Would there really be any advantages to the RetroRides/Goodmark 1st-Gen/4th-Gen Hybrid Unibody over building a Pro-Touring 1st-Gen F-Body using an aftermarket front subframe, subframe connectors, and an aftermarket rear suspension?
True you can use 4th-Gen suspension components but most of the aftermarket front subframes use C5 components (some are now using C6 brakes). . .so what is the true benefit here?
For about the same cost of the Retro Rides Conversion I can have a top quality aftermarket front subframe, subframe connectors and a rear suspension (including all the necessary components). . .the only real advantage that I see here is that RetroRides takes care of all the bodywork for you.
Maybe one of the suspension guru's can pipe in here and give us the real pro's and con's to this option. . .I know that I would definitely appreciate having the real up's and down's of this outlined for me in a straight forward, honest way. . .without any advertising hype!
I read a little about it in Hot Rod. I thought it said the car would come with a VIN from a 4th gen. But I'm not sure if it's titled as a 4th gen or not. Anyone know?
I really don't see the point of the whole concept. I'd take a stocker with a good clip anyday.
No. . .it will retain the 1st-gen VIN. . .the 4th gen is only a donor car and the VIN of that car will die I guess. . .this is directly from RetroRides website.
I think this is more of a convenience factor than anything else now that I've done some research and reading. . .it's more for those who don't want to build their own ride. . .there are some nice creature comforts (cruise control being the only one that I think may give me a little bit of difficulty. . .other than the fact that I won't have an onboard diagnostic either) that these 1st/4th-gen hybrids offer, but nothing that I couldn't do myself given a little bit time to think and a probably a lot more time to cleanly execute. . .I know I'm in no rush though. . .the money is the hold-up factor for me more than anything else. . .I think I'm gonna stick with the traditional 1st-gen set-up. . .the only other options that I'm currently investigating/ruling out are the Schwartz Precision Chassis and/or the Art Morrison G-Machine frame. . .the downfall to both of those being that they are 4-bar set-ups and I've decided that I want to go with a 3-link and Watt's linkage rear suspension set-up.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Retro Rides/Goodmark Industries 1st-Gen/4th-Gen Hybrid ?'s
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