Then why with the number of our cars built between '77-'87 what is as slow as molasses in January for the industry to get our parts repopped?
Barrett Jackson
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Because they were associated with a dark time in North American history...right on the heels of the oil embargos, and a time of runaway inflation. People were beginning to move towards import nameplates for perceived better price, economy, quality.
Few people look back fondly on the time our cars were new, and in the case of Malibus, the coupes were only a 4 year run.
There has been movement in the Buick/Olds aftermarket, in fact spearheaded by a member of this board, and they had a longer run. Based on what I see on this board, there are a LOT of BOP fans.....more than I would have imagined a few years ago.
I know with certain models with limited years in production, but think of the common parts like trunk floors. That stigma that our generation cars have was also with the '73-'77's but that generation had more parts available in the late '80's than ours in the late'90's/early 2000's.
I've never personally seen a G body that needed a trunk floor, but the passenger compartment is pretty common, replacements are available, including 1 piece versions....something that took DECADES to happen for the muscle-era cars. I would think a G body that needed a trunk floor would be questionable as to overall structural stability. Clean bodies are still available in more southern areas, but they are starting to dry up. That may spur the less commonly available parts into production
The coupes rust out in the trunk where the inner fenders meet the trunk floor.
Most don;t even notice it at first because the seam seller cracks then before you know it they are rusting out
Most don;t even notice it at first because the seam seller cracks then before you know it they are rusting out
I'm in western Pa, so I have seen alot with rusted trunks. Along with the frame rails & mount points. Gotta love salt.
I'm in western Pa, so I have seen alot with rusted trunks. Along with the frame rails & mount points. Gotta love salt.
There's a complete tear-down resto shop next street over. I've spotted some gems there in various stages, but recently one Lincoln Continental Mark II caught my eye. When the paint shop across the street from them was done painting it gloss black, I just about cried driving by.
I guess it's hard to explain, but one thing I do know: No '85 Pontiac with a Buick V6 will ever make it in that game.
I guess it's hard to explain, but one thing I do know: No '85 Pontiac with a Buick V6 will ever make it in that game.
I like this statement made in the GP add TURNA posted
The engine is GM's indestructible 3.8-liter V6, which is a happy torque factory that moves the Grand Prix with ease. Not as thirsty as the V8 examples, you'll enjoy pulling around 25 MPG on the highway
The engine is GM's indestructible 3.8-liter V6, which is a happy torque factory that moves the Grand Prix with ease. Not as thirsty as the V8 examples, you'll enjoy pulling around 25 MPG on the highway
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That is 4,000,000 just Chevy's. Over 1,000,000 for each model year. Not Chevys, Buicks, Olds, and Pontiacs.
And '57 Chevy's didn't have any moulded plastic trim. You don't need a tool and die shop and plastics engineers to make sewn fabric door panels.
The other Issues was GM still had a lot of G-body spares in inventory. You could still buy front bumper fillers for a Regal from GM for $20 into the 2000's. No way you could still buy '57 Chevy trim from the dealer in 1973, so the aftermarket started sooner with the Tri-5's, when there were more cars still on the road (or at least in collectors hands in the 1970's) and those aftermarket vendors switches to Chevelles and Camaros when those started to be come popular in the 1980's..
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