I am currently building a performance 454 BBC that should put out around 500/550. I definately want to put it in a mid 60's to early 70's muscle car. I plan on building the car up properly with the whole thing being able to withstand the amount tourque it will create. I want it to be really quick acceleration and i'd like it to handle quite well. My biggest concern though is that i am doing this on a budget and time is on my side as i will wait for a good deal to come up. My question is, which chevy muscle car would be best suited for me to rebuild and put my engine in. If you want me to be more specific just ask and I will answer any questions.
Thanks

P.S. I am posting this on all the team chevy sites because i want everyones opinions. I have been on the team nova forums for about a month now and just discovered these other forums.

That question will be best answered in relation to what your budget is. A Chevelle or Camaro are the most likely candidates for what your looking for. Maybe even a Nova could also fill those shoes too.

I'd like the lowest budget of the three, basically i want to know which is the cheapest to do after the original purchase of the car assuming they were al starting at the same condition

I'd like the lowest budget of the three, basically i want to know which is the cheapest to do after the original purchase of the car assuming they were al starting at the same condition

Where in B.C. are you Kevan? Might be able to help you find something if you can be more specific.

If you're just looking for any 60's muscle car, consider an Olds or Buick. They go for about half of what Chevrolets do. But be sure to do your research on the particular car you're considering, as availability on resto-aftermarket parts varies greatly among manufacturers and models and years. For example, there are plenty of parts for '67 Chevelles, but trying to find parts for a '67 Cutlass is much, much more difficult. A cheaper car in the beginning could end up costing more in the end.

Or, get a clean, plain-jane Malibu or Nova and build it the way you want.

If you want cheap and like Novas....maybe an early Pontiac Ventura will do.
El Caminos are a little cheaper than Chevelles. There is a GMC sprint on the local craigslist for $999 also there was a 66 Skylark for $1200 in good condition, even had buckets. Monte Carlos are a little less expensive.

Beware that if it is really cheap, it is because nobody wants one, so you will have trouble selling it when the time comes.

If anyone asks me what they should get I always say get one of your all time favorites. You are going to spend way too much time and money on it. Better to end up with something you have always wanted.

Just a couple of things to consider.
a first gen camaro is going to be expensive to find.
any chevelle from 64-72 has a full frame.
Nova or a 2nd gen camaro has a subframe, but cheaper than a 1st gen camaro.
El camino can be had cheaper than a chevelle, has a full frame, any performance parts, engine or suspension off a chevelle works in a el camino. El camino gets you a bed to haul stuff. and from what I read its got better wieght transfer than a chevelle.
70-73 camaro handles well, will swallow a big block, unless your running a low rise intake, it needs a scoop or a hole in the hood. Subframe connectors would probably be nice to have.
I think a elcamino with a rat motor would be cool. But thats my goal for my 71 if we keep it. Jim

Where in B.C. are you Kevan? Might be able to help you find something if you can be more specific.
I live in Delta, but i'm not necessarily looking to buy a car immediately because i want to wait to find a super deal. I would be happy to see what is out there though to get an idea and maybe see a super deal

Some type of unibody to save weight, are you dead set on a chevy, why not a 62 through 65 plymouth or dodge.

Anyway my son had a 70 chevelle, with a fast times 540, dynoyed at 600 horse, then we put a 125 nitrous shot on it, and he had south side machine lower control arms and a couple of rubber spacers in the right rear coil springs.

The rest of the car was all stock, turbo 400, 373 gears, 10'' drag radial, and he run a 11.2 at the drags and drove it back and forth to strip.

These cars will handle pretty good with stock suspension, rubber body mounts, no poly anywhere.

He could take this car at 35 miles an hour and bring it sideways and keep control of it.

Now if a guy wants an all out drag car, then I guess you could beef up the suspension, but he drove this car a lot of summers and it never broke and it would handle the 725 horse without any other suspension modifications.

The body stayed straight with out any pressure buckles, but the inside wheel well where its welded to the trunk floor was pulling apart at the spot welds, a good solid weld in there takes care of that.

Not to knock all the different types of suspensions, but the 540 put out 613 ft lbs of torque, on a best of 7 dyno pulls, then the 125 nitros was added, and the stock suspension handled it with just the addition of the lower control arms.

I have seen some really nice suspensions on here and other forums, and they look really good, but its pretty much overkill on a chevelle, especially replacing all the rubber with poly.

Didn't mean to talk your arm off, but I thought I should mention all of this.

Rob

Thanks Rob! I love to here info like this, its the kind of thing that you only hear on forums or in a hotrod circle, I appreciate everyones input! What is the suspension like on the earlier chevelles, 1967 and ealier?

I have only worked on two chevells, his 70 and my 69, but if I had only so much much money, I would put a lot of it in good engine parts.

I don't know how old you are but a roll bar might be a good thing.:)

What is the suspension like on the earlier chevelles, 1967 and earlier?

The GM A-Bodies (Buick Skylark; Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO; Olds Cutlass) from 64-72 are nearly identical underneath - suspension/frame, etc. A few years after 64-72 are about the same, too - maybe 73-78. Not sure about pre- '64.

Buy a car you really like - be patient and the right one will come along. :D