Picking a new car based on suspension layout...

[pitts64]

Time to get another car and before I make a mistake, I thought I would ask you guys your opinions... I have no issues swapping suspension parts ... Please feel free to post your favorites..

The car will be a street only car. Looking for a fun, manageable driver..

I'm torn between the 68-72 series GM A body with post, G body or X body (Leaf springs had me questioning this pick)... Is the G body suspension better then the A body?

Here are some of the cars I like...
68-69 Buick Special..
64-65, 68-72 and the 78-81 El Camino..
69-72 Grand Prix..
68-74 Nova..
70-74 Ventura..
64-66 Tempest..


Thank you,
Jeff

[andrewb70]

Jeff,

All of those platforms have excellent aftermarket support and can be made to handle well. However, the difference I see is in the weight of the cars. A-bodies will be heavier, especially the Grand Prix, while a g-body (and F and X as well) can be built to be relatively light.

Andrew

[MCB Matt]

For an easy and affordable overall street only car... Out of everything you listed, I personally would do the 66 Tempest. The platform is easily modified, especially for a sweet road car! The cars are affordable in nice, stock form.

You then have all the aftermarket the chevelle gets! The car is bigger but by todays standards, it's really not. Not inside because of the long trunk and hood lines, my 66 Chevelle isn't a big car inside but the width makes it!

But if you need/want a small car, the nova... It is a sacrifice in ride quality potential, but... With more $$ you can make it handle, but on the street?

At the end of the day, I always say it's your $$ and you should build what you want!

Matt

[pitts64]

I see what you mean, the 64-66 Tempest is only 73" wide. It should go down the road with less drag.

I'm used to a 64 Bonneville, 80" wide, 220" long, lol. 8 degrees positive caster did wonders for this car.. It's just too big in the city but out on the highway it's fantastic..

I want to get away from rear steer, it always feel like it's under pressure. I'm hoping front steer will be more pleasurable on the straightaway...

[Nicks67GTO]

Jeff,

All of those platforms have excellent aftermarket support and can be made to handle well. However, the difference I see is in the weight of the cars. A-bodies will be heavier, especially the Grand Prix, while a g-body (and F and X as well) can be built to be relatively light.

Andrew

I just weighed my 67 GTO the other day at the dump. It was 3800 lbs +/-20lbs. That's an honest all iron pontiac street car with AC,PS,PB and Power seats out of an 06' GTO and according to some on the PY board, it sounds like thats light for a 67 GTO trimmed out lime mine. With that said my old 73 Nova with a cage in it was 3240 but I had gutted the heater, used a fiberglass hood and had an aluminum headed SBC in it. If you made everything equal between the two cars it was probably capable of being an honest 450-500lbs lighter. That's nothing to scoff at in the performance world.

If I had to pick from your list I would buy a 64-65 tempest. They are first gen A bodies so the support is there but they are smaller than the 66-67 cars and probably weigh less. Plus they're the best looking of the cars you listed. If you want light and fast though you cant beat the 62-74 Nova and there is plenty of supper there as well

[BMR Sales]

All the platforms are nice and supported, but what are you drawn to? Chevy's will always have a bigger audience when you go to sell it.

If it were me, I would do the Nova or the Early El Camino

[MonzaRacer]

I have a possible candidate and really need to let the car go to someone who will build and enjoy it. A 69 Pontiac Catalina Ventura, will need a new dog house and work on it from sitting but car with or without engine is doable. Engine has some older race parts in it, hard chromed nodular iron crank, Lunati race cam and Echlin dual point( crank will work for daily driver, I had it in my first 400. Oh and the block is minimum squared so just needs bored .
oh and it has a vega converter in it.
Neat part of this car I found out heater core is shared with 68-72 Chevelle, 70-72 Monte Carlos. I am sure more parts interchange.
Oh and there is a guy in northern Indiana that has old Pontiac parts. I need it gone, AND since just got layed off I could use some extra cash. Gotta pay off old boss to get my scanner back from him. After my other one was stolen we got this one through ebay, I have been paying it back a little each week. Gotta pay that off even if to just stick it to my old boss.
I can work with someone on what stays on it, what goes.
It actually looks kind of like a bigger GTO. One sale flyer I saw for an HO Pontiac Bonneville they called it a businessmans GTO. 390 HP air, tilt, cruisePS,PW,locks etc.
Now this one doesnt have all of the options but hey modifying cars is what we do.PM or text me at 812-709-1006 I think I still got pics somewhere of it. She had been sitting but its not all rusted out, doors even still fit decent. Used to be Cali car but I have owned it since 88, drove it couple years too.

[pitts64]

I'm going to get the 64-66 Tempest / Le Mans... I've been a Pontiac guy since the sixties no sense changing now... I always thought the 66 was longer too, unless the web site where I got the info is wrong...

1964 Tempest Length 203" width 73.3"
1965 Tempest Length 206" width 73.1"
1966 Tempest Length 206" width 73.1"

[pitts64]

I know I want front steer...

I'm going to take a look at this 65 Elky.. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5181839875.html

[dirty rick]

THat ElCamino sounds nice!

[pitts64]

I've decided to stay with the 68 to 72 El Camino... I'm a electric contractor and can use the car for work, that should make going to work more fun....

