I've read that the 160's and 140's are basically the same car, except for the engine and front end/hood. Would it be possible to take a 1975 164E and replace the front end with the first generation front grille and hood of the 140 (eg. late sixties)?

Thanks

There is an extra 3.9 inches between the firewall and the front wheels on a 164. A 140 front end would be to short and leave a gap.

Thanks. I knew the 164 was a bit more compressed but that is quite a bit
considering that there are 2 more 3.5" cylinders and associated water jacket.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

That number comes from the difference in the wheelbases between the 140 and 160. I'm just assuming (not always a proper thing to do) that the distance is all added between the firewall and front crossmember. It certainly looks like that is the case. But the B30 could extend farther forward over the crossmember as well. I've never really seen a 164 under the hood so I don't know how it perches on the crossmember.

Examining both a 144 and 164's overall length shows that the 164 is 2.9 inches longer bumper to bumper.

There seems to be a lot more space between the front of the engine
and the grille in the 140s than the 164, although I have not measured.
The only 140 I have now is a 73 145, which may be somewhat different than
an equivalent earlier model.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I have to agree that the look of the 68-71(?) single piece aluminum
grill is quite classy. I didn't use to like the plastic look of the
later 140s, but it has really grown on me.

I think you simply won't be able to put a 140 nose on a 164 even with
huge amounts of fabrication since the 164 is simply a longer differntly
shaped beasty. As far as putting a 68 nose on a 74 140, unless you
have accident damage to repair, I'd say that it isn't worth the effort.
The later 140s look very cool in their own right and deserve respect
too. Besides, wackos like me would spot the flaws right off the bat
"hey -- that 140 has an early nose but the front doors don't have vent
windows and the rear has square tail lamps -- they're a poser!"

You could probably do a 68 front on a 72-74 without too much difficulty
but you'd have to source a complete unmolested front clip and then match
the paint which seems like lots of effort to someone like me who is lazy.
You may also be able to just transfer the aluminum grill to replace the
72/73/74's plastic grill but I'm not sure how that would look with those
big wacking bumpers on the later 140s.

These days, I'm looking forward to putting my 73 142 back on the road
and I'm going to leave it looking just the way it does.
chris

You're right, some things probably just wouldn't look right even in a 140-140 front end swap. The rear-view mirrors, for example. But one thing I just can't stand are those tabletop-like bumpers. Granted, they add to the ability of these cars to have a 'tough as nails' reputation, but I think they're just plain U-G-L-Y. So at the very least I would consider swapping the bumpers for some euro-style or '71's or '72's.
So you have a '73 140, eh? Just the thing I'm looking for. I envy you. If you know someone in the Pacific Northwest who would be willing to part with one, feel free to drop me a line!

Thanks

I think depending on the neighborhood, a 142 with several
different shades of primer, flared wheel wells and comando
bumpers would be just the right look. Take that you trailer
queen 1800s!
c

Actually - a comment too. I couldn't find that picture of a 164 body on a Sugga (50's Volvo military vehicle) chassis...

Another picture, this is a 69 modified with other bits that I bought for the M41, it just doesn't look right, someone has spent a lot of time making wooden door trims for it though and they look great
Hans

There's a 71 145 for sale at the tire shop on MLK (or is it Grand?) just south of Stark in Portland. You can see it from the street, it's parked out front. It's been there a long time, so you might get a deal. I see plenty of others around, and I'm sure you will too if you look a bit.

No, the front end of a 164 is longer. Why would you want to do
that to a classic car like a 164, which is quite a bit rarer than
the 140s?

It's be easier to find the 140 and trade.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I like the classic late-60's styling of the first generation 140, but would rather have the safety and luxury features of a later model, not to mention a more modern interior. So are you saying that it would be possible to find, say, a '74 140 and replace the front end with a '67-'70 140 front end?

Thanks

I have not had early and late models of 140s at the same time but I believe
others on this board have made such switches. You will want to use 73 or later
bumpers because they are about 3x as thick and much sturdier.
(I'm about to replace my 69 164's rear bumper with one from 1973 because
of a slip Susan had on an icy road that ended up hooking the bumper in a
barbwire fence and twisting it rather badly.)
So let's see what others post here.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I've seen 69 140 noses on 74's and I've put 72 and 73 noses onto 69's there is a little difference at the very front,(behind the grill and in front of the radiator.You also need to notch the "frame rails" (I know they technically don't have "frames") to accomodate the later cross flow radiator's tanks.there isn't much advantage to putting say,a 66-69 140 nose on a later car.There IS sufficient advantage to putting a 71 and later nose one because you gain not only the cross flow radiator but also extra cooling vents below the bumper that create a perfect spot for an oil cooler should you decide to install a turbo engine ........or just an oil cooler! Also just provides better flow to the radiator/intercooler.You can install a cross flow radiator into a non cross flow nose but it comes out kinda "hack-jobish".The grill issue is an easy one.71-72 grills go into earlier noses easily and vise versa.Upper grill mounts are the hardest part but I wouldn't consider them "hard".73-74 grills go into earlier noses with some crafty hacking.I havn't seen a 66-72 grill in 73-74.If you look in the gallery you'll see my 69 145 with a 72 nose and a 73-74 grill.( I catch alot of heat for that one!) Mcduck's buddy Murph has a "165" also (a 145 with a 164 front clip,and a triple side draft'd B30!)

How can I get in touch with Murph? I'd like to see pix of the
3-carb installation and maybe discuss it with him.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma