They do, but now they are called SUVs. They are the same thing as a wagon, really, but they aren't named after the car they are based on. IE: the Accord wagon is called a Pilot, and even this Caprice wagon is still made! Now, the Caprice is called the Impala (because the price point of trim levels decreases :p ) and the wagon is called the Equinox. The Impala & Equinox are built on the same assembly line!
A fine automobile. That reminded me of the commercial for the thunderbird turbo coupe that had Jackie Stewart in it. All I remember is his accent when he says : its a fine motor car 😂 I bet the commercial is on here.
I love the Caprices from this era. My dad had a 78 with a 350. I bought a used 83 years later as I was consulting and putting a lot of miles on my cars. My father in law had an 86. All were great cars with no issues for any of them. All were sedans, but many acquaintances had the wagon version. Same results. They just worked if they were maintained. Still pulling for you sir, great to see you yesterday (even if virtually). ~ Chuck
I miss the big wagons! Mom had an Oldsmobile vista cruiser for a little while! Funky green color! I thought it was cool,as it had the seat that faced out the rear window,and I had that seat all to myself. It rode like you were on a cloud! 455 cubic inch! Power windows, all the bells and whistles! 71 or 72!
Back in the day my friends dad had a 1970 Chrysler Town and Country wagon with the tow package. 426 Hemi. (They had a 22 ft camper and 5 kids) What a car! The older sister took us to go bowling. At the light was a 1973 Camaro Z28. With eight of us in the wagon Lynn blew the door off it. (The Camaro) What a time to grow up!
Love these B-Body cars. My first car was a 1977 Impala 4 door. I miss it. Also miss my 1988 Caprice Classic Brougham. 1980 Oldsmobile Delta 88. And 1984 Buick Electra. Great cars.
Another day closer to seeing you back in the yards. As stated last time: My friend had three of these (he might still have one), a 1985 with a 305 V8, a 1988 like this one with a 307 V8 and a 1989 Cutom Cruiser with a 307. He bought the 1988 from a coworker of ours and it was a oil burner (that coworker was clueless about cars, but acted like he was a whiz, he wasn't). My friend then put a used engine in the 1988. Not just any engine---it was rumored to come from Barbara Eden's personal car when they swapped the engine for a more powerful one. My friend paid $50 for the engine (which was under a cover outside), cleaned it up, replaced some gaskets and put it in the vehicle. It went another 100,000 miles on that engine. He eventually got rid of it as the body was getting rough. I'm actually speaking to him this weekend, so I'll have to find out if he still has the 1989 Oldsmobile wagon. An Olds club member gave it to him as he didn't need it anymore. DeNooyer Chevrolet still exists at that same address. The then owner of this vehicle lived about 9 miles away in Albany. No Impalas by this time, they had gone away after the 1985 model year. We got the VIN, we win: 1G1 for US made Chevrolet passenger car, BN81 for Caprice Estate wagon, Y for 5.0L (307 CID) V8, Oldsmobile produced (although by then, labeled as "corporate") with four barrel, aka RPO code "LV2", aka "Mini Pocket Rocket", X is a check digit, J for the 1988 model year, R for Arlington, TX assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Arlington, TX plant still operates today and has exclusively produced trucks and SUVs since the last RWD GM rolled off the line in 1996. The 307 V8 is no powerhouse, but it is a bulletproof engine and will run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run and run some more. They are easily known to go 250K without needing anything internal. I have owned several and they are one of my favorite engines. Dillion Chevrolet existed until 2022 when it was sold by the Dillion family and is now McGovern Chevrolet at 54 Main Street in Greenfield, MA. That Meineke shop still exists at the same location as well. It is likely that AP Exhaust was the supplier of exhaust products to Meineke. Correct, the 307 V8 (VIN code "Y", RPO code "LV2") was used from 1980 to 1990 and all of GM's car divisions used it at some point. Yes, always had a Rochester four barrel. Close, but not the same. That mirror is unique to the B body car, not the same part number as the other cars in the line, but yes, similar style. No tag, can't brag, and no SPID wish you did, but this is code 29/WA8970 Dark Blue exterior paint. That "wood" contact paper on the sides is very expensive. My friend bought it from GM to redo his wagon and it wasn't cheap. 3M made it for GM. As Kenny Rogers once said, "It's The Wood That Makes It Good".
