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Chevelle guy wanting to learn about Mopars

E

ETD66SS

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I am a long time Chevelle enthusiast/owner, but have always wanted to get into Mopars someday. I'm looking for my second restoration project car and figured I'd come here to see if I can learn the basics, mainly so I know what I am looking at if I decide to buy a Mopar. My favorite has always been the 1969 SuperBee (which seem prohibitively expensive to own these days!) Maybe my project car is more of a Coronet or the like.

I guess the first question I have is, when looking at classifieds, it seems the majority of the cars are auto trans? If I could be directed to some production charts/guides for various models to start with, that would be cool.

Anyways, hope I learn a lot here.

Hmm, not sure how to add a signature, but here is a link to my current (non-Mopar) resto project: https://imgur.com/a/v2PHi#0
 
Welcome chevelle guy, Your heading in the right direction coming here and to ma mopar. I have one of them chevelles in my shop (belongs to my wife) You people walk on water if you can make one of them into a car. I been building that thing for over a year and still having headaches lol. Anyway mopars are a different animal altogether. Good to experience for sure. I came from a long time ford camp and mopars are habbit forming I now have a bunch of them.

- - - Updated - - -

Also the 2nd generation mopars are a little easier to get into money wise. (71-74) but still very cool cars. Coronets are very nice cars and about all mopars from the 60's to mid 70's are fun and most were powerful road warriors. And again welcome. Very good source of information here. (And I just had to be the first to bust your chops on the chevy lol)
 
I been building that thing for over a year and still having headaches lol.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, with what specifically?

My project has been going for 10+ years, not the cars fault though :)

Ok, I have an example here: https://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4943621973.html

Not my favorite year Charger, but if I were to go look at that car, what should I be looking for? I know all the places to look on a Chevelle for hidden rust etc, but would have no clue on this car.

Also, how is used/NOS availability for Mopars? Repo parts for Chevelles are generally garbage, same for Mopars I assume?
 
Lesson # 1. All GM cars were hampered/handicapped by the Jan 12th Corporate edict stating : No intermediate size car or smaller can have an engine larger than a 400 CI displacement (eventually became 400CI)
NOTE: Except for the Corvette.
That is why "we" never saw a 67 Chevelle with a 427 from the factory nor a 67 GTO with the 421 CI 3X2 carb set-up until the Central Office Production Order (COPP loop hole was discovered)
In 1968/1969 Oldsmoblie said: "Screw You" to Corporate GM and introduced the wild Olds Cutlass 442 H/O with the 455 CI monster torque motor.
By May of 1969 GM lifted the BAN and we saw the LS5 and LS6 Chevelles, 455 GTOs and the Buick Stage 1 GSX with the 455CI 510 Lb Ft torque cars.

Ford and Chrysler did not adhere to that silly philosophy
They both installed large displacement engines in intermediate size cars, thus winning on the streets.

I am happy to hear of your interest in the Mopar world!

BTW: Welcome aboard and thanks for joining the forum!

"super-bee_ski"
PS: Yup, I love Coronets!

PSS: That 71 dodge Charger Clone is WAY over priced.
Search our Forums "B-bodies For Sale" section.
Also try: Cars On Line
Do your research first, learn which cars are desirable to you and learn their value.
 
Rust areas on mopar cars are about the same as most others with the exception of rust in the frames as most are unibody cars. As far as parts I use AMD and some of it is good some needs to modified. A lot of the mopar cars were vinyl top cars and therefore had some rust in the roof as well. But floors , trunk areas and rear quarters are where to look. I see no more rust issues on these cars than I did on mustangs. I am sure others will jump in here. I do know your in good company in your area as I see a larger selection of cars to be had back that way. Out here the cars may not be as rusty but there are not as many cars.
 
Hi ETD66SS, nice to have you here. Welcome:wav:

Nice project with your Chevelle. You'll find a lot of the work and skills involved will be about the same, metal is metal. Learning about the differences, like unibody and rear leafs won't be a problem.
 
