, how much does yours weigh? I also bought some 15"x8" steel 9c1 wheels awhile back, I was told they are rare, what do you think? I had them powder coated semi gloss black and they look great. Have you seen Fred Dryer's ex squad caprice?
I bought a 1988 9C1 Caprice from a local town's retired detective fleet. It was very well cared for, but had many door-dings. At the time, I had an automotive custom shop, and I used the Caprice to demo the first Alpine GPS navigation system. I fell SO in love with the car that I had it completely restored showroom new. You should see the looks I get on sunny days when I tool around in it! I have the factory bucket seats, the rubber floor, the huge chrome wheel covers and bumpers -- all perfect!
All I can say is, if you have the flexibility to hold on to your old square-body 9C1 and fix it up bit by bit, I think you will have a unique ride, a little piece of American history, and a huge sedan that corners like a slot car!
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