project planning questions

Is there any website or book out there that has a list of chevrolet wheel bases? I have a '51 Chevy Coupe I want to build for my dad, and I am thinking about just finding a car to donate the suspension, frame, brakes, and most of the drive train. I have a V6 Vortec that needs a home so I am going to stick it in there. The current tranny, rearend and hubs are in pretty bad shape from sitting in the dirt for so many years. I figured it was best to find a donor to replace all it in one sweep. I reckon the wheel base isn't as important as the axle width. I think they would be more complex to shorten than the frame. Or are they?

Thanks

 

http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

Here are some common rear end widths and which cars had/have them. Chevys are in the right column. good luck.

 

S10 4wd
would need to move the rear spring purches a bit but rigth size and hey s10s had vortecs!

 

Here is another site with a lot of chevy info, lots to sort through.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/index.htm