Got my Regal at 15 years old 4 years ago, haven't looked back since. I love being able to tune it with about 3 handheld tools. Screw new cars. If I want a "new" car, I'll buy a Grand National.
It's not normal
- Thread starter JAMES L EUBANK
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It's hard to believe a 1978 G body is 40 years old this year. Where the hell did the time go?!?
A 1957 Bel Air hit 40 in 1997...
A 1957 Bel Air hit 40 in 1997...
And I remember looking at new Malibus at the dealer when they were introduced....seems like a lot more recently than 40.5 years ago
We got our first G-body because of my son. It was his 4th car at the age of 20 and it was the newest he had bought (3 years ago). Cars and this G-body have brought us together to be much closer than we were before he had it, and I love him for it.
In terms of the car, he wanted to build a daily driver (non salt season) that was a sleeper. The entire 'sleeper' concept has taken over much of my time and thought process. His Cutty in the garage is the proof - lol. Homebuilt 800ish whp that'll whip $40-80K bought cars - that's what makes us smile - TOGETHER!
Good luck and welcome - Jim
In terms of the car, he wanted to build a daily driver (non salt season) that was a sleeper. The entire 'sleeper' concept has taken over much of my time and thought process. His Cutty in the garage is the proof - lol. Homebuilt 800ish whp that'll whip $40-80K bought cars - that's what makes us smile - TOGETHER!
Good luck and welcome - Jim
there's alot of reasons that has been mentioned, so a true reason can't be defined... some bought theirs for something to take their mind off of the real world for a bit, while others bought theirs for nostalgia's sake (i.e., "my parents/neighbors/buddies had one when I was growing up")Some of us had one or remembered seeing one years ago when they were overly common, and life got in the way, forcing us to sell them off, and now we're getting to where we can have it again and build it the way we want them.
me? I'm really not sure on that... somehow the 81 and up Regals and Grand Prix's got into my blood and took several years to grow into what it is now... I always thought they were great looking cars, but never really actively searched for them until I stumbled across my '82 that I bought from one of my regular customers, and the sickness only went from there!
I guess I kind of see it as having the best of both worlds, I have my daily drivers, and I have my projects/toys. I just like them at the point of where they blend in to traffic (people know that they have age on them, but they don't have the "icon" status as say a 57 chevy or 65 mustang), but to car guys, they can be picked out of a crowd....
if you get serious about finding a g-body, you're in a good place for resources, as I've been and am a member of a few other make/model forums, and these guys here are some of the best I've ever come across!
My name is Darin, and I'm a G-body addict........
me? I'm really not sure on that... somehow the 81 and up Regals and Grand Prix's got into my blood and took several years to grow into what it is now... I always thought they were great looking cars, but never really actively searched for them until I stumbled across my '82 that I bought from one of my regular customers, and the sickness only went from there!
I guess I kind of see it as having the best of both worlds, I have my daily drivers, and I have my projects/toys. I just like them at the point of where they blend in to traffic (people know that they have age on them, but they don't have the "icon" status as say a 57 chevy or 65 mustang), but to car guys, they can be picked out of a crowd....
if you get serious about finding a g-body, you're in a good place for resources, as I've been and am a member of a few other make/model forums, and these guys here are some of the best I've ever come across!
My name is Darin, and I'm a G-body addict........
My last 3 projects were (like your Cutlass craving) ideas I had in my head for a long time. I go even beyond the norm. Like taking a 78 CHEVETTE, putting a narrowed 10 bolt rearend in with a 300 + hp.4.3 V-6 ,5speed. Rear frame section with 2X3 rectangular tubing channeled through the floor to connect front to rear frame sanctions. Mimi rubbed to fit 275/60X15s on 81 Camaro smoothed and polished 5 spoke aluminum 7 in.wheels. Paneled the 1/4 windows, Made an all fiberglass Stinger hood and dashboard. Even had to make my own headers. NOTHING came even close that was available. My current 79 El Camino is now a 2dr. wagon with an all steel Stinger hood,an all steel rear roll pan with the license plate housing built in. Eliminated tailgate l.p. housing and installed 67-68 Firebird frenched taillights (only 2 slots each) in the tailgate. The list of what's to come is even longer, but it keeps me active instead of being a couch potato.
Or in my case, spend $30k+ on my G-Body. 😀 But as 454GrandPrix said, it’ll have tons more character and originality than anything you can buy off the showroom floor today.
for me, there was a dude that had one sorta like mine while i was in highschool, it was black with red stripes but not t-tops had a 350 and supertraps when those were hot. I loved that car and always wanted one. my previous project was an air bagged s10 that i spent the better part of 7 years building i traded that away a few years after starting a family cause i wanted something i could haul the family in. i went to wash my daily in a hurry at a dealership on day before work and sitting on the front lot was a bone stock 87 ss monte with cars and concepts t-tops. and it followed me home. its a nice garage kept car but i have already spent more on upkeep than i did to purchase the car with 67k on it. having a project car is a nice relaxing time out in the garage or back yard just tinkering with things and learning then going on cruises. anytime i go out in that car i add 20 minutes to whatever im doing cause it always pulls someone to it that has to tell me their experience in a g-body, its something ive never experienced before but i love talking to ppl and ive def met more people since owning this. ive redone all the weatherstips that i can being that its aftermarket t-tops, replaced the entire fuel system put blazer brakes on the front and camaro rear brakes and now have a large stack of part for this springs project that is making this car handle umi control arms all around eibach springs bilstein shocks hotchkis sway bars silicone hoses. next year is motor trans and swap to a 8.5 diff with plans to take a family vacation within 2 years and take it to colorado and do pikes peak. is it normal? no i could just go buy a new car that would cause me less frustration, i could have bought a camaro ss right off the lot cheaper by the time this is done, but would a off the lot car have any soul? would a off the lot car give me any satisfaction? would i meet new people when i take it out? you just look like a dingleberry with a lot of debt. everytime i see a new camaro or challenger or mustang out there i got respect for the power they have but that is a different group of people they aren't real muscle car owners they could spend half and have a older car that is way cooler but take the easy route.
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