Pro-Touring C-Body....What are your thoughts?

greasemonkeyman

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Hi guys,here's something I don't hear often,and I know some of you purists are gonna cringe,but what are some of your thoughts on a Pro-Touring C-Body? I don't think I've really ever seen this being done often,but if some of you out there have some pics to show then by all means post them here.This is what I was thinking(and I know there are those who will disagree) but here goes......First off is a lowered front and rear suspension using urethane bushings and a firm feel tubular upper control arm and power steering box setup,some heavy duty adjustable shocks,turning down the front torsion adjusters and 3 inch blocks on the rear.Also heavy duty torsion bars and heavy duty front and rear sway bars.Next a set of low profile rims(somewhere in the 17-18 inch range(nothing too ridiculous).As far as the engine goes,a nice color codes engine to match the body with a few upgrades to the engine such as an aluminum intake,billet HEI distributor,MSD Atomic fuel injection(to replace the carb), a more modern Air Conditioning compressor,Aluminum Radiator,and maybe a set of billet pulleys.As far as the braking goes,an upgrade to big disc brakes at all four corners and a more modern master cylinder.Keeping the body pretty much stock,except for some subtle removal of some of the chrome trim,shaving of emblems,flush fitting the front and rear glass,and shaving the drip rails.Paint would be of the two-tone nature,but tastefully done to accentuate the body lines.Moving on into the interior,keeping the stock dash,but upgrading the factory gauges with something from Dakota Digital set in it's place.The seating would consist of factory buckets,reworked to provide more side bolstering to keep you placed in your seat,along with a more modern three point seat belt system.The rear seat would mimic the front seats,two similar buckets being made from the factory rear seat using the same bolstering as the front seats.A custom console running from the front dash all the way back between the front and rear seats terminates up at the rear parcel tray shelf.Of course,a more modern styling of the door panels are in order to go with the interior.This will all be covered in ultra-leather with the color being done in two-tone(again,matching the exterior coloring)Picture something like this....Black Ultra-leather bucket seats with a grey center insert and grey piping along the seat edges( of course color will vary depending on choice).These are just a few ideas as to what would make a Pro-Touring C-Body.Anyone have any ideas or comments? Please keep it clean and understand that everyone here has their own views of what a car should be.Some like completely stock while others like customs.If your the one who's spending the money on it,do as you wish,but lets keep it tasteful! Leave some comments....
 
I like it. Sounds very similar to my plans. Subtle exterior mods, most would need an expert or a restored car next to it to see the difference. Interior, I don't like digital gauges at all, they remind me of the 80's-early 90's. The rest sounds like a plan, I like the console, but it wouldn't work for me... too many kids.
 
Having an old car with modern underpinnings is still cheaper than buying a new car that lacks any real heritage.Costs can be saved by doing most of the work inhouse.Most of the outlay would be in parts expenses.If someone were to do a total top to bottom restoration on one of these C-Bodies,the cost would probably be close to the same overall.For those of you that don't do any work on your own vehicles,this can become a huge expense.But this is just in a theory mode right now,just trying to get opinions.Who ever said owning/restoring/modifying an old car was cheap.If it's cheap your after,collect hot wheels!:eek:ccasion14:
 
Go for it, what car do you want to start with?
 
I'm considering my 67 New Yorker Coupe.I've always preferred the 65-68 C-Bodies over the later fuselage cars.Just a thought at this point with some careful planning ahead. :sixpack:
 
I'm considering my 67 New Yorker Coupe.I've always preferred the 65-68 C-Bodies over the later fuselage cars.Just a thought at this point with some careful planning ahead. :sixpack:

Great choice, I'm a slab guy myself! I'd do something similar but want to use a 4 door hdtp.
 
I would call what you want to do "Factory but only better".
GO FOR IT!
I would love to build something like that.
 
If you are up to the challenge I say go for it.

In doing some digging. The 65 Fury seems to be the smallest of the C-Bodies from 65 on. (See wheel base and overall length numbers below.) Roughly the size of a 70 Charger. The New Yorker is quite a bit bigger. If your goal is to auto-cross like the video. You've got your work cut out for you. If the goal is to reduce some the floaty feel in the steering. I'd get a FirmFeel power steering gear and just refresh the stock suspension with new bushings. Lowering it a bit and some bigger wheels will give it a nice stance.

But at the end of the day do what makes you happy with the car.


65 Fury
119" wheel base
209.4" overall length


67 New Yorker
124" wheel base
219.3" overall length


70 Charger
117" wheel base
208" overall length
 
Sounds like a useless endevour to me ..... But what the heck ..... GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!

It will be good for the economy, (made in USA only please), and might save another C body.

 
What you really want is ah SLAB LONG ROOF Matt, just admit it and get after it

I'm pretty sure that we all want a long roof slab.

As for the OP, go for it, I can't wait to see it. If you're spending that kind of jing though, you may as well do a 4 link setup in the rear.
 
I am building one now or I should say my shop is. Not quite so radical but will be fun when done. and yes no where near worth what I will put into it. Details:

65 New Yorker 2 door
Grille converted to New Yorker with the glass covers
383 stroked to 496 Eddy heads, Hydraulic Roller Cam
727 torque flight
73 disc conversion on front.
Firm Feel Stage 2 Power Steering
Vintage air for air conditioning and heat
3.23 sure grip in the 8 3/4
TTI Headers and full exhaust (electric cut outs to scare the children and old ladies)
Resto details: Car was on the rotisserie and stripped/blasted. Most suspension component's are powder coated etc. front clip is from Arizona, some quarter repair but floors and rear frame trunk floor solid. All new weather stripping, stainless polished etc. Bumpers rechromed.

Biggest issue so far in planning and mock up is finding an off the shelf 17" wheel that will fit behind the fender skirt. I may have to have them custom built What I started with: 65chrysler019-2.jpg

I will try to post some recent pics. Car is painted and being reassembled now.

65chrysler019-2.jpg
 
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Did you say not radical & stroked to 496 in the same post? ;) Hell yes, that thing is bad to the bone.
 
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