Got a new car - need help making a decision

[Russ Kay]

I'd opt for a 327 or 350 myself; By the time you get a 454 in, the front end will be so much heavier that an already ugly handling car (I've driven them) will be virtually undrivable except in a straight line, so you'll have to redo the shocks, springs, wheels and tires ... though you may want to redo those anyway.

But doing a straight restoration and ending up with one of the dorkiest cars ever made ... it wouldn't be my choice, Dan! (I say that as someone whose first-ever bought-new car was a 1968 Chevelle with a 307 and ... ready for this? ... three on the tree, for about $2500! But the F41 sport suspension and good tires made it a pretty good driver.)

 

[munk]

Russ Kay brought up something needs mentioning- that generation of vehicle is not stable past 100 mph. I imagine there are things you can do- but why?


A 350 will provide more oomph than you can use.



munk

 

[RonS]

I think that you will have a much more unique, valuable and enjoyable ride if you do a restoration. If you build it into a muscle car, it will always be a little less desirable because it is a four door, but if you restore it to showroom condition, it has the potential to go down thru the years gaining in interest and value.

 

[Azis]

I had that car in 2 door same green as most of them were, I put over 150,000 miles on it. It was running great no rust or dents when I sold it in 79 for $800.

It was a great car.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Two new hubcaps, and a fresh coat of bile green paint and it's as good as new. Maybe throw in a set of thems fuzzy dice too.

Good eye, Bruise.


mamav - I like the way you think.




I have to admit to something here:

This purchase was a direct result of lust and impulse. I've been house-sitting for a friend who has an almost-original 69 Nova - same color, 2 dr coupe. Was used for racing. Still holds a track record out west.

Then I saw this one for sale at such a great price - had to jump on it.


I agree with the idea that it will never be taken seriously as a muscle car....actually, that makes me want a bigger engine even more. "Hey look at that ole 4-door.......*zooms by*...........wow.......(sudden change in tone of voice)"






I don't want any radical body mods.....in fact, when I paint it, it's just going to be spot-painted and not fully sprayed. Might even do it myself (friends have equipment). Then, maybe down the road a bit more (pun intended) I'll give it a full paint job. Like I said, the hood is great, and the back and right side are in pretty decent condition. No need for a frame-off restoration. Just cleanup.



How about a 396 instead? I know I'll probably save money on the 350 and there's so much aftermarket for it, I'll never have a parts problem....but I'm hesitant to just jump on the S/B350 bandwagon like everybody else.....:footinmou

 

[Kismet]

Dan?

1. Switch cars with the house owner.

2. Call police and report theft/vandalism.

3. Practice shock and indignation for when your friend returns: "How COULD that happen!!! And right in the DRIVEWAY !!!! When I was a boy the neighbors would watch !!! I AM SO SORRY. They even made it a four-door, that's cruel.

"By the way, I got a new used car. "


Spray paint your (new) car quickly.

Prisons have computers these days. You will make new friends.


justathought

Kis

 

[Ben Arown-Awile]

I have spent so much time in my life "restoring" old cars because I had to if I wanted to ride, that I just can't imagine anyone doing it for fun.

These days I won't buy any car if it has any more miles on it that what it takes to get it off the assembly line, onto the truck, and into the showroom floor.

 

[Yvsa]

How about a 396 instead?

I know I'll probably save money on the 350 and there's so much aftermarket for it, I'll never have a parts problem....but

I'm hesitant to just jump on the S/B350 bandwagon like everybody else.....:footinmou

