If your getting both Cars for near nothing, Why not figure out where your biggest value in those cars will be ( maybe just cleaned up and ready to sell or fix the rust and pedal them ). Clean em up and sell them both. Take that cash and roll it into something more desirable. Todd is right at some point you will sell the car. No sense taking a bath on it because it is a Buick and not a Chevelle. The after market parts following for a Chevelle is 10 times that of a Buick. That lessens your build cost right there.

The only way to make these 2 cars make some kind of sense is to do every single thing your self and not put any value on your labor into the cars. Cuz they might be worth a the value of just the parts when your done.

Quote him a "driver quality" paint job.....

Having grown up as a kid around Buicks,I can tell you it takes one to know one...they're sleepers and the Buick family is fiercely loyal...so many here wouldn't understand.

1965 was the start but by '67,they really were something special and while they may not bring Chevelle money...dare to be different I always say!

You could always save your coins and go this route...:hairpullout:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps1b674313.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...pscd1e189c.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...psb1d93b9d.jpg

Words of Wisdom?
 

You could skip the 5.3 and put the 67 drivetrain in the 65 to get the running/driving goal out of the way first. Do a Hotchkis TVS and go with KORE3 13"/12" C5/C6 brakes... you may even be able to clear those brakes with some 18" steel ralley style wheels on the cheap... or better yet, the monies saved by using the 67 drivetrain could set you up with a nice set of wheels like Jason Rushforth has on his car... search for "Project Wheels and Stance"!

This route would get the car running & driving so you can enjoy it while you do other upgrades... gather all the pieces for the LS swap if that's what your heart is set on... all the while keeping the fun factor up and the down time low so that you don't grow tired/weary/embarrassed of the "project car on jack stands" in the garage and can actually enjoy this thing we call a hobby.

:soapbox: :beathorse

Well all our paint work starts at 20k. The term "Driver Quality" is kind of subjective. Wes Rydell drives his Ridler winning Grand Master in the rain.

You just have to decide what you don't want. If you want to dare to be different, go right ahead, so really great cars have been done with off the wall body styles. But you just need to know where you might end up. I'm the president of the dare to be different club, I build the only tube chassis transaxle pickup truck in existence when I did it like 8 years ago. I got a ton of press for my business and sold it at a huge loss. No matter what you do a truck will never sell for what a camaro will. It's just a fact.

Fix both! :D I would much rather have an Buick than an Chevelle, but that is because I think it looks cooler. Even though Chevelles also look nice though... Hmm..

One of them looks a bit easier to finish though..

I would keep it "cheap" and run Wide Buick or other Rallies, LOW, and of course Buick powered. :)

exactly, my understanding of driver quality would be what you guys call a 10 footer. $6000 Maaco spray and pray.

Wow what ever happened to building cars for fun ? Maybe i missed it in the OP, but I didn't see where resale was his motivation. I feel if you are building a budget limited driver type car, odd body styles are more appealing (I also recommend the '65, it looks way more vintage and muscle).
I never worried about eventual cost and resale and such when I started, I just enjoyed every step of the way.

Drive it around a little bit, look at in the parking lot from different angles,and if you like it, build it.

Preston thanks that's exactly what I was shooting for lol, I think I'm going to sell the 65 and build the 67! I appreciate all who chimed in again, I like the body of the 67 more than the 65.

I like Preston's logic. :thumbsup:

If budget is an issue, I think you forego the LS route, get some C5 brakes and a power booster for less than a grand. Keep your eyes peeled for some take off or resale wheels and suspension, do all the work yourself and waa-laa you're running.

The only hole in that plan is the starting point. You're gonna invest some money no matter what you build, so sell the two and find another, better starting point so you're not stuck in sheetmetal hell.

Good luck whatever you do!