GM, Mopar or 914.

[sixtyfourbeets]

I have spent the last several weeks scouring various classifieds and traveled many many miles in my region to view potential projects.

When I first started on my search I originally decided that I wanted a 2nd generation GM A-body then I noticed that perhaps a first gen GM F-body would suffice.
Both platforms have a pretty decent aftermarket following where if I needed to get replacement parts the search wouldnt be too hard.
If I wanted to upgrade either platform there are plenty of parts out there for that as well.

The GM G-body is a potential candidate and very often it is a lower cost option but the interior is smaller than the A and F body's I'm not a big guy I just prefer a larger
roomier interior.



After doing a little bit of reading on the internet I decided to include Mopars in my search to expand my options I am not a big fan of unibody
construction though, a 40-+ year old car with that kind of construction does not inspire confidence. I have seen what shows up when someone has
to chop off a piece of sheet metal to modify the suspension, there is more rust waiting underneath the layer of metal that was just removed.
The thought of rust hiding in any given layer of metal that has a direct correlation to the structural integrity of the car does not appeal to me even
a little bit. But I am optimistic that perhaps there is a reasonably solid car in CA somewhere with my name on it and if I have to hop on a plane
to haul it back out this way so be it.

I once owned a Porsche 914, it was an excellent handling car with crummy weak engine but it was a perfect example of a rust bucket revived by someone
who didnt know any better but should have. Nonetheless I learned a lot about FI when I put back together the D-Jetronic on that 2.0.
But owning another 914 is a very very distant 3rd option.

Therefore so far from what I have seen there seem to be a far greater collection of after market manufacturers for GM A and F bodied car parts, like suspension component
upgrades. Personally I already have 1 suspension manufacturer from whom I will be buying upgrade parts so the variety doesnt matter to me as much as the
quality of the components being manufactured.
Which sort of leads me to the Mopar option, I have seen only 1 solid after market suspension manufacturer for the Mopar line, specifically for the A bodied car, which does not bother me.
But it does limit my choice in terms of the Mopar I would consider getting because there are some of bigger C-body Mopars from the 1960s that I have looked at which
I would have considered but I dont see any after market manufacturers for suspension upgrades for those cars.

So I guess what I am asking is what is the collective wisdom and experience with Mopars A bodies from the late 60s early 70s when compared to GM
A and F bodies from the same era?
In terms of aftermarket upgrade parts and kits availability, support customer service from vendors?

Another example I would cite is with a GM A or F body I can use certain GM components from later model cars on the eras I am considering which makes the GM
route that much more appealing. Whereas Mopars if I were to upgrade, for example, the braking system on a late 60s early 70s A body I would have to go completely to an
after market manufacturer. [Grammar edit] Conversely with the GM option I could still use late model F body components by perhaps scouring a junk yard, that way I can get similar performance to the higher cost
of an after market option.

One thing I should point out is I realize that the G body GM and A body Mopar are almost comparable in terms of interior space and that the G body platform has more suspension upgrade aftermarket options available,
but from an esthetic standpoint I prefer a 60s era Mopar A body over an 80s era GM G body.

Thank you for taking time out to read.

[Schwartz Performance]

Quite an open mind you have there! Guess you don't like ford as much huh? ;)

Are you building the car yourself?

We offer bolt in chassis for the A/F/G bodies, and mopar B and E bodies. You said you dont like unibodies, neither do we. So we offer a full length frame. Mopars tend to be more expensive projects because there isn't much aftermarket for them in terms of restoration compared to a Chevelle or Fbody. So depending on what your intended budget and plans are for the car... Your choice could be narrowed down!

-Dale

[sixtyfourbeets]

Quite an open mind you have there! Guess you don't like ford as much huh? ;)

Are you building the car yourself?

We offer bolt in chassis for the A/F/G bodies, and mopar B and E bodies. You said you dont like unibodies, neither do we. So we offer a full length frame. Mopars tend to be more expensive projects because there isn't much aftermarket for them in terms of restoration compared to a Chevelle or Fbody. So depending on what your intended budget and plans are for the car... Your choice could be narrowed down!

-Dale

Well, I would like one of your chassis for a potential GM A-body project but the only problem I have with it is that the rear portion is narrowed therefore a stock fuel tank wont work and I want to put a Caprice B-body fuel tank in the back.

Can something be done about that?

[UNGN]

What are you going to do with the car? Open Track, autocross or just drive it?

If you are building a car for Good Guys, G-bodies are out. If you are building a car for all out performance for the dollar, a C4 or C5 corvette can be purchased for less that it would cost to make a pony car have similar performance.

I'd love to build a 914. E-bay is full of Project cars, even a couple V8 conversions, which are scary.

Mopars are cool but will cost double a similar GM build and most of them are 90% rust and bondo by now. The good bodies were all snatched up in the 1990's to be turned into big block/hemi clones, unless you want to build a 4 door.

A GM car is your cheapest option, with less desirable Fords close 2nd, but if you like/know 914's, I'd personally go that route. It appears you can build a nice one from someone's abandoned project for less than $10K that will tear up an autocross, and it also appears to be people willing to pay north of $20K for a nice running/driving 914.

[Motorcitydak]

If you have a 914 in your mind, maybe you would be open to something slightly different. Maybe a 944 S2 would be a good option to look at. I DD a '93 BMW 325is and really like that car. Runs and drives great at 200k, nicely equipped for any car let alone something 20 years old, rides nicer than anything else I have had, does not cost very much at all, I like the looks as a 2 door, has a good amount of power and I get about 30mpg. There are tons of parts available to either keep them going or modify then to your hearts content.

If you are set on the old iron, and no one would blame you, the GM platform will have lots more aftermarket support. Mopar's actually do have a companies that make suspension for them but no where near the same level. If you get a GM, unless it is something odd ball you will blend in more with the crowd. I honestly get bored looking at a bunch of camaro's or mustang's

[Schwartz Performance]

Well, I would like one of your chassis for a potential GM A-body project but the only problem I have with it is that the rear portion is narrowed therefore a stock fuel tank wont work and I want to put a Caprice B-body fuel tank in the back.

Can something be done about that?

Yes, what are you doing for rear tires though? Is the caprice tank bigger?

[sixtyfourbeets]

Yes, what are you doing for rear tires though? Is the caprice tank bigger?

The Caprice tank is only just slightly wider than the stock A-body tank but it is also taller than the stock and what makes it appealing is that with all that the filler neck aligns pretty close to the stock location.
Other appealing factors about the tank are that it is already baffled and has provisions for a fuel injection pump. To clarify I am talking about a 94-96 fuel tank.

As for tires I would probably put mini tubs.

So I would like to be able to accomodate all of that.

[Schwartz Performance]

I may be able to accommodate . Shoot me an email & ill check it out.
[email protected]