What Are RWD Alternatives To Escort, Chevette etc

[redgriff500]

Hi,

I'm looking for a project car which must be RWD.

I'm considering putting a V8 in an RX7 or MX5 but someone posted up a pic of a 1970's Corolla which I'd never considered

What other 70-90's RWD cars might make a decent donor ?

(Max I'd pay for a tidy car with a dead engine is £2k)

Thanks

[DBSV8]

redgriff500 said:

Hi,

I'm looking for a project car which must be RWD.

I'm considering putting a V8 in an RX7 or MX5 but someone posted up a pic of a 1970's Corolla which I'd never considered

What other 70-90's RWD cars might make a decent donor ?

(Max I'd pay for a tidy car with a dead engine is £2k)

Thanks

Capri , its already been done with the Peranas in the 70s and proven track record to boot

[Lefty]

Volvo 340

[OllieC]

Capri, Manta, Cortina, Marina (would be hilarious), E28 (?) 5 series, Rover SD1, various Jaguars (I'm liking the thought of this)

all should be easily had within budget ?

[BMWChris]

BMW e30 are a popular base for re-engining (BMW and others)

Check out "e30 zone"

[redgriff500]

Sorry I should have mentioned I fancied something a bit 'unusual'

If I saw an old Toyota / Datsun I wouldn't know what it was.

If I was going for the obvious I'd have gone with a Chevette or E30.

I've had loads of Mantas so needless to say I'm not a Capri man !



I fancied an Alfa but anything with a decent body is expensive.

[V10Mike]

Lots of Volvo 240s been fitted with SBC motors.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Volvo_200_V-8.htm...

[sawman]

chrysler/talbot Sunbeam?

[velocemitch]

I was going to say an Alfa 105 series Bertone coupe but as you say getting one with a good body isn't cheap.

Any way what about an Avenger, how about this one?


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1973-HILLMAN-AVENGER-RALLY-C...

It's a bit tweeked but you might like that?

Edited by velocemitch on Tuesday 25th January 13:03

[rallycross]

Whats left comes down to rust, most of these things have long since dissolved.

Rx7 mk1 is a good choice, they made them up till about 86 and still a lovely looking coupe, and so small.

Opel Manta/Cavalier/Ascona worth considering. Possibly a Monza.

[RV8]

Viva, Firenza, Magnum.

[RV8]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-OPEL-MANTA-BERLINETTA-G...

This would be a great basis. It looks original and well looked after.

[aeropilot]

redgriff500 said:

Hi,

I'm looking for a project car which must be RWD.

I'm considering putting a V8 in an RX7 or MX5 but someone posted up a pic of a 1970's Corolla which I'd never considered

From the same stable..... early 70's Celica

[tr7v8]

The Rootes cars, so Minx, Rapier, Gazelle & Snipe, both series & arrow style & also the Avenger or Sunbeam Talbot.

[plasticpig]

Reliant Scimitar. Some interesting conversions here: http://www.v8church.co.uk/your_cars/

[dycecooper]

TR7

[aww999]

I would love to build a classic TA22/RA21/RA20 Celica (like the one pictured above) with a Lexus 1UZFE engine. It's not a simple swap though (and I am happy to tackle most jobs!), and the cars are getting more expensive all the time. I'm thinking of using a 1980's Celica Supra as a base instead, this is the MA61 chassis.

[shirt]

aeropilot said:

redgriff500 said:

Hi,

I'm looking for a project car which must be RWD.

I'm considering putting a V8 in an RX7 or MX5 but someone posted up a pic of a 1970's Corolla which I'd never considered

From the same stable..... early 70's Celica

that looks fantastic. the sweetspot for jap metal is very narrow imo but that hits it dead centre.

for the OP - e28 5 series is a good shout. plenty of room in the engine bay and a light v8 + M suspension upgrades would be fun indeed. £2k would get you a mint 518/520 to give you a solid base to work from.

[aww999]

Oops, forgot to add a pic of what I was talking about. MA61 Celica Supra





I also like the Datsun 160 but don't know much about them.

[redgriff500]

aeropilot said:

From the same stable..... early 70's Celica

I love those but I haven't seen a cheap one for many years.