by An Unused Police Chevrolet Caprice Sedan with Only 11 Miles on the Odometer
While the Ford Crown Vic is most remembered as the police car of the 1990s, the real terror for Mustang drivers in those years could have been its direct competitor from Chevrolet — the Caprice with the 9C1 police package.
However, this particular Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 never conducted a single pursuit or traffic stop. It is being auctioned with mileage equivalent to the distance from the factory to the dealer — just 11 miles (18 km).
This Caprice exists only because the original buyer had personal connections in Chevrolet’s fleet sales department, which allowed him to purchase the car in full police configuration.
Finished in a classic two-tone scheme, the large Chevrolet looks exactly like mid-1990s police sedans: low, wide, and menacing, with characteristic stamped steel wheels and a narrow rear track. The equally spartan interior features blue cloth front seats showing no signs of spilled coffee or a dropped donut, and the rear bench is upholstered in easy-to-wipe vinyl.
A Corvette’s Heart in Civil Service Trim
Under the hood, the car is powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain produced about 260 hp (264 PS) and made the Caprice unexpectedly quick in a straight line. In those years, such cars were known to be capable of reaching speeds up to 140 mph (225 km/h), humbling careless sports coupe drivers, although this particular example never got to do that.
The Consequences of Long-Term Storage
A car that has spent decades in storage is rarely perfect. While it looks excellent on top, the lot description mentions surface corrosion on the underside, which occurred due to long-term storage on a damp surface. Judging by the photos, the rust is mostly limited to removable components and can be remedied with time and physical effort.
The Future of a Unique Specimen
The main question is what awaits this car next. Will it become a museum exhibit, a conversation piece at car enthusiast meets, or will someone finally start putting miles on the police car that never went into service? In any case, this Caprice is a wonderful reminder of the times when American police sedans were big, loud, and powered by V8 engines, even if this particular example never got to wear a door shield.
Such finds are becoming increasingly rare. Auctions periodically feature cars with minimal mileage that are essentially time capsules. They allow us not only to assess the technical condition of machinery from past years but also to feel the spirit of an era when design and engineering solutions were completely different. The condition of this Caprice, despite minor corrosion issues, is exceptional, making it a valuable specimen for collectors and fans of the American auto industry.