My mom bought a new Chevelle in 1969. 307, with a power glide 2 speed. The air cleaner sticker said 307 turbo fire 200 hp. It was a car somebody ordered, but didn't pick up at Schumacher Chevrolet. Red, with a white vinyl top, and black interior, a strange bird indeed. As you said, wasn't a powerhouse, but dependable and smooth running.
@@fishgeralding9224 307 Chevy is a totally different engine then the 1980s Oldsmobile 307. The Chevy 307 was used from 1968 thru 73 model years and was designed to replace the 283 V8. Same bore, but used a 327 crank. All Chevy 307s came with the small port 2 barrel. We have one in our 1970 Malibu coupe. Decent power with an upgraded camshaft. 200 hp was flywheel rating, at the wheels its much less LOL. Its a decent engine and has that small stroke "snap". Its not a desirable engine, but neither is the 307 Olds but as "Google Man" said it's a dependable plant.
@@joshuagibson2520 yes sir, still take it to shows every year. But can drive max. 3000km per year. As it's the rule for an antique here in Switzerland.
Thx Steve and I hope you're doing well 😊 ! I have great memories with my parents Pontiac and Chevrolet full-sized wagons growing up in the 70s and 80s , going on family road trips together .
I had one of these way back when. Mine was only a 305 instead of the 350, but although no speedster, it went down the road like a dream. Best part, it went great in the snow, important here in Western PA. Adding to what the others have said, hope to see you live soon.
I live out in the Southwest Triangle, Northwest Arizona/Southern Nevada/South Eastern California, and the last several years I've seen more and more classic wagons back on the road because more and more people are driving to places like Vegas, The Grand Canyon and Disneyland/Southern California for family vacations again because it's cheaper to find a classic wagon, get it running and driving again and getting a vintage 20 foot camper than flying the family, getting a rental car and paying for a hotel for the whole family for a week.
So glad to see you back Steve! There’s no other human I know off that has the knowledge of all vehicles. Some know MOPAR, and that’s how I know Steve Mags, but he also knows anything with wheels.
My dad purchased a new for 77 Chevy Impala 305 and yes it was red vinyl seats one of 1800 with the larger brakes .yes it was a wagon big red she was called❤🏁
I haven’t found anybody quoting the Tum Tum caprice classic song. It’s good, look it up. If you’re like me from Texas, cars really get people of different shades together.
There were a lot of B-body GM wagons (Chevy Caprice/Pontiac Parisienne/Buick Electra/Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser) here in Finland back in the day, because they were big enough so they could be registered as vans! Yep, that's correct, the car tax here is pretty high, and by doing so roughly 1/3 of the price of a new Caprice was saved, only the back seat had to be replaced with one that was allowed to be only 2 inches thick. Sadly, most of them have rusted away by now, and you don't see any of these B-body cars on the road that often.
Mt Dad was a big station wagon guy. I remember road tripping to the Big E in Springfield, MA. My brother, sister and I sprawled out in the back in sleeping bags and pillows!
The Big E in Springfield is one of the best things about the Fall season. Your family wagon was an ideal transporter to make the trek! Thanks for watching and writing! -Steve Magnante
You are bringing me back to the memories with this video, Steve. I recently found the receipt from buying my ‘77 Impala Coupe for $50 back in 1998. That 350 engine was the smoothest and quietest vehicle I’ve ever owned…even better than my new cars. Bump key turn forward and she fired up instantly, and most noise was from clutch fan. I can remember parking to talk and having to put my ear to dash to check if it was running, it was that smooth and quiet. Cheers Steve, be well, get well, stay safe!
Given the rot likely present on the underside in a place like Massachusetts, that car is probably too far gone to save. Nobody makes replacement parts for those old barges, so the only way to keep them around is to scavenge parts off other cars.
the GM engineers really did their homework when designing the 77 downsized models.one of GM's best over the decades.dad bought a leftover 77 caprice classic 350.i loved it.& im a old ford guy.well, untill they went to hell over the last decade, i WAS.
Well this is exciting, I love wagons. Currently own a heavily modified 62 falcon wagon and a 77 AMC Matador wagon. North America needs more wagons again.
I drove my 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser to an Oldsmobile Club event yesterday and then drove forty more miles around the SoCal high desert. I sold these when new and waited thirty three years to finally get one!
