Mopar Body Styles

While much of the information in this section can apply to other Chrysler-product vehicles or even other makes, it is written specifically for the Mopar A-Body, which covers this body style from the time it was introduced in 1960 to its last year of production in 1976.

Chrysler Corporation organized their vehicles by body type and, although Chrysler did not start using this naming convention until 1964-1965, some chassis designs were in existence since the late 1950s.

The following list mainly concerns Chrysler vehicles from the 1960s to the 1980s. For a more complete list, please visit the Allpar Rear Wheel Drive Mopar Bodies page.

There are a great number of upgrades available for the A-Body and they often involve swapping parts in from other body types. The vehicle upgrades cost anywhere from from dirt cheap to way too expensive. While many upgrades that people do are for drag racing, this web site is primarily devoted to those that make the car more enjoyable for the street.

Of all the A-bodies, the 1960-1962 Valiants and Lancers are the most difficult to upgrade due to their narrow bodies and unique suspensions (1960-1961). Performance upgrades are often obtained from B- and R-Bodies and sometimes E-, F-, M-, & J-Bodies. R-Bodies are essentially redesignated B-Bodies with 118.5" wheelbases.

Within the A-Body family, there are differences in track (distance between left & right wheel centerlines) and wheelbase. The A-Body engine compartment was widened in 1967, which increased the front track. Disc brakes are also wider than drum brakes, which also increases the front track. Although the rear track for all A-Bodies is the same at 55.6", the flange to flange distance is 53.2" for 7¼" axles with 9" brakes, it is 51.4" for 7¼" axles with 10"x2½" brakes and for 8¼" and 8¾" axles.