Looking for something different
 

I've currently got a project. My S-10. When it is down for the motor swap I will need something to drive. I've been looking around, trying to find something that wil make a fun project, is a bit out of the norm, and would provide some transportation while the truck was down. I'm thinking something along the lines of a falcon or a rambler. Any suggestions?

Don't forget about comets and mavericks...61-63 tempest cutluss...

I was going to say 1st gen Camaro. Not many of those being built these days. Tri5 maybe? :lol:


If you want to go really different how about a 1965 Mercedes Benz 300 SE with viper drivetrain. I always thought it would be cool to do a retro Daimler Chrysler build, but it's not too relevant anymore.

I wonder why no one else is thinking of that! :lol:

Money is definitely an issue right now. Looking for something that can be had fairly cheap and be made relatively reliable with a ford or chevy small block, but will also have some sort of cool factor

Mid to late 60's comet is a good idea. I've always liked the over under headlight look of the fairlane

68-70 Javelin would be my choice (after the regular 1st and 2nd gen Camaros)
or maybe a Torino if a Ford would be okay.

Tonny

I am pretty open. The key here is Budget. If I can put something together for under $5K and have something fairly reliable, that still has a cool factor, doesn't necessarily have to have PT potential, then I'm in.

Just re-read your first post... I thought you were talking projects.....

What about an early Datsun? Like the B series. Kinda funky, kinda boxy, killer gas mileage and with a set of wheels they can look great. That would be something different.

Aren't they all projects? :D I've always wanted a 510. I love those little cars. I was kind of looking around and saw a couple of old wagons and think that would be pretty rockin. Its still a couple months out probably, so I've got some time.

G-body cars are going fairly cheap. Not so old school but some come with a small block chevy, overdrive, and a/c. I picked up a '79 Cutlass wagon for $300 with a rebuilt 305 Chevy, cruise, and a/c. Had a little bit of cosmetic damage to the grille area but I found a beater donor car sitting in 3ft tall weeds for $75 and I was good to go. The 305 gave way for a 406 and it runs low low 15's at sea level with 2.41 factory gears and makes a great parts chaser for my other rides. Great for a daily driver. I think g-bodies all look great with 16's or 17's and a 1-2" drop. Cheap Cheap!

I saw a local guy took a 60's Volvo wagon and put 16" fox body Mustang rims on it. Just the right stance and the rims made it look killer. Slip a small block in it and you're good to go.

got a picture of your cutlass?

I'll snap a couple updated pics tomorrow. Attached is what it looked like the day I brought it home. Interior in pretty decent shape, motor ran well but was ultra slow- 22's on the G-tech. A little tuning and I got it down to 18.70's at the track. Not bad I guess for a smog plugged stock 305 with 2.41 gears and 4500 ft altitude. The car is now dropped 3" in front and 2" out back and has 225-60-15 V rated tires on 70's Z28 wheels. I want to do the B-body spindle 12" brake swap and throw on some 16" wheels next, then get some gears out back and a 700R4 for a little more go-go.

Also attached is the parts car I found ultra cheap cheap. I put gas in the carb and put in a battery and it fired right up (!) and drove up onto the tow dolly. Had a bad tranny and had been sitting for 3 years. Packed full of mouse poop everywhere. Lots of rot on the rear 1/4's and the interior was hopeless. Took off the front clip and pulled the 350 SBC that had been transplanted in. Not bad for $75 and get it out of the yard! That good running 350 is now in my 76 Suburban and the warmed over 406 from the Burban is in the white wagon.

I'd be the goofball to try and mini tub it so I can get some wider tires out back and take the gang for a "ride"

Here's a shot of the motor in the wagon-

.030 400, 8.75:1 eutectic pistons
Stock bottom with ARP bolts
Rebuilt factory 400 heads
XE268 cam, roller tip rockers
Dual plane air gap
Modified Q-jet
Headers, 3" single exh. w/40 series Flowmaster
Stock TH350, Stock 7.5" rear

I raced a ricer on the freeway late at night once, got up to about 125 and I got a bit nervous so I bailed. I think as it is the car's got 135-140 potential but it's pretty slow off the line. Blistering :bow: 2.45 60' and 15.70's at 4500ft. :lol: Lol! I shift into second gear just before the 1/8 mile and it goes through the traps at 4200 in 2nd gear! 3.73's and a 700R4 would help a bit. Prolly some better heads too.

Sorry to steal the thread a bit...

Its all good. That motor looks great!

This is along the lines of my thinking. I want something kind of odd ball. Everyone does the mustang/camaro thing. The ricer bit is done to death (that that I would do rice, but a turbo charged CRX or civic would be fun). I like to think outside the box and stand out a bit. As well as have an ace in the hole

315-35-17's out back would be nice. The rear frame sucks on this car. The wheel tubs go deeper into the car than the frame! Before I dropped it I ran a 275-50-15 BFG Drag radial on a 15x7 rally wheel with 4.25 backspacing and it rubbed the frame on hard corners. The rear wheel wells have very easy access being a wagon but the spring perches are right up against the inside of the frame otherwise I may be able to trim off the outside of the frame and box the inside for a couple extra inches of room. Mini tubbing this car would be a spendy and/or labor intensive endeavor. I'd look into it a little more but the $ goes to the Novas first, this is just my "shop truck" for now. Maybe later....:thumbsup:

I've seen some fat slicks on turbo Regals so I can't help but wonder if the non wagons have a different frame (?). As I said G-bodies, at least around here, are cheap rides. The only reall popularity they have is amongst the 13" reversed spoke rim/whitewall crowd. There's plenty of options too-

Malibu
Monte Carlo (and SS)
Cutlass
Regal
& Grand Prix

They started in 78 and I think they ditched the rear drive G body chassis in like '87.

I'm planning on a silver/black paint scheme and Hurst/Olds emblems. It'd be fun to do something like an RS or SS Malibu and replace the Malibu emblems with Chevelle emblems, a 442 out of a regular Cutlass, etc. Again, a mild small block, the right stance and some big meats and you're set, cheap cheap.

something different
 

have a 1971 torino ranchero all done with 4.6 cobra with 8 stacker and shaker,aode,ssbc brakes,air ride,leather interior black&silver. for more email me at [email protected]
p.s. in 96 put a 426 hemi in a 1980 450SL

I appreciate you sharing that you have what sounds like a very nice ride available for sale. Though I don't think you took the time to read through the thread. I would like to find a "quickie" project, something I could put together for under $5K. I'm sure if you list your car, in the classifieds section, with pictures you will get some sort of response.

I was about to shamelessly solicit my 1954 Chevy Pickup until I noticed your budget.

I was thinking if I were to find a cheap project I would look for either a 70’s Ford Maverick or a Fox body Mustang.

If you want to stay with Chevy get a 3rd or 4th gen Camaro.

Good luck with your search

~Chris

Another vote for A GBody I picked mine up for $1,350

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m.../ELCOFRONT.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m.../ELCOPASS2.jpg

How about a Chevy Vega. Still pretty cheap, and an excellent swap candidate.

well i am awestruck at how well a g-body handles when built right.. but looking at your name, another option came to me for somthing really different... bare with me here guys.. it was a hickman rendering of a 65 baracuda in race trim with fenderflares and gold bbs split rims that gave me the idea...

what about a 70 ies BMW 2002 turbo replica, in full race dress and an ls3 under the hood... no interior, just paint, a cage and a seat... it would weigh under 2500 lbs and be an absolute blast to drive... and it wouldnt have to be pretty! a white2002tti

but the g-body.. trust me when i say it can hang a corner like you wouldnt dream it ever would

Nice 'Camino. Did it come with the rims or did you slap those on?

Thanks, no it actually came with some ugly 14" alloy wheels. A friend of mine sold me the irocs for $250.00. :D

Some great ideas in this thread. It doesn't have to be a Chevy. Unfortunately I want to stray away from the fox body, even though they are cheap and fairly plentiful. Everyone and their buddy has one around here. I'm kinda diggin' this 70's BMW idea. Though maybe not with the LS2 that would kill the budget.

datsun 510 with a SR20 or ca18t motor would be cool and fairly cheap to put together

This is a project that keeps recurring. I look from time to time for cheap, local 510's but when I do happen to find them, the cash isn't there.

Done up in some satin/flat colors with some mini-lites......:_paranoid

510 wagon? that would be nutty. haul 4 friends around the road course....

I like your thinking!!!!

510 wagons are cheaper and easier to find too and look neat sitting on the ground.:captain:

Sittin on some minilites or maybe some bronze CE-18's satin black with some CF worked in there. SR20DET.......Recaros in a Quad seating set up.....oh yeah

nice :) looks like you got an idea hammered out NOW START LOOKIN!

Minilites???
http://images.europeancarweb.com/loo...coupe+left.jpg

this was pro touring before the phrase was coined.... and a turbo 4 banger will beplenty of fun in that car

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/...nasports_1.jpg

Thought I would bump this, I know its quite old. I'm still half heartedly searching for a project. Looking for something different. For motorvation I'm thinking something along the lines of maybe a turbo ecotec 4 cyl...

Im glad u did bump it cause I read 4 pages and realized it was old.lol
I vote for a corvair. not sure on the price though.

or as far as fox bodies go, I know you said there to common. but an 85-86 svo
makes for a real nice car and not that common.

I've been somewhat looking at fox bodies. Corvair is an interesting suggestion. I wish the 510's were more plentiful

I'm not really a 'Ford Guy', but I have to admit I had a lot of fun in Fox bodies back in the 80's! They are at the top of my list for best bang for the buck and have huge aftermarket support! Whenever I get asked by a younger guy wanting a car on a tight budget I send them in that direction! :thumbsup:

They are definitely plentiful in this area. I've also spotted a couple of 65-66 mustangs that aren't too pricey. Just saw a 66 that looked to be in good condition for 2500.

I'm not sure on a time frame, and whether I can find somewhere to work on this at. I found out Friday that I need some valve work done on my s-10 and have gotten quotes of 350 and 750. I only owe just over 600 on it. I'm hoping the search can pick up some steam after the first of the year.

Rambler's are sweet, I had a super nice totally original one, should have kept it!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...toms/002-5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...toms/003-1.jpg