'61 StratoChief coils and shocks (where to get?)

meowy84 · Veteran Member

'61 StratoChief coils and shocks (where to get?)

meowy84 · Veteran Member

New on the forum but not new to big old American (err, Canadian) boats. Anyways, I'm finally about to undertake a slight freshening up of my 4dr StratoChief that I've owned for the last 15 or so years into a family summer camping trip vehicle.

Anyways, my problem obviously is that no one lists any parts for a StratoChief. But since these Canadian Pontiacs apparently have Chevy underpinnings which Chevy model do I quote to get things such as new coils, shocks (and possibly balljoints, brake shoes, wheel cylinders and other steering components): 61 4dr Impala, Bel Air??

Thanks in advance for the help.

Lad820 · Addicted!

Order parts for the '61-'62 Impala and you should be fine. This was told to me by the former owner of my '62 Pontiac.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

meowy84 wrote:
New on the forum but not new to big old American (err, Canadian) boats. Anyways, I'm finally about to undertake a slight freshening up of my 4dr StratoChief that I've owned for the last 15 or so years into a family summer camping trip vehicle.
Anyways, my problem obviously is that no one lists any parts for a StratoChief. But since these Canadian Pontiacs apparently have Chevy underpinnings which Chevy model do I quote to get things such as new coils, shocks (and possibly balljoints, brake shoes, wheel cylinders and other steering components): 61 4dr Impala, Bel Air??

Thanks in advance for the help.

Just go to Napa Car Quest and order for 61 Chevrolet Biscayne

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

A Strato Chief is comparable to a Biscayne however the parts you are asking about could be identical for the Impala. Just check the part numbers when you go and ask. Impala parts would interchange anyway and may be an upgrade.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

I always quote Impala for my car, but as far as I'm concerned Biscayne and Belair use the same.

meowy84 · Veteran Member

Thanks again. :)

Speaking of quoting Impala, BelAir or Biscayne as a side note I wonder about the prices for the same components on each car because of an incident I had before. I don't recall which vehicle this was for since this was years ago but imagine the same part being quoted 2 different prices depending on whether you ask for a base model or one of the luxury versions/variants of the car. Yes it happened to me before so I'm always cognizant of the fact.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

This may be true on a late model part but on these old bombs you'll be lucky if they have the part anyway. There is always two or three grades of parts available prices accordingly. Just be glad you don't own a Cadillac.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

73SC wrote:
There is always two or three grades of parts available prices accordingly.

Yep ... cheap (offshore junk), moderately priced (North American made OEM) and expensive (NOS or performance).

meowy84 · Veteran Member

No, no, no :) you guys misunderstood my comment. I'm not referring to the price based on whether it's a cheap Chinese-made shock or one made by KYB, I know that those are of course different in price and quality (although KYB is probably made in China too, but that's another story LOL).

I meant the same grade of part (same part number, manufacturer etc.) but based on whether the search at the auto store was done for example for a strut for a Chevy Cavalier or a strut for a Cadillac Cimarron (in other words two cars which share the same suspension components). I don't remember which particular car make/model we were searching for so I give the Cavalier/Cimarron only as an example but the point is that the 'base' version of the car had the same part listed as cheaper in price than it's 'luxury' counterpart. Figure that one out.