So a fella is interested in my Harley and wants to swap a 47 Dodge Business coupe.

It has 68 Camaro Front stub
10 bolt rear from a nova

Car looks pretty clean, in primer, needs to be finished.

Of course has small block chevy in it and th350 trans. - not too keen on this, but thats easy to swap. New wheels and rubber. I like the stance of the car

Anyone have any info or thoughts on this type of car. I do like its stance. Not sure what I would do with it, if I got it. Whether to pro street it, keep it simple. But would like an Overdrive trans in it just for cruising fact. As well as some discs at least up front.



Any idea what this is worth as it sits? I know thats a very tough thing.

I have seen some frame clip jobs that are flat out dangerous. I'd have to put it on a hoist and look it over real good. After passing that process, I'd have to drive it a bit to be sure nothing rubs, and it doesn't feel funky going over bumps, dips in the road and other highway obstructions. Nothing worse then a poor driving clipped car, there are so many things that can be messed up easily that are a major undertaking to fix.

Past that, do you like the car? If it doesn't trip your trigger, walk away. Your already considering an engine and trans swap which will involve some wiring changes, possible steering chalenges, exhaust issues, drive shaft issues, and creating engine and trans mounts onto the GM clip.

With a drive train swap, your almost 1/2 way from building one from scratch, so the frame work better be right on, the body better be real solid, and it better have a nice interior that you like. The Dodge business couple is not real plentiful, but there are still good project cars out there, if that body does it for you. Personally, I'd rather have a Plymouth Business coupe, the Dodge (and Chrysler) trunks are too long for my taste.

On the other hand, if you always wanted on of these, your out of pocket expense is pretty good, not considering the cost of the swap ride. Gene

The following is my opinion, and it's harsh.

I would not trade anything worth more than the basic body...
I'm a mopar-centric guy and I really dislike chevy swaps. The guys that do them offer 3 'reasons'
1. Chevys are cheap
2. It's what I know
3. It will sell easier with a SBC in it

Point one means I won't pay more than a hundred bucks for your cheap engine and trans. The clip is a negative for me, since it doesn't even have discs!!!!

Point 2 means you have limited knowledge, so the work is suspect.

Point 3 does not apply here! If someone is building the car for himself, I keep my mouth shut and hope the guy is happy. If they are building cars to sell or trade, I want to vote with my money and disprove this theory they have. Most Mopar guys want a mopar drivetrain, not some belly button motor.

If it was a stock 47 we'd be able to give you a better opinion of what it's worth and what you could do with it.

Being it's already modded, and not 100% how you'd want it, then all bets are off.

The one part that really concerns me, as mentioned already, is the frame clip job. Who knows how well it was done? Inspect it closely and if you have a buddy that has done this kind of stuff (who knows what he's doing) have him help. More eyes see more things.

Thanks guys I appreciate all the comments.

After a few days of thought I am beginning to back away from this deal.

He wants to trade my Harley for it, which I have listed at 8k. I just dont see that kind of money into this car.

With the 10 bolt set up, and the front camaro stub I put that about 1500 max. SBC and th350 again simple cheap combo at about 1000. Wheels and tires about 1k.

That puts it at 3500 and I dont think the car is worth the rest.

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Mopar bodies need to be Mopar powered if you want a good resale value. I am in the firm belief of buying something that alot of people want, so I can sell it easier when the time comes.

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I build my Mopars with Mopar drive train because that is the way I want them. I build them for me and really don't care about resale because once I'm tired of it, and begin a new project, I figure I've already gotten my money's worth and anything I get past that is extra.

To the original poster, if you would have given a $$$ value of your trade, we would have all felt a lot better telling you "NO WAY!" $8,000 would get you off to a great start on building one the way you want it built, not redoing someone else's messed up project. Gene

That's a good looking ride IMO. Also IMO, the SBC would look great sitting in a junk yard somewhere

We started to buy a '41 Plymouth coupe on a deal, but it would have costed more than we wanted to be into it for by the time we switched the drive train out of it.

The Dodge business coupes are not common though.

that body is rare and kool IMO a good deal would be the car and some cash for the harley,,some how ide get the car if you wanted some thing different,,wont be many of those at your local cruise nite or even a street rod event,,and differnt is kool