The bodies do drive up initial cost--and they're 100% optional.  Delaware isn't mandating that we can ONLY run these bodies.  There's nothing wrong with running new Camaro/Mustang/Challenger bodies against old Novas, Montes and Camaros--other than that they're more eye candy than us!

Looking at this situation with common sense, it's obvious this is the start of a sea change--I'd give it 5 years before the old bodies are phased out.  BUT, and I'm sure Sid can confirm this, I don't see why the bodies wouldn't be down in the $1400-1500 range 5 years from now, because they'll be selling more of them, and maybe material costs will come down too, in that time.

For those who can't budget it now (I'm one of them), just forget about it and keep doing what you're doing.  As Jim says, arguing about a performance advantage should be the priority, not cost-vs-looks.

For the moment it looks like the three major problems we had at the meeting regarding PERFORMANCE are being looked at and hopefully figured out:

1) make sure that those who DO run the fibreglass body have the same sort of weight distribution and weight HEIGHT that the steel cars do

2) Built motors can run headers for ease of install and convenience, keeping the 100 lb handicap

3) The shock rule stays reasonable and common-sense, with non-rebuildable, stock mount, sealed shocks under $100.