Opinion Poll

[Polara Pat]

If you had to choose between a '65 Sport Satellite hardtop that was a bit rough around the edges but still a driver with a bigblock or a '65 Belvedere 2dr post that was dinged up pretty bad with zero floors and no drivetrain. The Belvedere is about half the price of the Satellite but is a way bigger project. This isn't a hypothetical question, I actually have to make this decision.

 

[jay t.]

I had a 65 Satellite that I did a ton of work on. Floors, trunk floor, wheelhousings, cowl. I found a 65 Belvedere 1 four door that was very solid. I cut off rear quarter sections and wheel house sections. I couldn't keep the Belvedere too long because of the lack of spare room in the driveway. Thinking back it kills me because that four door was a nice driver and I should have kept it together to convert it to a two door. My vote is for the sedan. Use the extra money for floors.

 

[Polara Pat]

This may help with your (my) decision making.

This is the Belvedere. Apparently all of the grill and front end are in the trunk, it has no interior and zero floors.
Here is the satellite. Usual rust and dings around the quarters and wheel openings and a solid floor but the interior is pretty crusty. Again, just over twice the price of the Belvedere but it's a driver.

 

[GetX'd]

I would go for the Satty. A bit more $$ but less than half the work - don't forget the challenge of finding parts and the unbelievable cost of them. The Belvy sounds like a very costly project.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Thats a tough one. What are the plans. A 65 post car would be a better race car or street strip car. It would have the "look". I might be inclined to take the hardtop cause its closer to done. Projects can drag on forever.

 

[Homstead]

Get them both Pat! I`d try to make that happen someway if I were you...

 

[68sprtsat383]

I'm with Homstead try and get them both

 

[RemCharger]

I vote for the hardtop. Just a cooler car, and better to boot.

 

[kb67mopar]

I vote sedan...it doesn't look too bad from the bit we can see and half the price means you can put more into it before you hit the price ceiling. Floor pans are pretty cheap typically. I bought mine from Rock Auto but I didn't look at 65's.

 

[Glenwood]

I'd take them both if possible. I wanted a post car but they're getting tough to find these days. I bought the ragtop because it was a driver, even though it still needs some work. If I come across a post car, I'd try to scoop it and still keep the driver...funds permitting!

 

[Darter6]

I favor the sedan,"But" I am no body man and can't deal with rust.

 

[Dodge 330]

Sedan all the way!

 

[Cranky]

I'm also a sedan guy. To me, they look like they mean business just being a sedan.

 

[hemlock]

Keep in mind if you are going all out on a restoration you can spend a ton of money on chrome, stainless and aluminum trim restoration for a Satellite, parts that a sedan does not have. Speaking from experience on that one

 

[Cranky]

Keep in mind if you are going all out on a restoration you can spend a ton of money on chrome, stainless and aluminum trim restoration for a Satellite, parts that a sedan does not have. Speaking from experience on that one

My 66 Belvedere 'had' a piece of trim along the lower belt line from the rear bumper to the part just behind the front tire opening. I filled the holes and thinking about having it painted on.

 

[Sonny Black]

Sonny Says: Satellite!:icon_winkle:........

if you want that sedan, better have a $hit load of money


JMVHO

 

[Polara Pat]

Haha, the mob has spoken. I was contemplating this situation last night and ideally I would buy them both. Build the Satellite into a street bruiser and since the Belvedere is so rough I would make it into another altered wheelbase. I know a lot of you guys would probably cringe at that thought but my first one turned out pretty good and is fun as hell to race. Since funds are always an issue I think that I may stick with my original plan and splurge on the Satellite, that way I'm actually driving it next spring and can chip away at it over the next couple of years. I didn't intend to do a paint dab resto. Just a solid, clean muscle car that may occasionally get raced.

 

[Homstead]

Sounds like that's going to be a cool car! Looking forward to seeing you guys at the Old time drags in Ashcroft this year!

 

[furyus]

Good choice on the Satellite. Look at the lines of that car. One of the best body styles ever. Plus, do you want to spend the next five years building it, or enjoying it?

 

[slepr1]

Buy both or you will regret it. Mothball the Belvedere until you get around to it or sell it at a later date. Don't pass up the opportunity.