First American Classic. Your suggestions???

[Skater12]

Hi all,

I've had an itch for a yank tank of some description for a number of years now, but dont know enough yet to make the jump.

What would you suggest for a first time classic owner, wanting something a bit menacing, with ok handling, that I can fettle with over the comming years to make into a useable muscle car with 1/4 mile potential.

thanks

[Skater12]

LuS1fer said:

Parts-wise and price-wise, you'd have to go with a Fox Mustang 5.0/4.6 which both have a massive catalogue of aftermarket parts to call on. Sure they don't look much but that makes them more sleeper.

The downside is they only start around 215-240hp so a 4th gen Camaro Z28/Firebird TA might be a better start as they come with 275/285hp (LT1 up to 97)and 305 in the 98' on LS1. Many criticise them for looking too Japanese but again, they can be made to look hard as nails with the right mods.

thanks for the reply. I have to admit i do like the look of these, and have been told by some friends about their potential performance.
was even offered and LS1 crake motor relatively cheap recently, which might be a fun conversion.

just not too sure on budget right now, weather to be sensible, or go balls out and aim for a road legal drag car build.

[Skater12]

Matt Harper said:

Classic?

Yeah, I know we've gone a little adrift of my initial request.
I was considering something like a 70's Camaro initially, or Mustang, but not too sure.
the 90's Camaro is a more cost effective option from what I can work out, but what would you suggest?

[Skater12]

Matt Harper said:

You don't state a proposed budget, so a little difficult to make relevant suggestions.
If you mean 'classic' - UK options are a bit limited and likely to be costly.

If you have the wherewithal and the stomach to import a car, I would suggest a gen 2 GM coupe - Chevelle/Le Mans/Skylark/Cutlass 1968-72.5 model years. GM build lots and lots of them (most with ubiquitous L48 350ci small-block - less common LS5 equipped car is now getting seriously spendy).

Good looking, somewhat heavy, but mechanically simple, plenty of upgrade potential and destined to appreciate. Anything less than $10k will be a nail though.

Nothing at all wrong with 4th Gen Camaro/Firebird - but hardly classic, by any definition (yet).

(edit - spelling)

Budget wise i'm planning on limiting myself to £30,000 on the car initially.
I have friends who run an accident repair centre, so bodywork issues wont be a massive problem.
I've seen a couple of Dodge Darts that look the part to me, or Possibly a Plymouth Cuda.

[Skater12]

Matt Harper said:

Mopar E body cars are hugely sought after and costly, as a result.
A motorless/glassless shell from a sunbelt state will be around $10k

Per LuS1fer's suggestion, you may want to consider something a little less specialist for your first foray. That said, if you have the cash and the cajones....

The car in the pic looks like $45-50k if it is a 383/440 and only a little less for a small-block.
A reasonably well fettled 70/71 Chevelle with 454ci - relatively easily hiked to around 500hp, delivering comfortable 11-12 sec quarters with lots of blood'n'thunder, could be bought for $25-30k and there are 10 times as many to choose from.

I'm going to look into a Chevelle. thanks.

[Skater12]

Total loss said:

A friend of mine will have this for sale soon, its a '68 Chevelle 427 big block (7.0 ltr)5 speed manual. He only imported it in from the USA back in the summer as a street car to go with his street/strip '66 Chevy Nova he is building. But the unexpected availability of a '70 Cuda project means space is needed in the garage !
the pic is of the Chevelle running 12.7 at 112 mph at Santa pod in full street trim.

oooooh, yes please !!!

if it wasnt for the fact im going to California next month, I'd rip his arm off!
going to be chatting to some contacts over there about bringing over a car, and the place i'll be going to has a number of "strret" spec 1/4 mile cars, including a number of Chevelle's, so watch this space.