Is an A - Body always an A-Body ?

Hey guys are all 70-72 A Bodies created equal ?
Except for different outer sheet metal , how about suspension , steering , brakes ?
Steve

 

I believe from 68-72 the same chassis rolled down the assembly line. Minor changes possibly like PS box ratios and spring rates based on engine going in chassis. Rearends varied slightly. The 66-67 rears were 1" narrower, but bolt right up to any year. 8.2" up until 1971, then went to 8.5", except Pontiac which kept using the 8.2 through 1972. And all Canadian cars came with 12 bolt rears.

Guess Pontiac figured their engines didn't generate enough torque to need a stronger rearend. Either that or they lost the straw draw and had to use up what GM had left.

 

COnvertible frames are different - fully boxed

:spank: @ Phil for not remembering to mention that :laugh:

 

...an A-body is sometimes a G-body, but only in 1983.

 

Duh, that's one on me allright. Frames are different between hardtops and convertibles, to the tune of about 150-200 lbs.

 

A- Bodies

Thanks guys . I was looking @ repair panels for the core support /inner fenders as well as suspension upgrades . And was just thinking why not a Chevelle site ? I found one site that does the forward end of the Rt. Inner fender . I also find that prices are somewhat lower cause of the Chibby Status .
Steve

 

Core support and inner fenders would fall into the sheet metal category and won't transfer from the chevelle to the GS.

Sorry.

You can get both inner fender and core support repair panels for the 70-72 Buick A-body, however. Mike Garrison (RACEBUICKS) on this board does the core support panels and Year One has the inner fender panel (part# BN18 @ www.yearone.com).

 

All the suspension stuff DOES swap, though

 

Frame

I really don't think a convertible frame is 150 to 200 lbs heavier than a hardtop. I have had frames out of 67 and 68 cars and they are a very flexible light piece and the two strips used to box a convertible can't weight that much. These frames can be carried by two people easy. Not much there, that's why you pick the left front wheel up a foot or two and the right is still on the ground. The first one of these I took out I couldn't believe it. A 12 point cage and an anti-roll bar is a must. Also 64-67 frames are different from 68-72.
Jim N.

 

I always thought one of the virtues of a GS was that they all used boxed convertible frames for added stiffness be it a ragtop, post coupe or hardtop. Is that not true?

 

"A" Body

Then the "A" body went to front wheel drive in the 80s;

 

I heard that all '65 GS frames were boxed, but I don't think any other year used them.

 

Dont forget that wagon frames were longer...

 

A-Body is an A-Body

Thanks for the help TOOOOOOOOO bad the inner fenders / Core Supports won't interchange . Wish the suppliers would start making complete cores,inner fenders for BOTH sides , be they glass or steel .(glass inner fenders)

My Ol' Man would tell me................
Wish in one hand, and S*^T in the other .
See which fills up faster .
He was a REAL philosepher !!! :laugh:
Steve

 

Sure, but...

"Nope, common misconception. Take a look at the chassis manual, 44637 hardtop, 3738 lbs, 44667 ragtop, 3762 lbs. Yes the frames are heavier, but you have no roof."

You still had a steel conv top frame & thick steel side rails, steel locking mech, liners, plus most had a Power top motor & power pistons, steel cables. These added up would be heavier than the thin steel top on a coupe, at least that is my guess. :Smarty: