MONTE CARLO 79.....or 78?

[Sodee]

So I’ve come to a place where I have a decision to make with my project. Originally, I was considering giving up on my project due to the cost of replacing the metal around the windows of my 78. I looked around locally and the people that would touch it would want 1500-2000 to even attempt it. It also needs floor pans in the front. It still has the 305 in it that’s close to running and solid frame. It’s a bill of sale car.

Today, I ran across a 79 roller for $300, with a solid roof (minus a pinhole), and a pretty solid body. It has A pillar plastics and B pillar plastics that I needed for the 78, but it also needs rear tail lights, corner lights, and a few other items. Unknown frame condition, but the seller has title and I secretly like the 79 wrap around tails over the 78s...

I’ll be able to break even, plus get interior pieces I’ve needed. My question is, which body should I keep? I’m not attached to either, but one is going to be kept and one is going to be parted or sold off.


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[81Regal]

If the frame on the 78 is good I would swap it under the 79 and build that one. Where are you at I may need some parts?

 

[Sodee]

If the frame on the 78 is good I would swap it under the 79 and build that one. Where are you at I may need some parts?

I’m in Alabama, near Auburn.

I have some pretty good welders that I’m friends with, but warping the roof is something I’m afraid of, then I’d be in worse shape than I’m in now. I know enough to know that keeping the heat down by jumping around on the welds would help but I still don’t know..

The major issues I see with a body swap is that I will have to swap windshields and I don’t have a shop, only a 2 door garage.


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[pagrunt]

Go with the '79, sacrifice '78. Between the two you'll end up with something nice. I'm like you, like the '79-'80 tail lights better but use the '78 parking lights.

 

[79 USA 1]

I'd build the 79 and part out the 78! A lot of parts cross over between the years and items such as the bumper mylar strips are like hens teeth to locate new.
Just my $.02
Bob S.

 

[ck80]

I also vote to build the 79.

If you get the interior stripped out, with that many rust holes on the 78 roof leting water in you're going to see all kinds of strange rust coming from between panels and inside out over the years.

If you're fixing something up, go with something that has a better chance of holding up and staying nice for you.... unless there's some emotional attachment to the 78 that is...

 

[Sodee]

I'd build the 79 and part out the 78! A lot of parts cross over between the years and items such as the bumper mylar strips are like hens teeth to locate new.
Just my $.02
Bob S.

Go with the '79, sacrifice '78. Between the two you'll end up with something nice. I'm like you, like the '79-'80 tail lights better but use the '78 parking lights.

Ive asked 6 people and this is literally the same thing they’ve said. I thought it would be more split, but it’s very one sided lol. Just looking at the dents and dings both have just one area that will need massaging, but the 78 has that rusty top...


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[Sodee]

I also vote to build the 79.

If you get the interior stripped out, with that many rust holes on the 78 roof leting water in you're going to see all kinds of strange rust coming from between panels and inside out over the years.

If you're fixing something up, go with something that has a better chance of holding up and staying nice for you.... unless there's some emotional attachment to the 78 that is...

Very true. I caught it before it’s gotten to any other areas (it’s covered now) but i probably should have known what was going on, when I saw condensation on the back window when buying it. But the rust is bad enough to where I can see in the car, and so i knew it would have to be fixed before it ever saw the road.

I have no emotional attachment to either one honestly, I’m indifferent. It’s a car I paid $900 for, and that’s about it. I hate to cut one up and determine that one more Gbody will never see the road again but you gotta do what you gotta do, y know?

Thank you all for your advice, I was definitely on the fence when making this post. Fingers crossed, I won’t have to swap frames and can just swap in the motor/trans/fuel tank, and go.


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[TURNA]

Go with the 79 the 78 has to many one off parts like the steering column, the front spindles, taillights

Mechanical work OK body work $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Also is that white Cutlass rim is a 15 inch one and its for sale i will take it!!!

 

[Sodee]

Go with the 79 the 78 has to many one off parts like the steering column, the front spindles, taillights

Mechanical work OK body work $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Also is that white Cutlass rim is a 15 inch one and its for sale i will take it!!!

Agreed on the body work.. I saw the 79 as being one off because I see a few 79s but I’ve never seen an 80 in person. I never knew the steering column was different though, my 78 has a tilt and I thought they were all the same. I wonder where I can find a list of the differences..

Hilariously enough, my cousin wants the other 3 if the guy will sell them to make his 64 impala a roller, so that might work out..... let me see if he wants to sell the set.


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