A second look at often ignored project cars
 

PHR asked me to develop some concept renderings for an article they were running for the January 2013 issue that highlighted cars from 1976. Here are the 10 designs I came up with. Some are mildly modified resto-mods, some are hard core street fighters and track heros and others are dramatically altered street machines. My goal was just to get people to at least take another look at these misfits and forgotten survivors of a dark decade. I hope you like what I came up with....Enjoy!
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/dabanj6/442.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...j6/AspenRT.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...j6/Cordoba.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...6/Firebird.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...nj6/Torino.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...j6/HornetX.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...nj6/Laguna.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...j6/Mustang.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...anj6/Omega.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...j6/Ventura.jpg

I like the first one. What's the green one?

we all know you're skilled...... but what can you do with a mid 80's Dodge Aries K ? :lol: :lol: :lol:
they all look awesome Ben !

Nice work Ben.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Ben those are sweet renderings. I saw one for sure, so many of the other renderings are sporting your new wheel line?

Good job Ben. I actually like the 76 Cutlass. I thought it was a good looking car albeit a big one. Your rendering looks spot on to what a 442 could have looked like.

They look really nice Ben great job! The only issue I have is when you build a 76 what ever it will still cost you the same for the parts. The car will be cheaper to start with but the over all build will cost the same as a Camaro or even more if you need body panels they don't make anymore. But the concepts you came up with are spot on :thumbsup:

Thanks guys! Here's the list of cars (and new Grip Equipped wheels) just in case you don't know what they are. The 9 wheels we have will be unveiled at PRI on Thursday and the site should be up prior to that. I'm pulling what's left of my hair out getting ready!

Olds-442 with GE "Grudge"
Dodge-Aspen RT
Chrysler-Cordoba with Corinthian Leather...couldn't resist.
Pontiac-Firebird
Ford Gran Torino
AMC-Hornet X with GE "Rebel"
Chevy-Laguna S-3 with GE "Knuckler"
Ford-Mustang with GE "Laguna"
Olds-Omega
Pontiac-Ventura (Rally II wheels I designed for the Wangers 68 GTO Judge)

Steve-I'm sure there's a way to make a K-car cool but it would probably take a lifetime to figure it out.

Ben the renderings are great, but Rick is correct about the parts. Auto metal direct won't have any parts for these cars, but you might try here.
Desert Valley Auto Parts. http://www.dvap.com
The reason that cars are ignored is because of the parts. AMC is impossible to find parts. Actually, a friend back in 1984 was trying to build an AMC Hornet and couldn't find any parts for the car. He had parts cars, but some parts were unavailable.


Jeff

I like them all.....

Jeff/Rick-That was my first comment when Johnny Hunkins asked me if I wanted to get in on this. It's absolutely true and probably won't ever change.

However, if the hobby has become nothing more than a handful of cars that are deemed "good investments" and rest is simply wasting money then it's time for me to find a new hobby.

While I love Camaros, I've probably rendered 200 of them over the past few years. To a lesser degree, I've done a lot of Trans Ams, Mustangs, GTOs, Novas, Chevelles and even E-body Mopars. All of which, I happen to love as well. They'll always be popular and I'll always find a challenge when working on them. It's refreshing to see something different come across my desk once in a while though. Perhaps it's the lure of uncharted territory or a chance to give that awkward teenage geek a fighting chance. Who knows.

At the very least, it's a good way to show off some ideas for inspiration to the people that are non-conformists and happen to love the C and D-list cars and shoveling money into them to make THEIR dream car isn't a concern. Would I buy one of these and build it? Probably not but it's sure cheap to draw up what a really cool build could look like.

Very cool. And Ben you always do a very nice job on yours.

That blue Mustang looks sleeker and not as dated as the other cars to me, at least in the cool rendering. Ok, now someone build it. :lol:

I had a 73 Laguna (same body style as the 76) I had G60's out back and 70's up front on ET style slot rims, big ol 15 inchers :lol: I always remember the swivel bucket seats, My girlfriend at the time had the Plymouth version, the Volare, too funny....... nice job on the renderings.

That Mustang rendering was actually done for a project that IS actually being built. I just ended up using it for that article as well. It's gonna have a Ford V10 and a stretched wheelbase. If you're on facebook just look up Be Cool Bomber project.

I'm going to look that up now. The mustang looked great.

And Ben, you're 1000% correct on your previous reply. I love seeing different/nonconformist builds. I just wish I could fund them myself.

You guys have got the check out that Mustang II project. It's freakin unreal!

So glad to see you do an F-body Mopar. I'll connect if I'm able to find the right candidate F-body wagon. Ideas spinning in my head...

Awesome renderings Ben. I think they all look great. My fave is the 442.

A wagon could be cool!

Wagons Rule! :D

When's the last time you saw a PT 63 Dart.........
Attachment 37811

now thats cool:thumbsup:

Love the green AMC. Don't see any of those being done. With all of the 69 Camaros being done ala Penske/Donahue, I would love to see a 71-72 Javelin done up with the red/white/blue color scheme that they raced later on. Otherwise, all beautiful cars.

Here ya go!
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps2354ce7c.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psd52af17e.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps15057d58.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps99511c69.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps17484772.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps30fe532b.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psb1e12ad1.jpg

Not a Mopar fan, but I like this :thumbsup:

the dart and javelin look awesome

Just did a 71 Javalin for one of my Goodguys Giveaway car design contest entries. You'll have to wait and see that in the GG Gazette in an upcoming issue when voting opens. I had considered doing the Red/White/Blue paint scheme but it was a little too restrictive, polarizing and obvious. There are major body modifications so I was way past trying to stay true any racing legacy the car had. When I post my 2 entries, I'll add the Penske/Donahue version for you guys.

