Just aquired a 64 Wildcat donor for my 53 Roadmaster Ragtop. The body is crap on the Wildcat, but great chassis and drive train. My first thought is to install the 401 and super turbine in the RM, and figure out a ladder bar set up for a rear end, sans the torque tube. But my second thought is to swap the RM body onto the Wildcat chasis. Any thoughts? Dan
1953 Roadmaster Convertible has a 121.5 inches wheelbase. 1964 Wildcat has a 123 inches wheelbase. And the Roadmaster's chassis is really different from that on the Wildcat.
50's swaps the motor is ok , use the 66 400 tranny, with open drive shaft, cut to fit, use a 71-76 Electra rearend with chevy truck trailing arms from center of x frame to the rear end and use the springs from Electra and Electra shocks , rear end fits width well and gets rid of old stupid closed drive shaft, plan on 53 super to do this if not with a 455 buick , buickapollo455
I think full size rearend is too wide for `50-`53:s. I have `50 Super with `81 Bonneville STW axle and 6"lowering VW Transporter springs, tire changes are real pain. I have to remove everything, but lower control arms and brake hose. How about late 60`s to mid 70`s mid size GM rear? `83 up Camaro/Firebird rear would be fine, but I don`t know does it handle torque of 401. Is that RM`s wheelbase 121,5"? I think it`s 126,25". Good luck with your project!
1953 4 drs Roadmaster sedan and 4 drs Super sedan have a 125.5 inches wheelbase, all others are 121.5 inches :Smarty:
I did not use the frame, I used the original x frame with the rear end of 71-76 Electra with chevy trailing arms mount near center behind the x area. this gives you same frame and use of a new open drive shaft rear end and newer buick or gm etc motor and trany, try this
