G Body top ten list - good things

[oldtinsmith]

[quote/] - later El Caminos were built in Mexico too, right? My car is from Flint, Michigan[/quote]

1984-87 were made in Mexico.

Doug

 

[Brother Al]

My Top 10 Good STOCK Things...

1.) RWD with a solid axle, avail w/ 3:73 gears, & positraction.
2.) Designed to accept all Traditional GM Division V8's and a 4 speed manual.
3.) 2 Doors
4.) Full Perimeter Frame. (which readily accepts "improvements")
5.) Design Simplicity Factor... ie.) Avg. Joe Six-Pack Can Build It
6.) GM Interchangeability.
7.) Windshield Antenna was available. (fender-mounted antennas suck!)
8.) Hurst/Olds-442 and Turbo Regal forced a few more stock goodies into the GM Pipeline.
9.) Gauge Package, T-Tops, Bucket Seats, & a Center Console were all available.
10.) Still relatively ignored by the "Official Car Enthusiasts", save for the Turbo Buicks.

 

[tobyp]

Love this thread!

1. Most importantly. It causes a friendly conversation everytime I drive it to the gas station. "Man, I remember when I had one of those!"
2. Lots of blank canvas out there to start a good affordable project with, unlike the late 60's early 70's cars
3. Cars restored now are the beginnings of the "last" of rear wheel drive muscle car restorations. Bound to increase in value.
4. If you are in the mafia, you love the trunk space for a multitude of reasons.
5. You can put damn near any engine under the hood
6. Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better
7. Very comfortable to drive
8. A blacked out Gbody whether a SS, GN, 442, Cutlass looks absolutely sexy
9. A fully restored G-body makes LOTS of people appreciate and comment on your car
10. Folks its the last mass production RWD GM car, not being a Camaro, Vette, etc.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

1. Most do last a long time
2. You could get overdrive transmissions in them
3. Lighter than the overweight pigs on the roads today
4. RWD
5. Factory power steering and power brakes
6. Alot of adjustment room for body panels
7. Nicer style
8. Factory computer control system for better MPGs
9. HO 305s have a pretty good CR which allows them to respond to upgrades pretty good and helps MPGs.
10. Surprisingly they have better aerodynamics than most modern cars.
11. Mild steel is easier to work on and repair than modern high carbon steel.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better

That I have to disagree with. It seems to me aftermarket support for these cars are dropping like flies except for the expensive LS swap craze.

 

[tobyp]

Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better

That I have to disagree with. It seems to me aftermarket support for these cars are dropping like flies except for the expensive LS swap craze.

you should look at some of my posts. :wink:

 

[tobyp]

Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better

That I have to disagree with. It seems to me aftermarket support for these cars are dropping like flies except for the expensive LS swap craze.

this I have to put an exclamation point on. Here is a listing of all the parts that have a part number in our system on. Now are they readily available...? Yes, with someone in the USA, because we carry it or buy it out.

