Hey guys-wondering what kind of setups you may have for a daily driver? I'm looking build one for the chicago summers here that won't turn into a trailer queen when I'm done. Thanks . Happy New Year!

An electronic ignition distributor and a 1 wire alternator would make a daily driver alot less prone to failure. Oh, and a nice stereo for the tunes. Unless like me you just like to listen to the exhaust, and I'm only running a stock 307 with duals. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Fred

I drive a 67 elky daily. I do have all new drum brakes, new master cylinder, and new tires. Next on the list is to install the front end kit I got for Christmas. That should make it ride a little nicer and wander a bit less. I should really put in a HEI since I have one laying around, but I'm still running points right now.

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Got Chevelles?
Jeff Carpenter
65 Chevelle/65 Elky (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/jeffc1.jpg)
67 Elky Project (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/jeffc4.jpg)
68 Camaro SS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/jeffc5.jpg)
Team Chevelle Gold #61

My 70 has been a daily driver for the last 32 years! Some upgrades I've done are power disc brakes, Edelbrock Performer manifold with a Holley 4 barrel, an HEI ignition, and a decent stereo. I installed an aftermarket airconditioning in 1975 to counteract the black vinyl interior in the summer! (should have ordered it WITH A/C when I bought it!!) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif Makes the 100 miles a day back and forth to work fun. I'm 55 now and have been driving the Chevelle since I was 23. Why stop now? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
595,000 miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html

[This message has been edited by MalibuJerry350 (edited 01-03-2003).]

My daily drivers always turn out to be my next project car. My Malibu wagon was purchased over 10 years ago to use as a daily driver but my son suggested the resto project when I was out looking for a convertible to restore. I bought a 67 Dodge Coronet to use as a daily driver to replace the Malibu and couldn't take the all original rust free 48K mile car out in the snow, so I bought a 78 Malibu with 18K original miles as a driver. This went on and on. I kept buying more cars because I didn't want to drive the others in the snow. When I had seven of them, I finally got smart and leased a new truck to drive daily. It is safe, reliable, tax deductible and returnable (in 4 years).

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65 Danube Blue MALIBU 4 door wagon, Disc brakes, F41 suspension,
GM Performance Parts 350/330hp crate engine with serpentine belt system, Sanderson headers, 700R4, factory air with Vintage Air conversion, factory am/fm stereo, tilt wheel.

[This message has been edited by JimN (edited 12-31-2002).]

Guess it depends on location. I live in a medium-size town (80K +/-) and when it's not raining, snowing, etc. I drive the GR8PMKN everywhere.

http://www.dalesplace.com/images/chevelle/little_pumpkin.jpg

Bad weather or parts chasing, it's the El Camino.

http://www.dalesplace.com/images/camino/p000845_small.jpg

If I lived in the suburbs of a large metro city like Chicago, KC, OKC, etc. I wouldn't even consider driving the GR8PMKN daily without swapping over to an automatic.

I can't afford a large pickup/SUV and a trailer so I'm happy to drive the GR8PMKN to shows as well.


[This message has been edited by Dale McIntosh (edited 12-31-2002).]

I USED TO drive my Elky to work as much as possible (4 days a week), until I moved further away from my job. Now i use my Cavalier Z-24 all the time and the Elky when I get the "itch". The gas money was going faster then my Elky!!!! The heater works TOO good....the wipers and washers work perfectly...as far as tunes go....how 'bout the original AM/FM slidebar!!!
Brian


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71 Chevelle
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-3-4.jpg
72 El Camino(71 front)<A HREF="http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg
</A>

I have a 78 EC, which is mostly stock. I would definetly have an HEI and carry a spare coil and module. I would stay with a new style alternator, if it ever goes out just run to the local parts store to replace it. If a one wire goes out nobody around here carries them. A/c is nice in the summer and cruise isn't bad either when going to the shows a couple of states away.

