Deciding on what to buy to build as a sleeper

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lilbowtie

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Jan 7, 2006
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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".
 
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Ratchet

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Jan 10, 2018
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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.
 
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1320John$$$

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Sep 18, 2019
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It’s all in how you blend in
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Doug Chahoy

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Nov 21, 2016
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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

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Dec 26, 2013
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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.....
 
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Doug Chahoy

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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

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
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Oct 14, 2008
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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.
 
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PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
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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! :D.

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.
 
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