Guest 63Stude Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Wow, although I no longer have them, I pretty distinctly remember that starting in '70, BelAirs were the lowest models mentioned in the full-size catalogs. In the thick, big showroom ordering binders, the Biscayne was included. I thought Biscaynes must have only been mentioned in the fleet literature. Can you post one, or email me offline?Thanks,Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Certainly Bill. I will take photos of the cars in the brochures. I currently have all of my old cars sales brochures packed away in our guest bedroom, but we are about to build shelves in here and I am going to sort out all of my brochures.... as many are still in the mailing packages that they came in, as I have ordered them off of e-bay over the years, with that said, it may take me a week or two. Maybe less if I can make myself dig in there and get at em'. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />It have not been listed in your book because the Biscayne was probably more ordered for fleet use, rather than being bought by the public by those later years of its run. There is a old lady that comes into the business I work in that I used to always see drive a 1968 Biscayne 4dr sedan. It was light blue, with the "327" engine and a 2-speed powerglide. I still see her in the store, but I do not think she no longer drives. I think she takes the city bus now. The Biscaynes seemed to be much more popular in the mid to late 60s, as they were starting, say, 1969-72. I have seen a 69' Biscayne 2dr sedan at one of our local cruise-ins. One time I saw a very interesting 68' Biscayne wagon for sale on the internet. It had A/C, tilt wheel, power steering, power brakes and AM-FM radio, all factory, strange looking on a "plain-jane" base model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Ya know... another thing I thought of on the Pontiac wagons when we were discussing Grand Safari vs. Safari. I have also realized that I forgot to mention is that the "Grand" model had the Bonneville/Grand Ville grille and the base Safari had the Catalina grille. Now here is something interesting I noticed when viewing the 73' Buick Estate Wagon and the 72' Pontiac Grand Safari wagon.... with all of that talk about the center arm rests. I noticed that the 72' Grand Safari has a center armrest, but it appears that the 73' Estate Wagon does not, or am I wrong? If it not present there, was it at least an option on the 71-73 Buick Estate wagon? Recapping... 72' Grand Safari:73' Estate Wagon:Now I am wondering if the 71-73 Caprice wagons had them. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Shaffer, I believe that most of the Estate Wagons had the center armrest. And I believe that the photo you've shown here was taken with the armrest folded up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thanks. That is what I was thinking, but I did not see where it "ended" up at the top of the seat... perhaps they had longer armrests? <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shaffer, I believe that most of the Estate Wagons had the center armrest. And I believe that the photo you've shown here was taken with the armrest folded up. </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Racicot Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 The armrest was an option on the 1973 Estate Wagon.The one you showed in your post (above) must have it as it has the upgrade interior which includes a notchback front seat. The upgreda Estate Wagon's interior is similar to the Centurion's interior and the extra cost interior of the LeSabre Custom (the standard LeSabre Custom interior in 1973 had different door panels, a bench seat with no armrest and it was not available in the Estate Wagon). Available as an extra cost option on the upgrade trimmed 1973 Estate Wagon was the 60/40 divided notchback front seat (which this car lacks).The standard 1973 Estate Wagon's interior was shared with the base LeSabre model and no center armrest was available with the base trim. Here's a picture of a 1973 Estate wagon with the base interior trim (and no center armrest) this car (below) is otherwise very well equipped and has 3 seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I sure like the tone of those blue interiors on both the Grand Safari and the Estate Wagon! For some reason all I seem to remember is pale blue interiors in cars of the late '70's and early '80's. The blues used above are certainly more rich-looking.Shaffer, you have sure seen some unusually-equipped Bel Airs and Biscaynes!! You mentioned a '69 Biscayne two-door sedan...last year you could get a two-door sedan in a full-size Chevy. You know, really, in most every year of the '60's, I actually prefer the Biscayne to the Bel Air because the differences in interior luxury weren't all that great, but the Biscayne had the cleaner exterior styling due to lack of a bodyside molding which the BelAirs always had...just right down the damn middle of the side of the car, with no attention to wherever there might have been contour lines, etc.!Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Thanks Phil for those very interesting details. So, I am assuming that the green Estate Wagon has the longer/wider armrest since it has the "notchback" seat.... at least that is how I am picturing it looks. Also thanks for posting the base Estate Wagon interior. Interesting that it has more "woodgrain" type trim on the doors than the upgraded interior models, but I notice that the base model lacks the carpeting on the lower panels. Also- the seating material looks very similar to that on the 72' Grand Safari. However, I am assuming that this blue Estate Wagon interior is a 73' model? The Grand Safari's interior changed for 73'. James (someone on the wagon boards) that owns a 73' Grand Safari (the one pictured here) is going to take interior photos and e-mail them to me and I will post here. The armrest was an option on the 1973 Estate Wagon.The one you showed in your post (above) must have it as it has the upgrade interior which includes a notchback front seat. The upgreda Estate Wagon's interior is similar to the Centurion's interior and the extra cost interior of the LeSabre Custom (the standard LeSabre Custom interior in 1973 had different door panels, a bench seat with no armrest and it was not available in the Estate Wagon). Available as an extra cost option on the upgrade trimmed 1973 Estate Wagon was the 60/40 divided notchback front seat (which this car lacks).The standard 1973 Estate Wagon's interior was shared with the base LeSabre model and no center armrest was available with the base trim. Here's a picture of a 1973 Estate wagon with the base interior trim (and no center armrest) this car (below) is otherwise very well equipped and has 3 seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I know it! I do too.... it is a very nice color. I also like the green on the Estate Wagon as well. I agree with you.... that trim on the Bel-Air during those years did look awkward. In ways, the exterior on the Biscayne looked more upscale than the Bel-Air I think (in the late 60s). Now, with all of this talk about the wagons interior, I am now trying to think of the Chevrolet wagons interior of this same era. I am thinking that the Impala and Caprice wagon had very much alike interiors, as far as the door paneling goes. I am going to try to locate some photos for comparison. The Caprice had more "woodgrain" applications of course, but I do not think that even the Caprice wagon had lower door carpeting, which was strange, considering that the Caprice 2dr and 4dr did so. Setting the exterior apart however was the woodgrain, which was standard on the Caprice wagon. Isn't it strange that woodgrain was standard on the Caprice wagons, but optional, even on the Estate Wagon, Grand Safari and Custom Cruiser. I guess it was where woodgrain was not really offered as a "common" option for the Impala wagons. In order to get woodgrain, they wanted you to upgrade to a Caprice. I think the Caprice had woodgrain delete if the customer desired however. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I sure like the tone of those blue interiors on both the Grand Safari and the Estate Wagon! For some reason all I seem to remember is pale blue interiors in cars of the late '70's and early '80's. The blues used above are certainly more rich-looking.Shaffer, you have sure seen some unusually-equipped Bel Airs and Biscaynes!! You mentioned a '69 Biscayne two-door sedan...last year you could get a two-door sedan in a full-size Chevy. You know, really, in most every year of the '60's, I actually prefer the Biscayne to the Bel Air because the differences in interior luxury weren't all that great, but the Biscayne had the cleaner exterior styling due to lack of a bodyside molding which the BelAirs always had...just right down the damn middle of the side of the car, with no attention to wherever there might have been contour lines, etc.!Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 That '73 green interior is nice...much nicer IMHO, especially, than the "pea green" used in '71 and '72 and also the light green used in '74 and '75 (not sure about '76).Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Please be patient... alot of photos on this post..... Sorry of the low quality... I had to take them of my TV screen. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> (These photos do not overload the site do they? If so, I can just change them to links.... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />OK..... here is something a bit different that has NOTHING to do with options (well, kinda), but since we are talking about early 70s GM cars here, I thought I would post these. The first few photos are of that 73' Catalina I mentioned in that movie I was talking about. (I am not even sure, it is even legal to post photos of scenes of movies on the internet? Should be, I bought the movie... lol). Some of you may know this movie well... If so... sorry for all of the photos... to those of you that have not- go to Wal-mart and purchase it for only $4.95. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />I love it, because it has alot of old cars in it. Its obvious that Pontiac supplied the new cars in this 1973 film. Anyway, here is that 73' Catalina 4dr hdtp I was talking about. It has the "upgraded" interior, as well as auto-climate control A/C. Unusual for the Catalina..... Also, notice that the Catalina has wider whitewalls on the tires, than the Grand Ville does.... also the Grand Ville has 4-season A/C, as opposed to the auto-climate control.(this was when the car was going through the automatic carwash)This interior looks very much like the base Bonneville interior. For all I know, they may have used a Bonneville for the interior shots, but I doubt it. Now, here is the following scene that hurts me.... they demolish a then "BRAND NEW" 73' Grand Ville.... in my most favorite color on these cars. I will post in order that the car sees its fate.... note it is highly optioned and also has the cornering lights:Here it is coming out of the garage at a high rate of speed.... OUCH!Its already lost one fenderskirt..... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Also, notice it has the rear swaybar.... obviously has the "handling" option as well, but still looks like its leaning quite a bit. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />This is the last frame that the Grand Ville is seen:As you can see, she took a beating.... I cringe everytime I watch this scene. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />And the fate of the "new" Ventura: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gecco Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 It was really interesting to see the interior shots of the Estate Wagon. My mom had a 73 Estate Wagon, light blue exterior, dark blue interior and three seats. For some reason, I don't remember the door panels having that heavy wood grain. It was probably my mom's favorite car, and I remember summer vacations and drive-ins with that car (I was 9 - 13 years old when she had that one). I remember exactly why we got rid of it, too. The power window that scrolled into the roof kept breaking and the dealer couldn't seem to get the bug out. My dad got ticked off one day when the window stuck open and that was it.Ironic someone mentioned the light blue interiors so common during that perid. We traded in the wagon for a 1978 Electra Limited, light blue with the light blue interior and light blue padded top. Nice car, but my mom sure missed that Estate Wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hello. Your moms car may have had the "upgraded" interior then. If you notice, I mentioned that it was odd that the base Estate Wagon had wider woodgrain trim on the doors than the "upgraded" model had, but it did have lower door carpeting. Sounds like your moms may have been the other model.... see the interior of the green wagon... see, it has less woodgrain on the doors, but has more "contrast". I know what you mean about that window. My dad knows I am a fan of these cars. He said that back in late 1970 (when they were introduced), his uncle in Florida bought a brand new 1971 Impala wagon. He said he remembers clearly that the car was loaded to the max, such as power windows, power locks, power seat, power tailgate/window, etc, because he used to get it in and play with the buttons... this was just a couple of years before he got his license. He said he also remembered that it had the 3rd seat. Anyway, he said Uncle Glen traded the wagon in on a 71' Chevrolet Malibu Concours Estate 3-seat wagon (again, loaded to the max), because he kept getting tired of the trips to the dealer to repair the tailgate. In his case, it was the gate that kept getting stuck, as opposed to the window.... go figure. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> I think that the Impala was still a bit higher, despite the Malibu also being the top of the line mid-size wagon, loaded, because the Impala was loaded as well. He said grandpa (his father) kept ratting my uncle about it, because grandpa was a Mopar man and had just bought a new 71' Fury III 4dr sedan at the time (for about $800 less) and was raving about it and told him to buy a new Plymouth Fury wagon.... LOL. I think a couple of years later, he bought a Country Squire wagon, around 1973-74. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It was really interesting to see the interior shots of the Estate Wagon. My mom had a 73 Estate Wagon, light blue exterior, dark blue interior and three seats. For some reason, I don't remember the door panels having that heavy wood grain. It was probably my mom's favorite car, and I remember summer vacations and drive-ins with that car (I was 9 - 13 years old when she had that one). I remember exactly why we got rid of it, too. The power window that scrolled into the roof kept breaking and the dealer couldn't seem to get the bug out. My dad got ticked off one day when the window stuck open and that was it.Ironic someone mentioned the light blue interiors so common during that perid. We traded in the wagon for a 1978 Electra Limited, light blue with the light blue interior and light blue padded top. Nice car, but my mom sure missed that Estate Wagon. </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Shaffer, was the movie called "The Seven Ups"? I couldn't find the title mentioned earlier. If that's the one, I can't remember specifically the Pontiacs in it (been 30+ years since I've seen it, I think!), but I do remember the car driving under the rear of the semi truck trailer!Also, concerning Impala/Kingswood and Caprice/Kingswood Estate wagon interiors, growing up in a Chevy family and constantly hanging around a Chevy/Cadillac dealer as a teen, this always drove me crazy: From the first time they started making Caprice wagons ('66), the seat and door trim was straight Impala. The dash usually used Caprice's additional woodgraining, emblems, etc. The exterior woodgraining was always standard on the Caprice/Kingswood Estate from the start, right through to '76...no delete option available. Beginning with the downsized '77 models (also attractive, in some ways more, to my eyes), the Caprice wagon came with no woodgrain standard and had the same interior in every regard, as the Caprice sedan--finally! The woodgrain "Estate" package became an option.This also bugged me about Caprice convertibles. Always had Impala seat trim...no upgrade optional even. In '73 for the first time in my memory, you could get the Caprice coupe and sedan in soft, leather-like vinyl trim (I have seen '71 and '72's in vinyl, but it's aftermarket). Why they didn't offer this trim in the convertible is a complete mystery.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Yeah, it was the "Seven Ups". Sorry, I forgot to mention it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Gotta run to work for awhile now, so I will post more later... thanks for the additional info on the Caprice wagons. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shaffer, was the movie called "The Seven Ups"? </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 OK. I am back. Yeah, I have not seen inside of a Caprice wagon (of the 71-76 vintage) in awhile, but I think I remember what you are talking about. I think the door panels had the "Caprice" emblem in the middle of the door panel, as opposed to the "Impala" panel. Ya know how we was talking earlier about the 75-76 Caprice having a much more upscale interior.... well I finally found a photo of a nicely and nicely optioned 76' Caprice 4dr sedan: Its a real shame that this interior (with the plusher seats/door panels were not inside the wagon... at least I do not think it was even in 76'. Note the additional woodgrain inside the actual cluster area, as it was on the 72' Electras. Here is the link to more photos of the entire car: http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976_700milecaprice.htmlHere is an ad I have for a 73' Caprice Estate wagon. It has a small photo of the front seat and I think it may be a bit more upscale than the Impala seat. And here is a "neato" 72' Chevy wagon ad:When I dig out my old Chevrolet brochures and post photos of the Biscayne/Bel-Air, I will also post the Caprice wagons. Oh, BTW- you mentioned the 66' Caprice wagon. There is also one down here that frequents one of the local cruise-ins. It has an option that you do not see often... it has the "telescopic" steering wheel, as well as auto-climate control A/C. I have a photo of it somewhere. Again, too bad that they do not have the Caprice sedan interior, because even when the Caprice was first introduced in 1965, as an option on the Impala 4dr hardtop, their interiors were very plush, right down to the seats/carpeting. As you can even see in this photo, the seats are really plush and was something very new for the mid 60s Chevrolet. The Impala had a nice interior from 65'-back, being the top of the line model from 58-64, but the Caprice made it even more upscale to be more like the other upscale GM cars, like the Bonneville, Ninety-Eight and Electra. In fact, I remember seeing Chevrolet ads (and I have some) from the late 60s that actually mention something to the effect to compare to more upscale cars. I think that I have a 67' Caprice 4dr ad that says something like, "at a first glace, you would think you are in a more expensive car", or something like that. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />Here is a photo I have of a 65' Caprice 4dr hdtp:Oh, is that 73' Caprice coupe interior you were referring to look like this?Note that this car has bumper gaurds and bumper strips... an option that you really did not see that often on the Chevrolets. http://www.fullsizegm.com/ads/1973_caprice_beach.jpgI had a 85' Caprice Estate wagon and I agree with you, it was very much like the Caprice sedan, but I *think* (at that time (in around 84'-85'), there was an upscale Caprice 4dr, with very plush interior that I have not seen until the later Caprice wagons, like the 88-90 models. I am thinking it was called the Caprice Classic Brougham, but that name may not have came around until the late 80s? I know it was at least by 1988-89. BTW - while I am on a photo posting spree <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, here is a photo of my old 85' Caprice Estate wagon that I had a couple of years ago.... 2004 I think. It was a very high optioned car. I sold it because the engine was going bad in it and I was out of room. Here are a couple of photos of my 89' Safari along side of the 85' Caprice Estate. UPDATE - I found some photos (of this wagon I found on E-Bay) to post of a 72' Kingswood Estate (Caprice) wagon. You are right- seems like the door panels are identical to the Impala, save for the "Caprice" emblem. Strange that they did not add the lower door carpeting like they did on the Caprice sedan. If I were to get that local 72' Caprice wagon ( I mentioned before ), I think I would have to add the lower door carpeting myself.... This is a nicely optioned Caprice wagon. Cruise seems to be aftermarket, it does have tilt, but other than that and A/C and AM radio, the interior is fairly low optioned. No 3rd seat either. I really prefer the 73' Caprice Estate interior.... much more upscale than the 72's in my opinion. That black steering wheel/column really looks out of place. As mentioned, this car is currently on E-Bay, but I do not recall its location. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also, concerning Impala/Kingswood and Caprice/Kingswood Estate wagon interiors, growing up in a Chevy family and constantly hanging around a Chevy/Cadillac dealer as a teen, this always drove me crazy: From the first time they started making Caprice wagons ('66), the seat and door trim was straight Impala. The dash usually used Caprice's additional woodgraining, emblems, etc. The exterior woodgraining was always standard on the Caprice/Kingswood Estate from the start, right through to '76...no delete option available. Beginning with the downsized '77 models (also attractive, in some ways more, to my eyes), the Caprice wagon came with no woodgrain standard and had the same interior in every regard, as the Caprice sedan--finally! The woodgrain "Estate" package became an option.This also bugged me about Caprice convertibles. Always had Impala seat trim...no upgrade optional even. In '73 for the first time in my memory, you could get the Caprice coupe and sedan in soft, leather-like vinyl trim (I have seen '71 and '72's in vinyl, but it's aftermarket). Why they didn't offer this trim in the convertible is a complete mystery.Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 In addition to my previous post, I finally found those photos (as promised) of the interior of a white 73' Caprice Estate wagon. Sorry, I seem to have deleted the exterior photos of this car, but I clearly remember it had the 454 engine option. As you can see in the photos, it also had auto-climate control A/C, tilt and I think it had cruise. As you can see, the color-keyed wheel/column was a much needed improvement:For comparison, here is the 72' Caprice Estate wagon again.Strange, but I was looking at the interior of another 73' Caprice Estate I had and the lower part of the driver dash was also color-keyed, as opposed to the black lower driver dash on the 73' pictured above. Maybe it was some sort of an upgrade package. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />I will shut up now... I think everyone is tired of this thread. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Phil. I finally found the photos of the 73' Grand Ville 4dr, with the "Custom" interior option. This car also has "notchback" seat option. It looks like it is a 60/40 seat. Was this type seat the one you was referring to on the Buick Estate Wagons? BTW- this is what my seats originally were like (except they were beige). Now they are a "plain" cloth material. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> However, the original material appears to still be under there. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />This is a nicely optioned car... in addition to all power options, it also has cruise, tilt and auto-climate control A/C. One thing that he asked me about is my instrument panel. Around my "high beam" indicator, my car has the chrome type paint around it, which is the exact same thing that surrounds the gear shift indicator, as you can see, his does not have that around the high beam indicator light, but mine does. I have yet to see another 73' Grand Ville with that area painted with the chrome paint. I am 99.9% that mine is factory, because it matches the other perfectly and shows no signs of being done later. That remains a mystery. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />If you look closely, you can see it on my instrument panel in this photo.... its right above the gear shift indicator in the middle of the instrument clusters. Sorry, this photo was taken 2 years ago, with my old camera and it was gloomy, in the wintertime and the photos is not a good one. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The one you showed in your post (above) must have it as it has the upgrade interior which includes a notchback front seat. </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hi Shaffer,A couple things...I about lived at my local Chevy dealer's in the '70's and I don't remember any interior upgrades available on the Caprice wagon, at all, until '75, when the 50/50 seat became available on all Impalas and since the Caprice wagon and convert had Impala interiors, that option became available on them as well. If the lower instrument cluster of that Caprice wagon was color-keyed when most were black, I think most likely it was a goof (made late in the model run when they started using the next year's parts?) or was changed at some point. That saddle-color '73 Caprice Estate seat and door trim is straight Impala vinyl and seat pattern.Nice-looking '72 Kingswood Estate...I can't recall when I saw one so clean, probably twenty years ago or more! Notice on a Kingswood Estate, the woodgraining outside is the only lower-body trim. Not even a slender rocker molding of any kind.While I know somewhat less about Pontiacs, I actually believe that Grand Ville interior in black shown above, was the standard Grand Ville interior starting in '73. If that's the Custom interior, then every Grand Ville I ever saw had that seat design and trim (some just in vinyl though!) Even the notchback feature, I used to see on every car. I don't know if there was a Custom seat trim feature in '73 or later, but if there was it probably included a rear-seat center armrest, as prior "Custom" trims did (I think) and prior Bonnevilles with the "Brougham" trim did (that I know!).Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Hello and thanks for that information! I went back and looked at the photos of that 73' Caprice Estate that I thought had the lower color-keyed dash panel and it was not color-keyed. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> My bad. Its a shame that the Caprice wagon used the exact same interior as the Impala wagon.... not much the tell the inside apart, save for the "Caprice" badges inside. I did notice that on one Caprice wagon that it had little chrome inserts on the front of the seatbacks. I have not noticed.... did the Impala have these as well? I do not remember these details. Despite the lack of the "upgraded" interior of the Caprice vs. the Impala.. I was reviewing a photo of a base 71' Buick Estate Wagon and in my opinion, the door panels look "lower class" than they did in a 71' Impala wagon. There is no woodgrain trim on the base 71' Buick Estate wagon... at least on the one I have saved on my computer. Here is an exterior photo of that car...Yeah, that is a very nice Kingswood Estate wagon. Its already up to about $5000 and there is still 3 days left. As mentioned before, the 71-76 Chevrolet wagons tend to command higher prices than their other GM wagon cousins. The one local 72' Kingswood Estate that I am trying to get is in even better shape than the one on this auction. However, it has been setting in a garage for many years and will likely need work to get it back in working order. It has ZERO rust, original paint still gleams and the interior is like new. I would LOVE to have it..... its just convincing the old woman that has it to sell it to me. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> She also has a 75' Sedan DeVille in the same condition. Covered with dust, but like new. I have never paid any attention to the lack of the additional side moldings on this 72' Kingswood Estate wagon. It got me wondering and it seems like this is the exact same way that the 72' Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is as well. Also, the same way with the Ford Country Squire, but the Pontiac Grand Safari and Buick Estate Wagon had lower side chrome moldings. The Mercury Colony Park did as well.... (at least the 73' models). Also, the woodgrain expanse is much more massive. Here is a 72' Custom Cruiser and a 71' Country Squire.... note- very much the same "trim setup" as the Caprice wagon..... <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Shaffer,A couple things...I about lived at my local Chevy dealer's in the '70's and I don't remember any interior upgrades available on the Caprice wagon, at all, until '75, when the 50/50 seat became available on all Impalas and since the Caprice wagon and convert had Impala interiors, that option became available on them as well. If the lower instrument cluster of that Caprice wagon was color-keyed when most were black, I think most likely it was a goof (made late in the model run when they started using the next year's parts?) or was changed at some point. That saddle-color '73 Caprice Estate seat and door trim is straight Impala vinyl and seat pattern.Nice-looking '72 Kingswood Estate...I can't recall when I saw one so clean, probably twenty years ago or more! Notice on a Kingswood Estate, the woodgraining outside is the only lower-body trim. Not even a slender rocker molding of any kind.While I know somewhat less about Pontiacs, I actually believe that Grand Ville interior in black shown above, was the standard Grand Ville interior starting in '73. If that's the Custom interior, then every Grand Ville I ever saw had that seat design and trim (some just in vinyl though!) Even the notchback feature, I used to see on every car. I don't know if there was a Custom seat trim feature in '73 or later, but if there was it probably included a rear-seat center armrest, as prior "Custom" trims did (I think) and prior Bonnevilles with the "Brougham" trim did (that I know!).Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well Tom, it looks like it was relisted again and only went to $3339. this time. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...em=260076865615I do not know... it looks like a very nice car. His BIN of $5995 seems reasonable, especially considering it is a nicely optioned car. As I mentioned before, I think the color was the main thing hurting it. Also, I may seem like a fool, but I am not really a fan of the road wheels on the wagon.... I prefer the standard hubcaps myself. Well, the statement I made before about the Chevrolet wagons of this same body style commanding/bringing higher prices continues. This 72' Caprice Estate wagon that I was referring to on a couple of posts finally closed on its auction. It sold for $7600., and it seemed to be in no better condition than the 73' Buick Estate that we are referring to here. Here is that car and its auction results:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...719728&rd=1,1<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK,Tony,Brian,Philippe,and anyone else who wants to chime in here.This 73 Estate Wagon has been on Ebay for months and the guy can't sell it.Item #260076865615 i don't know how to link it but i'am sure you guys know which one i'am talking about.It's the one with the ASC sunroof in it down in Fla.What's wrong with this car that nobody wants it?Seems like a nice car to me so what am i missing here? Thanks Tom </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_65gs76limited Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Shaffer,you are correct. First time around it was bid to 3,850.I emailed the owner and he is a BCA member and seems like a nice guy. Says he has 8,000 in reciepts for the car and just can't let it go for much less than his BIN price.I'am surprised he hasn't jumped in on this thread.I have no idea why the pre 73 cars bring so much more in the way of price but i would even take a 72 or older over a 73 and newer.Maybe it's the front bumper i don't know.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hi Shaffer,I agree, tht '73 Estate Wagon ought to sell for his reasonable BIN price.Also, my innate GM bias is showing, but I think if you compare styling elegance of the Ford wagon you included a photo of, with the same model year's Chevy or other GM wagons, the GM wagons seem more luxuriously-styled and I'll even go so far as to say, seem more timeless...even with the headache-inducing clamshell tailgate!Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Shaffer, forgot to mention in last post...did you see there's a '72 Biscayne on eBay right now? Only one I've ever seen. Looks nice, but aftermarket seat trim. I remember the big showroom album showing them in a choice of only black or beige woven vinyl with a horizontal bolster on the seat back and two buttons on each seat back.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest edalfa Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Dad traded a 69 electra conv., yellow with a black top and a tan interior on a 1972 Estate Wagon, light blue with a white painted top and wood graining and a nice blue 3 seat interior. This was the car that I learned to drive on. I don't have a recollection of which door panels were there but the front seat was a staight bench. Dad traded it on a 76 Electra 4 dr ht. which was a bit more agile than the wagon but it didn't drive as nice. For years the wagon was owned locally. I used to see it near where I went fishing. It was definitely one that got away. No pictures unfortunately. I don't ever recall seeing another with a painted two tone (three tone?)Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Thanks Bill for that tip! No, I did not know it was on there. I do not visit e-bay as often as I used to. I used to browse the 71-76 GM cars on there every couple of days... now its like every two weeks, if that. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />It is definitely a rare one... too bad it has been modified. The seat covering like you mentioned is definitely not original. I really did not pay that much attention to that fairly local 71' Biscayne sedan out the road from here when I was looking for parts a few years ago, so a nice photo of the dash of this green 72' is nice to see. I notice the lack of ANY woodgrain trim on the instrument panel. I wish there were some photos of the door panels. Also, interesting to note that it was originally equipped with A/C (which does not seem that odd, since it was a California car and may have been in a "hot" part of the state), but the hardware under the hood seems to have been removed. Still, its interesting to see the LOWEST PRICED full-size GM car for sale in 1972. Personally, this is the first 72' Biscayne sedan I have ever seen.... as mentioned, the other 72' I saw was a 72' Biscayne wagon. Thanks again! <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shaffer, forgot to mention in last post...did you see there's a '72 Biscayne on eBay right now? Only one I've ever seen. Looks nice, but aftermarket seat trim. I remember the big showroom album showing them in a choice of only black or beige woven vinyl with a horizontal bolster on the seat back and two buttons on each seat back.Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Sounds like it was a nice one. Too bad its still not around. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dad traded a 69 electra conv., yellow with a black top and a tan interior on a 1972 Estate Wagon, light blue with a white painted top and wood graining and a nice blue 3 seat interior. Ed </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Bill. I thought you might like to see this. Last week we were discussing the Catalina Brougham. I do not think I posted this, but I was browsing through old photos on my computer and found this one that I had saved. Its right out of a 1972 Pontiac sales brochure. Strangely, this is the page for the Catalina, but it shows the Catalina Brougham interior....Also, I have posted these before, but not sure if you got a chance to view them... you may already know, but here they are just incase... these are the production #'s for the 1971-76 GM full-size wagons. Only the Oldsmobile was broke down by woodgrain vs. non-woodgrain models....I will list by year,make, model, 2/3 seat and on the Custom Cruiser by non woodgrain and woodgrain. I will start with Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick. As you can see, the Biscayne wagon was very rare. I would bet that most were bought by airports? OH, remember the movie "DUEL"? It shows a "pest control" car that is a 71' Bel-Air sedan. Interesting to note that under the "Bel-Air" emblem on the lower front fender behind the front tire (which is in a nice font) has a "400" emblem below it. Seems odd for the plainer Bel-Air to have that larger engine. It also had the bumper gaurds.... another rarity for a 71' Chevrolet, especially the Bel-Air. Anyway, here are the wagon #'sCHEVROLET-1971Brookwood- (Biscayne)- 2 seat - 5,314Townsman- (Bel-Air)- 2 seat - 12,951Townsman- (Bel-Air)- 3 seat - 6,870Kingswood- (Impala)- 2 seat - 26,638Kingswood- (Impala)- 3 seat - 32,311Kingswood Estate (Caprice)- 2 seat - 11,913Kingswood Estate (Caprice)- 3 seat - 19,010CHEVROLET-1972Brookwood- 2 seat - 8,150Townsman- 2 seat - 16,482Townsman- 3 seat - 8,667Kingswood- 2 seat - 43,152Kingswood- 3 seat - 40,248Kingswood Estate- 2 seat - 20,281Kingswood Estate- 3 seat - 34,723CHEVROLET-1973Bel-Air- 2 seat - 14,549Bel-Air- 3 seat - 6,321Impala- 2 seat - 46,940Impala- 3 seat - 43,664Caprice Estate- 2 seat - 22,969Caprice Estate- 3 seat - 39,535CHEVROLET-1974Bel-Air- 2 seat - 6,437Bel-Air- 3 seat - 2,913Impala- 2 seat - 23,455Impala- 3 seat - 23,259Caprice Estate- 2 seat - 12,280Caprice Estate- 3 seat - 23,063CHEVROLET-1975Bel-Air- 2 seat - 4,032Bel-Air- 3 seat - 2,386Impala- 2 seat - 17,998Impala- 3 seat - 19,445Caprice Estate- 2 seat - 9,047Caprice Estate- 3 seat - 18,858CHEVROLET1976Impala- 2 seat - 19,657Impala- 3 seat - 21,329Caprice Estate- 2 seat - 10,029Caprice Estate- 3 seat - 21,804--------------------------------PONTIAC1971Safari- 2 seat - 10,322Safari- 3 seat - 9,283Grand Safari- 2 seat - 3,613Grand Safari- 3 seat - 5,972PONTIAC1972Safari- 2 seat - 14,536Safari- 3 seat - 12,766Grand Safari- 2 seat - 5,675Grand Safari- 3 seat - 8,540PONTIAC1973Safari- 2 seat - 15,762Safari- 3 seat - 14,654Grand Safari- 2 seat - 6,894Grand safari- 3 seat - 10,776PONTIAC1974Safari- 2 seat - 5,662Safari- 3 seat - 6,486Grand Safari- 2 seat - 2,894Grand Safari- 3 seat - 5,255PONTIAC1975Safari- 2 seat - 3,964Safari- 3 seat - 4,992Grand Safari- 2 seat - 2,568Grand Safari- 3 seat - 4,752PONTIAC1976Safari- 2 seat - 4,735Safari- 3 seat - 5,513Grand Safari- 2 seat - 3,462Grand Safari- 3 seat - 6,176-----------------------------OLDSMOBILE1971Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 4,049Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 9,932OLDSMOBILE1972Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 6,907Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 18,087OLDSMOBILE1973WITH WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 7,142Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 19,163WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 5,275Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 7,341OLDSMOBILE1974WITH WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,960Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 8,947WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 1,481Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 2,528OLDSMOBILE1975WITH WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,837Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 9,458WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 1,458Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 2,315OLDSMOBILE1976WITH WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 3,849Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 12,269WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,572Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 3,626-------------------------------BUICK1971Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 8,699Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 15,335BUICK1972Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 10,175Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 18,793Buick1973Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 12,282Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 23,513Buick1974Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 4,581Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 9,831Buick1975Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 4,128Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 9,612Buick1976Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 5,990Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 14,384**Looks like the "rarest" (lowest production) one of all was the non-woodgrain 75' 2-seat Custom Cruiser. I wonder if despite that, is it still really the least # out there of these? The highest production model was the 73' 2-seat Impala wagon, with over 46,000 made. Where are they all now? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Shaffer, did you see this 6-cyl. 3-speed '71 Impala Sport Coupe on eBay?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-Orig...1QQcmdZViewItemSeems like you never saw that many Sport Coupes, but with this combination, it's ridiculous! Mid-year '71, the Turbo-Hydramatic and Power Steering became standard equipment--with base prices raised commensurately, of course!I like the '71 Impala side trim--plain wheel openings, wide rocker moldings, no side moldings. Too bad the driver's seat back is so gone, but the rest of the interior seems decent.Thanks for that Pontiac brochure page or two. I like the Catalina Brougham and Bonneville vinyl interiors (identical)--look nice and seem to wear like iron.That base Catalina sedan on the one page sure is "minimalist"! I always thought the base Catalinas were closer to a Chevy Bel Air than an Impala, even inside, although Catalina offered hardtop and convertible body styles. Most Catalinas you saw out on the street ended up having the optional moldings and such to make them look about equal in trim to an Impala, though.In regards to our earlier post about Biscaynes and Bel Air side trim moldings...ever notice the '71 and '72 Biscaynes and BelAirs are identical in exterior trim except for the front fender nameplates? '70 was the last year the Bel Air had that confounded side molding right down the middle that I complained about earlier!Thanks for all your interesting production information!Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 WOW... that is a rare beast... no, I had not seen it... thanks for posting! This is only the 2nd 71' Impala I think I have seen with the manual shift. The other was also a 2dr.... it may even be the same car. I think I once saw a 3-speed 71' convertible as well, but I am not definite. Definitely rare, as the seller mentioned that only 2300 were 6-cylinders and of those, only 600 were 3-speeds ( I think by late 71' that 6-cylinder vanished, as did the 3-speed even on the Biscayne). Funny, I have never seen a manual shift 71 Biscayne. I mentioned it before and you may remember, but there was once a 1971 CAPRICE 4dr on e-bay a couple of years ago that was 3-speed manual, which was extremely rare. What was even more strange is that it was highly optioned, with all power options. I remember once there was a 71' LeSabre convertible posted with a 3-speed manual... that looked very strange. Yeah, I agree- the exterior of that 71' Impala looks good. Wheelwell moldings were optional and most had those.... so another rarity on this car. Strange too, it has the optional "Custom cloth" seat material. You would think it would have the standard vinyl. That car is the exact same color as my grandmothers cousins 1972 Impala 4dr sedan that she had. It had a light green vinyl top however.... it also had the side moldings and wheelwell trim. Inside, it had cruise, A/C, tilt and factory AM-FM radio. All of which were not very often seen on the Impala, save for the A/C, which was very common on the southern cars. I always wanted that Impala and she knew it. About a month ago, she traded it for a 1985 Buick Century and never even told me. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />I wonder how many 71' Chevrolet wagons were equipped with the manual shift? I know that even on the early 71' Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac wagons, that manual was standard, but extremely rare. Well, gotta run... thanks again for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Believe it or not, that cloth on that '71 Impala was the standard interior! Only wagons had all-vinyl as standard equipment. All Chevrolets of that time period (except Caprice coupes and sedans which had no vinyl interior available until '73), had cloth and vinyl standard, and all-vinyl optional--at some crazy nominal cost like $19 retail. Many Impalas got the optional all-vinyl, as it cleaned up easier for family use (of course), and I do think some people just liked the way it looked...pseudo-leather, you know?!!Your grandmother's cousin's '72 Impala sounded like a nice car. While I like the wide rocker trim of the '71 Impala better, I don't like it when teamed with the optional bodyside moulding and the wheel opening moldings...too much. The '72 Impala has no rocker molding at all (but the Biscayne and BelAir did!!), and wheel opening moldings were optional. Most '72's you saw had the optional wheel opening moldings, which looked nice. The '72 Impala had a chrome bodyside molding standard and one with a black vinyl insert, optional. A couple areas where I plainly like the '72 better than the '71, is the front-end treatment (Cadillac-style grille) and the seat trim...I like that wide vinyl bolster holding the buttons on the seat backs of the '72 Impala (and Kingswood and Kingswood Estate wagons).Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Here is a car I find most interesting...73' Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight LS - note the clock on the back of the front seat for the rear seat passengers:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-Oldsmo...1QQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thanks for that info! I did not realize that the 71' Impala had standard cloth like that... it looks rather "upscale", but still the pattern looks a little different than that of the 71' Caprice. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Believe it or not, that cloth on that '71 Impala was the standard interior! Only wagons had all-vinyl as standard equipment. All Chevrolets of that time period (except Caprice coupes and sedans which had no vinyl interior available until '73), had cloth and vinyl standard, and all-vinyl optional--at some crazy nominal cost like $19 retail. Many Impalas got the optional all-vinyl, as it cleaned up easier for family use (of course), and I do think some people just liked the way it looked...pseudo-leather, you know?!!Your grandmother's cousin's '72 Impala sounded like a nice car. While I like the wide rocker trim of the '71 Impala better, I don't like it when teamed with the optional bodyside moulding and the wheel opening moldings...too much. The '72 Impala has no rocker molding at all (but the Biscayne and BelAir did!!), and wheel opening moldings were optional. Most '72's you saw had the optional wheel opening moldings, which looked nice. The '72 Impala had a chrome bodyside molding standard and one with a black vinyl insert, optional. A couple areas where I plainly like the '72 better than the '71, is the front-end treatment (Cadillac-style grille) and the seat trim...I like that wide vinyl bolster holding the buttons on the seat backs of the '72 Impala (and Kingswood and Kingswood Estate wagons).Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickBabeAndie Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Yeah, I agree, the 71 Electra does look nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I know it. That vinyl looks very durable. There is a 71' Electra Limited on e-bay, with an all-vinyl interior that looks extremely durable... looks like new. My daily driver is a 1985 Mercedes S-Class sedan with the standard "MB-Tex" vinyl seats. MB-Tex is very durable. Even after 22 years, they are still like new. No wear at all. I am glad it does not have the optional leather, which can wear much faster if not cared for. MB-Tex is carefree. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Yeah, I agree, that 72' Catalina 4dr sedan in that photo is definitely a "bare bones" model. No optional side trim and it does not even have the "full-wheel" covers. I do not think many were equipped with those wheelcovers. Still does not seem as "plain" as the 72' Bel-Air, as it (Catalina) does have more exterior trim and the inside still has the color-keyed wheel/column and some woodgrain accents, whereas the Biscayne does not. I am not sure if the 72' Bel-Air has woodgrain accents on the inside or not... that is something I will have to make a note of when I dig out those brochures. Soon I hope.... soon. Strange, but even up through 1974, the standard steering wheel in the Catalina is the hard plastic type, whereas Chevrolet switched over to the "custom cushion" wheel even on the entry-level Bel-Air in 1973. However, the custom cushion was optional on the 73' Catalina and was standard on the Bonneville and Grand Ville of course.... even since 1971. I do not recall about the 70' and older models. I THINK my old 69' Pontiac Executive Safari station wagon had a "cushion" type steering wheel rim. I used to have a "base" price list compiled somewhere for the 1972 GM cars.... Will have to find it, but I think that even the base 72' Catalina 4dr sedan was higher in price than the base 72' Impala. UPDATE - here we go... I found it. These are the prices I posted for the full-size 1972 cars here back in January of 2005: I listed the 4-door HARDTOPS, unless only the sedan was available in that trim: I am just going to copy and paste what I posted there:1972 Cadillac: Fleetwood 4dr sedan - $7637 Sedan DeVille 4dr hdtp - $6390 Calais 4dr hdtp - $5938 1972 Buick: Electra 225 Custom Limited 4dr hdtp - $5757 (seems like a big jump) Electra 225 Custom 4dr hdtp - $5060 Electra 225 4dr hdtp - $4890 Centurion 4dr hdtp - $4508 (convertible - $4616) LeSabre Custom 4dr hdtp - $4168 LeSabre 4dr hdtp - $4079 1972 Oldsmobile: Ninety-Eight Luxury 4dr hdtp - $5098 Ninety Eight 4dr hdtp - $4807 Delta 88 Royale 4dr hdtp - $4238 Delta 88 