I used to own a 1977 Caprice Estate wagon. First year of the newly designed full size Chevy. I wish I hadn't sold it. But I do still own a 1972 Ford Pinto Squire wagon. Rear wheel drive and 4 speed.
always a pratical car for the big families..recall we had a Plymouth Belvedere...slant 6 3 speed column shift....wagon...toted us around for years..thanks for the memories Steve
Awesome video! My Dad had a 1984 Caprice Classic Estate. It was maroon with the matching interior and wood panels. I cut my teeth on driving it when I was 16. Great car!
Imagine what a beauty that wagon was when she was new.Black is a fairly rare color for station wagons and a car salesman told me a long time ago that black is a color not too many people want in a wagon as they tend to look like a Hearse or a funeral coach when they’re black.
I spent a few years doing up a 1984 Caprice Estate station wagon as a sleeper project. One thing I didn't like was that I kept crushing the rear coil springs! The station wagon caprices also have the same parts interchange as the 9C1 police cars! So they're really easy to beef up into a really tough and durable vehicle! Mine did wheelies with the 305 small block chevy. I didn't have a tachometer but with a 750cfm quadrajet, the secondary fuel rods had to be calibrated to a fatter mixture. I probably had a redline around 6000rpms after I replaced the camshaft, lifters and timing chain. The caprice sedans used smaller brakes and the smaller wheel bolt pattern where the station wagon uses the bigger wheel bolt pattern as the police version and also the same 5 bolt as a half ton GM and chevy pickup. Chevy suburbans used 15x8 inch steel rims that are a direct bolt on fit that fit the 9c1 police car and the station wagons. If I ever find another caprice in good shape, they're prone to rusting out and the frame and rear suspension are prone to blowing apart. Otherwise they're really easy to modify with stock parts. But they can produce a lot of torque and the rear suspension fails in these cars. I also owned an ex police 9c1 caprice classic with the LT1. That engine is a major money pit. After two failed transmissions and after a costly rebuild, I threw that car away after I spent 8 years under it! But the station wagon is like a car fetish to me. It was the fastest car I ever built!
Retired my 90’ Caprice wagon last month of production last of the olds v8 last of the carburetor cars GM ever built 320K miles never had the engine or transmission out running fine what a car!
My aunt husband had 1 similar like that late 70's model. Not sure I was around 4 years old. I remember sitting in the trunk watching the cars behind me waving at everyone 😂 when driving somewhere
Had a friend in high school whose mom had the caprice with a v8 and we would do burnouts with it and basically abuse the hell out of that thing and it never missed a beat. We hit a deer and all it did was push in the right fender snd it had to go to a body shop for repairs. Beast of a car. Denooyer is possibly where the one he had was bought since we lived near Albany 😮
Good memories in STATION WAGONS borrowed from a friends mom ended up arriving at many parties in them in the 1980’s meeting girls and if they were drunk enough you could convince them they were riding in a Camaro as you drove back to your place
Had so many good times in these wagons. The gms are fine very smooth terrific rides. However prefer the fords because the port injected 302 sometimes paired with tow package noticeably better acceleration and power for merging hills especially when loaded up. 89 colony park my absolute favorite although my 88 custom cruiser was smoother.
Always love a wagon, in Ireland never had these big chevys but I’m on my 3rd e class Merc estate with 2 seats in the boot. Capable at towing also 2.1 tons legally, best of both worlds. Never got the SUV thing… unfortunately everybody else has!!
One of my favorite cars that I've ever owned was a '68 Bel Air Wagon with a 327 that I got for $75 from an elderly lady down the street. She wanted me to just take it away because it didn't run but I gave her the money. I put a new distributor cap and plug wires on it, did a tune-up and rebuilt the brakes and it ran like a dream. I used to beat GT Mustangs with it back in the early 80s. 😂
Very similar to the car my family had when I was a kid and the first car I ever drove. A '77 Buick Estate Wagon in burnt orange with the fake wood trim and tan interior. We drove all over the country towing a Coleman pop up camper. By the time I was able to drive it was pretty run down. I have fond memories of it though.
