4 door musclecars..

[DRJDVM's '69]

My wife and I are having a debate about how many 4 door "musclecars" models were built.

Of course the definition of musclecar comes into play also, but basically we are talking about a car that is widely considered a musclecar, and is predominantly associated with a 2 door version.

For example.... the Chevelle..... most people assocaite that name with 2 door cars, but there were 4 door versions....

Any others ???

[Musclerodz]

My wife and I are having a debate about how many 4 door "musclecars" models were built.

Of course the definition of musclecar comes into play also, but basically we are talking about a car that is widely considered a musclecar, and is predominantly associated with a 2 door version.

For example.... the Chevelle..... most people assocaite that name with 2 door cars, but there were 4 door versions....

Any others ???Lemans, another "A" Body. Nova is another.

Mike

[Ummgawa]

There "might" be, but never in my driveway. Most 4 door Chevelles, Skylarks and Oldsmobiles from back in the muscle days are good for everything from the front fenders forward. (Front sheet metal, disc brakes, etc). Just my opinion.

I did see a hemi wagon with a 4 speed and a 4:11 'for towing' I'd have liked to have had.

[va72mlibu]

Why is it that 4 doors are untouchable but wagons are cool?

[61Bubbletop]

Why is it that 4 doors are untouchable but wagons are cool?


I would say that the wagons have unique sheet metal all the way back, and still remain in normal proportion, whereas a 4-door Chevelle looks "normal" at the front and rear, but is way out of proportion in the middle due to the extended sheetmetal...anyone who has ever laid eyes on a 4 door Chevelle knows they are not exactly attractive. I have always thought of 4 doors as parts cars myself..and JB has a great saying "4 doors...no waiting". I do know there are some exceptions, mostly in the late 50's, early 60's with the 4 door hardtops of the era's...which, without the B-pillar, look pretty cool. I would say the benefit of the 4 door, if you can stomach the design, is that they are relatively cheap...for obvious reasons.

Pretty tough to make this look cool....

http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/66Chevelle4doorHardtopFront.jpg


Ummmm...Yeah....

http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/stormo.jpg


The Exception:

http://www.60impala.com/arc/1960FlatTopConcept.jpg

[HRBS]

66-67 Novas came 4dr. They even came with a 283ci option but didnt come with the high performance V8's.
This is my wifes 66-4dr.
It has a 300hp 350/PG.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/763000-763999/763833_67_full.jpg

[melman109]

Why is it that 4 doors are untouchable but wagons are cool?

I just think 4 doors are ugly, I wasn't a big fan of wagons till I saw the one's built on this site.:D

[melman109]

66-67 Novas came 4dr. They even came with a 283ci option but didnt come with the high performance V8's.
This is my wifes 66-4dr.
It has a 300hp 350/PG.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/763000-763999/763833_67_full.jpg


I take back my comment about 4 dr cars that nova looks sweet :unibrow:

[xvette]

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL771/3006560/6099945/78302976.jpg
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL771/3006560/6099945/78303046.jpg
heres another one of those 4 doors

[V8TV]

This wouldn't be too bad with a 427 and a 4-speed, (or 6!) - kinda cop-car like.

http://i18.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/b1/83/3863_3.JPG

[70gotboost]

Why is it that 4 doors are untouchable but wagons are cool?

The guys in high school thought my moms '84 three seat wagon was "gay" until they found what you can do in one with all the seats folded down!!! Ever since then, I've been fond of wagons. :yes:

[CHROMAHOLIC]

technically wagons are 5 doors, and they are very cool......here's mine

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/CHROMAHOLIC/P1010022AA.jpg

[HAULNSS]

:lol:

Hahaha. I have a 4 door and a wagon! Do I consider my Impala a muscle car? Nah, more of a 'performance car'. :thumbsup:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9162/dsc01633we3.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01633we3.jpg)

The 216k mile daily driver.
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/347/tmp412qr7.th.jpg (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tmp412qr7.jpg)

Randy

[DRJDVM's '69]

Wagons can be very wicked if done right..

But they dont count in our debate....:)

[JUSTANOVA]

I would say that the wagons have unique sheet metal all the way back, and still remain in normal proportion, whereas a 4-door Chevelle looks "normal" at the front and rear, but is way out of proportion in the middle due to the extended sheetmetal...anyone who has ever laid eyes on a 4 door Chevelle knows they are not exactly attractive. I have always thought of 4 doors as parts cars myself..and JB has a great saying "4 doors...no waiting". I do know there are some exceptions, mostly in the late 50's, early 60's with the 4 door hardtops of the era's...which, without the B-pillar, look pretty cool. I would say the benefit of the 4 door, if you can stomach the design, is that they are relatively cheap...for obvious reasons.

