Automotive News, Media & Press - Numerous 2011 Chevrolet Caprices Ending Up on eBay

Aussie-built US cop cars on eBay

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May 9, 2012 - 12:18PM

Three Australian-built Chevrolet Caprice police vehicles are currently up for grabs on eBay in the US.

The Chevy-badged Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) sedans were exported to the States by Holden and were supposed to be sold only to police and fire departments or government officials.

The cars are based on the luxury-focused Holden Caprice large sedan, with each having seen a raft of changes to make them suitable for police work, including the removal of several comfort additions.

The cars have seen varied amounts of work, with the least-used model – a police patrol ready “9C1” black and white car in almost brand new condition, having covered just 260 miles (418km). Bidding for it is currently placed at US$22,000 ($21,750), with a “buy it now” price of US$25,950. We contacted the seller of this car, eBay seller landamotorcompany, to ask why it was up for sale. The response was all-American.

“Not sure why the police aren’t using it, perhaps it doesn’t have a donut holder!” says dealership owner, Buck, before going on to suggest the police may have ordered too many vehicles.

The second car, a less conspicuous red model fitted with the unmarked “9C3” detective package, is currently listed at US$26,000 ($25,765), and shows 6260 miles (10,072km) on the odometer. The seller, Jason Lyczak – who goes under the eBay seller name chevycity84 – says he has three detective cars available (one red, one black and one silver), as well as five regular patrol vehicles (three white, one black and one blue).

The third model is an all-white 2011 model Caprice with 9295 miles (14,958km) which, at the time of writing, was listed at US$21,700 ($21,501). It’s fitted with blacked-out chaser wheels, a pillar-mounted search light and two batteries in the boot – one for the engine and one for the accessories.

Each of the cars is fitted with a 6.0-litre V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and all of the cars are fitted with specially designed larger seats which allow space for the officers’ utility belts – not their waistlines.

It’s unclear why so many of the police vehicles have come up for sale in such a short period, but the seller of the third car, BMW_peoria, says the model it is selling was purchased from a certified General Motors auction sale “after a GM rep drove it”, presumably as a company vehicle.

Drive sampled the Holden-built US cop cars in the United States in 2011.

Here’s a run-down on what’s different between those cars and the Holden Caprice that is sold here:

Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Models: 9C1 (police version) or 9C3 (detective or unmarked version)
Price: US $30,995 (recommended)
Engine: 6.0-litre V8; 260kW/517Nm; 6-speed automatic; RWD
Availability: Only to police and fire departments and government officials (when new)
Chevrolet Caprice PPV: What’s changed?

• Dual exhaust (one each side) instead of the quad-exhaust set-up for all Holden V8s sold here

• Base model interior eschews leather and chrome for more grey and an emphasis on functionality

• Unique seats with longer wearing materials and cut-outs for guns and equipment belts

• 18-inch steel wheels (with wheel covers on 9C3) in lieu of alloys that are more susceptible to damage. They’re wrapped in 18-inch Goodyear tyres

• Raised, firmer suspension

• Police performance mode on stability control, which can’t be disconnected completely

• Left-hand drive conversion

• Offset gear selector and foot-operated park brake (only on 9C1 model) to free up centre console for police equipment

• Fitment of bigger oil cooler and power steering cooler, transmission oil cooler

• Removal of overhead grab handles

• Removal of plastic engine cover

• Removal of some sound deadening, including under-bonnet

• Chevrolet badges replace Holden ones

• Black (rather than colour-coded) doorhandles

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http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/aussiebuilt-us-cop-cars-on-ebay-20120509-1yc9h.html

In depth on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVfq_oqR83c

I'll take my 9C3 in black please

These cars are hideous in person compared to G8s.

These are Sooooooo ugly! How could something as good looking as G8 turn into this pile? Seriously! The designer needs to get smacked :guns:

These cars are hideous in person compared to G8s.

Agreed with this. I hope the Chevy SS looks better than this.

No kidding ... they took an extremely good looking car and turned it into a turd.

I kinda like it.. Talk about a friggen sleeper!!

