My 15 year old want's a Muscle car and is looking at a 69 Chevelle, I know its not a MOPAR but for you out their that work on cars are they just as expensive to buy parts as MOPARS?
Seems like every little thing on a MOPAR cost more that ford or Chevy parts..

 

cost more? maybe there is a reason. if you buy cheap you have CHEAP. but be careful there is a LOT of clones. in ALL brands. find a real expert to help you find what you want. and do not be stuck on a high horse power engine. if you want to drive to shows a high horse power engine the fuel will be your highest cost. so you go 200 miles and spend $250 on fuel. that isnt fun., that will buy a lot of beer. the slant 6 is still in. just my ideas.

 

Chevelle parts are fairly cheap like most Chevy muscle car parts. To Moe's point there are alot of 69 Malibu's converted to Chevelle badging. This is not a big issue if you are not looking for a #,s matching car but some people out there will try and pass it off as an original Chevelle as apposed to the Bu because the Malibu does not bring as much money. If you have a smart phone its easy enough to find a vin decoder and punch the #,s in and make sure you are not getting taken for a ride. One thing to look out for on the 69 Chev/malibu is to actually get under the car and check the frame. Those cars have thin frames and if its rusted you will end up having a car that always feels loose on the road and they can be dangerous.

 

There is a lot more parts availability for competitive pricing.
It just depends on what your passion is.
Great father Son Project...

 

Of my three sons one loves his Mustangs.
When I started to help build the engine and back half the car I searched for parts and found 3-5 times available and far less expensive, it sucked. Chevrolets have even more and even less money, I think we all know that. For his age and likely income Chev would be a great way to go to get him into this hobby.

Regardless of manufacturer the most important thing to me is, they all like Girls and V8's.

 

Amen to that LOL...I have 3 boys and my 2 oldest (17 & 15) are guitar slingers and play in Rock Bands together,,,They say if you drive a muscle car and play guitar the women will follow......

 

in the mopars we have a lot of hemi clones. on the "B" body there are small things that the factory did on a hemi body, that even some mopar guys will miss. like Don Johnson has a "E" body convet hemi but he does NOT pass it off as factory. NOTE: of no importance i went to high school with him. but i would NOT walk across the street to say hi to him.

 

As long its AMERICAN MUSCLE they are all good to me....

 

My boys are 24, 26 and 28, your are in for one hell of a ride.

 

LOL..

 

Yep, Chevy stuff is cheaper. Mopar stuff usually costs the most. That’s why every sellout puts a 350 crate engine in their ‘hot rod’, no matter the year or make.

That being said, ya only live once! let him try it out, maybe he likes it.

 

What ever floats his boat...Chevelle's are nice it will take a 454 to beat a small block Mopar though...I smoked ton of them with a 340 Charger they all thought it was a 440 until I showed them...There next question was what do you have Nitrous I would say no do you see Nitrous then they would just say thats one good running Mopar...My come back was all Mopars run good LOL....Good luck with the build have fun and be safe...Bill

 

You can build a Chevelle frame up for half the cost of a Mopar.. Not a chevy guy but I have done a few to sell.. You can buy parts every where for a Chevelle.. I think wal-mart sells fenders now LMAO..

 

I'm a mopar guy but sometimes I fall in love with some chevrolets and pontiac, but finally I remember the old phrase "mopar or no car". Buy what your son wants but my personal opinion if your son wants a real muscle car buy a old one, the new muscle cars (in my personal opinion) just are cars with big engines, don't has the feeling of a real old muscle car.

 

Back when I was driving my Dusters to and from work, I got ahold of a 454 motor for free. I had a deal to get a 69 Chevelle body for $500, but got sold out from under me. If I could get a good deal on a big block Chevelle, I'd drive it. Although, a nice 69 B, with a 383 or 440 would be sweet!


j

 

I love all American muscle.. But was recently a MOPAR convert.. Something about Vanishing point.. Dirty Mary Crazy Larry.. The anti-hero always drove a Mopar..

You pay extra for 'cool'...

 

OK kev you got me thinking about the 3 most emotional movies i have ever seen. 1. Vanishing point. 2. the endless summer. 3. on any Sunday.

 

His 17 year old brother is the one that Owens the 68 Coronet 440...so now like all brothers he cant have the same because he wants to be his own person. ...so he is leaning toward the chevelle....I really dont care iam just thrilled to death they love old cars....

 

Working on all of my son's stuff has kept me away from my cut up 1970 for years.

No regrets, being in the garage (shop one calls it) with them and their pals has been wonderful. I only wish they had done things how I suggested but no they had to make their mistakes then usually ended up doing it my way but it was their idea by then.

Now my one son is a licensed mechanic, the other welds as good or better than me and I'm pretty much the apprentice doing set ups and handing them tools.

 

Now that is a good teacher...Know when to step back and let the learning start...I did the same thing with my boys I let them come to me and ask how it was done...It is really hard not to give advice until asked but the result is very gratifying....Bill

 

Bullit as well.. When that poor '68 Charger ends up in the gas station.. Sorry if I spoiled the chase for anyone..

 

Well no that this thread turned into a movie thread I will add..I read a deal on the internet about the movie BULLIT...And the stunt drivers said that they would have to retake shots all the time because the Charger was to fast and they would stop the filming and retake and ask them to slow it down.
I will look for it and post it.

 

Depends on what parts you're talking about. A 69 Chevelle is a very desirable car. Certain original body parts would probably be a little difficult to find / more expensive. There are a lot of clone parts out there if you don't care about that. Other than that, Chevy engine kit's are very very inexpensive. You can pick up a master rebuild kit for under $200.00. All depends on what parts your talking about buying.