Debating on A Body or B Body for first car

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Joe Mellusi

Joe Mellusi

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Hi, Everyone

For the past few months ive been looking at cars daily, wishing i had an old mopar just like my dad. But im really having trouble deciding on what car i think i should get, I was looking at dusters for a very long time and then i looked at a 73-74 Roadrunner or Satellite. Im only 13 and i know i have a good amount of time until i do get a car but i really am having trouble trying to decide what i want. And theres other cars i like too that i might want so these arent my only choices.

Thanks,

Joe
 
I would look for a 68 -75 A body like a Dart/Demon or Scamp/Duster. They are easier to find parts for and easier to work on and modify. You can put a 440 in them pretty easy if you wish. The early A's are fun but because of their smaller size, are harder to work on and tougher to find parts for, both used and repopped.
 
An A body will be less expensive, especially when it comes to parts. B Bodies were more popular because they were pushed as muscle cars, while A bodies were pushed more as economy cars. There were also more A bodies made than A bodies.
 
My first car was a 73 Duster 340
2nd was a 69 Coronet Superbee

Other than interior room, I loved the Duster just a little more than the Bee
 
When I was 13 my brother (16) bought a 1974 scamp. I caught the Mopar bug. I thought I wanted one too. But when I was 16 , I looked at a 1974 dart sport and fell in love with the body lines. Keep looking and when you go and check a car out ( with your dad) , you will " know" if it's the one for you! Good luck!
 
Start saving $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, you may change your mind altogether, then when you're ready to buy look at your savings and see what lines up.
 
First off welcome to the site! Glad to have you! I
My addiction started when I was your about your age. Mine started with anything motorized when i was probably 4 or 5, Lawn mowers, go carts, dirt bikes, atvs ,etc by the time i was 12 or 13 my interest kinda started moving towards cars. The best advice I can give is don't try to pick the car let the car pick you. You will know when its the right one. It will just happen out of no where when you least expect it. Rarely have I ever found a great deal or the car of my dreams while looking for it. It always seems to happen when your not looking. You drive down a backstreet and there it is setting in the backyard. Or in my case you go to buy a spare block and the guy just happens to have two ebodys for sale lol. Good luck and feel free to ask anything. And 13 is a great age enjoy it !
 
Joe Mellusi said:
Hi, Everyone

For the past few months ive been looking at cars daily, wishing i had an old mopar just like my dad. But im really having trouble deciding on what car i think i should get, I was looking at dusters for a very long time and then i looked at a 73-74 Roadrunner or Satellite. Im only 13 and i know i have a good amount of time until i do get a car but i really am having trouble trying to decide what i want. And theres other cars i like too that i might want so these arent my only choices.

Thanks,

Joe
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I would post this same question on FBBO because all you are going to get here is A body propaganda. Personally, I love all mopars and all cars. Right now mopars are super hot and really expensive. I bought my duster from chris birdsong for 1700$. (green /6 auto, 1970 stripper model.) If you want a cheap affordable 2 door v8 muscle car, you will need to build it yourself. All the 340 4 speed cars are just too expensive for us young guys with no money. (I just got my driver's license so I was just like you last year.) I would just look for the worst optioned car that has good metal and bones and just start from there. Another thing you need to realize is that unless a family member or a good friend is willing to give you a mopar or any classic car, you are not going to find one on the internet worth what it is. for example: An old car is just an old car. a hunk of metal with problems. Likely rusted out. The internet has gotten so obsessed with the adjective and power words; one owner, only 1 of 300, highly optioned car, the only one with (insert buzz word). And they will want an exorbitant amount of money for a rusted out piece of **** just because it has some special option. The best place to look for cars is people's backyards, impound lots, google earth. (as creepy as it sounds you will see a lot of old cars sitting that since could have been hidden.) Just make friends with other car guys and you will be surprised to see how giving they are. Because they want to see the hobby, sport, and lifestyle of cars go on for generations and it is rare to see young guys getting into them.

Keep your eyes peeled, make connections, and don't sweat it too much.
 
Get a part time job somewhere that works on vehicles. You'll learn a lot. I started working in a gas station (and garage ) when I was 12.
A bunch of Mopar guys and Pontiac guys worked there after their regular jobs just for the hoists. Had a lot of fun. Maybe a tuner shop would also be a good idea.
 
Bought my first car at 14. '72 Ply Duster. Always wanted a '68-70 B-body but the carrot was always a little out of reach... LOL
 
Get the best body, no rust or damage, you you can afford, A or B. The rest you can bolt on, repair, replace, or upgrade.
 
Last edited:
shittyslant6 said:
I would post this same question on FBBO because all you are going to get here is A body propaganda. Personally, I love all mopars and all cars. Right now mopars are super hot and really expensive. I bought my duster from chris birdsong for 1700$. (green /6 auto, 1970 stripper model.) If you want a cheap affordable 2 door v8 muscle car, you will need to build it yourself. All the 340 4 speed cars are just too expensive for us young guys with no money. (I just got my driver's license so I was just like you last year.) I would just look for the worst optioned car that has good metal and bones and just start from there. Another thing you need to realize is that unless a family member or a good friend is willing to give you a mopar or any classic car, you are not going to find one on the internet worth what it is. for example: An old car is just an old car. a hunk of metal with problems. Likely rusted out. The internet has gotten so obsessed with the adjective and power words; one owner, only 1 of 300, highly optioned car, the only one with (insert buzz word). And they will want an exorbitant amount of money for a rusted out piece of **** just because it has some special option. The best place to look for cars is people's backyards, impound lots, google earth. (as creepy as it sounds you will see a lot of old cars sitting that since could have been hidden.) Just make friends with other car guys and you will be surprised to see how giving they are. Because they want to see the hobby, sport, and lifestyle of cars go on for generations and it is rare to see young guys getting into them.