4dr hdtp - $4060 1972 Pontiac: Grand Ville 4dr hdtp - $4507 Bonneville 4dr hdtp - $4293 Catalina Brougham 4dr hdtp - $4062 Catalina 4dr hdtp - $3874 1972 Chevrolet: Caprice 4dr hdtp - $4076 Impala 4dr hdtp - $3745 Bel Air 4dr sedan - $3538 Biscayne 4dr sedan - $3408 WAGONS for 72 (top of the line models - base MSRP) Chevrolet Kingswood Estate (Caprice) 3-seat - $4423 Pontiac Grand Safari (Bonneville) 3-seat - $4721 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (Delta 88) 3-seat - $4834 Buick Estate Wagon (LeSabre) 3-seat - $4589 (this was a base model price) I may have posted these before, sorry if I have. I just find them interesting. I think that the price jump between the Electra 225 Custom and the "Limited" is drastic. Does anyone know if this was indeed true, or could this be a misprint in my sources? Also interesting that the Catalina Brougham had a higher price than the Delta 88 and the Bonneville was higher than the Delta 88 Royale. I would have thought that the Olds would have been higher on these comparable models- learn something new everyday with these cars. Since there were no "trim" levels on the Buick or Oldsmobile wagons, these were the base model prices compared to the top of the line Pontiac and Chevrolet wagons. I am guessing that the loaded Olds and Buick wagons had a much higher price- probably just a bit under the Electra 225 and Ninety-Eight prices. Something else I just realized- it is strange that Cadillac did not offer the vinyl top option on the Cadillac Calais, considering that Chevrolet offer it even on the "plain-Jane" 72' Biscayne. I once saw a 72' Biscayne, with the vinyl top option. In regards to the high Buick/low Cadillac pricing- it seems like the Buick Electra Limited 4dr almost surpassed the Cadillac Calais 2dr. I looked up the 2dr Calais and it had a base MSRP of $5771. If that $5757 is indeed correct for the Limited Electra- I am sure that some of the LOADED Limited Electras did surpass a "no additional options" 2dr Calais. Here are the "personal luxury coupe" pricing for all of the 72 GM cars as well: Chevrolet Monte Carlo - $3362 Pontiac Grand Prix - $4472 Grand Prix SSJ - (not listed) Oldsmobile Toronado - $5341 Toronado Brougham - $6130 Buick Riviera - $5149 Riviera GS - (not listed) Cadillac Eldorado - $7230 Other "top of the line" prices for 4dr hardtops for other models- figured I should post some of these as well. 72' Ford LTD Brougham 4dr hdtp - $4074 72' Mercury Marquis Brougham 4dr hdtp - $5034 72' Lincoln Continental 4dr sedan - $7302 (hardtop 4dr not available) 72' Plymouth Gran' Fury 4dr hdtp - $3987 72' Dodge Monaco 4dr hdtp - $4216 72' Chrysler New Yorker Brougham 4dr hdtp - $5358 72' Imperial LeBaron 4dr hdtp - $6778 72' AMC Ambassador Brougham 4dr sedan - $4002 IMPORTS (highest end 4dr models): 72' Mercedes 300SEL 4dr sedan - $13863 (high $$$$$ auto for 72'!!) 600 sedan price not listed) 72' BMW 3.0 4dr sedan - $5555 72' Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 4dr sedan - $28700 72' Toyota Crown 4dr sedan - $3049 72' Mazda 808 4dr sedan - $2295 72' Honda 600 sedan (2dr) - $1415 72' Nissan/Datsun 510 4dr sedan - $2456 / 610 4dr sedan - $2995 (240Z - $4106) 72' VW 411 4dr sedan - $3275 72' Jaguar XJ-6 4dr sedan - $7683 72' Volvo 164 4dr sedan - $4370 72' Audi 100 LS 4dr sedan - $3855 72' Peugeot 504 4dr sedan - $3735 72' Subaru 1300 4dr sedan - $2138 72' Renault R12 4dr sedan - $2295 72' Saab 99 4dr sedan - $3795 "other" U.S. wagons (top of the line 3-seat models - "4-seat" Ford/Mercury wagons) 72' Ford Country Squire (LTD) - $4318 72' Mercury Colony Park (Marquis) - $4550 72' Plymouth Sport Suburban (Gran Fury) - $4466 72' Dodge Monaco Wagon (Monaco)- $4756 72' Chrysler Town & Country (New Yorker) - $5139 72' AMC Ambassador Brougham wagon - $4437 *In conclusion, it seems as if the 72' Fleetwood 4dr was the highest priced U.S. built production car for 1972. There was also a Fleetwood 75, as well as the Fleetwood 75 limo for 72, but I do not think they were high # production cars. The "75" sedan was $11748 and the "limo" was $11880." ** I did at least go back and look up the 72' Catalina 4dr sedan and 72' Impala 4dr sedan:72' Catalina 4dr sedan (base price) $3713 (Catalina Brougham 4dr sedan was $3916)72' Impala 4dr sedan (base price) $3704 (so the base price was very close, but still lower - by $9.00 <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />). <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for that Pontiac brochure page or two. I like the Catalina Brougham and Bonneville vinyl interiors (identical)--look nice and seem to wear like iron.That base Catalina sedan on the one page sure is "minimalist"! I always thought the base Catalinas were closer to a Chevy Bel Air than an Impala, even inside, although Catalina offered hardtop and convertible body styles. Most Catalinas you saw out on the street ended up having the optional moldings and such to make them look about equal in trim to an Impala, though.Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63Stude Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Man, that Olds is indeed a beauty! I never noticed a clock like that for the rear seat. I could be mistaken, but I think the LS was the base-model Ninety-Eight, too. Nice touch!Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think it was too the base model for 73'. I will check. I have seen rather plain looking 73' Ninety-Eights (seen one with loop carpeting), so the "LS" may have been an upgrade, like "Custom" was on the Electra. The "Regency" was the top of the line as you know. It was extremely plush, especially the seating. It was like pillows. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man, that Olds is indeed a beauty! I never noticed a clock like that for the rear seat. I could be mistaken, but I think the LS was the base-model Ninety-Eight, too. Nice touch!Bill </div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_75RivGS Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buick Estate Wagon (LeSabre) 3-seat - $4589 (this was a base model price) </div></div>Have the original window sticker of my '72 Estate Wagon (price $4728,40) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Thanks for sharing that sticker..... looks like your wagon was very well optioned. Looks like the price I posted may be wrong. I gathered those prices from NADA. I have a 72' GM sales guide that GM published that has the official prices. I need to find it and post them, as they are probably more accurate than what I posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Here is one you may find interesting... you may have already saw it:1972 Impala Kingswood wagon. Looks like the ONLY interior option is the 3rd seat. NO A/C, no tilt, no power windows/locks/seat. Cannot tell if it has a radio or not. Exterior has side moldings... thats about it. Looks very solid to be a northern car. However, I think the lack of options (especially A/C) is hurting the value. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-CHEV...1QQcmdZViewItemHere is another I have found interesting... 73' Impala 4dr sedan - A/C, AM radio and cruise control (factory). Its unusual, because cruise is a fairly rare option on the Impalas:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Chev...1QQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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