Still more Chevrolet alternatives

If your having trouble finding a good price on the Chevy of your dreams, you might consider a Pontiac. GTO's bring every bit the King's Ransom that big-block SS Chevelles do. However, in the rest of the line, the Pontiacs are better deals.  Here's the proof.  # 1 1967-79 Firebird.  1st or 2nd generation, a Firebird is a much better deal than a Camaro, for one reason. Big-blocks were only optional in the Camaro from 1967-72 and were built in limited numbers. By contrast, you could get a 400 in a Firebird Formula or Trans-Am until 1979, and the 455 was available until 1976. At the last Hot August Nights auction I attended a nice 396 powered 1969 Camaro sold for $15,000.  At the same auction a 1968 400 Firebird went for $7200.  A 400 69 Model went for $8500. And they were just as nice as the Chevy. A rough, but running 1974 Formula 400 sold for $2,200!  At the same auction, an engineless, transmissionless, 1972 Camaro sold for $4,500!. If you can't find a good deal on a 400 Firebird, you aren't looking past the end of your nose.  # 2 1969-76 Gran Prix.  The Gran Prix is to the Monte Carlo what the Firebird is to the Camaro- The better buy of the two. Again, Big-block Monte Carlos from 1970-75 are rare and usually pricey. Gran Prix's had the mighty 400 Pontiac standard all years, and a fair number of 70-76 models had 455s!!  The GPs usually had more luxurious interiors and and any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Chevelle / Monte Carlo fit these cars.  # 3 1960-1976 Full-size. Same deal-depending on the year, 396, 409, 427 or 454 Impalas and Caprices are rare birds, and priced accordingly. 95% of full-size Chevys have 283, 327 or 350 small-block motivation. Bonnevilles and Catalinas however have 389 or 400 cubes standard all years, with ( depending on the year ) 421, 428, or 455 cubes optional! # 4 1968-77 LeMans. While 99% of Non-SS Chevelles ( except for a few "Heavy Chevys" and Lagunas ) have small-blocks under the hood, quite a few LeMans "Sport" or "Luxury LeMans"  models had 400 cubes under the hood stock, and a few had 455s. You didn't have to get a GTO to get the big power.  I have nothing against Chevys, but if your bargain-hunting, a Pontiac cousin may be the way to go.  Mastermind