Keep your eyes peeled, make connections, and don't sweat it too much.
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Unfortunately now adays even those cars are expensive. I see rusted slant 6 cars for 3500! I got my first car (my 75 dart that I still have) from a little old lady for 500 bucks. It had been setting since the early 90s I bought it in 2000. It needed some work but nothing too major that I couldn't figure out. I love seeing yall young guns on here! Takes me back to when I was that age.
 
We are all mopar lovers on here, not sure if you’re set on an old muscle car and I certainly don’t want to prevent you from getting what you want, but you need to figure out what this mopar is for? And what you want it to be. Unfortunately old mopars are expensive even old poor man a bodies. I’m sure there are still some nice ones out there they are few and far between and most 50 year old a bodies have not lived the good life. They will need repairs and parts. You can build two or three chevys for the price of one mopar.

So if you want to restore one to really nice condition that will get really expensive fast. And if you want something reliable as a commuter first vehicle I would go with something newer where the parts are much cheaper and more available. Odds and ends old cars will crush your wallet if you have to pay for them and want correct restoration items. So get out a piece of paper and write down what you want and why, then go price it out. Good luck.
 
Welcome to fabo. My tip for you is be patient. Dont buy the first thing you see. The right one no matter what will pop up and you will know instantly.
 
toolmanmike said:
68 -75 A body like a Dart/Demon or Scamp/Duster
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There you go throwing the 67 under the bus! No respect.

@Joe Mellusi, unless money is no object, I would make my first old car something that is less expensive and with an unlimited amount of aftermarket parts. Mopars are more expensive simply because there were never as many made as ford or chevy.

Plus they are not universilly as popular as mustangs and camaros.

Fewer aftermarket parts made means you will be paying a premium for a mopar part. An example is an A-body 8 3/4 rear axel housing.

A-body 600.00 to 1000.00 depending on condition (housing only)

B, C, E body 200.00 to 500.00 (complete.) Ford and chevy similar
 
Dana67Dart said:
There you go throwing the 67 under the bus! No respect.

@Joe Mellusi, unless money is no object, I would make my first old car something that is less expensive and with an unlimited amount of aftermarket parts. Mopars are more expensive simply because there were never as many made as ford or chevy.

Plus they are not universilly as popular as mustangs and camaros.

Fewer aftermarket parts made means you will be paying a premium for a mopar part. An example is an A-body 8 3/4 rear axel housing.

A-body 600.00 to 1000.00 depending on condition (housing only)

B, C, E body 200.00 to 500.00 (complete.) Ford and chevy similar
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Not really throwing 67's under the bus. 67's are kind of a tough year. There is a lot about them that is 67 only. Just sayin'.
 
Joe Mellusi said:
Hi, Everyone. Im only 13 and i know i have a good amount of time until i do get a car but i really am having trouble trying to decide what i want. And theres other cars i like too that i might want so these arent my only choices.Thanks,Joe
Click to expand...
Well then,
How about an F/M/J-body wagon with an HO 360
Like maybe one with a leather interior, and power everything. You could put some pretty decent tires in the back, and they look pretty cool with the suspension raised up a lil.
upload_2021-3-16_17-30-23.jpeg


upload_2021-3-16_17-30-44.jpeg


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images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrv1Ei5zPcE4AGIhyh50p_4pfLUC-pdU5NdA&usqp=CAU.jpg


Power-bulge hood
images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTaECcKdCn-U-WsL9J5OwVi--aKqeReLxNNtQ&usqp=CAU.jpg

Diplomat............
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LeBaron T&C
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images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQp2IjBmc98jO52k1ER9FQ3a1EZbR-Of3_cjQ&usqp=CAU.jpg

78 LeBaron
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etc
 
I'd look at an old mini truck like a Toyota, Nissan or Mazda for a first car. Seriously, you'll spend no time fixing that and you can use it to start buying parts for your Mopar build. I chased more Moparts in my Mazda than I care to admit. Bullet proof and you could care less if you run into a shopping cart or trash can on the way out.
 
AJ/FormS said:
Well then,
How about an F/M/J-body wagon with an HO 360
Like maybe one with a leather interior, and power everything. You could put some pretty decent tires in the back, and they look pretty cool with the suspension raised up a lil.
View attachment 1715708745

View attachment 1715708746

View attachment 1715708786

View attachment 1715708787

View attachment 1715708788

Power-bulge hood
View attachment 1715708789
Diplomat............
View attachment 1715708790

View attachment 1715708791

View attachment 1715708792
LeBaron T&C
View attachment 1715708793

View attachment 1715708794
78 LeBaron
View attachment 1715708795

etc
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My 3rd or 4th (can't remember now) was a 78 aspen station wagon. It was alot of fun ran very stout and could haul all kinds of chick's... ahem I mean friends lol
 
Hyup, before I got married, I had a HotRod wagon. After I got married I HAD to get a few more wagons, as I wore them out. But eventually they gave way to CUVs.
You can never go wrong with a wagon.
A CUV is just a short wagon with a higher roof and a higher floor so old people can get in and out of them easier. At coming 68, I am beginning to appreciate that.
 
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