Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Moderator: Monochrome
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
As you are all aware I got a new job and wife got a big raise. Once I pay off a couple smaller debts I plan on seriously looking into getting my Chevelle.
Ideally I would love a 70, but for the right price/condition I won't pass on a 68-72.
Engine - as much as I would love a big block, not sure if in my budget. The 454 is almost always more expensive vs the 396 or a stroked 350 (usually a 383). If I find a good one for cheap with a 307 or 350 I would probably look at doing a LS swap. Really do want a big block though. I know not as reliable but ugh. I LOVE THE SOUND OF A GOOD CAM IN A BIG BLOCK.
Transmission - automatic preferred. With my size I will probably have to modify seating/steering as it is, let alone try to shift something. Plus this is a weekend cruiser type car. I will do some light mods but not looking to do much more than about 400 rwhp to start and go from there (about what a 454 would put to the wheels with good cam/tune/exhaust I think?).
Rear end - 12 bolt posi, but they are cheap enough in the aftermarket it is not a deal breaker for a 10.
Color - darker blue, silver/gray, deep dark red, dark green, or black.
Interior - prefer the look of buckets with the u-shifter but again, won't pass on a great deal with a bench seat however.
Price - If needs nothing and in great condition - as much as $40-45k. Minor upgrades/conditioning - 30-35. Need work - under 25 if body is rust free and most parts are there.
Something like this would be awesome - but not quite to the point of buying yet. Still trying to figure out some fine details and pay off a few more debts. I am thinking by Oct/November I can get more serious about it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... d3d9db1492
Ideally I would love a 70, but for the right price/condition I won't pass on a 68-72.
Engine - as much as I would love a big block, not sure if in my budget. The 454 is almost always more expensive vs the 396 or a stroked 350 (usually a 383). If I find a good one for cheap with a 307 or 350 I would probably look at doing a LS swap. Really do want a big block though. I know not as reliable but ugh. I LOVE THE SOUND OF A GOOD CAM IN A BIG BLOCK.
Transmission - automatic preferred. With my size I will probably have to modify seating/steering as it is, let alone try to shift something. Plus this is a weekend cruiser type car. I will do some light mods but not looking to do much more than about 400 rwhp to start and go from there (about what a 454 would put to the wheels with good cam/tune/exhaust I think?).
Rear end - 12 bolt posi, but they are cheap enough in the aftermarket it is not a deal breaker for a 10.
Color - darker blue, silver/gray, deep dark red, dark green, or black.
Interior - prefer the look of buckets with the u-shifter but again, won't pass on a great deal with a bench seat however.
Price - If needs nothing and in great condition - as much as $40-45k. Minor upgrades/conditioning - 30-35. Need work - under 25 if body is rust free and most parts are there.
Something like this would be awesome - but not quite to the point of buying yet. Still trying to figure out some fine details and pay off a few more debts. I am thinking by Oct/November I can get more serious about it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... d3d9db1492
Last edited by Duck Vader on Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Are you wanting original or want something to modify?
Coop
Coop
[quote=""Melis""]The cop asked Coop "Are you really a firefighter?" Coop was like "yeah" then the cop said "ok your in charge" then the cop left
[/quote]
DCIV: first to 2,000,000 rep points
[/quote]
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- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Modify. Not looking for a matching numbers car or a show car. Weekend toy.
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
You should get a 396. Best all around GM big block out there. I dont see you having any space issues in one. I hop in my 67 Charger and its got leg room for days. Hell, when i corner in it i slide side to side out of my seat. lol.

- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Sat in a 66 or 67 back in the mid 2000s and it was tight at the time.
I've read it really depends on seat condition and if original or aftermarket.
Will definitely need to do power steering with tilt wheel and a smaller steering wheel for sure though. Even in my f250 I don't have much room left between my thighs and the wheel with it all the way up.
I've read it really depends on seat condition and if original or aftermarket.
