1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS The last hurrah for a grand old traditional. By Ray Thursby, New Car Test Drive .com

Throughout its 6-year production run, the current Chevrolet Caprice has gone

through a metamorphosis few cars can match. At introduction, it was uncharitably

branded a whale (especially when painted police-car black and white, and/or taxi

yellow) for its expansive size and rotund proportions. Then, two years ago, Chevrolet

resurrected its historic Impala nameplate for a high-performance version of the big

4-door sedan.

Now, whether whale or African antelope, all Caprices are dinosaurs, set to go out

of production at the end of this model year. The demise has been brought about by a

need to free plant capacity slated to meet the demands of the booming sport-utility

market combined with steadily declining sales. The times are changin', and cars such

as these--big and thirsty--are rapidly fading from the scene.

When the last Caprice (now called Caprice Classic) is assembled, Chevrolet's--and

General Motors'--last rear-wheel drive, body-on-frame big cars will be history.

Caprice's departure brings the number of players in the class down to two.

Chrysler abandoned its fullsize rear-drivers years ago; rumor has it that Ford

contemplated a similar move, but continues its Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand

Marquis models to suit a small cadre of loyal civilian customers and the

law-enforcement market. It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Ford's decision

was strongly influenced by GM's decision to abandon this class of cars.

Be that as it may, there are still plenty of good reasons to give these behemoths

a (last) look. They offer interior space not found in today's smaller front-drive

sedans, and are far better suited to trailer-towing. They are easier to convert into

stretch limousines, too. And taxi fleet operators love 'em.

Beyond that, the Impala SS, our test car, is surprisingly high on the fun-to-drive

index.