How airtight were b-bodies when new?

[Tony Tee]

When B-bodies were new. Were they somewhat air tight enough to kinda float like the vw bug was in the old commercial where the bug was driven into a lake? And did that vw bug eventually sink?
Or were the b-bodies swiss cheese and sink like a brick.

 

[Don Frelier]

When B-bodies were new. Were they somewhat air tight enough to kinda float like the vw bug was in the old commercial where the bug was driven into a lake? And did that vw bug eventually sink?
Or were the b-bodies swiss cheese and sink like a brick.

If it's a Mopar then it's gonna leak.
( It will run great though)

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Drive anything a few miles on a gravel road, and see how much dust is inside. We went about 1200 miles on gravel, so got a lot of dust. We leak more now than when new, but I bet the Tukvan leaked from day one. Also there is the hardened and congealed dust under the floor and in the running gear.
This can be a bigger problem if not taken care of. Dust inside requires wiping. Dust underneath may require a jack hammer if allowed to set.
Vehicles are more like a vacuum inside, with the windows up.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

When B-bodies were new. Were they somewhat air tight enough to kinda float like the vw bug was in the old commercial where the bug was driven into a lake? And did that vw bug eventually sink?
Or were the b-bodies swiss cheese and sink like a brick.

I had a 68 VW bug and being rear engine and tail "heavy" and light front end in general they skim across water like a water bug.
Any front engine car can't do that like a VW can.
They all sink eventually though

 

[DeltaV]

It's red like the one in Bullitt too.

 

[DeltaV]

My '71 Satellite and '72 Fury III hardtop were fairly airtight...no whistling noises.

 

[WileE]

From my personal experience back in the day, the b bodies up to 70 were not very good air, water, or rattles. The restyle in 71 was a dramatic improvement.

 

[eldubb440]

water can pour in through the cowl

 

[WileE]

"How airtight were b-bodies when new?" asks the OP. Well, I worked on these cars when they WERE new and almost new. It seems every Mopar that came into the garage had a symptom of wind noise... or a leak... or a rattle... if it were a 70-older car. Those symptoms were nowhere near as prevalent on the 71-later models. That is my personal experience, in real time, from back then, and it is something that impressed me at the time. Personally, I didn't care about those in my own car... I just wanted to go... fast. ​

 

[Kern Dog]

There is airtight then there is watertight.
I've often looked to reduce wind noise after driving my car on extended road trips. I never drove it far when it was original but it sure did seem quieter then. That is probably because a stock 318 2 barrel with single exhaust will make a LOT less engine noise than a 495 cube solid cam 2" header equipped setup. Look at what catches the wind and you'll find where noise also gets generated. The roof drip rails, vent windows, the windshield wipers, in the case of Chargers the recessed grille too. Stock tires that are sucked in leave gaping voids in the wheel openings that disrupt air flow too.
Now if you're actually talking about being watertight, I'd think that you'd be okay with keeping rain out as well as water when you're washing the car but if the water is under pressure, it will try to get in. If all the body plugs are in place and every seam in the body is properly sealed, you may be okay cruising up to the frame rails but remember....the cowl has drains, the doors have slots to allow water to drain too. The quarters have drains. Once water gets above the drains, water will come in.

 

[chargervert]

They were designed to have a ten year lifespan, and many are still here 60 years later.

 

[themechanic]

They were designed to have a ten year lifespan, and many are still here 60 years later.

Minus the floor pans.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Minus the floor pans.

My GTX leaked like a sieve when it was new, but being the dealer's personal car, it got new floor pans while it was still in daily service. The car has the original cowl and roof pillar assembly, and sure enough, even with a new windshield, it leaked during the downpour on the Carlisle show field.

 

[WileE]

My GTX leaked like a sieve when it was new, but being the dealer's personal car, it got new floor pans while it was still in daily service. The car has the original cowl and roof pillar assembly, and sure enough, even with a new windshield, it leaked during the downpour on the Carlisle show field.

The windshield wiper pivot seals are a common culprit for leaks on the 70-earlier models. And why many a front floor pan has dissolved.

 

[chargervert]

I was in my moms 70 Charger R/T SE getting a ride to work when the car was about 10 years old and it was pouring out, water leaked from the wiper pivot right into my work boot!

 

[jimbosride]

Getting ready to take my 65 thru the no touch car wash.

 

[Ron H]

With my '63 Fury vert, think it leaks more with the top up than down if driving fast enough. Well it gets a few chuckles when I have occasion to mention it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

They were designed to have a ten year lifespan, and many are still here 60 years later.

I don't think it was even that long purchased my first 69 Charger in late 1975 & while it ran great, the fenders, quarters & dutchman panel all had rot in them. The front seats were pretty well torn too. You don't see 2019 cars all rotted out today.

 

[1967coronet]

 

[chargervert]

I don't think it was even that long purchased my first 69 Charger in late 1975 & while it ran great, the fenders, quarters & dutchman panel all had rot in them. The front seats were pretty well torn too. You don't see 2019 cars all rotted out today.

My moms Charger R/T SE was ten years old before I ever saw any rot on it. It was a daily driver used year round in the same area. It might have been washed a couple times a year.