I'm looking at a 69 with poly body bushings, do they squeak?

The control arms also have poly on this car but I can swap them for sphericals/nyloners with not too much trouble..


Here are a couple I'm interested in..

The one with the poly.. http://www.racingjunk.com/Chevrolet/182528882/1969-Chevrolet-El-Camino.html

http://www.racingjunk.com/Chevrolet/182399733/1972-Chevrolet-El-Camino.html

Moderator, please delete if posting "for sale" links can cause issues, thank you..

[MCB Matt]

No, the body bushings won't squeak. Only those that are moving will. They will be a little harsher when it comes to ride quality, vibes, ect but.. No rotting!

Good luck on your search.

Matt

[hotrodalex]

I approve of that choice! Mine is a ton of fun on the street and autox.

Be sure to check out the underside, specifically the bed supports. Prime rust spot on those and goes unnoticed most of the time.

[pitts64]

I like this 74 Ventura.. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5198366185.html

Will the bolt in Nova, Ride Tech, four link, fit these cars?

I always liked these cars but wrote them off because of the leaf springs, I was very happy to see the Ride Tech four link for 15 bills...

[pitts64]

Thanks Alex... I'll look carefully at the bed supports.. Those cars have a hefty frame, from what info I can see, the only other car to use that frame was the 69-72 Grand Prix..

I finally sold my Pontiac the other day and now I'm 100% on the look for a 68 to 72 El Camino or 71-72 GMC Sprint..

I going to go with the Ride Tech coil over set up...

[MCB Matt]

Good luck with your search! Good choice on the Ridetech kit!

Keep us posted...

Matt

[MangeMD]

I have a NOS GM El Camino door skin (passenger side I think). If you get one and you're down by my part of WV I'll hook you up.

[pitts64]

I'm a few miles from the border and just might need it.. I haven't found a car yet..

[Bob in St. Louis]

NOOB QUESTION
When you guys refer to "front/rear steer", I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Is is where the tie rod attaches? That's all I can figure out???

Any way....I love that body style of the Tempest. That's the one I'll be doing, some day.

[vintageracer]

You asked and as you have read EVERYONE has their opinion of what YOU should drive.

All the platforms you listed have GOOD aftermarket support for a STREET CAR which is what YOU said YOU want. Certainly there are several of the platforms that you listed that have better support and ultimately can be be made to handle, stop and drive significantly better that a couple of the other platforms you listed. Separate from that is also the cost difference of updating the different platforms. Several could be described as CHEAP to upgrade and others would be PRICEY.

REMEMBER you said STREET CAR!

You are the one that will drive this car everyday or as a fun weekend toy. The reality is that ALL of the platforms can be made to be good to great driving street cars. So can a Toyota Echo if that's what you WANT to drive. Ask my how I know???

In the end all the cars with upgrades with make a great driving street car and YOU are the one that has to drive the car and live with the car.

YOU are the only one that ultimately really knows your design style/preference, comfort level and your real desire in you "Street Car". Sure we all have our "opinions" of what makes a great Street Car.

Having said that it seems to me that YOU are the only one that can make that decision as it relates to your needs, wants and desires!

[Rod]

NOOB QUESTION
When you guys refer to "front/rear steer", I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Is is where the tie rod attaches? That's all I can figure out???

Any way....I love that body style of the Tempest. That's the one I'll be doing, some day.


yes Bob it is the orientation of the steering arms pointed forward or rearward, a rear steer car (I.E. 1st gen camaros) suffers from some deflection but all that is really for naught with heavy duty tie rod ends and sleeves, the the deflection force is passed to the steering box and idler, and often the idler fails(get loose) and the car has a wandering reaction

[Bob in St. Louis]

Ahh..roger that, thank you.
I assume it may also play a role in car choice and whether a guy wants to have a rack and pinion, and if there's oil pan clearance too?

[Rod]

Ahh..roger that, thank you.
I assume it may also play a role in car choice and whether a guy wants to have a rack and pinion, and if there's oil pan clearance too?

ohh...rack and pinion ...thats another story in its self...

[pitts64]

Bob, My rule is if the steering linkage is behind the front wheels don't buy the car, if it's in front of the front wheels your good to go..

[Bob in St. Louis]

HAHA...Understood.

[pitts64]

Well folks here it is, I pick it up in a few hours.. I've wanted one of these since they first came out!

69 El Camino SS 396 now a 454. Texas car but has some rust on the bed floor.. I paid 12G for it.. The motor and transmission are fresh.. The interior needs finished and the bed cleaned up.. My camera didn't pick up the body color well, it's that nice dark blue that came out in 1970..

[MCB Matt]

Congrats on the find! Now it's time to make it your own and start setting it up the way you want it. Looks like a great foundation for what you wanted, good choice!

Matt

[pitts64]

Thanks Matt.. I'll be in touch with you in a few months.. I'm installing a new interior, new wiring and repairing smugglers box and bed rust... I'm very happy with the deal, for 12 grand I knew it would need work...

[MCB Matt]

Sounds good, we have several choice for interior, we sell all the sheet metal brands, and the AAW Classic Update Wiring harness kits.

Let me know as you need quotes.
Thanks and have fun with the new toy!
Matt