Make: | Chevrolet |
Model: | Caprice |
Type: | Sedan |
Trim: | 9C1 |
Year: | 1991 |
Mileage: | 114,000 |
VIN: | 1G1BL5379MR127426 |
Color: | Green |
Engine: | 5.7L L05 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Tan |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Olney, Illinois, United States |
This 1991 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 is an original U.S. Border Patrol car with known history, reconditioned extensively to be both very presentable and dependable. Extremely accurate restoration which just needs a few minor finishing touches.
Factory 9C1 sold to the U.S. government / U.S. Border Patrol. It has the 350 c.i. L05 V8, heavy duty cooling system, emblem delete and the “special paint” option. The seafoam green with cream top has to be one of the most unusual colors ever for a police car. 1991 was the transition year for the Border Patrol colors, with cars being ordered early in the year with the traditional seafoam green used since WWII, and late year 1991 cars being ordered white. This is one of the last cars ever ordered with the old colors, and we believe for that very reason, this car has an extremely interesting past.
The fleet number is the original one, and was engraved on the key and found on a paper tag in the glove box. The Caprice was stationed at the Chula Vista, CA Border Patrol station and assigned to a well-liked Supervisory Border Patrol Agent who had a colorful past, with among other things, a nod in Joseph Waumbaugh’s Lines and Shadows, and who was an extra in the border movie Flashpoint. The car was assigned exclusively to the senior supervisor, who drove it on-duty for the next 9 years, refusing a newer replacement, until his retirement (We believe he enjoyed having the only old car still in service!) At that time, the car was also retired from patrol duty as the last seafoam green Border Patrol sedan, and re-assigned to the Border Patrol sector garage as a shop vehicle for the mechanics. It was used sparingly over its 24-years of government service, and showed 112,000 miles.
Sometime around 2015, the car was repainted by the Border Patrol garage with the idea of donating it to the USBP museum in El Paso, TX. Somehow the plan changed, and the car was sent to the government auction along with regularly retired fleet vehicles, and ended up at a dealer in Chicago, where I purchased it. This is a true 2-owner car, with the U.S. government being the first owner for 24 years.
Since I've owned it: New fuel pump, filter, rebuilt TBI with flow balanced 9C1 injectors, new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, Delco battery, MAP and TPS sensors, O2 sensor, ceramic front brakes and probably a bunch of other stuff I’ve forgotten about. And I don’t buy the cheap grade parts. I’ve driven this car from Chicago to Washington D.C., and all over the Midwest, and it’s now a very good driver and extremely dependable. Bottom line – mechanically this is very solid & I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere tomorrow. The engine compartment is very clean and original, and it looks great with the hood up or down!
New paint that was applied by the government circa 2014-15, and still looks great, but has a few very small cracks on the bumpers which are hard to notice unless you’re looking closely. The paint under the hood and trunk is spotless, and you can see the original factory seafoam green paint on the firewall, inner trunk structure, and door jams. Completely rust free & extremely straight. The car comes with 3 sets of factory-correct 1991 9C1 hubcaps (2 sets of the silver plastic “frisbees” and one set of the chrome discs). The tan interior is extremely clean with no rips, tears or stains. All the interior trim has been reconditioned with SEM interior paint, so there’s no mismatched or fading. Dash was recovered and is perfect. Correct original rubber floor mats show virtually no wear. NOS switches everywhere I could get them. All interior lights replaced. Original AM/FM radio was rebuilt, and a DIN cable added so you can use your electronic device for music (a great addition!) . Correct Troy police console, matching the original mounting points in the floor. New headliner. Correct & installed Sena police partition in great shape! Trunk mounted Motorola radio with the programing key and remote head, which is not hooked up. The Jetsonic lightbar has been completely restored to California specs and comes with NOS mounts. It’s installed and functions perfectly, but not yet connected. I also have the correct shotgun rack that needs to be installed next to the console. The car needs a few minor pieces to be finished, such as a PA microphone and siren control unit.
The car comes with a copy of the Carfax, which shows no accidents or issues, and a listing of all factory options. Some of the original government service records & receipts exist, and I should also have those available for the next owner.
We've enjoyed this car for the last few years & it's been a lot of fun going to events. Selling only due to space issues & the fact that I have another vintage Border Patrol car that I want to focus on. Great car that's perfect for the family to enjoy & a great way to get involved in the vintage police car hobby! Reserve price is less than the cost of a decent paint job, and far less than has been invested in this car.
I’ve tried to be extremely accurate with this description. This is an extremely straight, solid and no-excuses car that has a known and fascinating history. It’s one of just a handful of vintage U.S. Border Patrol vehicles that exist, and has been the only one participating in vintage police car events. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. The car can be inspected in person in at my residence in Illinois.
On May-01-18 at 17:26:01 PDT, seller added the following information: