Opening prices for 1981 were even higher compared to 1980 than 1980 was to '79--up by as much as $1,500. For the first time, a four-speed overdrive automatic transmission was installed on full-size Chevrolets with the 5.0-litter V-8.
Caprice had plain crosshatch grille this year, plus new side marker lamps, header moldings and headlamp bezels. Priced higher, Caprice (according to Chevrolet) "Speaks of success, not of excess".
Caprice had tri-section taillamps and add narrow vertical backup lamps alongside the license plate.
Fourteen solid body colors were offered:
Beige - Black - Cream and White.
plus ten Metallics:
Light and dark Blue - Light and Medium Brown - Champagne - Light Jade Green - Jade Green - Light Maroon - Maron and Silver.
Nine two-tone combinations and seven vinyl top colors were available.
Cloth interior colors were:
Beige - Dark Blue - Camel - Champagne - Jade and Maroon.
Vinyl came in all except Beige.
Caprice offered "richly elegance" velour upholstery.
Full-size models with an optional 305 cu. in. (5.0 litter) V-8 got the new four-speed overdrive automatic transmission this year. The three-speed automatic continued with V-6 powerplants: standard 229 cu. in (3.8 litter) in Coupes and Sedans. Wagons carried a standard 267 cu. in. (4.4 litter) V-8. Both transmissions had a computer-controled torque converter clutch, which substitued a mechanical link for the customary fluid couplingin both third and fourth gears. A 350 cu. in. (5.7 litter) Oldsmobile diesel was offered again in Wagons.
Other changes included a Easy-To-Check Plastic Master Cylinder Reservoir, Reduced-Drag Front Disc Brakes, Freedom II Battery, New Side Lift Frame Jack, and a "Resume Speed Memory" for the optional Cruise Control. Corrosion protection at the underbody and fenders were improved, including Elpo dip plus frame assemblies immersed in hot-melt wax.
A new Compact Spare (Mickey Mouse) was mounted on a 16 in. wheel. Easy-Roll Tires were standard, Puncture-sealant Tires were available.
Caprice had standard 229 V-6 engine (267 V-8 in Wagons) and Automatic Transmission, plus Power Brakes and Steering, Concealed Two-Speed Wipers, Color-Keyed Steering Wheel and Carpeting, Day/Night Mirror, and Locking Glove Compartment.
The Caprice Classic Landau Coupe had Wire Wheel Covers, a Vinyl Roof Body Pin-Striping, and Dual Sports Mirrors (Driver's Remote-Controled). Wagon had Vinyl Upholstery; Sedans and Coupes Cloth.
Series Model - 1B |
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Body Style - N47 - Body Type & Seating - 2 Door Sports Coupe, 6 Pass. |
Factory Price - $7,534 - $7,584 |
Shipping Weight - 3363 - 3495 |
Product Total - 9,741 |
Series Model - 1B |
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Body Style - N47/Z03 - Body Type & Seating - 2 Door Landau Coupe, 6 Pass. |
Factory Price - $7,990 - $8,040 |
Shipping Weight - N/A |
Product Total - 6,615 |
Series Model - 1B |
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Body Style - N69 |
Body Type & Seating - 4 Door Sedan, 6 Pass. |
Factory Price - $7,667 - $7,717 |
Shipping Weight - 3400 - 3532 |
Product Total - 89,573 |
Series Model - 1B |
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Body Style - N35 |
Body Type & Seating - 4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Pass. |
Factory Price - --- - $7,948 |
Shipping Weight - --- - 3940 |
Product Total - 11,184 |
Series Model - 1B |
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Body Style - N35/AQ4 |
Body Type & Seating - 4 Door 3S Wagon , 8 Pass. |
Factory Price - --- - $8,112 |
Shipping Weight - --- - N/A |
Product Total - 16,348 |
Optional V-8 |
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90-Degree, Overhead Valve V-8 |
Cast Iron Block and Head |
Engine VIN Code - H |
Engine No. Cyl. Displacement: 305 Cu. In. |
Liter - 5.0 |
Engine Mfg. - Chevrolet |
Carburetor Type - 4Bbl |
Horsepower @ rpm - 150@3800 |
Torque @ rpm (ft. lbs.)- 240@2400 |
Bore x Stroke (in.) - 3.74 x 3.48 |
Compression Ratio - 8.6:1 |
Oil Pressure @ 2000 rpm - 45 |
Five Main Bearings Hydraulic Valve Lifters |
Chassis Data
Wheelbase - 116.0 in |
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Overall Length - 212.1 in - (Wagon) 215.1 in |
Height - (Coupe) 54.6 in, (Sedan) 55.2 in, (Wagon)57.1 in |
Width - (Caprice) 75.3 in, (Wagon) 79.3 in |
Front Tread - (Caprice) 61.8 in, (Wagon) 62.2 in |
Rear Tread - (Caprice) 60.8 in, (Wagon) 64.1 in |
Standard Tires - (Caprice) P205/75R15 SBR, (Wagon) P225/75R15 SBR |
TECHNICAL
Transmission Three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic standard on Caprice. |
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Automatice Gear Ratios (Rev) 1.94:1 except Caprice V6231/V8305 |
Steering/Supension/Body Same as 1980 |
Brakes Front Disk, Rear Drum |
Ignition Electronic |
Fuel Tank Caprice - 25 gal. Wagon - 22 gal. |
Drivetrain Options
Engines |
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267 cu. in. 2Bbl V-8 Caprice - $50 |