Dad was a Chevy wagon guy from way back. Ours were baby blue '58, white '63, and red with fake vinyl wood sides '72 models. Then he bought a Citation 😢 ......and after switched to Toyota. I myself drive a next gen after shown, Beluga Whale, '94 Roadmaster wagon. People love talking to me about it and the wagon they had growning up.😎👍
I have a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Safari wagon and it's IDENTICLE to the Caprice except for the grille and some trim. It has the Olds 307 dog. Those drums are hard to find! Mine were ground so much the shoes weren't even touching. Bought some Chinese replacements from a local parts store and they were so out of round. Found a 'new' Aimco drum on one at a pull-a-part and got one 'decent' import that still needed to be ground to make it round. One weird thing, mine has the 'Powermaster' brake booster like on the GN's.
My mom and dad had a 87 ! Problem is with the 307 olds motor and towing they barely could move itself so not going to tow much with that. Towing in this era was the job of the suburban with my mom and dad had to tow our trailer
My folks went through three Chevy wagons from this generation: first was a brand new 1977 Impala with police-spec 9C1 drivetrain and suspension,which got totalled when a drunk in a '78 Caprice rear-ended it doing nearly 40 mph, which was followed by a used '84 Caprice, then a used '88 Caprice Estate. My dad loved those cars, which is why he stuck with them. The Estate was replaced several years later by a used 1994 Olds Custom Cruiser, which, as was pointed out in the video, was the same car beneath its newly curvaceous skin. On a side note: the Grundy's car from "Vacation" was called the "Wagon Queen Family Truckster".
Remember my dad’s country squire 390 4V extra cooling, two batteries, frame leveling hitch, with electric trailer brake lever mounted to the steering column. Towing the trailer outta Detroit headed North👍
This generation of GM wagons were very nice looking and sized right. The generation immediately before and after were, IMO, ugly bloated looking monstrosities. Really glad to see your prior video of your fantastic recovery!!!
There's pros and cons to those glass headlight modules. I had some on my '88 Riv. They are nice for the reasons you stated, but they're expensive to replace and worse they get pitted and 'sandblasted' by debris just like a windshield, so as they age they still diffuse the light, maybe not as bad.
Back in the mid eighties the station wagon was competing with the then new mini vans. Mini vans took over but may people didn't like the Chevy Astro or the Ford Aerostar because they didn't have the best traction in the winter because they were rear wheel drive. Station wagons actually had a better weight distribution and handled better in the snow.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Keep up with your recuperation Steve . Your friends are pulling for you. 🙏
Bring back wagons!
#bringbackwagons
My Ole lady wants one of these wagons for a daily driver
They still make wagons
@@Clawson_customslet her have one I summer daily my custom cruiser get decent gas millage it’s comfy roomy and we’ll just cool
They do, but now they are called SUVs. They are the same thing as a wagon, really, but they aren't named after the car they are based on. IE: the Accord wagon is called a Pilot, and even this Caprice wagon is still made!
Now, the Caprice is called the Impala (because the price point of trim levels decreases :p ) and the wagon is called the Equinox. The Impala & Equinox are built on the same assembly line!
Love the 6 point hood holder!
Ah, the old Wagon Queen Family Truckster. A fine automobile.
Had about 8 head lamps..
If you think you hate it now, wait till you drive it! 😂
A fine automobile.
That reminded me of the commercial for the thunderbird turbo coupe that had Jackie Stewart in it.
All I remember is his accent when he says : its a fine motor car 😂
I bet the commercial is on here.
I love the Caprices from this era. My dad had a 78 with a 350. I bought a used 83 years later as I was consulting and putting a lot of miles on my cars. My father in law had an 86. All were great cars with no issues for any of them. All were sedans, but many acquaintances had the wagon version. Same results. They just worked if they were maintained. Still pulling for you sir, great to see you yesterday (even if virtually). ~ Chuck
I miss the big wagons!
Mom had an Oldsmobile vista cruiser for a little while! Funky green color! I thought it was cool,as it had the seat that faced out the rear window,and I had that seat all to myself.
It rode like you were on a cloud!
455 cubic inch! Power windows, all the bells and whistles! 71 or 72!
I'd LOVE to have a '71 Caprice wagon or Buick Estate wagon!
Love wagons......bring them on....
Thank you Steve! Love the wagons!👍
OMG I love wagons ... its gonna be a great week ... thanks Steve !
Back in the day my friends dad had a 1970 Chrysler Town and Country wagon with the tow package. 426 Hemi. (They had a 22 ft camper and 5 kids) What a car! The older sister took us to go bowling. At the light was a 1973 Camaro Z28. With eight of us in the wagon Lynn blew the door off it. (The Camaro) What a time to grow up!