and yes, there are 340 items listed for gbody cars now

DOOR HNDL OUT LH;76-88 GM CHROME
DOOR HNDL OUT RH;76-88 GM CHROME
BMP FACE BAR FT;CHR;78-87 MLBU 78-87 MALIBU/ELCAMINO;WO/PAD
BMP REINF CTR BAR;78-83 MALIBU 78-87 EL CAMINO/CABALLERO
HEADER PNL;82-7 MLBU/ELC/CBLRO
GRILLE ASM;78 MALIBU/ELC/CBLRO
HLAMP BEZEL LH;81 MALIBU/ELCAM 81 CABALLERO
HLAMP BEZEL RH;81 MALIBU/ELCAM 81 CABALLERO
FEND FT LH;78-81 MALIBU IMPROVED QUALITY
FEND FT RH;78-81 MALIBU IMPROVED QUALITY
FEND FT LH;82-87 ELCAMINO/MAL IMPROVED QUALITY
FEND FT RH;82-87 ELCAMINO/MAL IMPROVED QUALITY
HOOD PANEL;78-83 MALIBU
COWL HOOD;78-87 MLBU/EL/CBLR 2in RISE
BATTERY TRAY;78-83 MALIBU
DOOR SHL FT LH;78-85 ELCAMINO 2-DOOR
DOOR SHL FT RH;78-85 ELCAMINO 2-DOOR
DOOR HINGE FT LH;78-88 MONTE CUTLASS/GP;UPPER
DOOR HINGE FT RH;78-88 MONTE CUTLASS/GP;UPPER
DOOR HINGE FT;78-88 MONTE CUTLASS/GP;LOWER
WINDOW CRANK HNDL;82-90 IMPALA W/BLACK KNOB
DOOR HNDL INS LH;78-88 MONTE
DOOR HNDL INS RH;78-88 MONTE
DOOR LTC FT LH;80-1 MALIBU 2DR 82-87 MONTE/CUTLASS/REGAL
DOOR LTC FT RH;80-1 MALIBU 2DR 82-87 MONTE/CUTLASS/REGAL
DOOR SKIN LH;78-85 ELCAMINO 2-DOOR
DOOR SKIN RH;78-85 ELCAMINO 2-DOOR
FLOOR PAN LH;78-88 MONTE/CUTLS
FLOOR PAN RH;78-88 MONTE/CUTLS
FLOOR PAN;78-87 ELCAMINO/CABAL WO/BRACES;MOD 2 FIT GBODY CARS
SEAT MNT XMEMBER;78-88 MONTE CUTLS/REGAL/GP;INSIDE CAR
SEAT MNT BRKT FT LH;78-88MONTE CUTLS/REGAL/GP
SEAT MNT BRKT FT RH;78-88MONTE CUTLS/REGAL/GP
FLOOR PAN PLUG;78-88 CUTLS REGAL/MONTE;GALVANIZED;SMALL
TRUNK FLR PAN PLUG;78-88 CUTLS REGAL/MONTE;GALVANIZED;LARGE
RR BODY MNT XMEMB BRKT;78-88MC UNDER BACK SEAT;CUTLS/REGAL/GP
T-TOP A-PILR MLD LH;78-88MONTE 45 DEGREE;ANODIZED
T-TOP A-PILR MLD RH;78-88MONTE 45 DEGREE;ANODIZED
T-TOP A-PILR MLD LH;78-88MONTE 45 DEGREE;BLACK
T-TOP A-PILR MLD RH;78-88MONTE 45 DEGREE;BLACK
WHLHOUSE RR INR LH;78-88 MONTE A/G BODY
WHLHOUSE RR INR RH;78-88 MONTE A/G BODY
TRUNK FLOOR LH;78-88 MONTE DROP-OFF/DRIP EDGE;CUT/REG/GP
TRUNK FLOOR RH;78-88 MONTE DROP-OFF/DRIP EDGE;CUT/REG/GP
WHL OPEN MLD FT LH;78-83MALIBU CLASSIC;ELCAM WO/2-TONE PAINT
WHL OPEN MLD FT RH;78-83MALIBU CLASSIC;ELCAM WO/2-TONE PAINT
WHL OPEN MLD RR LH;73-83 MALBU SEDAN
WHL OPEN MLD RR RH;73-83 MALBU SEDAN
BMP COV REINF FT;83-86 M-CARLO EXC LS/SS MODEL
GRILLE;83-86 MONTE CARLO EXC LS OR SS
HEADER PNL BRKT;81-88 MONTE CENTER SUPPORT
HEADER PNL BRKT LH;81-88 MONTE EXC LS
HEADER PNL BRKT RH;81-88 MONTE EXC LS
SLAMP ASM FT LH;83-88 MONTE SS CLEAR;ELCAMINO SS
SLAMP ASM FT RH;83-88 MONTE SS CLEAR;ELCAMINO SS
FEND FT LH;81-88 MONTE EXC LS
FEND FT RH;81-88 MONTE EXC LS
MKR LMP ASM FT LH;87-8MONTE LS
MKR LMP ASM FT RH;87-8MONTE LS
HOOD PANEL;81-88 MONTE CARLO ON SKID AT 130LBS
COWL HOOD;81-88 MONTE CARLO 2in RISE
HOOD HINGE LH;81-88 MONTE W/SPRING
HOOD HINGE RH;81-88 MONTE W/SPRING
RAD SPT;82-88 MONTE CARLO
DOOR SHL FT LH;81-85 MONTE
DOOR SHL FT RH;81-85 MONTE
DOOR SHL FT LH;86-88 MONTE
DOOR SHL FT RH;86-88 MONTE
DOOR SKIN LH;81-85 MONTE
DOOR SKIN RH;81-85 MONTE
DOOR SKIN LH;86-88 MONTE
DOOR SKIN RH;86-88 MONTE
ROOF HEADER PANEL;78-88 MONTE CUTLS/REGAL;W/T-TOP ROOF
TTOP ROOF HEADR PNL;78-88MONTE CUTLS/REGAL;WO/WSTRIP RETAINRS
T-TOP TRIM;78-87 REGAL/MC/GP 2-PIECES;ANODIZED
QTR PNL SKIN LH;81-88 MONTE TO ROOF
QTR PNL SKIN RH;81-88 MONTE TO ROOF
QTR PNL LH;81-88 MONTE FULL PANEL;TO ROOF
QTR PNL RH;81-88 MONTE FULL PANEL;TO ROOF
QTR PNL SKIN PC LH;81-88 MONTE 80PCT QUARTER PANEL
QTR PNL SKIN PC RH;81-88 MONTE 80PCT QUARTER PANEL
QTR PNL SKIN PC LH;81-8 MONTE FRONT LOWER
QTR PNL SKIN PC RH;81-8 MONTE FRONT LOWER
WHEEL ARCH UPR LH;81-8 MONTE
WHEEL ARCH UPR RH;81-8 MONTE
WHLHSE INR BRKT RH;81-8 MONTE
WHEELHOUSE RR LH;81-88 MONTE COMPLETE INNER/OUTER
WHEELHOUSE RR RH;81-88 MONTE COMPLETE INNER/OUTER
WHEELHOUSE RR LH;81-88 MONTE OUTER
WHEELHOUSE RR RH;81-88 MONTE OUTER
QTR PNL SKIN PC LH;81-8 MONTE REAR LOWER
QTR PNL SKIN PC RH;81-8 MONTE REAR LOWER
REIN RR;81-88 MONTE CARLO
BMP FILLER FT LH/RH;84-7 REGAL OEM MATERIAL
HLAMP BEZEL PR CHR;84-87 REGAL PLASTIC
HLAMP BEZEL PR BLK;84-87 REGAL PLASTIC;84-87 GRAND NATIONAL
SLAMP ASM FT LH;80-83 REGAL CLEAR
SLAMP ASM FT RH;80-83 REGAL CLEAR
SLAMP ASM FT LH;84-87 REGAL AMBER
SLAMP ASM FT RH;84-87 REGAL AMBER
MRKR LMP ASM FT LH;84-87 REGAL EXCEPT GRAND NATIONAL
MRKR LMP ASM FT RH;84-87 REGAL EXC GRAND NATIONAL
MRKR LMP ASM FT LH;84-87 REGAL GRAND NATIONAL
MRKR LMP ASM FT RH;84-87 REGAL GRAND NATIONAL
COWL HOOD PANEL;81-87 REGAL 2in RISE
HOOD PNL;81-87 REGAL/GN W/BULGE;W/TURBO
LWR DR MLDG CLIPS;84-87 REGAL
T-TOP TRIM;78-87 REGAL/MC/GP 2-PIECES;BLACK
CENTER CONSOLE;78-88 CUTLASS CENTER RISER;BLACK
CENTER CONSOLE;78-88 CUTLASS CENTER RISER;GREY
CENTER CONSOLE;78-88 CUTLASS CENTER RISER;BLUE
CENTER CONSOLE;78-88 CUTLASS CENTER RISER;BURGUNDY
CONSOLE BASE;78-88 CUTLASS BOTTOM RISER;BLACK
CONSOLE BASE;78-88 CUTLASS BOTTOM RISER;GREY
CONSOLE BASE;78-88 CUTLASS BOTTOM RISER;BLUE
CONSOLE BASE;78-88 CUTLASS BOTTOM RISER;BURGUNDY
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;BLACK
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;GRAY
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;TAN
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;SAND GRAY
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;BLUE
A/T SHIFTER HANDLE;78-87 REGAL CUTLASS;BURGUNDY
QTR SKIN PC FT LWR LH;81-87RGL 2-DOOR