While my favorites from that era are the 442, Laguna S-3 & Pontiac Ventura ... I'd love to see someone do something like the Dodge Aspen RT you drew.

Ben -- Ya know I love ya -- love your work....


I also know you didn't wake up in a cold sweat one night dying to design some mid 70's iron...


Having said that --- the cars from that era are hardly worth a rattle can of restoration. When all is said and done - what have you got? A pile of parts nobody really respected or wanted... and it costs the same to paint and upholster one of these as it does a car someone actually wants.


Your renderings made them look "nice" - but when I look at this era of car - I still see poor performing - poor fit and finish - plastic where it never belonged ill mannered gutless pigs. Even if you did put some nice lipstick on 'em.


LOL

Greg-I don't disagree at all. As far as I'm concerned there are very, very few cars that are worth owning, let alone building up after '72. PHR approached me to do these to accompany an article they were running. Knowing that I render roughly 30+ 1st and 2nd gen Camaros each year, I jumped at the opportunity to stretch my legs and spark some interest even if an idea ends up on another car that we see regularly. It's fun and cheap (free) to do it on paper, building and trying to sell one of these for any decent money is delusional.

That is all true if you build cars for perceived value and resale. If you build them for a passion you have, then I don't see them as worthless. Yes you will face different challenges with these because of the lack of aftermarket support. But the lower interest level means it is easier to acquire parts cars to use in the build.

But perhaps that is because I have owned a couple of vehicles from that list. They do respond as favorably to similar mods that more desireable cars take, and elevating them to that same performance level, in my experience, always was met with disbelief and respect of their potential. I found it quite satisfying when my disco era smogger put a more desireable muscle era car on the trailer after a run and the usual conversation after that was enevitively "no way is that a small block" and "I didn't think those could be made to run like that."

The point I was making wasn't that it couldn't (or shouldn't) be done....


The point was more -- WHY BOTHER.... the costs are the same -- the end value is considerably less. The effort is probably the same or more due to the lack of readily available parts and pieces.


Most of us aren't doing this because we're trying to make money off the builds we do... But there's not much sense in doing something just because you care to be different and loose your arse in the process.. I guess... unless you're just made of money. Or Charley.


:lol: :lol:

I think the different viewpoints in the last few posts are based in the each individual's differing philosophy of ...

A. Am I building this for myself, don't plan to sell it ever, so don't care about resale, want to build something unique ... and probably became a teenager & fell in love with cars during this era.

-or-

B. I building (or buying this car) for myself ... AND want it to be popular & bring high value when I sell ... and probably don't like cars from this era.


I'm a tweener on those two viewpoints. I'm 50 & love those styles from the 70's, because I grew up with them ... along with 50's hot rods & 60's muscle cars.

I wouldn't build a mid 70's PT car for myself. While I like "unique" ... I want to be able to sell it at some point & build my next project.

But I love to see other people build unique car models with TLC & flair ... and of course ... real G-machine type of performance.

Our individualism is what makes hot rodding & car building so interesting.

Ron -- Totally agree with you. A hot rodder should build whatever and however something turns him on. You will never find me arguing that point.


I've actually owned some of those mid 70's cars -- bought brand new.... I was a road rep - and changed cars annually to keep the miles low. Funny how people don't like a one year old car that has 50 or 60,000 miles on it... yet it was started far far fewer times -- and the brakes were used less... than on a 10,000 version -- but that's a different debate!


I think that having owned these --- is why I question "why". They really were truly a low point in automobiles... I don't question for a second - the fact that they can be made into decent running and driving cars. But paint is paint - motors are motors - upholstery is upholstery... as far as costs go. You sink 50 or 60K into one of these --- and my guess is you'd be hard pressed to get back 15... The same money in another car might get you 45 back... and that's my real point. Nothing more. You gotta love that car a LOT to do these.

Agreed. I love El Caminos. But sink the same money into a Chevelle & it's worth 50% more. You'd better plan on keeping it ... or losing a lot of money when you build unpopular styles.

Take care !

I dont know what you guys are talking about. Im sure if I were to list my Maverick tomorrow, I could get twice whats its worth. :lolhit: ... OK and back to reality, I'd still take a loss. :mock:

Sorry for the thread jack BEN!!!:disgusted:


Now back to the original idea... behind the thread...... KILLER ARTWORK BY BEN HERMANCE!!



:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'd say, the moral of the story is: Hire me to design a killer version of a worthless POS on the cheap, admire the rendering forever and never sink a penny into actually building it. Therefore, you'll never be disappointed in the return.:D

Seriously though, Ron made the point that I was trying to make. If you're building a car as an investment or a "me too" project, hoping for a good return, these aren't the cars you should start with. If you're passionate about a particular uncommon car and you don't care about pioneering some mods and spending some extra money build it how you want, the sky is the limit. That's what these concept renderings are about. At least you won't have to worry about pissing off know-it-all purists that gripe about having the wrong jacking instruction sticker on the trunk lid or the wrong color grease pencil marking on the firewall.

That's funny ... because it's true. :cheers:

Although sometimes ticking those guys off is fun too.

Ben, thanks for these renderings as they do prompt some out of the mainstream thinking about "what if." It may also help some of those who can't afford the popular models to look outside the box at potential instead of whats commonly seen at the local show and shine. If that prompts more Gen Y and Millinials at taking up the car hobby, then that is a good thing.

In the few examples of these I have owned, I discovered I could buy a much better condition, more complete car that required less in the way of paint, body, interior, at a significantly lower price point which allowed me to concentrate more on performance parts and end up with a lower total cost for the same performance level as a more preferable car. So the bang for the buck was actually higher.

But being a cheapskate to start with probably helped me with that.