They swapped out the 440 for a hemi?
Love these B-Body cars. My first car was a 1977 Impala 4 door. I miss it. Also miss my 1988 Caprice Classic Brougham. 1980 Oldsmobile Delta 88. And 1984 Buick Electra. Great cars.
Another day closer to seeing you back in the yards. As stated last time:
My friend had three of these (he might still have one), a 1985 with a 305 V8, a 1988 like this one with a 307 V8 and a 1989 Cutom Cruiser with a 307. He bought the 1988 from a coworker of ours and it was a oil burner (that coworker was clueless about cars, but acted like he was a whiz, he wasn't). My friend then put a used engine in the 1988. Not just any engine---it was rumored to come from Barbara Eden's personal car when they swapped the engine for a more powerful one. My friend paid $50 for the engine (which was under a cover outside), cleaned it up, replaced some gaskets and put it in the vehicle. It went another 100,000 miles on that engine. He eventually got rid of it as the body was getting rough. I'm actually speaking to him this weekend, so I'll have to find out if he still has the 1989 Oldsmobile wagon. An Olds club member gave it to him as he didn't need it anymore. DeNooyer Chevrolet still exists at that same address. The then owner of this vehicle lived about 9 miles away in Albany. No Impalas by this time, they had gone away after the 1985 model year.
We got the VIN, we win: 1G1 for US made Chevrolet passenger car, BN81 for Caprice Estate wagon, Y for 5.0L (307 CID) V8, Oldsmobile produced (although by then, labeled as "corporate") with four barrel, aka RPO code "LV2", aka "Mini Pocket Rocket", X is a check digit, J for the 1988 model year, R for Arlington, TX assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Arlington, TX plant still operates today and has exclusively produced trucks and SUVs since the last RWD GM rolled off the line in 1996. The 307 V8 is no powerhouse, but it is a bulletproof engine and will run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run and run some more. They are easily known to go 250K without needing anything internal. I have owned several and they are one of my favorite engines. Dillion Chevrolet existed until 2022 when it was sold by the Dillion family and is now McGovern Chevrolet at 54 Main Street in Greenfield, MA. That Meineke shop still exists at the same location as well. It is likely that AP Exhaust was the supplier of exhaust products to Meineke.
Correct, the 307 V8 (VIN code "Y", RPO code "LV2") was used from 1980 to 1990 and all of GM's car divisions used it at some point. Yes, always had a Rochester four barrel. Close, but not the same. That mirror is unique to the B body car, not the same part number as the other cars in the line, but yes, similar style. No tag, can't brag, and no SPID wish you did, but this is code 29/WA8970 Dark Blue exterior paint.
That "wood" contact paper on the sides is very expensive. My friend bought it from GM to redo his wagon and it wasn't cheap. 3M made it for GM. As Kenny Rogers once said, "It's The Wood That Makes It Good".
There is a DeNooyer Chevrolet dealership a half mile from my house in Holland, Michigan.
Wagon Week was foretold
@@WinkelManBearPig Indeed.
My mom bought a new Chevelle in 1969. 307, with a power glide 2 speed. The air cleaner sticker said 307 turbo fire 200 hp. It was a car somebody ordered, but didn't pick up at Schumacher Chevrolet. Red, with a white vinyl top, and black interior, a strange bird indeed. As you said, wasn't a powerhouse, but dependable and smooth running.
@@fishgeralding9224 307 Chevy is a totally different engine then the 1980s Oldsmobile 307. The Chevy 307 was used from 1968 thru 73 model years and was designed to replace the 283 V8. Same bore, but used a 327 crank. All Chevy 307s came with the small port 2 barrel. We have one in our 1970 Malibu coupe. Decent power with an upgraded camshaft. 200 hp was flywheel rating, at the wheels its much less LOL. Its a decent engine and has that small stroke "snap". Its not a desirable engine, but neither is the 307 Olds but as "Google Man" said it's a dependable plant.
God bless you Steve. You are an absolute gem in the automotive universe.
Bring them back AND bench seats! And no overly fragile touch screen BS. Knobs! Controls you can manipulate without taking your eyes off the road.
I still have my 79' Caprice Landau Coupe. Great car!
But do you drive it?
I love those 2 doors, I had an 85 landau
@@joshuagibson2520 yes sir, still take it to shows every year. But can drive max. 3000km per year. As it's the rule for an antique here in Switzerland.
