New life into old cars - what would you commission?

[Matt UK]

Whilst I'm not in a financial position to induldge, like most of us I'll waste an hour in traffic pondering exactly what car I'd drive if my numbers rolled in...

And I've come to the point of realisation that I only like very few new cars. So perfection for me would be an older car, rebuilt from the ground up to probably better than it ever was back in the day. All the old styling and feel, but without the rust, suspect wiring and baked bean can crash safety.

So I regularly have naughty thoughts about how I would spec my Eagle Speedster (Jag E-type) or the conversation I'd be having with Singer about which Porsche chassis / shell / engine / brakes / trim I'd want them to build.

Just me that thinks this? If you were minted, what would you commission, to what spec and why?

[Raize]

Chevrolet C3 corvette with RHD, manual box, some 8 liter engine, LPG conversion, and body-off restoration to get rid of rust.

[Pints]

I'd be quite happy with a Maxda RX-8 running an Impreza 2.5 boxer engine.
It's not an old car, but I just don't have skill or money to do that without my numbers being called.

[davepoth]

Pints said:

I'd be quite happy with a Maxda RX-8 running an Impreza 2.5 boxer engine.
It's not an old car, but I just don't have skill or money to do that without my numbers being called.

Surely a GT-86/BR-Z is 95% of that car, but with a warranty?

[Pints]

davepoth said:

Pints said:

I'd be quite happy with a Maxda RX-8 running an Impreza 2.5 boxer engine.
It's not an old car, but I just don't have skill or money to do that without my numbers being called.

Surely a GT-86/BR-Z is 95% of that car, but with a warranty?

Don't get me wrong, I think the BR-Z/GT86 is a great car. It's just that I've always liked the RX-8 styling, and at least I'm sort of playing the OP's game.

[davepoth]

Pints said:

Don't get me wrong, I think the BR-Z/GT86 is a great car. It's just that I've always liked the RX-8 styling, and at least I'm sort of playing the OP's game.

Good point.

I think I would want a Daimler 250 with Jag XF-R running gear.

[crofty1984]

Mk 4/5 Ford Cortina with supercharged Jag V8.

[Matt UK]

Another one:

BMW e39 chassis and drivetrain.
Cloaked with an as-new Rover P5B coupé body / interior.

I would love to smoke to work in that as my daily driver!

[JPBailey]

Datsun 240Z body, Nissan GTR running gear
or
Jaguar C Type body, XJR 6cyl supercharger running gear

Both would need smaller wheels/narrower tyres for proper laying down the rubber.

[Pints]

I'd also like to see life breathed back into a Ford Capri Mk 3.
I've not decided on a sensible engine yet, so suggestions are welcome.

[Matt UK]

Pints said:

I'd also like to see life breathed back into a Ford Capri Mk 3.
I've not decided on a sensible engine yet, so suggestions are welcome.

The turn-of-the-century Alfa V6? Admittedly, it would need some re-working for a RWD car, but fook it, your numbers came up!

[0a]

Citroen DS / Bugatti Veyron running gear.

[Dilligaf10]

Toyota Prius with a massively silenced small block Chevy.

[Bartz1]

Triumph 2000/2.5pi estate with Impreza WRX/STI running gear, in white with matt black bonnet and minilite wheels...

[rallycross]

635'csi with late model M5 manual V10 running gear

[mark morris]

Opel manta with a 400 kit and bmw m5 v8 running gear
Mark

[g3org3y]

With the 4 cyl 2.5 engine from the E30 M3 Sport Evo.

[ybt1982]

My all time favourite car related game. I'm always day dreaming of cars i'd build should my numbers come up

All of the below would be re-built from the ground up and better than new with rust treatment etc.

Mk1 Escort - Modern chassis and brakes with N/A 4-pot up front.

Mk2 Vauxhall Nova - VXR Running gear.

Mk1 Mazda MX5 - RWD Sierra Cosworth underpinnings.

[Welshbeef]

Lancia S4 engine and running gear in an Austin Princess

Lotus Carlton engine in a Ford Escort RS1800

[Davey S2]

I'd happily settle for a Singer 911