QTR SKIN PC FT LWR RH;81-87RGL 2-DOOR
QTR SKIN PC RR LWR LH;81-87RGL 2-DOOR
QTR SKIN PC RR LWR RH;81-87RGL 2-DOOR
TRUNK LID TRIM;81-87 REGAL 2DR ANODIZED
TRUNK LID TRIM;81-87 REGAL 2DR BLACK
BMP FILLER RR LH/RH;81-7 REGAL OEM MATERIAL
WHEEL OPN MLDG FT;81-87 REGAL ANODIZED;2-DOOR PAIR
WHEEL OPN MLDG FT;81-87 REGAL BLACK;2-DOOR PAIR
WHEEL OPN MLDG SET;81-87 REGAL ANODIZED;2-DOOR 4-PCS
WHEEL OPN MLDG SET;81-87 REGAL BLACK;2-DOOR 4-PCS
WHEEL OPN MLDG RR;81-87 REGAL ANODIZED;2-DOOR PAIR
WHEEL OPN MLDG RR;81-87 REGAL BLACK;2-DOOR PAIR
TRUNK FLOOR;CMPLT;66-7 CUTLASS 1-PIECE COMPLETE ASM
LICENSE BRKT FRT;81-8 CUTLASS PLASTIC
GRILLE SET;86 CUTLASS SUPREME CHROME/PTD SILVER;LH/RH PAIR
GRILLE SET;86 CUTLASS SUPREME CHROME/PTD BLACK;LH/RH PAIR
HLAMP BEZEL SET;81-86 CUTLASS CHROME;LH/RH PAIR
HLAMP BEZEL SET;83 HURST/OLDS PAINTED BLACK;LH/RH PAIR
HLAMP BEZEL SET;84 HURST/OLDS 85-86 442;CHR/PTD;LH/RH PAIR
SLAMP ASM FT LH;81-6 CUTLS SUP CLEAR;WO/LAMP MONITORS
SLAMP ASM FT RH;81-6 CUTLS SUP CLEAR;WO/LAMP MONITORS
SLAMP ASM FT LH;87-8 CUTLS SUP AMBER;WO/LAMP MONITORS
SLAMP ASM FT RH;87-8 CUTLS SUP AMBER;WO/LAMP MONITORS
FEN MLDG CLIP FT LH;81-8 CUTLS FOR LWR MLDG
FEN MLDG CLIP FT RH;81-8 CUTLS FOR LWR MLDG
MRKR LMP ASM FT LH;87-8 CUTLS NEXT TO HEADLAMP
MRKR LMP ASM FT RH;87-8 CUTLS NEXT TO HEADLAMP
HOOD MLD;81-8 CUTLS;83-7 REGAL REAR ANODIZED
HOOD MLD;81-8 CUTLS;83-7 REGAL REAR BLACK
DOOR SHL FT LH;81-88 CUTLASS 2-DOOR
DOOR SHL FT RH;81-88 CUTLASS 2-DOOR
DOOR MLDG CLIPS;81-8 CUTLS FOR LWR MLDG
DOOR SKIN LH;81-88 CUTLASS 2DR 81-87 REGAL 2DR
DOOR SKIN RH;81-88 CUTLASS 2DR 81-87 REGAL 2DR
BUCKET SEAT CONV BRKT;78-8CUTL A/G BODY
SEAT MNT BRKT;78-88 CUTLASS REGAL;W/PWR SEATS
CTR CONSOLE CONV BRKT;78-8CUTL A/G BODY
GEAR SHIFT BRKT;83-84 CUTLASS W/HURST LIGHTING ROD SHIFTER
A/T SHIFT CABLE BRKT;83-4CUTLS W/HURST LIGHTING ROD SHIFTER
A/T SHIFT COVER PLATE;83-4CUTL LIGHTNING ROD MID PLATE
QTR PNL SKIN LH;81-88 CUTLASS 2DR 28IN H
QTR PNL SKIN RH;81-88 CUTLASS 2DR 28IN H
QTR PNL SKIN PC FT LH;81-8SPRM 19.5inL X 18in H
QTR PNL SKIN PC FT RH;81-8SPRM 19.5inL X 18in H
QTR MLDG CLIP RR LH;81-8 CUTLS FOR LWR MLDG
QTR MLDG CLIP RR RH;81-8 CUTLS FOR LWR MLDG
B-PILR FACE TRIM LH;81-8 CUTLS BLACK
B-PILR FACE TRIM RH;81-8 CUTLS BLACK
PILLAR POST TRIM LH;81-8 CUTLS ANODIZED ALUM;W/T-TOPS
PILLAR POST TRIM RH;81-8 CUTLS ANODIZED ALUM;W/T-TOPS
WHEELHOUSE RR OUT LH;81-8CUTLS
WHEELHOUSE RR OUT RH;81-8CUTLS
QTR PNL SKIN PC RR LH;81-8SPRM 26.5in L X 15in H
QTR PNL SKIN PC RR RH;81-8SPRM 26.5in L X 15in H
TRUNK MLDG CLIPS;81-8 CUTLS FITS MDLS W/HARDTOP TRIM
TRUNK LID TRIM;81-8 CUTLASS ANODIZED;5-PIECE SET

