Posted on 07/02/2025 10:57:11 AM PDT by Fai Mao
Ian takes a 1970 Chevrolet Caprice for a test drive on narrow UK roads.
Damn… That must’ve been hard. That’s a sweet car…
I completely enjoyed that… At the opening of the video, that engine looked rock solid. There did not appear to be even the slightest vibration!
I have always felt that 1973-1974 cars were the beginning of the end of good American cars for many decades. There were still some good cars being produced, as that Bonneville shows, but egad, they went downhill fast after that.
You know its a big car when the dome light is a chandelier.
“The owner of the Caprice in this video says he gets 15mpg or so when he tours around Europe in it. That’s really not too terribly bad.”
The car has been equipped with an aftermarket fuel injection system (Holley Sniper) and a dual exhaust system. I imagine that is why the fuel efficiency is so good. It also probably has closer to 300 HP than the listed 225HP. I’m not sure that Ian Seabrook knows what a Holley Sniper is.
“....They were easy to work on in the driveway...”
Today:
Step 1 remove all computer components
Step 2 remove all but basic electronics
Glad you liked the show. It wound up being a sort of father’s day present since I don’t know what to get for someone who has plenty and has said don’t get anything.
In the paperwork that came with the car, there was a document made from a home printer that the engine was rebuilt at some point along with some other major work. Whoever did the labor, did a very good job. I was hard pressed to find anything really wrong mechanically being an objective observer.
The original invoice from Griffin Motor Company was in the paperwork. Price tag was a little over $6500 in 1974 dollars.
That 455 was tight and clean.
Some audio was totally unusable due to wind noise, people talking, and in one case a bad mic that I had to toss. From an aesthetic standpoint, reusing didn’t quite seem to fit and I hate dead air. I am not any kind of announcer or VO talent. I can’t stand my own voice or to really look at myself on screen. Never could.
I hadn’t done any video production or actual editing in a few years, mostly due to lack of interest and even sold off equipment for lack of use.
My dad wanted to sell the car as he had lost interest in it. Since BringATrailer.com allowed video, I had a reason to do something again. I had to relearn a lot of lessons.
From the experience as a seller (or helper), BAT was a straightforward experience with a flat fee. I would never use Ebay. I can guess how much Ebay would have eaten up in terms of fees.
BAT has a lengthy checklist and after finally compiling everything the way they wanted, the car sold 7 days later without a hitch.
Soon I hope to do something with a yellow Pinto my dad has fixed up for my mom who had to have it for some reason.
I’ve got the OK and its tagged and street legal. Maybe next week I can get up there finally. I wished I had a driver or a grip that could at least halfway handle a drone to do some things I would like. One-man band production is something I am used to doing.
I had a 67 Buick LeSabre. The original owner bought it when he retired. I bought it off his widow in the late 90’s for $550. Drove it for 7 years till it died.
I had a ‘72 Caprice Classic 2-door. Spent a lot of time at the drive-in with that one. Actually proposed to my wife in the backseat during North Dallas Forty. 1979. We’re still married!
I had my grandpa’s 1983 Delta 88 in college. Four doors, 400 cubic inches, and a ride like you are in a cloud.
Remember going 100 down I80, and only figuring it out because I hit Des Moines way to early.
My Dad drove a 1979 Buick Electra for many years. My sister and I referred to it as “The aircraft carrier.”
“Pontiac Behemoth… “
Lol! Love it… that would have been a great name fir a pickup truck.
Smoked the tires from a dead stop.
She just needed way too much work. I bought it used in 1994, second owner. Daily driver fir many years.
Time just caught up to her…. Caught to up both her AND me, actually
Great body style. Bet its got a 390 in it…?
Memories of younger days…. Love it!
Yeah… she was my girl.
Loved it
I had a 69 drop top Chevelle SS, 396, 4 speed.
Everything was accessible in the engine compartment. Even with “The Beast” under the hood.
I completely agree with your Step 1 and Step 2…
Beautiful car. Comfortable and powerful.
The Buick Wildcat was sweet too.
The absolute WORST car I’ve had was a 1973 Vega… ugh.
Got it for 100 bucks. Burned oil so much i got pulled over once a week fir mosquito fogging.
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