STATISTICS
ON THE
1981 CAPRICE CLASSIC


To view photos from the 1981 Caprice Classic Sales Brochure Click Here

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.

CAPRICE CLASSIC (SIX/V-8)
Series Model - 1B
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
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
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
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
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

GENERAL ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Optional V-8
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

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.
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
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
Four-Speed Overdrive Automatic Transmission - $162
Limitedslip Differential - $71

Suspension

F40 H.D. Suspension - $23
F41 Sports Suspension - Coupe/Sedan $43
Inflatable Rear Shock Asorbers - $57

Engine Block Heater - Wagon $16
Heavy-Duty Raidator - $40
H.D. Alternator - $32 - $66
California Emissions Systems - $46

How To Read A VIN #

Chevrolet, like all GM passenger cars,
got a new 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
As before, it was displayed on the upper left surface of the instrument panel, visible through the windshield.

The first symbol indicates country:
1=USA - 2=Canada
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
Value Appearence Group:
Bodyside & Wheel Opening Moldings
Full Wheel Cover - $93

COMFORT CONVENIENCE
Air Conditioning - $625
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
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
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
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
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
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.


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