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Do you make new fuel vapor cans or 50 state legal low emission headers? What about new AIR system diverter valves or a THERMAC vacuum motor? Aftermarket weatherstripping that actually fits? Those weird rubber grommet vacuum line things that go on the TVSs?

 

[chevymalibu283]

Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better

That I have to disagree with. It seems to me aftermarket support for these cars are dropping like flies except for the expensive LS swap craze.

I know of several aftermarket companies still suppling parts for the G body.
Dixie monte carlo- Almost anything you might need they should have. Door shells, skins, fenders hood, interior parts etc..

Sherman Sheet metal- Rockers, fenders, hoods and floor pans.

Rock auto.. carries some parts these other companies sell as well.

Honest charleys- monte carlo SS or el camino choo choo custom front end kits.

Lauren Engineering- fiberglass front end kits and ground effects. Camaro, lumina and monte carlo SS front ends.

Original Parts group- Make parts for the El camino which will fit most all years of malibu.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Lots of support with the aftermarket to keep them on the road, and to make them perform and handle better

That I have to disagree with. It seems to me aftermarket support for these cars are dropping like flies except for the expensive LS swap craze.

I know of several aftermarket companies still suppling parts for the G body.
Dixie monte carlo- Almost anything you might need they should have. Door shells, skins, fenders hood, interior parts etc..

Sherman Sheet metal- Rockers, fenders, hoods and floor pans.

Rock auto.. carries some parts these other companies sell as well.

Honest charleys- monte carlo SS or el camino choo choo custom front end kits.

Lauren Engineering- fiberglass front end kits and ground effects. Camaro, lumina and monte carlo SS front ends.

Original Parts group- Make parts for the El camino which will fit most all years of malibu.

To quote myself:

Do you make new fuel vapor cans or 50 state legal low emission headers? What about new AIR system diverter valves or a THERMAC vacuum motor? Aftermarket weatherstripping that actually fits? Those weird rubber grommet vacuum line things that go on the TVSs?

I would also now add aluminum drums, dual snorkel Themac air cleaners which GMPP used to sell, those whindshield corner flaps, dual dome lights, performance PROMs like the ZZ4 chips GMPP used to sell, performance rods and hangers for Qjets, and adjustable choke pulloffs that used to be sold.