Optimal Pro-Touring base car

[64Chevelle]

Hi guys,

just wanted to get some opinions on what car(s) is/are the best overall base for a pro-touring build. I am primarily thinking 60s, early 70s.

- Lightweight
- Good factory suspension geometry
- Frame/structural stiffness/integrity
- Easy to build, enough room for components
- Access to parts

All of these factors should be taken into consideration, if you got more, please tell me, I might have forgotten some...

Any unusual cars or cars that has been overlooked by the majority?

[Charley Lillard]

2nd gen Camaro-Firebirds handle great already, can be bought pretty cheap compared to other stuff, look cool and have some resale value.

[Restomod]

2nd gen Camaro-Firebirds handle great already, can be bought pretty cheap compared to other stuff, look cool and have some resale value.

X2, the 69 Camaros and Fastback Mustangs are generally to much $$ to start with.

[Neil B]

C3 Corvette - full-frame, IRS, fairly inexpensive, good aftermarket support, plenty of room for a big-block, etc. People either love or hate the styling though.

[compos mentis]

C3 Corvette - full-frame, IRS, fairly inexpensive, good aftermarket support, plenty of room for a big-block, etc. People either love or hate the styling though.

Agreed, you can get a nice driver for $7500. Need proof? Here's a nice looking black on black '80 L82. It should be sold quickly now since he dropped it from $9000.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043987

Not too many people will do these but another member (on here I think) had this drawn for his project. Until I saw it I never would have wanted a Laguna. Now I would build one.

[moreHP]

GM "A" body. But of course I am biased since I have one!

[Dragonsnake]

Agreed, you can get a nice driver for $7500. Need proof? Here's a nice looking black on black '80 L82. It should be sold quickly now since he dropped it from $9000.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043987

Not too many people will do these but another member (on here I think) had this drawn for his project. Until I saw it I never would have wanted a Laguna. Now I would build one.

Cool rendering .It really depends on what you are gonna use the car for.

Is it a track day car or a cruising car?.

If it is a track day car,i can assure you that the 73-77 A body have the best handling platform of all the american sedans built before 77.

You start with a 8,5 axle and usually a 350 engine,and there are a lot of parts that can be bought cheap and will make the car handle better.

Lots of room for tires.No tubbing needed.

[Nine Ball]

1st gen Firebirds. Easy to build like a Camaro, TONS of pro-touring parts, and cheaper than a Camaro.

[Rick Dorion]

Timely topic. When the 1st gens came out, we viewed the Firebird as a higher class car than the camaro.

What's the take on early chevelles?

[Yelcamino]

What's the take on early chevelles?

There's a lot of aftermarket support for the early A-bodies. I personally think they make a very good foundation for a PT car especially since they have a full frame. The stock suspension geometry is easy to improve upon with the numerous choices available today.

The 1st gen Camaro however, seems to be Pro-touring's bread and butter and I doubt that will ever change.

[compos mentis]

Rad Rides' Nova casts a whole different light on those cars...

The '65 Buick Gran Sport is an overlooked good looking car and seems more compact/lighter than the later GS cars.

BTW how much heavier are 2nd gen 'Birds and Camaro's then the 1st gens?

I'm partial obviously and its a '55, but those cars I think weigh 3150 and there is a ton of room. And talk about badd! Here's Doug Cooper's... http://media.putfile.com/Dougs--Alan...s-Hot-Rods--55

[blown9746]

I'd say 68 and up novas meet your criteria. Can be had cheap, subframe components from camaro can be used. resale is not really there.

[68Formula]

Since you put lightweight at the top of the list with the other criteria, I can't really see any American cars that would fit the bill. Even the "compacts" were usually over 3000 lbs.

[WS6]

I'm with Mike. What do you consider lightweight? The C3 vette is the lightest vehicle listed so far. 2nd gen Fbodies are upper 3000 lbs. I have no idea where all the weight is in these cars as A bodies weigh the same or less and are much bigger.