I've put 40k miles on my 68 Chevelle in the last 6 years. Bought it w/ 49k mi from an old lady that couldn't pass the vision test for the driver's license. Was a 307/PG. Now it has a 700R4 out of a 92 Astro van in it. Still has points. Haven't really had much problem with them Upgraded the alternator to int reg which really helps keep things bright when you have wipers, heater, and turn signals on at a stop. The old ext reg alternator couldn't keep up at idle w/ the load. Also reccomend a good set of radial tires. Future plans are for disc brakes and 1 1/8" front and 7/8" rr sway bars. Someday it will get a 350. The 700R4 really helped wake up this car w/ the low 1st gear and with the OD it gets 20 mpg on the freeway.

My recipe for a daily driver:<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>'64-'72 GM A-body (minimal rust please!)
<LI>10-SI, 12-SI or CS130 Alternator
<LI>TH-700R4
<LI>Disc brakes up front (either Tall spindle swap or machined drum spindles to accept factor disc caliper bracket...just to make the swap cheaper)
<LI>Small block (350 or even a 383 to splurge a little bit http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif )
<LI>1.25" T/A sway bar up front with the F41 7/8" rear sway bar in the back (you can still get it new from GM)
<LI>Rebuilt junkyard found HEI
<LI>Rebuilt junkyard Q-jet
<LI>Flowmaster mandrel bent exhaust kit (for the money its hard to beat!)
<LI>Moog sourced springs[/list]

That's what would be a fun daily in my book. It may sound like a good start at a street machine (and it is!).

Joe

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The Chevelle Page (http://www.geocities.com/diels12000)

I sold my daily driver like an idiot and now I don't want to drive my 88 Monte in the rain because its too nice and is a low mile rig and it has $1700 in wheels/tires. My burb is great to drive everyday but as the miles go up the value goes down 10 fold. I am now building a project 69 Camaro that needs a new engine. Got dics brakes and a 12 bolt on the way to go behind a new 383. It will need some paint/body work so I will keep it as my work car until everything else gets done oh...in about 10 years http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Jeff Angerstein
ACES#841 TCG#158 CECCO #16
68 SS396(roller 454)
68 Pro Street 540/BDS 8-71
69 SSRS 396(427) 4spd
69 Camaro Coupe 383 Auto 3.73s
88 MC SS 29k original miles :cool:
99 K2500 Burb 7.4L(454)AKA The Mangler

My Chevs (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ACE841/rides.jpg)
OLD BLUE (12.27@109.9) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ACE841/jeffss2a.jpg)
(10 second motor in a 14 second chassis)

My daily driver setup is on my webpage.
Of course, it started with wanting to do a simple paint job and it progressed from there.
http://home1.gte.net/res096qi/71Elky.htm

I bought a pretty nice restored 66 Malibu(Butternut Yellow) a couple of years ago....195 H.P. 283...powerglide.....Power Brakes, Steering,Factory Air,Completely Rust free....not a squeek or rattle....drive it just about everyday.....what a great car....except for one thing......NO POWER....some things a guy just can't do without.......It now has a 406 as it's heart...Dart Pro 1 aluminum heads..Roller Rockers.."ZZZ" aluminum dual plane....780 Holley avenger...Comp Cams 262 hydraulic.....Eagle rotating assy......Built 700R4 (Lake County Transmissions....Mundelien, Ill)3.08 Posi with the stock 10 bolt....Headers and 2 1/2 Flowmaster system.......As far as i'm concerned.....I now have the best of both worlds.....the cam is just mild enough that it idles smoothly and with the Air on the temp light(stock cooling system) only came on one time last summer while I was stuck in Chicago Traffic....turned the air off and the light flickered and went off.......end of problem........the car has been totally trouble free (12,000 miles last year)until last week when my digital #6 box took a dump......I put it in for the ignition retard feature....took it to the track last summer and ran 13.40's on street tires.....
It's exactly what I wanted it to be...."How Cool is That"
Ken

I bought an 88 S10 Blazer thats showing 291,000 miles for cheap about a year and a half ago. I have found it to be ideal for routine driving like back and forth to work and such. It had a new economy paint job on it and it doesn't look bad. It's a great beater though and my dog loves climbing in the back and going for a ride. I really need a full size pickup but I dont like making payments.