How about a small block 400ci? That's what I had in a 66 Chevy long/wide PU, along with a 350 Turbo tranny. The 400 ci had headers that went into a 4" dump and then reduced to a a standard size pipe that was quieted, a little, with 2 Walker Glasspaks.
It had 10 wide tires on the rear and it would smoke them quite nicely and that was with only a 2Bbl Carb on it!
It didn't do too bad on the milage either, a tank a week running back and forth to work and the grocery store. However the speedometer didn't work so I could never figure it accurately, or near accurately I guess would be the correct term.
Barb and me both loved that ol' truck, her more than me I think.
She loved when one of the kids in their Rice Racer's would pull alongside her at a stop light, she'd Smoke 'em!!!! Of course the roar of the ol' Chevy was enough to imtimidate most kids alone!
Me? I loved getting off work at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. and coming off the hill on I-44 just before getting off at 193rd E Ave. I would get up to maybe 85 and drop off the hill coasting with the Walkers blaring. When I got down to about 60 I would drop 'er down into 2nd and then she'd shake the windows at the local McDonalds, Pizza Hut, other surrounding businesses, and best of all, The Hall of Fame nightclub that still had people in the parking lot at 2:30 in the morning.
I didn't do it too often and fortunately never got caught. I wouldn't do it if'en I was stoned. Then I took the back way home and drove too slow , fortunately never got caught at that either.

 

[Daniel Koster]

nice lil' story, Yvsa. My best friend during school had 60s Chevy pickup just like yours. We loved smokin' the tires. Like the part about shaking the windows at Mickey-D's.....

 

[John Trout]

Isn't your engine the same block as a 350? If so wouldn't it be cheaper just to bore it out?

 

[Daniel Koster]

I was talking to my father-in-law about it this evening. We agreed on the idea we would keep the engine looking stock, but have it bored over, put on new heads, new manifold, new carb and dual exhaust. Keep the 307 as is (the car has "307" plates on it) - just soup it up.

The other 69 Nova has a 307 with better "breathing" and has quite a bit of pep.....gives me hope.


Hey....I'm all for cost-saving measures. In fact, any performanc mods I make are probably going to be rebuilds, etc. so I can get 'em cheap.

 

[Ad Astra]

Muscle car w/nitro injection. Hood has airbrushed design of two crossed Khuks, trailing flames.... Bumper sticker says, "Don't Eat A Cow, Man!"

 

[Yvsa]

Muscle car w/nitro injection. Hood has airbrushed design of two crossed Khuks, trailing flames.... Bumper sticker says, "Don't Eat A Cow, Man!"

LMRRAO!!!!!!!

 

[Jebadiah_Smith]

all you need is a gun rack, a novelty horn, paint your favorite civil war general on the hood, then buy an 8 track with freebird on it.

 

[Steve Hayden]

How about an early 70's contemporary engine? The old Corvette high performance 327 was very impressive. It would probably drop in with little or no refitting needed.

I would think the 454 would be too big and heavy for the car's structure and balance. They used to put 383s and 410s in small GM cars, but a really tricked out 'Vette engine would be hard to beat. If I remember right, they could be set up with three deuces and would flat get down the highway.

 

[yoippari]

I'm not going to compare this 70's muscle car to my 1980 scirocco but I will use it as an example, and I don't think anyone has raised this point.

I got my rocco (still looking for a name) for free. I put a new transmission in ($150+ metric wrenches), rebuilt the starter ($95), changed the oil and filters ($25). I could make a profit off of it right now. But that is not why I got this car. I got it because I wanted the car (even with its many problems that still lurk). I plan on putting a lot more money into it as it becomes available.

It appears that you got your car for similar reasons. If that is the case then don't even think about getting your money back IF you decide to sell. You will get your money back in time well spent and enjoyment. You probably already have thought about this but oh well.

I think that putting a big block in a small block engine compartment would be difficult, time consuming, and expencive. Think about the mounting brackets, and having to reroute the exhaust system. When I looken in the engine compartment of my roc I wanted to put a v6 in there there was so much room. I probably could put a small one in but I will have the problem of figuring out how to mount it, and then there is the transmission. Do I keep a stock tranny and add a converter (custom machined) or do I replace the tranny with a compatible one. Then there is the trans axle and cv joints. I know that will have to be custom.

I don't know your background with mechanics or fabrication but you should realize what you are getting youself into by making that big of a jump.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Thanks for the great tips so far, guys. It's really making me think. Did a little polishing/cleaning last night. This car has some great potential....

 

[Bill Martino]

After reading all this I vote for original. Really nothing quite like an old car that looks new.