Full-Size fun!

We all know about the Impala SS, the Pontiac 2+2, and the Mercury Marauder. However, there are a great many other full-size cars that offer great performance in stock trim, and have huge potential for anyone who wants to "Restify" them. # 1. This is a no-brainer. 1960-68 Pontiacs. While 99% of Impalas, Biscaynes and Bel Airs built during this period have small-block motivation, (Causing the 396, 409, and 427 models to be priced in the stratosphere ) Every Pontiac built from 1960-66, be it a Catalina, Bonneville, or Gran Prix, had the venerable 389 as standard equipment! A few had 421s. All 1967-68 models had 400 cubes under the long hoods, and a fair number had 428s. Manual trannys include the BW T85 3-speed, the BW T10 4-speed, and the Muncie M20 and M21 4-speeds, depending on year. As for automatics, 1965 and later models have the excellent TH400. For 1960-64 models, this is the car's only weak point-these had the old "Slim-Jim" Hydromatic. They won't upshift above about half-throttle, and no one makes shift kits or performance converters for them. The trick is to swap in a TH350 or TH400. You'll have to change the driveshaft yoke and maybe shorten it, but any competent driveline shop can do that cheaply-usually less than $100. You'll have to change the rear trans mount as well. You can use the stock shift linkage as it has the same number of detents, you just have to remember that reverse is now low. The other small problem is Slim-Jims have the starter mounted on the bellhousing, and TH350 / 400s have it mounted on the block. This isn't a big deal.  Most 1963 and later models will have the block tapped for a starter. Earlier ones can be tapped by any decent machine shop cheaply. The great thing about these cars is there are a million ways to build power into a Pontiac V8, and any aftermarket suspension or brake upgrades that fit an Impala will fit these as well. # 2. 1965-69 Olds Delta "88". These are great-looking, luxurious cars, and with 425 or 455 inches under the hood, they move pretty good too. The tranny is the bulletproof TH400, and like their Pontiac cousins, any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a full-size Chevy will work here.  # 3. 1966-69 Buick Riviera. I personally think the 1966-67 Riviera is one of the best-looking cars of all time. They had the swoopy, fastback, hidden headlight styling of the revolutionary Olds Toronado, but were still rear-wheel drive. And with 430 cubes under the hood, they could back up the image. Call me a blasphemer, but I see one jet-black with a snarling 572 inch Rat motor under that long hood. ( All you'd need is a Chevy bolt-pattern TH400 and some Chevy motor mounts.) Hey-It's not like I'm suggesting cutting up a Hemi Cuda, so chill. # 4. 1967-71 Ford Thunderbird. This is the car that caused Pontiac to down-size the Gran Prix, and Chevrolet to invent the Monte Carlo. The 1st, and in my mind still the king of the "Personal Luxury / Performance" coupes. 390, 428 or 429 cubes, cool styling-it's hard to decide which is cooler-the '67-69 with the hidden headlights or the Nascar-inspired fastback '70-71. This is the last of the muscular T-birds until the Supercharged 1989 model. 1972 and later models had 460s, but they were based on the much heavier and uglier Lincoln MKIV platform.  # 5. 1965-72 Ford Galaxie / LTD. Cool styling, luxurious interiors, and 352,390 or 428 cubes of old-fashioned Ford "FE" muscle under the hood. Some 1971-72 models may have 351 / 400C engines or 429s, but that's not a bad thing. I still think the 1972 LTD with Super Bee style black wheels, chrome lug nuts, white letter tires, and a 429 with a Hurst-shifted 4-speed driven by Burt Reynolds in "White Lightning" is one of the coolest movie cars ever. And the mini-skirted, barefoot, "Shake-a-puddin'" played by Jennifer Billingsley was the hottest leading lady Burt ever had too. At least until Rachel Ward in "Sharky's Machine" but that one had no musclecars, or car chases, so "Lightning" wins. #6.  1966-67 Dodge Charger. I know, from "Bullitt" to the "Dukes of Hazzard" to "Fast and Furious" everyone loves the 1968-70 model. Which is why their scarce and overpriced. The stunt coordinator of "F&F 4" said he paid $16,000 for a rusty beater that didn't run that they were going to wreck in the film. However, the '66-67 models are still way cool with the fastback, hidden headlight styling and 4-bucket seat interior. Hemi models are priced in the stratosphere obviously, but you can still find a good deal on a 383 model. And a Mopar Performance 505 wedge or 472 Hemi crate motor will fit in that engine bay like it was born there.  Before everyone starts griping that there's no Chevys on this list, remember what I said when I was talking about '60's Pontiacs. All of these cars have big-blocks as standard equipment, and can be bought relatively cheap. Rat-powered Impalas, etc are rare and pricey.  Mastermind