New project delima/help opinion needed..
 

Okay guys here's the skinny I am looking to do a new project I live in California so BOTH of these cars will have to pass smog, NOW lets take that out of the equation and go on the cars merits and potential. THIS CAR WILL BE USED AS MY DAILY DRIVER (driven AGGRESSIVELY AT TIMES)

I will be working on the car as I drive it as well, eventually the motor will be changed to an LS motor and manual trans and the pro-touring treatment!!

The 2 candidates are as follows:

1977 Caprice Aero Coupe (2-door)

It has been sitting for about 3 years the roof has some rust issues there are some places where it has rusted through BUT, the spots are in a place where it can be repaired. Around the side qtr glass someone cut the drip rails off on both sides and the side windows look "funny", and the trim cannot be replace. It has a rebuilt 305 motor installed about 4 years ago. Factory tilt pw car, the body besides the roof are in good shape. Interior needs to b replaced

The reason I considered doing one of these is because you don't see then done PT style BUT replacement parts are a little harder to find, but this screams dare to be different.

OTHER CANDIDATE:

1977 Pontiac Firebird (NON TA)
Rebuilt pontiac motor 350 trans, PW and tilt , motor sounds real good, body in good shape, needs new door hinges,needs interior (was going to change anyway), no rust and you can practically build one of these from the ground up between year one and classic industries. I don't have any little kids.

I just want to get some feedback to see what you guys think

I vote for the bird - lots of aftermarket chassis options, suspension, interior pieces, grilles, trim, projector headlights, glass, wheels, brakes, sheet metal, etc. In addition, IMO, it is a much nicer body style for a head-turning pro-touring car. Good luck with whatever you choose :thumbsup:

Firebird. Way better driving car. Get the close ratio steering box and upgrade the suspension and sway bars, and away you go!:thumbsup:

the bird! :thumbsup:

The firebird has a much lower roof ht.I am 6'3" and find it hard to get comfortable in my 72 camaro.even w/the seat as low as it will go and still slide back and forth.My head still hits the under side of the roof.So if your a tall fella,I would look into the caprice.The firebird is more suited for somebody that might be shorter.:thumbsup:

You really need to ask....:lol:

I like both choices but if I'm looking down the road and ROI (return on investment) is a factor, the Firebird gets my choice. I don't see much of a market for the Impala/Caprice like I do for the Firebird.

What Todd said -- times about 500

Gee, thats a tough call......gangster or Smokey and the Bandit......hmmm

Greg, I'll see your 500 and raise you 2, LOL.

Do I even need to Vote ? Cagney and Lacey or the Bird, especially in Black WITHOUT the screaming eagle...Bird for sure.

But the Cagney and Lacey mobile ??:willy: :willy:

Firebird without a question would be my first choice.Caprice would probably need much more fab work and one off custom parts to make it look and perform as a true badass PT car.

LMAO.....Okay... I put the deposit down on the bird I pick it up Monday!! Thanks for the input guys!!

good job..:thumbsup:

I would love to see a nasty caprice, so im the one that voted for it lol, but it seems like the firebird is a better choice.

I see now you already made your decision. Good luck with it!

I guess I'm too late but I'm gonna buck the trend and go with the Caprice. I've always liked that body style and thought they would make an awesome HotRod. I think the aftermarket suspension suppliers are paying more attention to the big Chevy platform now and there's no difference in sticking an LS into the Firebird or the Caprice. If I'm at a show or a cruise night I'll walk right past the 'Bird to get a look at the HotRod Caprice.

Peter

I hear you on that it's one of those dare to be different rides that you really don't see, I have tried to imagine a pro-touring Caprice in my head. But the aftermarket parts that are available for the Firebird compared to the caprice is a no brainer. I have tried to source some parts for the caprice previously and it is just TOO limited.
I could lower the caprice and put some nice meats under it, swap out the motor and have a nice cruiser....as opposed to the "BIRD" I could pretty much build a "all purpose" ride and still use it as my daily driver (which I intend to do), so the overwhelming parts availability for that car was the deciding factor...

Well, if you're torn between the two, buy both and build them :D I'd love to see a nasty PT Caprice ,but I'd still like the Bird more:lateral:

I love the Firebird, but I would have gone with the Caprice, it's like asking if I should do a '69 Camaro or anything else (not that I don't like it, I love it but: ) everyone has built one.

LOL 2 funny