Will definitely need to do power steering with tilt wheel and a smaller steering wheel for sure though. Even in my f250 I don't have much room left between my thighs and the wheel with it all the way up.
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
It's not so much length. I have a long torso so upper body tightness/headroom and I have thick thighs. 32 inch thighs each. I'm 6'2 but only about 31 in inseam.
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
This is kind of interesting. Wonder what the paint might be hiding.
https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1 ... rnia-92336
https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1 ... rnia-92336
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
that first one I listed he lowered the price to 38, and this one is now available for 36:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 2bc041b42c
Getting closer to pulling the trigger. Just need to pay off 1 more debt and see what happens now with surgery
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 2bc041b42c
Getting closer to pulling the trigger. Just need to pay off 1 more debt and see what happens now with surgery
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 0840a6dc4d
That one is not bad, but would want to swap out the engine and rear end so easily looking at about $5k-10k depending on route I would take.
That one is not bad, but would want to swap out the engine and rear end so easily looking at about $5k-10k depending on route I would take.
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
I have nothing to add except those look amazing. Jealous.
Coop
Coop
[quote=""Melis""]The cop asked Coop "Are you really a firefighter?" Coop was like "yeah" then the cop said "ok your in charge" then the cop left
[/quote]
DCIV: first to 2,000,000 rep points
[/quote]
DCIV: first to 2,000,000 rep points
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
He added a video.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... tid=dXMIcH
Something about this one is calling me. But with the injury I can't go look at it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... tid=dXMIcH
Something about this one is calling me. But with the injury I can't go look at it.
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Been really looking hard at some stuff. Get paid tomorrow. Paying off 2 of my debts that will give me an extra approx $750 a month to play around with. Reached out to a few people. However with the injury I can't help but be hesitant until it is all said and done and I can actually drive something. 
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
Crap on a cracker. Might be holding off until next year now.
Mother in law finally broke down and has agreed to move out here. For that to happen we need to sacrifice some money each month to help her. That means until we are making a bit more (figure this time next year), I am not sure if I feel comfortable with another big spend. I really really really really really really really want this thing, and so does Danielle, but her mother is also have a lot of mental and physical issues so the sooner we can get her out here the better. Probably looking at the spring time.
I was also thinking about this long and hard this morning. I really want my chevelle. I also really want to get to 300 lbs again. I think as a reward for getting to 300 I will then buy my car. Finances will be even better by then as well.
Mother in law finally broke down and has agreed to move out here. For that to happen we need to sacrifice some money each month to help her. That means until we are making a bit more (figure this time next year), I am not sure if I feel comfortable with another big spend. I really really really really really really really want this thing, and so does Danielle, but her mother is also have a lot of mental and physical issues so the sooner we can get her out here the better. Probably looking at the spring time.
I was also thinking about this long and hard this morning. I really want my chevelle. I also really want to get to 300 lbs again. I think as a reward for getting to 300 I will then buy my car. Finances will be even better by then as well.
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
they lowered the price on the 68. ugh i really want it
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
YOLO?
I think about all the things we could have done, all the miracles we could have achieved, if we were all just a little bit better than it turns out we are.
--Naomi Nagata
--Naomi Nagata
- Duck Vader
- Posts: 18723
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:57 am
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
i have family in bend. i might have them go take a look at it for me
Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
I feel ya. We just had Hot August Nights this last week. Its pretty much a week long show where classics show up all over town and there are about 6-10 venues going on at a time. Its a blast and i saw a lot of Chevelle's.



Re: Getting a bit more serious about my land boat
There will always be more. If you have family stuff then just chill.
Coop
Coop
[quote=""Melis""]The cop asked Coop "Are you really a firefighter?" Coop was like "yeah" then the cop said "ok your in charge" then the cop left
[/quote]
DCIV: first to 2,000,000 rep points
[/quote]
DCIV: first to 2,000,000 rep points