Are G-Bodies the "New" Classics?

[CaliWagon83]

So I've been thinking about this for a while. While there's still a healthy aftermarket for '60s and '70s-era classics, the pool of originals in decent (restorable) shape is shrinking, and prices are going up accordingly. Do you think the G-body has become kind of the new "classic" car to customize and modify?

Here are a few of the unique attributes of the G-body that I think make it stand out:

1) It's one of last body-on-frame midsize cars before the entire industry went almost fully unibody.
2) The engine bay will swallow almost any engine you want to put in it, up to a BBC or Cadillac 500!

Sure there are some challenges. I've seen some people comment on here how the stock frames are a little floppy and don't handle high horsepower very well, and the stock engines (with the exception of the GN/MC SS) were pretty weak, but what wasn't in the late '70s/early '80s?. Was just curious what everyone's thoughts were.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Gotta love people who have recently discovered G bodies!

Popular, yes. Average G body ever reaching 70 Chevelle/442/GSX/Judge money, slim.

IMO the $$$ winners in G bodies are going to be 442/Hurst, GN/GNX, and MAYBE super nice low mile Monte SS...which leaves a lot of regular ones to personalize.

 

[ssn696]

I like my $150 Malibu Coupe. Sitting at the wheel, it's a classic - it 'feels right."

 

[ItsnotaGN]

Exactly why I originally bought the Monte SS. I couldn't find a 69 Chevelle in reasonable shape for my cheap beer budget and it gives you the feeling of a late 60's GM midsize.

 

[pagrunt]

I've had mine since it were just a 9 year old used car & was just a used car. Now it's a classic to some, scrap to my in-laws.

 

[ssn696]

"It's a box", said my ex-wife.

 

[bob64]

Are they a classic, well statistically yes! If you look at the prices an what l see around here GN wins over many older cars, corvette,camaro, mustang and so on. But Monte Carlo SS is right behind it. Hurst Olds seem to be rare but prices aren't really what they should be.

Are G-bodies at there prime, l don't think so, seems to be F-body cars are leveling right now. So give it 2 or 3 years G-bodies are going to be smoking hot.

So enough of my going on! Simply said yes it's a classic.

 

[timo22]

I believe GBodys are the last of a dying breed. Like it was stated above, full frames and any Gm engine will easily bolt in. Any guy that gets the bug and starts looking for a 60's or early 70's muscle car finds out quickly, they are expensive. $5000.00 gets you a rust bucket needing a full resto. But a $5000.00 GBody is a pretty nice car.
And you can pretty much do to a GBody the same thing as 60's muscle car.
I started out as an fbody guy. Had late 60's Camaros and firebirds . I really didn't like the unibody cars. I moved over to A body's and never looked back. I had several Malibus and cutlasses . I mostly bought, fixed up and sold cars as a teenager. I did keep one though. A 1965 Malibu SS car. I bought it in 79 and still own it. The funny thing is I thought it was an old car. (14 years). As these cars dried up and prices escalated, it was easy to transition to the GBody . Bought my first Malibu in 89. It reminded me of my 65. Full frame,chrome bumpers , and interchangeability galore. Had five Malibus since then . The last one I bought was in 97. It was my 81 which I still own. The funny thing is I still consider this a late model.
One last thing, a co-worker told me 35 years ago I would outgrow this whole car thing. HE WAS WRONG!
timo22

 

[pagrunt]

One last thing, a co-worker told me 35 years ago I would outgrow this whole car thing. HE WAS WRONG!

You're just refusing to grow up. 😀

 

[307 Regal]

The problem with G-bodies is that although they're a decent looking car, they're mostly just used to emulate older cars and the hot rodding that started with them. Until the "real" classics disappear from the face of the Earth, G-bodies will always be "stuck in Big Brother's shadow." Most of them are just too plain by comparison.