Deciding on what to buy to build as a sleeper

[lilbowtie]

Being 71 years old adds to the stealth. Don't know how many times kids have said - "come on Gramps show us what you got".

 

[Ratchet]

I definitely like the idea of a G body wagon. You already know the platform and the availability of performance parts is unlimited. A wagon will have great resale value when it comes time to get something different.
The problem with building a four door sedan is that nobody will want it when you try and sell it. Also, the “cool factor” is next to zero. Not so with a wagon. When you get tired of the stealth look of the wagon, you can put a set of tires and wheels, dropped spindles on it and have something to be proud of.

 

[1320John$$$]

It’s all in how you blend in

 

[Doug Chahoy]

That model of Caprice was nice. The rally wheels would make me a little suspicious though. If they were changed, what else could be ?? Do you know if they’re Uni-lug? My 86 cop car Caprice had the 5 inch bolt pattern. Regular rally’s wouldn’t fit

 

[fleming442]

That model of Caprice was nice. The rally wheels would make me a little suspicious though. If they were changed, what else could be ?? Do you know if they’re Uni-lug? My 86 cop car Caprice had the 5 inch bolt pattern. Regular rally’s wouldn’t fit

My 1st 2 cars were hand me down Caprices, a 78 then an 81, and both were 4.75. After the riding lawn mower, it was the first vehicle I ever blew the spider gears out of.....

 

[Doug Chahoy]

From 80-91 the Caprice bodies were the same. I’ve heard before that they used both sizes of bolt pattern during that period. I sold the 70s era rallys I had and got the 2-WD truck rallys back then . Mine had been a Va. state police chase car with a 350 giant 4 barrel. What handicapped it was the single exhast.

 

[Longroof79]

That model of Caprice was nice. The rally wheels would make me a little suspicious though. If they were changed, what else could be ?? Do you know if they’re Uni-lug? My 86 cop car Caprice had the 5 inch bolt pattern. Regular rally’s wouldn’t fit

Doug,
If I'm not mistaken, B-body wagons and police/ fire dept models used the 5x5 wheels, most of the other models used the 4.75 x 5 pattern. The steelies on my wagon are from several different B-body models and of course they're 4.75's. The later body style B bodies were all 5 x 5's.

 

[PBGBodyFan]

The Regal Estate is pretty much the type I mentioned earlier. Who would expect a grandpa luxo wagon to beat anything.

And why if it has wood paneling it needs to stay! 😀.

I definitely like the idea of a G body wagon. You already know the platform and the availability of performance parts is unlimited. A wagon will have great resale value when it comes time to get something different.
The problem with building a four door sedan is that nobody will want it when you try and sell it. Also, the “cool factor” is next to zero. Not so with a wagon. When you get tired of the stealth look of the wagon, you can put a set of tires and wheels, dropped spindles on it and have something to be proud of.

I would tend to agree and with the sentiment of a "patina sleeper" and the choice of a wagon is great for this. That's kind of what I have planned for mine, way down the line I'd like to get it painted and re-done but will happily rock the patina look for awhile.
For wheels, they can change a look dramatically to suit whatever mood you're in. One could toss on hubcaps/whitewalls for the ultimate sleeper look then put on whatever preferred wheels are and go back and forth. Many g-body wagons are modified to go fast it seems and it often carries over to the looks/body on those, I'm glad I found one that was unmolested, if nothing else but to have the stock appearance, if the original drivetrain was messed with I wouldn't of cried too much.

 

[PBGBodyFan]

And hopefully this doesn't step on anyone's toes who might of been looking but this Bonneville wagon is cheap as of now, nice options and looks clean. Nice one to start with it seems: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=133329241033

 

[1320John$$$]

That model of Caprice was nice. The rally wheels would make me a little suspicious though. If they were changed, what else could be ?? Do you know if they’re Uni-lug? My 86 cop car Caprice had the 5 inch bolt pattern. Regular rally’s wouldn’t fit

They are 4.75 same as a g body