Hi,
I've done two resto's over the past 10 years. A 69 Stingray roadster and a 59 Nomad. It's in my blood now

I am kicking around the idea of restoring a 1987 Monte Carlo SS. The car belonged to my cousin when we were kids, and i found it a couple years ago buried in some guys garage. Recently the owner called me and said he is considering selling it.

I know the original 305ci is gone and a 350ci was put in its place. Other than a blown tranny, mechanically i am fairly certain it is in good shape.

Cosmetically, it's a mess. Rust all over the place.

I've done a little web searching and some forum searching, but haven't found what i seek. Hoping the gurus on the forum can help?

My questions: Are most of the body parts on all gen 4s interchangeable? If i do this, i might buy a donor car. Other than another 87, are they any gen 4 years that match best or worst or are they all similar?

thx
S

 

to my knowledge they are all similar, barring minor changes, but as long as you keep the ss header panel, fender extensions, spoiler, ground effects, and tail lights you should be fine. 81-88 are the same from quarter panel to fender sheet metal wise, but to be on the safe side id go from 84 to 88.

 

The monte LS has little studs for the chrome trim sticking out from the side of the car from front to back. The LS fenders don't have places for the ground effects. If you buy new body parts, they do fine for SS cars. I just wouldn't recommend using a LS for the donor parts, you'd have extra work in cutting the studs off then covering them up with putty. But other than that, all 81-88 montes body parts interchange.