Wow, that's awesome
Love wagons!!! They really look great on the drag strip. Kinda like Farm Truck.
Love seeing your videos, no matter how old , Steve recovering pal ,
The station wagon was replaced by the mini van Steve. The suv replaced the minivan mostly. Great video!!
Thx Steve and I hope you're doing well 😊 ! I have great memories with my parents Pontiac and Chevrolet full-sized wagons growing up in the 70s and 80s , going on family road trips together .
I had one of these way back when. Mine was only a 305 instead of the 350, but although no speedster, it went down the road like a dream. Best part, it went great in the snow, important here in Western PA.
Adding to what the others have said, hope to see you live soon.
A lot of good memories in my parents wagons. I took my driver's test in an '81 Caprice.
I still drive a wagon.
Loved 🥰 our family drives from NYC to Indianapolis to visit grandparents.
I live out in the Southwest Triangle, Northwest Arizona/Southern Nevada/South Eastern California, and the last several years I've seen more and more classic wagons back on the road because more and more people are driving to places like Vegas, The Grand Canyon and Disneyland/Southern California for family vacations again because it's cheaper to find a classic wagon, get it running and driving again and getting a vintage 20 foot camper than flying the family, getting a rental car and paying for a hotel for the whole family for a week.
Get well Steve!! Heal and come back stronger!!
Future spot for another episode of hubcap game.
So glad to see you back Steve! There’s no other human I know off that has the knowledge of all vehicles. Some know MOPAR, and that’s how I know Steve Mags, but he also knows anything with wheels.
I'm getting my 1989 Caprice Estate ready for the road this summer! Love the stories I get to hear when I drive it.
Future hubcap game in the back of the wagon 😊
Gotta love the wagons!!! I remember the trip in our townsman wagon.
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you back in the Junkyard soon
My dad purchased a new for 77 Chevy Impala 305 and yes it was red vinyl seats one of 1800 with the larger brakes .yes it was a wagon big red she was called❤🏁
When dad said we were taking the wagon I was the first one to run all the way in the back to that little hidden seat that you pull up. 😁👍👍
I haven’t found anybody quoting the Tum Tum caprice classic song. It’s good, look it up. If you’re like me from Texas, cars really get people of different shades together.
My dad had that same car , but it was white with blue interior. I loved it . I was the oldest so I got the whole hatch seat to myself .
Keep on trucking Steve!
Hope you're recovery is going well, Steve!
great to see your face,can't wait till you get back to the junkyard for some Rust Therapy...
There were a lot of B-body GM wagons (Chevy Caprice/Pontiac Parisienne/Buick Electra/Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser) here in Finland back in the day, because they were big enough so they could be registered as vans! Yep, that's correct, the car tax here is pretty high, and by doing so roughly 1/3 of the price of a new Caprice was saved, only the back seat had to be replaced with one that was allowed to be only 2 inches thick. Sadly, most of them have rusted away by now, and you don't see any of these B-body cars on the road that often.
Mt Dad was a big station wagon guy. I remember road tripping to the Big E in Springfield, MA. My brother, sister and I sprawled out in the back in sleeping bags and pillows!
The Big E in Springfield is one of the best things about the Fall season. Your family wagon was an ideal transporter to make the trek! Thanks for watching and writing! -Steve Magnante
You are bringing me back to the memories with this video, Steve. I recently found the receipt from buying my ‘77 Impala Coupe for $50 back in 1998. That 350 engine was the smoothest and quietest vehicle I’ve ever owned…even better than my new cars. Bump key turn forward and she fired up instantly, and most noise was from clutch fan. I can remember parking to talk and having to put my ear to dash to check if it was running, it was that smooth and quiet. Cheers Steve, be well, get well, stay safe!
Boy i hope someone saved that big old beauty! Thanks Steve….👍👍
Given the rot likely present on the underside in a place like Massachusetts, that car is probably too far gone to save. Nobody makes replacement parts for those old barges, so the only way to keep them around is to scavenge parts off other cars.
Good to see you back in the yard Steve. Stay healthy!
I want one of these wagons! Now I know more about them. Thanks Steve!!!!
These old wagons are awesome.
Much love for the 57 olds fiesta!!
the GM engineers really did their homework when designing the 77 downsized models.one of GM's best over the decades.dad bought a leftover 77 caprice classic 350.i loved it.& im a old ford guy.well, untill they went to hell over the last decade, i WAS.