I guess where I'd like to start is a reference website if there is one available? I have been using this Chevelle site for many years: http://chevellestuff.net/1966/index.htm

Does there happen to be a Mopar repository with similar information all in one place? If so, I'll get started on reading the whole site :) I'd like to know where all the critical number stampings are on a given car, how to read the VIN's and codes, etc.
 
Don't know of a similar site with such a breakdown on years. But the info is out there if you do some searches on the net.

I owned and restored a 69 Chevelle over a 13year period and while I love my Mopar (69 Roadrunner) I think I can say that it's about 30% more costly on average parts just because the production volume was just not as high as the GM's and Ford's. Many parts will be similar in cost, but far more will cost you some extra $'s

Repro parts are hit n miss just like for your Chevy.

Welcome to the site....

Oh and yes that Charger is way over priced.. look on the forum sale section here. Search CL elsewhere in the country too to get a gauge on models and prices
 
I think I can say that it's about 30% more costly on average parts just because the production volume was just not as high as the GM's and Ford's.
Click to expand...

I can say, even going back in to high school for me (1990's), Mopar had a bad rap for being too costly to restore, so yes that is/has been a concern of mine. I've been burned by repo stuff so many times, my next project I'd like to have the ability to find & restore original parts.
 
ETD66SS said:
my next project I'd like to have the ability to find & restore original parts.
Click to expand...

If that's the case... the usual rust is a concern, beyond that, don't do what I did and buy an incomplete car.. the cost just to get it "complete" can set you back quite a ways.

oh and beware that 66-67 Chargers, while awesome cars, parts avail is slim.

For reference, down here in FL, you can find a 20 ft restoration complete 71-72 charger for in that 12K range. Good restoration complete in the 17-19K range

here are a few others to look at..
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4999441123.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/4992311710.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/4991648590.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/5001883409.html

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4983821712.html

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5005009082.html

http://lakecity.craigslist.org/cto/5011519479.html
 
Welcome to the dark side! The price of admission is a little higher here, but the end result is more than worth it. Nice job on the Chevelle too!
 
LOL
Try doing a Hemi like I did with the Superbee!
You want to see $$ go like peanuts...


Just what is it that you want to know?
Low production numbers?
Rare Mopars?


You make this quote: "I guess the first question I have is, when looking at classifieds, it seems the majority of the cars are auto trans? If I could be directed to some production charts/guides for various models to start with, that would be cool"
I think I am missing your point.
 
1969CoronetR/T said:
A 1969 Super Bee is a Coronet...
Click to expand...
Right but, isn't finding a (base?) Coronet going to be cheaper/easier than finding a real SuperBee? (there seems to be many models/packages of the same car)

[You make this quote: "I guess the first question I have is, when looking at classifieds, it seems the majority of the cars are auto trans? If I could be directed to some production charts/guides for various models to start with, that would be cool"
I think I am missing your point.
Click to expand...

Production numbers, showing engine/trans combinations etc. I don't see a lot of 4 speeds out there when say compared to looking for Chevelle's.
 
it just depend(s) at how much you want to spend =0)

but than again, they have rare opportunities out there at where you can obtain a good deal on a vehicle


1969 Dodge Super Bee, AL
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5008471804.html

1969 Dodge Coronet 500/RT/Super Bee, MI
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5011091876.html

1969 dodge coronet 500 ,rt,super bee, quad city
http://quadcities.craigslist.org/cto/5003910512.html

1969 Super Bee 383 4spd, IL
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5012079155.html

'69 super bee drag race roller, pittsburgh
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5012019754.html

1969 coronet r/t 440 4spd Dana 60, MT
http://billings.craigslist.org/cto/5011877855.html
 
welcome to FBBO "the dark-side"...LOL

maybe try to post these questions in the general discussion forum section
or maybe even the Marketplace WTB forum section

good luck with your search, you came to the right place,
just try a different forum section & you'll probably get far more responses,
this is the welcome wagon not really intended as a Q&A or tech forum section...

good luck with your search
Happy Moparing
 
Random question here but since you are a Chevelle guy I was curious to know how many Yenko Chevelles were made? I saw 1 in a magazine before but that was it.
 
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