You guys realize Caprices are government fleet-only cars right? They were outfitted and meant primarily for police work, not to give regular people who missed out on G8s a second chance.

They're turning them loose on the public because they need to retail (not GOVT or fleet sale) at least 200 of them in order to run the new Caprice body in NASCAR. The Impala is getting a facelift for 2013 but GM has never tried to get the upcoming Impala body approved for NASCAR use, they have already been working on Caprice bodies for the 2014.

The Chevrolet dealer in Bloomington IL has roughly 13 of these Caprice 9C1's for sale.

I kinda like it.. Talk about a friggen sleeper!!

+1 It is a real sleeper. Throw some heads and a cam in that car and most people wouldn't know what hit them.

I kinda like it.. Talk about a friggen sleeper!!

+1 It is a real sleeper. Throw some heads and a cam in that car and most people wouldn't know what hit them.


Sucks when these cars go out to the cops though because looks like they will be equal or quicker than a stock LS1 Fbody.

+1 It is a real sleeper. Throw some heads and a cam in that car and most people wouldn't know what hit them.


Sucks when these cars go out to the cops though because looks like they will be equal or quicker than a stock LS1 Fbody.

no. it's 355bhp in a 4k lbs sedan. the LS1 f-body's were 3600lbs at the heaviest (Verts) with 350bhp.

it's closer to LT1 f-body's than LS1.

no. it's 355bhp in a 4k lbs sedan. the LS1 f-body's were 3600lbs at the heaviest (Verts) with 350bhp.

it's closer to LT1 f-body's than LS1.

there were plenty of ls1 cars that flirted with 4k lbs..

there were plenty of ls1 cars that flirted with 4k lbs..Plenty? Not in stock trim without driver, there probably weren't any actually.
Depending on fuel levels, even a fully loaded automatic Trans Am WS6 convertible (the heaviest of the 4th gen LS1s) was under 3800 pounds (maybe even under 3750).

With driver or modified (heavier rims, roll bar etc.) they can go right over 4000 pounds of course.

Plenty? Not in stock trim without driver, there probably weren't any actually.
Depending on fuel levels, even a fully loaded automatic Trans Am WS6 convertible (the heaviest of the 4th gen LS1s) was under 3800 pounds (maybe even under 3750).

With driver or modified (heavier rims, roll bar etc.) they can go right over 4000 pounds of course.

You are right about that. The full police package ones, especially those with two cops in them knowing how much your average cop wieghs (no offense to the police) I can see them being pretty heavy.

You are right about that. The full police package ones, especially those with two cops in them knowing how much your average cop wieghs (no offense to the police) I can see them being pretty heavy.True, a loaded B4C Camaro with two officers (which I don't think happened too often, they usually rode solo I believe), all of their gear and a full tank of fuel was NOT a lightweight LOL. :)

there were plenty of ls1 cars that flirted with 4k lbs..

that 4k lbs is before fuel, and someone sitting in the drivers seat though.

These are Sooooooo ugly! How could something as good looking as G8 turn into this pile? Seriously! The designer needs to get smacked :guns:

The Caprice is a different model than what the G8 was and what the Chevy SS will be based on. The pictures don't do the car justice it is much uglier in person

you know, for the price though, think about what other new cars cost, then think about the potential in this one. With a cam and a tune, with that 6 speed, yeah you could take quite a few other cars by surprise. At 355 hp, that motor isn't even working. No it's not a stunner, in fact considering it wouldn't draw attention that might play in your favor.

you know, for the price though, think about what other new cars cost, then think about the potential in this one. With a cam and a tune, with that 6 speed, yeah you could take quite a few other cars by surprise. At 355 hp, that motor isn't even working. No it's not a stunner, in fact considering it wouldn't draw attention that might play in your favor.I agree, these things could be turned into a real nice sleeper sedan, and they're nice riding/well made cars too. :nod:

Sorry, it's just ugly.

I look at one and just see this...

http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2007/04/01/21/49/2006_suzuki_forenza-pic-61350.png

...with worse proportions.