Talk about bang for the buck, 383 RR and SC Scrambler are good choices. But I think the ultimate bang for the buck car ever was profiled in Super Stock Magazine in 1968. They did a story on a 68 Biscayne with L-72 425hp 427, M-22 rock crusher 4 speed, 4:56 geared posi STOP.
They tested that combo and ran 13.6 at 106 mph with all kinds of tire spin dead stock. MSRP was somewhere between $2800 -$2900. These cars were stocked at Baldwin Motors on Long Island. I suppose that an earlier 67 or 66 L-72 Biscayne might have been even less money but I am not sure if the M-22 tranny was available in those years.

The big thing that I forgot to mention is that a big motor fullsize Chevy was one of the few cars that flew under the insurance companies radar for premium prices on performance cars.

Good point...There was a lot of that going on back in the day. In many cases, one could order the base version of a musclecar (Coronet instead of Super Bee, for example) and equip it basically the same as it's muscle sibling with a big block, gears, etc. You could also do things like get a 3 speed instead of a 4 and so on...Heck, you didn't even have to get a 2 door! As you said, the idea was to lower costs - not only purchase price, but insurance too.

I had a friend in High School back in the 70's that had a beautiful - and brutal - '69 427 Impala SS. He would melt the r/r tire right off the rim. It was really odd to me at the time, as it had a 3 speed stick and a single track rear with highway gearing...but man was that car fast! Once it got rolling, nothing could touch it... I'm sure it weighed every bit of 2 tons! With some gears and a posi, I bet it was an easy mid 13 car....Not sure what insurance cost him but I'm sure the 3 speed was a factor...

I would love a 1970 V-Code Sport Fury to race in the series.

HP This is thread is very interesting. I actually still have the SS427 Impala I bought back in 1969. It is a four speed. I don't recall any discussion back then with the insurance company about the tranny. I just provided the Vin # told them it was a 69 Impala with a V8 and it got insured just like any regular car, well up until those three speeding tickets in about 2 months that is.

Hey Ralph: I was just visualizing a nice Italian boy like you racing a 70 Sport Fury with a six barrel. I could see you with a cigar in your hand white walls and of course fender skirts.

When will we see the SS427?

Guys what do you think if we had a stick shift class at one of the events?

Don't forget the big italian flag heart on the bumper

O.F. Awesome that you are the original owner of your car and STILL have it! Congrats! I'll never forget the first time I saw that car, I was senior in High School and a buddy and I were walking through the parking lot to get to class and he said "Check this out...427...wow" I looked over at where he had stopped and I remember seeing the numbers emblazoned in the middle of the grille. Naturally I had to meet this kid, turns out he got a job at the same Hardees I was working at, so I got to see it regularly.....

Hey Ralph, A stick class sounds cool...I need to get comfy with this whole process anyway...

Craig

I too would like to see a V code Fury head down the track. Would also think a nice Catalina 2+2 w/ 421 or 428 option would be pretty slick...4 speed of course.

I too agree a "stick class" would be cool.

to HPs comments about a High School buddies. A unique memory I have is of a guy who had a 66 Fairlane GT w/ 406, 4spd and 3:90 gears. It was a terror on the road and the meanest stance (biggies in back and "VW tires" up front). It was a cobbled together car but it was mean!