Well this is exciting, I love wagons. Currently own a heavily modified 62 falcon wagon and a 77 AMC Matador wagon. North America needs more wagons again.
I drove my 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser to an Oldsmobile Club event yesterday and then drove forty more miles around the SoCal high desert. I sold these when new and waited thirty three years to finally get one!
Woooo, Station Wagon week 1. 🎉
SO HAPPY
They were very nice cars in their day.
Good stuff Steve. Get well soon.
I used to own a 1977 Caprice Estate wagon. First year of the newly designed full size Chevy. I wish I hadn't sold it. But I do still own a 1972 Ford Pinto Squire wagon. Rear wheel drive and 4 speed.
Thank you Steve
always a pratical car for the big families..recall we had a Plymouth Belvedere...slant 6 3 speed column shift....wagon...toted us around for years..thanks for the memories Steve
Nice!
Love the wagons
Awesome video! My Dad had a 1984 Caprice Classic Estate. It was maroon with the matching interior and wood panels. I cut my teeth on driving it when I was 16. Great car!
Imagine what a beauty that wagon was when she was new.Black is a fairly rare color for station wagons and a car salesman told me a long time ago that black is a color not too many people want in a wagon as they tend to look like a Hearse or a funeral coach when they’re black.
I spent a few years doing up a 1984 Caprice Estate station wagon as a sleeper project. One thing I didn't like was that I kept crushing the rear coil springs! The station wagon caprices also have the same parts interchange as the 9C1 police cars! So they're really easy to beef up into a really tough and durable vehicle! Mine did wheelies with the 305 small block chevy. I didn't have a tachometer but with a 750cfm quadrajet, the secondary fuel rods had to be calibrated to a fatter mixture. I probably had a redline around 6000rpms after I replaced the camshaft, lifters and timing chain. The caprice sedans used smaller brakes and the smaller wheel bolt pattern where the station wagon uses the bigger wheel bolt pattern as the police version and also the same 5 bolt as a half ton GM and chevy pickup. Chevy suburbans used 15x8 inch steel rims that are a direct bolt on fit that fit the 9c1 police car and the station wagons. If I ever find another caprice in good shape, they're prone to rusting out and the frame and rear suspension are prone to blowing apart. Otherwise they're really easy to modify with stock parts. But they can produce a lot of torque and the rear suspension fails in these cars. I also owned an ex police 9c1 caprice classic with the LT1. That engine is a major money pit. After two failed transmissions and after a costly rebuild, I threw that car away after I spent 8 years under it! But the station wagon is like a car fetish to me. It was the fastest car I ever built!
Retired my 90’ Caprice wagon last month of production last of the olds v8 last of the carburetor cars GM ever built 320K miles never had the engine or transmission out running fine what a car!
Thanks Steve. These were great for kids and a trailer
So great to see you back. Thought that was a Hudson.
The Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
thanks Steve!
My aunt husband had 1 similar like that late 70's model. Not sure I was around 4 years old. I remember sitting in the trunk watching the cars behind me waving at everyone 😂 when driving somewhere
Had a friend in high school whose mom had the caprice with a v8 and we would do burnouts with it and basically abuse the hell out of that thing and it never missed a beat. We hit a deer and all it did was push in the right fender snd it had to go to a body shop for repairs. Beast of a car. Denooyer is possibly where the one he had was bought since we lived near Albany 😮
Good memories in STATION WAGONS borrowed from a friends mom ended up arriving at many parties in them in the 1980’s meeting girls and if they were drunk enough you could convince them they were riding in a Camaro as you drove back to your place
My cousin. Drove. Exact. Same. Wagon. Nice. Ride❤❤❤
Love wagons
Steve my TJ 98 model Jeep still has its original muffler on it at 427000 ks 👍🏻🇦🇺
Had so many good times in these wagons. The gms are fine very smooth terrific rides. However prefer the fords because the port injected 302 sometimes paired with tow package noticeably better acceleration and power for merging hills especially when loaded up. 89 colony park my absolute favorite although my 88 custom cruiser was smoother.
Always love a wagon, in Ireland never had these big chevys but I’m on my 3rd e class Merc estate with 2 seats in the boot. Capable at towing also 2.1 tons legally, best of both worlds.
