How many 1973 Caprice convertibles were made?
There is no single official Chevrolet figure for the 1973 Caprice convertible; industry registries and enthusiast databases typically place the production in the low-teens, commonly cited as about 12,000 to 15,000 units.
Context: a convertible in the glare of the early 1970s
The 1973 model year unfolded during a period of tightening safety and emission requirements, which led General Motors to scale back convertible production across its brands. The Caprice, as a top-tier full-size model, was offered in a convertible variant but only in relatively limited numbers. Today, that relative scarcity contributes to collector interest, even as exact tallies remain hard to pin down.
Estimating how many were built
Several sources compile production totals from factory documents, dealer reports, and registry databases. The following bullets summarize what is commonly cited and the caveats involved.
- Range of estimates: most credible collector databases place the 1973 Caprice convertible production somewhere in the low-teens of thousands, typically cited as roughly 12,000 to 15,000 units.
- Source variability: some registries and enthusiast sites quote different numbers depending on whether they count only U.S.-built cars, include Canadian market builds, or use different model-year cutoffs.
- Limited production reality: convertibles were a smaller share of the Caprice lineup in 1973, as GM shifted toward safety and compliance requirements and a shrinking market for full-size convertibles.
- Data limitations: exact factory-by-factory tallies are not universally published, and some figures derive from extrapolations or partial records.
Taking these factors into account, most researchers agree that the 1973 Caprice convertible number falls within a relatively narrow band rather than a single precise count.
What collectors and historians use for reference
For enthusiasts seeking a precise serial-number-based count, sources include GM Heritage Center documentation, period build sheets, and registered dealer invoices. These records can sometimes yield a more exact figure for a specific market or production batch, but access to exact counts is not always publicly available.
Why the number matters to collectors
Rarity is a central driver of value for vintage convertibles, and the 1973 Caprice convertible sits at a point where demand, historical context, and production scale intersect. Understanding approximate production helps calibrate authenticity, restoration decisions, and market expectations for auctions and museum displays.
Summary
Chevrolet did not publish a definitive, nationwide model-year total for the 1973 Caprice convertible. Industry registries commonly estimate production in the low-teens of thousands—roughly 12,000 to 15,000 units—with variations depending on data source and market scope. For the most precise figure, researchers turn to GM Heritage Center records and original dealer build sheets, while recognizing that exact counts are not always publicly accessible. The car’s relative rarity continues to fuel its appeal among collectors and historians.
