What year did Chevy make Caprice?
Chevrolet first introduced the Caprice name in 1965 as the top-line Impala trim, and it soon evolved into its own model line for the 1966 model year. This article explains the origin and early evolution of the Caprice badge.
Origins of the Caprice name
The Caprice started as a luxury badge applied to Chevrolet’s full-size Impala lineup in the mid-1960s. It was designed to signal a higher level of luxury and features within Chevrolet’s flagship full-size cars.
Key milestones in the Caprice's early history:
- 1965: Caprice appears as a top-trim option on the Chevrolet Impala, signaling a more luxurious offering within the lineup.
- 1966: Caprice is released as its own distinct model line, separate from the Impala, beginning a new era for the name.
These early years established the Caprice as Chevrolet’s premier full-size offering, a status that would carry through multiple generations and variations in the decades that followed.
Caprice beyond the initial years
After its debut, the Caprice name continued to appear across several generations, often evolving with new design language and luxury features. In some periods the lineup was marketed as “Caprice Classic” or as part of larger luxury-trim families, and the badge also found life outside the United States in markets where the brand extended its reach.
For context, the essential point is that the Caprice name began in 1965 as a high-end Impala trim and became a separate Caprice model line for the 1966 model year, marking the start of its long-running presence in Chevrolet’s full-size family.
Summary
In short, the Chevy Caprice name originated in 1965 as a top-line Impala trim, with the Caprice becoming its own standalone model line for the 1966 model year. The badge continued to appear in various generations and international markets well beyond those early years.