In fact, I like the way it drives so much I might put the 350 from Ole Paint in it and see just how many miles I can put on it.

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ACES member# 5093
Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford

Ole Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/olepaint1)

[This message has been edited by Big James 4XL (edited 01-01-2003).]

I spend the vast amount of my time going to, working, and the trip home. I bought my Elky to drive. If something happens to it, I fix it. I'm fifty-five years old and want to enjoy it for as long as I can.

Oh...forgot to add to my previous post. I am running a modified (by ME) HEI set up with an MSD box and blaster 2 coil. I also have a 180 degree thermo. for when I drive it in the winter.
Brian

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71 Chevelle
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-3-4.jpg
72 El Camino(71 front)<A HREF="http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg
</A>

As a fellow chicago member i would make sure it doesnt overheat in the summer in dead traffic. Mine had a big block and 4 speed and it was fun. Depends on how much you can handle.

Rob

Im running 400 sb, with a stock hei ignition, dual 2 3/4 inch 2 chamber flows, 750 holly double pumper, stock fuel pump, 350 th 3 speed trans with stock converter. Thats prety much my setup on a 69 Chevelle convertible.

See Ya later
Shawn

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White 69 Chevelle with black Convertible top
400 CI SB
Black Interior

ICQ# 36477077

My 69 Chevelle Convertible (http://www.shawnville.com/chevelle/)
My home page (http://www.shawnville.com)
shawn@shawnville.com

I drive a '70 El Camino with a 350 GM Goodwrench crate motor with fuel injection and HEI. It has a 700r4 transmission with 4 wheel power disc brakes. The front end has been rebuilt with poly bushings and new ball joints to make the ride and handling decent. I recommend replacing all the weatherstripping to keep out water and the annoying noise of wind blowing when cruising. Also not too loud of an exhaust and good air conditioning. If you drive the car a lot, this makes the ride more pleasant. A nice sound system is good too. Thanks, Dan

[This message has been edited by Duff (edited 01-04-2003).]

Mine's a daily, runs well. All my info on my webpage

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Dave
72 Chevelle 350
El Velle (http://www.geocities.com/paladin_bob.rm/chev.html)

67 Nova wagon 250-6 with a Saginaw 4spd and 3.08s. It's not fast but is guite adequate for what I do. The only mod is an HEI the thing is industructable and gets great gas miliage.

Mine's my daily driver. Details on my web site.

I'm in the middle of a few changes right now, (Cam and suspension) but I just updated the web pages.

The car should be on the road again by tonight.

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My Web Site (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 01-04-03)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino

My '71 Chevelle was used as a daily driver for awhile. I built a mild 350 (rw hp/tq in sig - see website for specs) with a TH-350, 2.73 geared 10-bolt, stock suspension (KYB shocks though), milodon high volume water pump, factory LS6 fan blades, GM thermal fan clutch, 4-row stock radiator, 180 stat, 650 Holley double pump carb, Performer RPM Air Gap, Mallory electronic dist., AC Delco starter, 2/0 battery cables (or maybe it was 1/0). Ran this for 21,000 miles without any problems until I retired it to weekend duty and now it's in pieces for an upgrade.

I drove it in rain, snow, heat (110+), cold (below freezing), and whatever else nature threw at me. Never overheated in traffic.

I'd say for a daily driver stay with GM parts or ones that can be found out in the middle of 10 buck 2. I.E., brake components, H.E.I, suspension parts, etc.

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Alan Ray
1971 Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/desertvelle71.jpg) 350ci 258rwhp @4900/326rwtq@3250
Got 9-inches? (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/nineinch.jpg)
1994 Impala SS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/alimpala3.jpg)