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Grey Ghost, it looks like you need to do some serious research to understand all the differences in the different body and chassis styles. All the differences can't be explained in one thread.
For instance, the small block cars, or 289 cars as some call them, come in several different configurations. But for the most part, the original 289 cars came with 3" frame tubes instead of the 427's 4" frame tubes. The early cars and slab sides came with leaf spring front suspensions where the FIA and USSRC cars came with coil over suspensions I believe.
In the replica world, however, many of the manufacturers that make copies of the 289 simply take their chassis and plop a reasonable copy of the original style body on them with the styling cues to make them look "different" than the 427. This could actually be a good thing as the early 3" chassis was prone to lots of deflection and bending when pushed hard. Also, the leaf spring chassis were difficult to set up and used a lot of unique pieces that are extremely expensive to source today.
If you're just interested in buying a good replica, this really isn't all that important unless you want something very original in style and execution.
If you let us know what you are looking to build and how you plan to use the car it would be easy to point you in the right direction. Do you plan on cruising, track days, road racing, drag racing, shows, etc.....
Do you want originality primarily, or will you settle for less originality to fit your other goals, whatever they may be?
Just about any of these cars can be made to be very nice with some work and money.
Bob
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