My suggestions are 2nd gen fbodies and 3rd gen Novas. Don't forget Buick Apollos, Pontiac Venturas(my favorite), and Oldsmobile Omegas were the same thing.

C3 vettes are great choices so long as you're ok with the later less valuable/desirable years. The chrome bumper cars bring money and are highly demanded. Be careful with the vettes though as their rust issues can be devastating, even compared to a rotted out rear frame rail on a 2nd gen.

You could also look to the mid 70s Abodies. These are cheap cars and can look great when done right. I believe they share the same components as the late 60s early 70s cars. Same frame basically, different body.

[Randy67]

I'm with Mike. What do you consider lightweight? The C3 vette is the lightest vehicle listed so far. 2nd gen Fbodies are upper 3000 lbs. I have no idea where all the weight is in these cars as A bodies weigh the same or less and are much bigger.

My 67 all steel El Camino (heater delete, manual brakes & steering) weighs at 3320 lbs. That is fairly light for that size car. Could be lighter with a lighter hood and maybe fenders.

You could also look to the mid 70s Abodies. These are cheap cars and can look great when done right. I believe they share the same components as the late 60s early 70s cars. Same frame basically, different body.

I believe their front suspension is the same as the 2nd gen F-body, i.e. taller spindles and better geometry (not sure how much better), just a bit on the heavy side. Not all that heavy compared to some newer cars, like Challengers, Chargers, GTO, G8, upcoming Camaro and Mustang.

[Dragonsnake]

73-77 A-body shares the front suspension with 70-81 F-Body,and the 77-96 Impala-Caprice.

So all suspension parts,bolt on a 73-77 A-Body.

There are minor changes involved with the spindles,like bearing dimensions and so.

[Pagani]

What about a vw campervan

Or a datsun 240z

Datsun 510

Mk1 ford escort

Mk2 ford escort

[SimplyKC]

I'm with Mike. What do you consider lightweight? The C3 vette is the lightest vehicle listed so far. 2nd gen Fbodies are upper 3000 lbs. I have no idea where all the weight is in these cars as A bodies weigh the same or less and are much bigger.

There is a pretty big difference in the factory weight of a 1970 1/2 car and an end of generation F-Body.

They gained weight from catalytic convertors, 5-mph bumpers, increased sound insulation, etc. The Trans Ams being the fattest of them all as they typically had leather and power everthing....oh, and those big blocks with Turbo 400s.

From 1969 to 1970 1/2 you are probably only looking at a 150 lb. difference when equipped the same.

On your second point, a unibody car is typically going to weigh more than a full frame car because of the extra metal it requires for rigidity.

In the end, just about any of the four seater cars mentioned here will be somewhat similar in weight when dressed out the same.

[Twentyover]

........On your second point, a unibody car is typically going to weigh more than a full frame car because of the extra metal it requires for rigidity.....

Think I'm going to disagree here. Unibody cars typically weigh less, since they don't have a frame. Sheet steel structures can be made of light gauge because they are depening on the shape of the part, rather than the thickness of a part, for structural properties. A flat piece of 20 ga will oil-can easily. Roll a few beads into it, or put an arc in it, and the propensity to oil can disappears.

My 70 1/2 Camaro (ZZ4, TKO, 12 bolt) rolls over the scales at 3600 lbs. I've made no effort to lighten it

[68Formula]

Think I'm going to disagree here. Unibody cars typically weigh less, since they don't have a frame. Sheet steel structures can be made of light gauge because they are depening on the shape of the part, rather than the thickness of a part, for structural properties. A flat piece of 20 ga will oil-can easily. Roll a few beads into it, or put an arc in it, and the propensity to oil can disappears.

My 70 1/2 Camaro (ZZ4, TKO, 12 bolt) rolls over the scales at 3600 lbs. I've made no effort to lighten it

I think he meant in order to make it rigid you have to add a lot of metal (subframe connectors, rollbars).