Junkyard run...figures you never find what you want

[supercrackerbox]

I had heard mention of those trunk braces in another thread on this board, otherwise I'd have never even thought to look. I really need to get my drill fixed or replaced so I can get those if I ever come across them again.

As you can see, the trunk on this car looked immaculate, as did the rest of the car save one small spot of rust on the driver's door. This had to have been an archtypical 'little old lady' car. Shame it went to the yard. At least a few of its parts will go to good use.

 

[84GP455]

How come everybody is raping GP's for braces for their non GP gbody's. Is the GP the only one that has these extra braces? Does that mean that the GP is a superior made gbody then?

 

[supercrackerbox]

I think each body had their positive attributes. 😉

Really, I find it suprising that there was so much variation as to what cars got what parts. But, at least in the case of the junkyards I frequent, once a car goes in, it doesn't come back out. So get the parts while the gettin's good because the parts will dry up sooner or later.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I see the GM section of the U Pull It as a sort of "All You Can Eat" buffet. There are good pieces from this car or that which can be used as a bolt on upgrade to any G body. My car has some parts from every kind of G body out there, both 2 and 4 door. As far as the braces go, I think the GP was the best braced body of all the G bodies. That being said, let the hacking of GP's in the self serve yards begin! Remember that most of these cars would be crushed with those parts intact anyways, so it is best to see them have some life instead. After all, there are few G bodies that are sacred, the rest are a great canvas to build from however you choose.

 

[supercrackerbox]

Precisely!

Which gives me an idea for another thread . . .

 

[85GPLef41]

Pontiac seems to be the "Performance" brand and i agree that if somebody throws it away why not take parts off, and make yours better.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

What's a shame is that a stiffer structure makes for a better car no matter what it is used for, so why did GM not use these pieces on all G bodies? It's not like it would have been very expensive, when you consider the costs involved with mass production. It would have added what, maybe $20-50 per car? I want to do it as much for limiting squeaks and rattles as I do for handling.

 

[85GPLef41]

Most brands for GM were meant for a specific age group or class status...I just wished the cars were built tougher. Like with a better engine, trans, rear,brakes etc.......Damn bean counters!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Most brands for GM were meant for a specific age group or class status...I just wished the cars were built tougher. Like with a better engine, trans, rear,brakes etc.......Damn bean counters!

I think we all feel that way! That is sort of what my original idea for my car was when I started it. Use the best parts GM had available in 1985 to make the G body they should have made. It is one of the reasons (among the many) that a 350 Chevy made the most sense. The only other V8's sold at that time were either Cadillac or the Olds 307. The 350 was available in police package Caprices, so it made sense to use it as it would be easy to make it 50 state legal unless casting numbers were checked. I also used the oil cooler from a Caprice Cop Car, the dual snorkel air filter base from a L-69 Camaro with the lid from a LG4 Monte, etc. Optimally, the car would also have the 8.5 rear and a T-5 (had GM used the world class). I have since somewhat strayed from that premise to incorporate other stuff that made more sense, and because it's easier this way. I still use a lot of factory parts in my car though, simply because I dig the cheapness and I don't need pretty mechanicals, just a nice exterior and interior.

 

[pontiacgp]

Does that mean that the GP is a superior made gbody then?

It's because GM knew that GP owners are superior so they had to made the GP superior to other G bodies..... 8)

:lol: