In 1984, the Chevrolet Caprice Basic was one thing of an oddity. An old-school sedan, it was geared in the direction of large households who wanted an enormous automobile. First launched in 1977, by 1984 the third-generation sedan already appeared out of step with the instances, based on Motorweek’s John Davis.

On this retro evaluate, although, Davis laments the disappearance of huge sedans, saying this one got here at a time when most vehicles had been shrinking. “It appears that evidently downsizing has grow to be a nationwide epidemic,” mentioned Davis. “And this poses an issue for the massive household. They only can’t match into the unbelievable shrinking automobile.”

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The Caprice Basic, although was a member of the third-best-selling lineup within the U.S. in 1983, proving that American households have all the time needed large autos, be they sedans, minivans, or, extra not too long ago, SUVs and crossovers.

At 17.5-feet (5.3 meters) lengthy, the Caprice Basic was sufficiently big to hold six passengers. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that despatched its energy to the rear wheels, although, it was definitely a throwback when thought-about subsequent to the more and more FWD market. And but, Chevrolet was capable of do sufficient to permit the Caprice to only cling on.

Regardless of its thirsty V8, the EPA rated the Caprice Basic at 17 mpg within the metropolis and 28 on the freeway. Though that’s not likely spectacular at this time, Motorweek says that the 1984 automobile acquired twice as many miles per gallon (21) on its take a look at loop because the equal mannequin did in 1974, so it was definitely an enchancment.

Even in driving dynamics, the massive sedan manages to drive acceptably for the instances. “The Caprice feels extra agile than it ought to for its measurement,” mentioned Davis. “Whereas nonetheless delicate, it shows an honest quantity of chassis competence.”

What’s maybe most shocking, although, is that regardless of Davis scripting this evaluate virtually like an obituary, the third-gen Caprice would stick round for one more six years, till it was changed by one other Caprice whose primary recipe didn’t change all that a lot.