Never got the SUV thing… unfortunately everybody else has!!
I had a 77. Nice driving, versatile car. Cheering for your continued recovery, Steve!
today my 85 caprice wagon,, still run and carry tools and materials for work,,
One of my favorite cars that I've ever owned was a '68 Bel Air Wagon with a 327 that I got for $75 from an elderly lady down the street. She wanted me to just take it away because it didn't run but I gave her the money. I put a new distributor cap and plug wires on it, did a tune-up and rebuilt the brakes and it ran like a dream. I used to beat GT Mustangs with it back in the early 80s. 😂
Very similar to the car my family had when I was a kid and the first car I ever drove. A '77 Buick Estate Wagon in burnt orange with the fake wood trim and tan interior. We drove all over the country towing a Coleman pop up camper. By the time I was able to drive it was pretty run down. I have fond memories of it though.
Thank's for the memories. I had a '81 with the 4.4 liter 265 cubic inch engine. Mine was the light brown/goldish color.
Thanks for sharing this video with us
Wagons make great model cars! Cool video Steve! 😎👍
Dad was a Chevy wagon guy from way back. Ours were baby blue '58, white '63, and red with fake vinyl wood sides '72 models.
Then he bought a Citation 😢 ......and after switched to Toyota.
I myself drive a next gen after shown, Beluga Whale, '94 Roadmaster wagon. People love talking to me about it and the wagon they had growning up.😎👍
Long live the full size wagon!!😊
Good to see and hear you again.
My buddy still seeks out these old wagons for every day use. I guess he just likes the big boat floating down the road feel.
I have a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Safari wagon and it's IDENTICLE to the Caprice except for the grille and some trim. It has the Olds 307 dog. Those drums are hard to find! Mine were ground so much the shoes weren't even touching. Bought some Chinese replacements from a local parts store and they were so out of round. Found a 'new' Aimco drum on one at a pull-a-part and got one 'decent' import that still needed to be ground to make it round. One weird thing, mine has the 'Powermaster' brake booster like on the GN's.
Wagons are great! Just finished my 85 Pontiac 6000 wagon. Swapped a supercharged V6 into it.
l recall these wagons in the mid 80s, cut square box style with creased edges. l really like them now, wish l had one.
My mom and dad had a 87 ! Problem is with the 307 olds motor and towing they barely could move itself so not going to tow much with that. Towing in this era was the job of the suburban with my mom and dad had to tow our trailer
My folks went through three Chevy wagons from this generation: first was a brand new 1977 Impala with police-spec 9C1 drivetrain and suspension,which got totalled when a drunk in a '78 Caprice rear-ended it doing nearly 40 mph, which was followed by a used '84 Caprice, then a used '88 Caprice Estate. My dad loved those cars, which is why he stuck with them. The Estate was replaced several years later by a used 1994 Olds Custom Cruiser, which, as was pointed out in the video, was the same car beneath its newly curvaceous skin.
On a side note: the Grundy's car from "Vacation" was called the "Wagon Queen Family Truckster".
1992 was the last year for the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
Remember my dad’s country squire 390 4V extra cooling, two batteries, frame leveling hitch, with electric trailer brake lever mounted to the steering column. Towing the trailer outta Detroit headed North👍
Love the wagons!!!! Thanks.
Wagons are SUV's for people capable of thinking and breathing at the same time.
Would love to have one of these in the UK.
I saw your live video yesterday. I’m so glad you’re doing well. Bye the way, I’m a huge fan of station wagons.
Cool stuff Steve!!
Love the long roofs!
Still working the algorithm Steve 👍
Wagons Ho!🤠
This generation of GM wagons were very nice looking and sized right. The generation immediately before and after were, IMO, ugly bloated looking monstrosities. Really glad to see your prior video of your fantastic recovery!!!
There's pros and cons to those glass headlight modules. I had some on my '88 Riv. They are nice for the reasons you stated, but they're expensive to replace and worse they get pitted and 'sandblasted' by debris just like a windshield, so as they age they still diffuse the light, maybe not as bad.
Very good those are good old cars I remember those days but that was a very informational talk scene
Back in the mid eighties the station wagon was competing with the then new mini vans. Mini vans took over but may people didn't like the Chevy Astro or the Ford Aerostar because they didn't have the best traction in the winter because they were rear wheel drive. Station wagons actually had a better weight distribution and handled better in the snow.