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Things you dislike about B bodies?

jeeper

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So I am getting closer to buying a B body. I have either owned or do own pretty much what I am interested in and there is one car I would like. That is a 68-70 B body like a Plymouth Satellite. I have owned multiple Mopar trucks and quite a few A bodies.

I want a B body to drive to work a day or two a week, take a trip here and there. More of a "budget" pro touring thing. I currently have a newer Camaro SS well optioned but it just does not do it for me despite checking boxes on paper. The car has no soul. I am trying but it just does not do it for me despite being pretty incredible for what it is.

I really don't want a show car, but not too ratty. Just a fun older car. I am quite mechanically inclined so the work isn't the issue. Finding one seems to be that isn't 30K.

So, what are the things that you really don't like about later model B bodies? What is a frustration with them that you really don't care for?
 
I prefer the feel of the 71-72 B-bodies best. A bit less wind noise due to the ventless glass, a bit wider track so they handle just a smidge better, better aerodynamics for those high speed runs. Really though I love all B-bodies and feel they were pretty well sorted out for their era. Their size is a bit large for driving in todays world, a bit large for parking for example, E and A bodes fit a bit better in parking spots but don't have the trunk and passenger capacity of the B's. I suppose vinyl seats are something that could use improvement for a driver.
 
Restoring 3 vehicles starting with a rust-bucket, swore off doing another getting a CA car for next build. It was original non-restored 318, doing a few things over the years driving it for over 15 years before a major restoration. Thing ran so nice just didn’t see any priority rebuilding the motor. Before the major re-do, did a brake conversion, some new linkage, elec ig, swapped out the rear, new leafs, 4bbl, duals, re-did the interior that was most pricy as that was crappy plus adding buckets. At my age now, IF I’d do another, it would have to be nice original shape (body) or body having been restored nicely. Mechanicals interior, suspension I’d still do.

Seems as though certain cars have their particular demons for where they like to rust. My old GTO was the rear window and a buddy with a ’69 GTX had similar issues. He found a good amount of ‘fill’ and was perplexed as he wasn’t aware of the car being fixed up. Extra body trim (like on fancier models) can be other areas where rust thrives, like even on my CA Plymouth behind the quarter trim requiring some new metal and on the trunk floor. Had some of that on my goat where the rocker was under trim. On my ride, rockers were reputed to go to chit; but was spared most of that never seeing salt.

You sound like you have a lot of experience, so I’m not saying much here you don’t know. I’d say stay patient for a ride that crops up in the condition you’d prefer it be in having an idea what sort a cash and time will be needed to fix it up enough to your liking. They seem to pop up and lol, have some regrets not buying a couple over the years I passed up. Just my two pennies. Good luck on your hunt!
 
I’ve really only owned my one b body as a “classic or older“ car if you will. Every winter back in the day I would buy a $100 - $200 car to get me thru the winter while the. GTX was stored. Of course I had many friends back then that had every muscle car under the sun but mine was the only car I had eyes and ears for. Saying that I think b bodies were made kind of cheaply in terms of construction but loaded with style and MoPower. Even tho they termed the GTX “The Gentleman's or Executives Muscle Car“ back then I never really saw it that way. My dad always bought the cheapest new cars he could find and I never rode in many uptown or luxury cars back then so I really didnt have much to compare it to. So in my estimation many b bodies can be rolling rattle traps. Now most or many are restored and a decent one would have all those issues taken care of. Not the most comfortable and not the best car made - not usually loaded with options although you can find one with. I guess I‘m blathering on here but I’m a muscle car guy - Mopar is the only brand for me. If muscle makes no difference to you then you simply have to like the styling or else I think there are many other cars you could buy for less coin that may have been better built back at birth. 2 cents see what that will buy you.

BTW you can’t put the Camero In the same garage as a Mopar or it’ll get eaten for lunch. Just the way it is…..
 
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A 66/67 is "basically" the same car as a 68-70.

Feels a bit more narrow and is a bit lighter. Not as much wheel well room, but chassis is almost the same as is interior dimensions and seats.

WAY cheaper.

...and they are somewhat less prone to rust.

71-74 OTOH...

More likely to have disk brakes and sway bars...and dual mirrors...and AC.

Lots of cool options started in 70 and were common on 71-74 (like Slap-Stick, etc).

Feels much wider (to me, as do E body cars).

Can be "squishy" handling, but can be at least partially tamed. Seats can be love them/hate them.

...but they are actually somewhat more prone to rust than 68-70.
 
I only have six second generation Chargers and eight third generation Chargers, I really need a few more! Other than that they are fine.
 
I love the style of the 68-70 but two things I don't like and both are biggies.....fuel fill behind the license plate and an upward opening glove box door. The fuel fill I can live with but who in their right mind thought about that glove box door???? They took away the only place where someone could set a drink at a drive in.
 
I love the style of the 68-70 but two things I don't like and both are biggies.....fuel fill behind the license plate and an upward opening glove box door. The fuel fill I can live with but who in their right mind thought about that glove box door???? They took away the only place where someone could set a drink at a drive in.
My 70 Charger R/T has neither of these issues! You just need to pick the right 68 to 70 B body!
 
So I am getting closer to buying a B body. I have either owned or do own pretty much what I am interested in and there is one car I would like. That is a 68-70 B body like a Plymouth Satellite. I have owned multiple Mopar trucks and quite a few A bodies.

I want a B body to drive to work a day or two a week, take a trip here and there. More of a "budget" pro touring thing. I currently have a newer Camaro SS well optioned but it just does not do it for me despite checking boxes on paper. The car has no soul. I am trying but it just does not do it for me despite being pretty incredible for what it is.

I really don't want a show car, but not too ratty. Just a fun older car. I am quite mechanically inclined so the work isn't the issue. Finding one seems to be that isn't 30K.

So, what are the things that you really don't like about later model B bodies? What is a frustration with them that you really don't care for?
I'm a bit in the same place you are.. although looking for a '68 Charger. I'll keep an eye out for you and send you a link if i come across a decent Satellite. I think the problem you'll run into is Rust and Money. More of one doesnt necessarily mean less of the other btw.. I've found a lot of folks are good at hiding the warts and sometimes arent forthcoming or are proud of something that might not reasonable sense to you. Keep an eye out for the condition of the back window trim, the bottomtrailing edge of the fenders/wheel arch openings, doors and the entire quarters. Also Trunk floors, rear frame rails, truck seals/lid, rear valence panels.. etc. I've been advised aginst buying without laying hands on it first.. it sounds like solid advice (albeit maybe obvious).

Good Luck! I'll let you know if I find anything for ya!
I only have six second generation Chargers and eight third generation Chargers, I really need a few more! Other than that they are fine.
Any chance you might be looking to part with one of those '68 or 69'?? :drinks:
 
My 70 Charger R/T has neither of these issues! You just need to pick the right 68 to 70 B body!
The Plymouths do....but can't remember if the Coronets do or not. I'm thinking the Nets have the behind the plate fill but totally unsure of the glove box.
 
The Plymouths do....but can't remember if the Coronets do or not. I'm thinking the Nets have the behind the plate fill but totally unsure of the glove box.
Yep 69 Coronets have gas fill behind plate and the glove box opens up. I don't keep anything in the box except registration and insurance card. Keeping anything else in there and it will fall out when you open the door after a full pull.
 
The Plymouths do....but can't remember if the Coronets do or not. I'm thinking the Nets have the behind the plate fill but totally unsure of the glove box.
The Coronet has the gas filler behind the plate too. In 1970 the fixed the glove box door issue. They even have impressions for drinks.
 
I'm a bit in the same place you are.. although looking for a '68 Charger. I'll keep an eye out for you and send you a link if i come across a decent Satellite. I think the problem you'll run into is Rust and Money. More of one doesnt necessarily mean less of the other btw.. I've found a lot of folks are good at hiding the warts and sometimes arent forthcoming or are proud of something that might not reasonable sense to you. Keep an eye out for the condition of the back window trim, the bottomtrailing edge of the fenders/wheel arch openings, doors and the entire quarters. Also Trunk floors, rear frame rails, truck seals/lid, rear valence panels.. etc. I've been advised aginst buying without laying hands on it first.. it sounds like solid advice (albeit maybe obvious).

Good Luck! I'll let you know if I find anything for ya!

Any chance you might be looking to part with one of those '68 or 69'?? :drinks:
The 68 is being built for my son,and both 69s are major projects. They are both R/T SE cars,one has a sunroof. I am going to build them both. I have a few 71 projects for sale and a super solid 72 Charger topper roller I would sell too
 
66 B-Bodies don't get no respect like 68 to 71. I like them all :thumbsup:

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I love all the b bodies, they all have their own style that reflects their era. But if I have to complain about 1 thing, and it’s really no big deal. The boring gauge layout, unless you have a rally dash. Other then that there’s no down sides to owning a b body.
 
I love all the b bodies, they all have their own style that reflects their era. But if I have to complain about 1 thing, and it’s really no big deal. The boring gauge layout, unless you have a rally dash. Other then that there’s no down sides to owning a b body.
It looks better with the Tachometer. And the early ‘68
GTX and R/T had a 0-150 lens. I think in mid year it went to 0-15 x 10.
94CD7626-CF11-4FB4-AC9B-7F8C0223CCD3.jpeg
 
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