Question for Formal gurus

[70bigblockdodge]

No secret that I like formals. My plan was when I joined FCBO to find a C body to serve as a cruiser/vacation car and maybe tow my Barracuda to the track. A formal suits this the best, although I would not shut the door on a good slab. My time here has left me wanting a 74-75 Imperial or a 76-78 NYB, I just like the waterfall grill and hidden lights, and 2 doors. How hard is it to convert a Newport or earlier (74-75)NYB to the grill I am talking about?

 

[cantflip]

We are of very like mind, as to what we want at least. I have no idea as to your question... but they do look a lot alike to me as well... like the red 75 in Irwin... oh yea... the brown car in 84 is a 77, add still up.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

It just seems that it would open up a lot more cars to me and also the advantage of all the manual A/C controls in Newports

 

[1978 NYB]

They'll interchange and bolt up....sort of.

Even though they look alike....the front header and the hood are different for the NYB and the Newport. If you put the 76-78 NYB header and grill on the Newport the hood will be too low and won't match up on the center high point of the header. Putting the Newport header on a 76-78 NYB it will have the opposite effect and the hood will set up too high on Newport. The front edge of the hood on a 76-78 NYB has a Y (Imperial) stamped on it which means it's the same hood as a 74-75 Imp. The 74-78 Newport has a C stamped on the front edge of the hood. If you seen my 78 NYB and 78 Newport sitting side by side you would see what I'm talking about immediately.

 

[cantflip]

How about swapping the entire front clip... not too much extra work.

 

[1978 NYB]

Why not just buy a NYB.......

 

[1978 NYB]

It just seems that it would open up a lot more cars to me and also the advantage of all the manual A/C controls in Newports

About half of the NYB's have manual A/C. Plus most NYB's had power windows, power door locks, better door panels, T&T, leather, etc. You can't get leather in a Newport. Rarely see Newport's with power windows & locks. NYB's mostly had BB. Majority of Newport's have a 360.

 

[cantflip]

Why not just buy a NYB.......

you're right... I was just embracing the challenge.

 

[Mr C]

How about swapping the entire front clip... not too much extra work.

No need to change the fenders...as mentioned: header, hood, bumper and bumper fillers and it's done. However, you'd have the Newport rear styling to convert to to make the transformation complete...

There's plenty of very nice Formal Imperial/ NYB coupes to snag for cheap. It'll come.

 

[1978 NYB]

Just changing the front bumper on a NYB is a challenge for 2 people.

Unless you got Dave (Polara 71) around....he can lift a Formal bumper by himself. LOL!

 

[Mr C]

Did he do the swap on this 74? Looks like he's parked next to this one that's had a 77 front end slapped on it.

 

[1978 NYB]

This guy has done a lot of strange stuff if it's the same car. I believe I took these pictures at Carlisle 2013. It has has Formal front clip and hood. Imperial hood ornament. He changed the rear door panels and has the windows working. And he painted the car with spray cans.

 

[67-Fury]

Just changing the front bumper on a NYB is a challenge for 2 people.

Unless you got Dave (Polara 71) around....he can lift a Formal bumper by himself. LOL!

I never knew Polara Dave was that strong lol.

 

[1978 NYB]

Those are the heaviest dang bumpers I ever came across! LOL!