Chevelles come to mind-didn't Roadrunners, GTX's also come w/full Frames? I think we also need to agree as to what consitutes a "Muscle Car"-is a '67 Impala with a 396 a "Muscle Car"? It's full Framed-what about El Camino's? I'm sure I'm missing a bunch here-
Absolutely none of the Chrysler Corp. cars have a full frame after about 1960
Chrysler went to unibody in in 1957 on most of their lines.
So--If yer lookin' for a full frame B body Chrysler---gonna be lookin for a long time.
All of the A body GM--Chevelle-Skylark/Regal-Cutlass are full frame to about 1987
I have no idea where the fords made a change, but the smaller cars--Mustang, Falcon, Cougar, Fairlane, & early Comets were unibody as well
Absolutely none of the Chrysler Corp. cars have a full frame after about 1960
Chrysler went to unibody in in 1957 on most of their lines.
So--If yer lookin' for a full frame B body Chrysler---gonna be lookin for a long time. ...... Bryan
Those A body frames are very flimsy though! Basically two subframes (front and rear) tied together with a very light rail. You can't power the frame without a body attached! You're going to have to go a lot older to get something with a heavy frame unless you use a truck.
Farna brings up a good point. Why are you looking for a full frame car? 67-72 (although, 64 with the introduction of the GTO was the start of the muscle car era, IMHO) you will be limited to GM A bodies. If you are going to back half it and cage it, you could start with anything, add connectors, and there you go. If you are looking for the most rigidity without mods, you are back to 64-72 GM A bodies, but only convertibles and a few exceptions (there is a thread somewhere on which non-convertible A bodies had the boxed frame).
Well i meant the majority of it. After i have the engine and trans ill work more on the car until i feel its ready. Then pray when i leave the line that the frame stays straight!!
Man I cant wait until I have all that torque!!! :thumbup:
Farna brings up a good point. Why are you looking for a full frame car? 67-72 (although, 64 with the introduction of the GTO was the start of the muscle car era, IMHO)
The Dodge Polara four-door hardtop tested by MOTOR TREND was equipped with the D-500 engine package, which is the ram-inducted version of the 383 cubic inch OVH V8. This is a lot of powerplant, but the Polara unit body/frame construction is plenty rugged and stands up well under the performance capabilities of this engine.
The Dodge Polara four-door hardtop tested by MOTOR TREND was equipped with the D-500 engine package, which is the ram-inducted version of the 383 cubic inch OVH V8. This is a lot of powerplant, but the Polara unit body/frame construction is plenty rugged and stands up well under the performance capabilities of this engine.
I know they were unibody. just saying I'd consider them the first muscle car, over the GTO. but even the '55 Chrysler 300 could be considered the first muscle car ( and many do argue about it ) because the 300 stood for an advertised 300 HP.
This is an answer to "35WINDOW" wonder... "what consitutes a "Muscle Car".
From one car magazine we can have the anwers to that!
1. They will all have an V8 engine, 273 to 455 ci.
2. All muscle cars where equipped with a performance induction system, single four-barrel, two four-barrel, three two-barrels, or mechanical fuel injection.
3. A proper full dual exhaust system.
4. An actual power-to-weight ratio of at least one HP for every 10 pounds of wehicle weight.
5. Two-door bodies. (HT, fastback, post, convertibles)
Those are the 5 basic components of Muscle Cars.
The era started in 1962, and ended in 1971.
And here is an simple car list:
Buick Skylark GS 65-71
Camaro 67-71
Chevrolet full size 62-65
Chevy II & Nova 65-70
Chevelle 64-71
Corvette 62-71
Olds Cutlass 442 65-71
Pontiac GTO 64-71
Pontiac Catalina 62
Pontiac Firebird & Trans-AM 67-71
Barracuda A-Body 67-69
Dodge B-Body 62-71
Dart/Demon A-Body 66-71
Challenger E-Body 70-71
Plymouth B-Body 62-71
Duster A-Body 70-71
Barracuda E-body 70-71
Ford full size 62-65
Fairlane/Torino 64-71
Mustang 64-71
Shelby Mustangs 65-70
Shelby Cobras 62-67
Mercury Comet 64-65
Mercury Cyclone GT 66-71
Mercury Cougar 67-71
AMC 68-71
Maybe you can figure out wich of'em had the full frame... i can't !
:welcome:
/Pete
Even with a full frame car there will be a lot of work. Most unit body cars will hold up fine with back halves (if you want to narrow the axle for wide tires, otherwise not necessary), "subframe" connectors (most don't really have subframes, they have suspension rails in front and rear), and at least six point roll cages tieing the front and rear rails and connectors together. Eight point would be preferred for the power you're talking about. The cage becomes an integral part of the body and stiffens it considerably, probably better than a full frame.
The old 50-62 Ramblers (even the little 100" wheelbase ones, but 56-62 108-112" wheelbase would be better) have one of the best unit bodies for this type work. They have rails that run bumper to bumper, no connectors needed. They just need the roll cage and extra cross bracing (cross members) to strengthen them up, and a back half welded in for wide tires. The only problem is they are all four doors except for the hard to find 62 model -- the only year a two door was made. The 63+ models use a different type of unit body structure, similar to all unit bodies made after 64. The older Nash cars, 52-57, also use the full length rails, and there were some relatively light two door Statesman and 600 models, but I doubt you want anything like those.
I know they were unibody. just saying I'd consider them the first muscle car, over the GTO. but even the '55 Chrysler 300 could be considered the first muscle car ( and many do argue about it ) because the 300 stood for an advertised 300 HP.
Don't forget the A body first generation (1970-1972) Monte Carlo. Nice look when done right. Dave
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