Pretty tough to make this look cool....

http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/66Chevelle4doorHardtopFront.jpg


Ummmm...Yeah....

http://www.chevelles.com/wagons/4-door/stormo.jpg


The Exception:

http://www.60impala.com/arc/1960FlatTopConcept.jpg

THAT 60' IS JUST PLAIN KICK ASS:hail: I'VE always loved those 1960 4drht gm's with the wraparound back window, (impalas,caddy's,pontiacs, etc...)

[Alex396ss]

technically wagons are 5 doors, and they are very cool......here's mine

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/CHROMAHOLIC/P1010022AA.jpg

Awesome, man!

Alex

[deuce_454]

CHROMAHOLIC.. that wagon is just plain awesome.. is that thing channeled over the frame, or are you just using shorter bodymounts??

and with regards to the 4 door musclecar debate... id say that the whole concept is a contradiction in terms, the rear door on those things screws up the roofline, there are way too many pillars, the front doors look short and funny.. about the only 4 door 60íes car id considder buying is a "jf-kennedy" lincoln convertible..

[tyoneal]

I think several cars look, "ok", with Four Doors if done right.

Most of which for me are in the 50's. (Maybe more HotRod than Muscle Car)
55, 56, 57 Chevy's + the Nomad, and the Wagon
50, 51 Merc's

As mentioned previously the car's from the 60's that were brought up work fine for me if they are done right.

What I personally encountered was, and I think this following statement is very important:
============================================
We need a car that is, "practical", and will easily hold 4 people. (Or Kids)

* I'm thinking, screw this, I want a HotRod/Muscle Car!
============================================
After this statement if funds don't allow it or space is a concern, any of the four door, "Muscle" cars are absolutely Bitchin!!!

Work with the paint layout possibly with two tones and shading to de-enphasis the extra doors and possibly remove/shave the door handles. Tint the glass to help hide "Post".

Suicide Doors in my opinion are also a very cool item certain cars.

Finally, once inside the car you can't really tell the difference anyway. When you have a two door car PT'd, the back seat is often useless.

If I had my choice when going places with people, I always want to drive and as you get a bit older or are tall to begin with, four doors are a great thing.

I'd be willing to bet a 4 Door Malibu with 1000 TT hp, would still be a rock'in Ride.

Thoughts?

Ty

[andrewmp6]

to me a muscle car is a 2 door only.but a 4 door can make a nice sleeper if you do it right.

[Hdesign]

Not a musclecar but the 4door config. hasn't hurt this at all. It get's plenty of attention and is 2 for 2 in trophy shows. Most people do a double take when they realize it's a 4dr and many have said it looks better that way.

50 Chevy Fleetline Deluxe....stock roof, pancaked hood, bagged, 91 Caddy taillights, shaved trim and smoothed nose.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy3.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy1.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy2.jpg

[61Bubbletop]

Not a musclecar but the 4door config. hasn't hurt this at all. It get's plenty of attention and is 2 for 2 in trophy shows. Most people do a double take when they realize it's a 4dr and many have said it looks better that way.

50 Chevy Fleetline Deluxe....stock roof, pancaked hood, bagged, 91 Caddy taillights, shaved trim and smoothed nose.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy3.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy1.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/50chevy2.jpg


Ben,Nice car...and that definitely illustrates my point that cars of much older vintage 50's, early 60's, and even in your case 40's had much more thoughtful integration of the doors into the overall design, in most cases, hiding them with the trim, beltlines etc. where they for the most part go unnoticed...but most 4 doors of the late 60's, 70's etc appear to only have them tacked on with little forethought into the overall design of the car.

[CHROMAHOLIC]

CHROMAHOLIC.. that wagon is just plain awesome.. is that thing channeled over the frame, or are you just using shorter bodymounts??

and with regards to the 4 door musclecar debate... id say that the whole concept is a contradiction in terms, the rear door on those things screws up the roofline, there are way too many pillars, the front doors look short and funny.. about the only 4 door 60íes car id considder buying is a "jf-kennedy" lincoln convertible..

Air Ride Technolgies makes it sit this way along with the right backspacing to get the most wheel in the well as possible......thanks for the compliments guy's

[ProTouring442]

Don't forget that, in Australia a lot of muscle cars (I think they called them horn cars) were 4 doors.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Diognes56]

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL771/3006560/6099945/78302976.jpg
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL771/3006560/6099945/78303046.jpg
heres another one of those 4 doors

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

4dr Tri-Fives are definitely not ugly. Well, if they are done right like that one atleast :yes: .

David