Was there ever a better ALL AROUND car

[Tracker1]

Originally Posted by Arrowsmith

There are probably a good number of Buick and Oldsmobile (and maybe Pontiac) muscle car folks who would disagree with your assessment.....

You got that right Arrowsmith. Except for the 4 inch wheelbase short-fall for the GM car, the track, overall length and width of Mopar 68-70 B-bodies and say, a 1970 GTO is nearly identical.

I've owned examples of both, including Hemi and Six Pack models, LS6 and Ram Air. For overall driving and comfort and build quality - it isn't even close! The full chassis GM had it all over Mopar in the intermediate class from 1968-1972. I can't even say that is my 2 cents, really - bet a lot of Mopar engineers from back in the day would agree if they were being honest

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tracker1

You got that right Arrowsmith. Except for the 4 inch wheelbase short-fall for the GM car, the track, overall length and width of Mopar 68-70 B-bodies and say, a 1970 GTO is nearly identical.

I've owned examples of both, including Hemi and Six Pack models, LS6 and Ram Air. For overall driving and comfort and build quality - it isn't even close! The full chassis GM had it all over Mopar in the intermediate class from 1968-1972. I can't even say that is my 2 cents, really - bet a lot of Mopar engineers from back in the day would agree if they were being honest

I was thinking the same thing.

Felt like I was in an alternate universe for a little while there.

K

[Arrowsmith]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

....

Felt like I was in an alternate universe for a little while there.

K

Me too...

[Steve Shauger]

I think the original poster said it best when he started this thread " I'm a bit biased as my first car was a 68 GTX convertible clone, 440 4sp 4.10 Dana".


I can't compare because I haven't owned and B body Mopars. The E body Mopars, I can they have wow factor and I liked looking at my AAR, but much prefer driving a Z28. I agree that build quality was lacking on some Mopar products. They had damn great drivetrains!

[Tracker1]

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger

I think the original poster said it best when he started this thread " I'm a bit biased as my first car was a 68 GTX convertible clone, 440 4sp 4.10 Dana".


I can't compare because I haven't owned and B body Mopars. The E body Mopars, I can they have wow factor and I liked looking at my AAR, but much prefer driving a Z28. I agree that build quality was lacking on Mopar products. They had damn great drivetrains!

Yeah, horrible riding, driving , handling cars that had near bulletproof drivetrains - I love 'em!

[EZ Nova]

Strange, I have driven, raced and just drove around in various Chevelle's over the years (Beaumonts too) and they never seemed to ride as nice as the B-bodys?? Chevelle has been known for years with there "taxi-cab" dash/interiors, even though the '69 were not too bad.

Some Buicks we nice (my aunt actually bought a '70 GS 455 Stage 1 on her brothers recommendation. I can still remember being in the back seat when my dad drove our snowmobile off the trailer and into the truck of her can the FIRST winter she had it.) Still these others didn't seem to have the room when comparing the intermediates. Now yes, my uncle 1967 GTO did have the room, but the 400 seemed to not be as much of a runner as the 440's.

Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of nice and roomy cars back then. Just looking now for a nice reliable driver that has room, creature comforts and good performance, the 440 powered B-body just seem the have the most all around combined. They were BIG, trunk was BIG, had the 440's and just had some nice finishes. Others may agree or disagree, that's fine by me. BUT you must admit, there wasn't an easier car to turn the steering wheel then the power mopar of the '68's??? Probably TOO EASY.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

Now yes, my uncle 1967 GTO did have the room, but the 400 seemed to not be as much of a runner as the 440's.

There were 4 versions of the 400cid in 67 GTO's
Your uncle may have had the economy 2bbl version with an automatic ?

An HO or RamAir engine in a 67 would have turned you into a GTO owner.
The base 335hp version was okay for basic transportation.

[EZ Nova]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

There were 4 versions of the 400cid in 67 GTO's
Your uncle may have had the economy 2bbl version with an automatic ?

An HO or RamAir engine in a 67 would have turned you into a GTO owner.
The base 335hp version was okay for basic transportation.

My uncles '67 GTO was a auto with dualgate. He was sorta into cars but not up on all the particulars. He told me when he bought it that it was a RAM AIR car and DID seal to the hood. Needed premium gas to run at all (around here that is 93 octane pump). With the auto, it wasn't a fast as his friends 1963 409 4bbl Impala. Being hyd lifter and heads on the Impala, the GTO just couldn't run with my uncles GTO.

Before I bought my car, when I was 15 a friend in town had a really nice '66 GTO with the Tri-power. That to didn't really impress me as much as my brothers 1975 Trans Am with a 1974 455 in it.

I do NOT have much experiences with Pontiacs myself. A few guys have them around me. I figured FOR SURE the best run back in the day for my 440 Mopar was a local 1971 T-37 (GT-37) factory 455HO 4sp car with cam, headers, carb and 4.10 gear. Been on this site a few times about that car. And it's still around local to me to this day. I know about that car then the current owner did. Anyway back in the mid '80's that T37 sounded KILLER. Had pretty much the same setup as my GTX clone. He would race everyone else BUT ME. Just kept saying he had no chance. My car had headers, CH4B intake, Holley 780 vac carb and a weird came. Stock lift but about 6 degrees more duration. Sorta pissed me off as it didn't rumble like the others around town.

I recently got ride of a FAST 1961 Pontiac Bubbletop. Car had a 409/425 motor that was worked, 4sp and 3.36 gear. That car certainly would have outran 99% of the cars around, and room and actually not badly finished off inside. Problem was that you just can't find parts for them. And the tipical X frame twist when running hard.

[Verne_Frantz]

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger

I can't compare because I haven't owned and B body Mopars. The E body Mopars, I can they have wow factor and I liked looking at my AAR, but much prefer driving a Z28. I agree that build quality was lacking on Mopar products. They had damn great drivetrains!

Steve,
I didn't notice any build quality problems with the '69 Road Runner I had for a long time. My only complaints were the starter that sounded like a hyena laughing and a lack of road feel in the steering.


Verne