305 cu. in. 4Bbl V-8 Caprice - $50 |
350 cu. in. 4Bbl V-8 z28 (NC)Caprice Wagon |
Diesel 350 cu. in. V-8 (NC) $695 |
Transmission/Differential |
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Four-Speed Overdrive Automatic Transmission - $162 |
Limitedslip Differential - $71 |
Suspension
F40 H.D. Suspension - $23 |
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F41 Sports Suspension - Coupe/Sedan $43 |
Inflatable Rear Shock Asorbers - $57 |
Engine Block Heater - Wagon $16 |
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Heavy-Duty Raidator - $40 |
H.D. Alternator - $32 - $66 |
California Emissions Systems - $46 |
The first symbol indicates country: 1=USA - 2=Canada |
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The second symbol denotes manufacturer: G=General Motors |
Symbol three indicates car make: 1=Chevroler - 7=GM of Canada |
Symbols four is restraint system: A=non-passive B=automatic belts C=inflatable restraint |
Symbol five is the car/line series: N=Caprice Classic |
Symbols six and seven indicate body type: 08=2-dr. hatchback coupe 27=2-dr. notchback coupe 37=2-dr. hardtop coupe 47=2-dr. hardtop coupe 87=2-dr. sports coupe 68=4-dr. hatchback sedan 69=4-dr. notchback sedan 35=4-dr. station wagon |
Symbol eight is the engine code: 9=L4-98 2Bbl 5=L4-151 2Bbl X=V6-173 H.O. K=V6-2292Bbl A=V6-231 2Bbl 3=Turbo V6-231 4Bbl J=V8-267 2Bbl H=V8-305 4Bbl L=V8-350 4Bbl N=Diesel V8-350 |
Next comes a check digit. |
Symbol ten indicates Model Year: B=1981 |
Symbol eleven indicates Assembly Plant A=Lakewood B=Baltimore D=Doraville, GA J=Janesville, WI K=Leeds, MO L=Van Nuys, CA N=Norwood, OH R=Arlington, TX T=Tarrytown, NY W=Willow Run, MI Y=Wilmington, DE Z=Freemont, CA 1=Oshawa, Ontario 6=Oklahoma City, OK |
The final six digits are the sequential serial number. Body Number Plates and engine identification code locations were simular to 1980 |
CAPRICE CONVENIENCE APPEARANCE OPTIONS
Option Packages (prices)
Estate Equipment: Wagon - $271 |
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COMFORT CONVENIENCE
Air Conditioning - $625 |
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Comfortron Autotemp Air Condition - $708 |
Rear Defogger, Forced Air: Coupe/Sedan - $59 |
Rear Defogger, Electric - $107 |
Cruise Control w/Resume - $135 |
Tinted Glass - $87 |
Comfortilt Steering Wheel - $81 |
Power Door Locks - $93 - $132 |
Six Way Power Driver's Seat - $173 |
Power Windows - $143 - $211 |
Power Trunk Release - $27 |
Power Tailgate lock: Wagon - $43 |
Digital Clock - $36 |
Gauge Pkg w/Trip Odometer - $56 |
Intermittent Wipers - $41 |
LIGHTING, HORNS & MIRRORS
Halogen Highbeam Headlamps - $27 |
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Conering Lamps - $48 |
Aux. Lighting - $36 - $57 |
Drivers Remote Mirror - $19 |
Dual Remore Mirrors - $58 |
Dual Sports Mirror Left Remote - $47 |
Dual Remote Body Color Sports Mirror - $26 - $73 |
Visor Vanity Mirror - $6 |
Lighted Visor Mirror - $42 |
ENTERTAINMENT
AM/FM Radio - $142 |
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AM Radio - $90 |
AM/FM Stereo Radio - $178 |
Stereo 8-Track Tape Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio - $252 |
Cassette Player with AM/FM Stereo - $364 |
AM/FM Stereo with CB and Power Antenna - $487 |
Rear Speakers - $19 |
Dual Rear Speakers - $28 |
Power Antenna - $47 |
Windshield Antenna - $25 (inclu. with radio) |
EXTERIOR TRIM
Power Sky Roof - Coupe/Sedan - $650 |
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Vinyl Roof - $142 |
Roof Carrier - Wagon - $119 |
Two-Tone Paint - $58 |
Custom Two-Tone Paint - $124 |
Pin Striping - $34 |
Color-Keyed Body Side Moldings - $44 |
Door Edge Guards - $13 - $21 |
Bumper Rubber Strips Front/Rear- $58 |
Bumper Guards - $54 |
INTERIOR TRIM/UPHOLSTERY
Vinyl Bench Seat Coupe/Sedan - $28 |
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Cloth Bench Seat Wagon - $28 |
Vinyl 50/50 Seat - $240 - $268 |
Cloth 50/50 Seat - $222 - $268 |
Custom Cloth 50/50 Seat Coupe - $400, Sedan - $425 |
Delux Load-Floor Carpet: Wagon - $77 |
Delux Cargo Area Carpet: Wagon - $114 |
Color-Keyed Mats - Front $15, Rear $10 |
Delux Trunk Trim - $55 |
WHEEL COVERS
Full Wheel Covers - $46 |
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Sport Wheel Covers - $56 |
Custom Wheel Covers - $75 |
Wire Wheel Covers - $135 |
Wire Wheel Cover Locks - $34 |
Coupe/Sedan Tires - P205/75R15 SBR WSW - $54 |
P215/75R15 SBR WSW - $85 |
P225/75R15 SBR WSW - $132 |
Wagon Tires P225/75R15 SBR WSW - $58 |
Puncture-Sealant Tires - $85 - $105 |
Historical Footnote
Sales had been expected to take an upturn for 1981, but fell far short of expectations, dropping by about 265,000 for the model year.
Full-size Chevrolets sold so poorley that there was speculation they would soon be dropped. Even with sagging sales, prices were raised at mid-year. Incentives (including rebates and reduced finance rates) were announced, but failed to bring enough customers.