Thinking 60-70's What was the lightest body style or what would be the easiest to get the lightest with stock frame / suspension.....??????

Rickster

I think mopar had some info on this at one time and said 66 & prior A Body.

Colt?

No Colts Please....Feather Duster unless stolen I would imagine would be too pricey.....looking to build a lightwieght budget bracket car to race locally now that my son's pickup is nearly finished.

I'm partial to 65/66 valiant's anyone have any idea on what they weigh...????

Rickster

I've always heard 67-69 valiants were the lightest.

While Feather Dusters and Dart Lites had several aluminum components, they would still end up heavier than one might think. They still had the heavy steel "shock absorber" bumper brackets and since they were only available with a /6, V-8 drivetrain and related components would add weight quick.

The mid-'60's Darts and Barracudas are fairly light. The main disadvantages are small engine bays causing tight header fitment and small wheelwells restricting rear tire sizes.

One can look up NHRA published shipping weights here:
NHRA Stock/SS classification guide.

Go to the shaded part at the far right.

It shows:
* '65 273 Barracuda HT at 2,940
* '66 273 Barracuda HT at 3,001
* '66 273 Signet HT at 2,831
* '70 318 Duster at 2,834
* '76 /6 Feather Duster at 2,774, but then you add a couple hundred pounds of V-8 engine, driveline and suspension stuff.

The V-8 Valiant/100/200 late '60's cars are in the 2,800 lb range. Dodge versions should be comparable.

Thanks for the link Myron....going small block so small engine bay would be easier to live with

Seems like a 2700/2800 car could be lightened up substantially....need to start hunting

Rickster

A 1960 or 61 Valient are by far the lightest Chrysler offerings.

Dennis Jokela

The early a body valiants and cudas should be the lightest and have a shorter wheel base so weight trasfer can be better, or too much if you are into giant tires and 4 links that hook really good any how.

You'd be surprised how light early Dakota's are and more plentiful than A-bodys.

The V8 1st gen short dakota weighs about 3400# with aluminum heads My 68 cuda weighs 3070 with a iron headed SB full tank of gas and 8.75 rear that is heavier weight and heavier duty than the 8.25 dak rear end so... any where near equaly preped they are not close and the early A is even lighter than my 68.

65 valiant, title says 2700lbs

i can see you in a 65 -67 cuda
only thing would be the $$