Muscle

[Bubbles]

I want an old muscle car.

I don't give a shit what people refer to as true muscle, yes I actually stumbled onto a site of lame-o's arguing the differences in the specifics.

If it's old and has a bigger engine than my Civic I'm interested.

Ideally it will be mechanically sound and it's appearance will be rough. I don't care about garage queens..........at all.

I wanna drive this errrrday. I wanna do donuts in fields. I wanna pick up Sally Field.

I don't wanna polish the honey combs and worry about where I parked it.

Give me ideas.

Imagine this: http://www.davidt.com/thumbnail/14918/400/300


Not this: http://www.todaysauto.net/musclecars/69-camaro-hugger-orange%20(2).jpg

[KiLLeR2001]

Only old muscle car I would own would be a GT500.

[BustedS13]

Nova.

http://i.imgur.com/VGKu0.jpg

or Firebird (any second gen with the 70-72 front end)

http://www.texastransams.com/images/abeauty25.jpg

[jesse_s13]

http://www.midmichiganmuscle.com/images/70ta01.jpg

[Bubbles]

Nova.

Yeah, but how much?



or Firebird (any second gen with the 70-72 front end)



Definitely my top pick. From what I'm looking at for five grand you can get mechanically sound but rough body.

[Agamemnon]

1972 Dodge Charger
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/07/23/01/59/1972_dodge_charger-pic-40659.jpeg
1967 Buick Skylark
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/300/241/38247620001_large.jpg
1967 Ford Galaxie 500
http://image.streetrodderweb.com/f/9729163+w750+st0/0804sr_02_z+1967_ford_galaxie_500+.jpg

[dawagarage]

you want advice? go and cruise around on a muscle forum. when i wanted to learn about 240s, i came here and other 240 forums.

[Bubbles]

Lynyrd Skynyrd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMTXnh2O9M)


http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/12/2009/11/500x_65elcamino-frt_rh-500px.jpg

[dawagarage]

ideas? Nova, chevelle/malibu, el camino.
2 door or 4? manual or automatic?
as you know, a muscle car's gas mileage is horrendous. LUCKILY!!!
there are plug and play EFI kits that can be had for not too much coin.
look into that. itll greatly increase your mpg, and not really kill power.
here are some links
Carbs & EFI: Eye Candy vs. Fuel Economy (http://www.hotrodandrestoration.com/engine-drivetrain/carbs-efi-eye-candy-vs-fuel-economy/)
EFI For Every Guy - Popular Hot Rodding Magazine (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/1010phr_efi_for_every_guy/viewall.html)
EFI Conversions (http://www.hotrodsolutions.net/IntakesEFI.html)
EFI System Conversion - We Install The FAST EZ-EFI Kit On A '65 Malibu SS - Hot Rod Magazine (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_0912_efi_system_conversion/viewall.html)
El Camino EFI Conversion - Fuel Injection - Super Chevy Magazine (http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/induction_poweradders/sucp_0806_el_camino_efi_conversion/viewall.html)

[Kuma]

Where are you from? There are tons of 60s-70s novas, mustangs, firebirds, chevelles in the sub $6000 range running, $2500 or less with no motor around OK, TX, KS

[lucky7]

If I had a bunch of money I'd buy a '66 GT350. I don't though, so I think I'd try to find an old truck or Galaxie. I don't know much about old cars, but the Nova II or Falcon seem like something I'd be interested in as well - as they are pretty small compared to most of the others.

[Bubbles]

ideas? Nova, chevelle/malibu, el camino.
2 door or 4? manual or automatic?
as you know, a muscle car's gas mileage is horrendous. LUCKILY!!!
there are plug and play EFI kits that can be had for not too much coin.
look into that. itll greatly increase your mpg, and not really kill power.
here are some links
Carbs & EFI: Eye Candy vs. Fuel Economy (http://www.hotrodandrestoration.com/engine-drivetrain/carbs-efi-eye-candy-vs-fuel-economy/)
EFI For Every Guy - Popular Hot Rodding Magazine (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/1010phr_efi_for_every_guy/viewall.html)
EFI Conversions (http://www.hotrodsolutions.net/IntakesEFI.html)
EFI System Conversion - We Install The FAST EZ-EFI Kit On A '65 Malibu SS - Hot Rod Magazine (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_0912_efi_system_conversion/viewall.html)
El Camino EFI Conversion - Fuel Injection - Super Chevy Magazine (http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/induction_poweradders/sucp_0806_el_camino_efi_conversion/viewall.html)



I don't really wanna get into a project, unless someone else is doing the wrenching.



Where are you from? There are tons of 60s-70s novas, mustangs, firebirds, chevelles in the sub $6000 range running, $2500 or less with no motor around OK, TX, KS


Midwest.


If I had a bunch of money I'd buy a '66 GT350. I don't though, so I think I'd try to find an old truck or Galaxie. I don't know much about old cars, but the Nova II or Falcon seem like something I'd be interested in as well - as they are pretty small compared to most of the others.



This isn't about buying the dream car you'd pick, this is about buying the one your creepy neighbor has that still talks about Whitesnake and Nixon.


And driving it on the reg.

[LOUD240]

go to the Pomona Antique auto swap an pick up a car cheap , I had a '72 Charger forever , wish to hell I still had it ! (got rear ended and tottaled

[ZilviaKid]

chevelle for sure

or

amc javelin

[Corbic]

Yeah, but how much?

Definitely my top pick. From what I'm looking at for five grand you can get mechanically sound but rough body.

You can build a kick-ass power train to any old car for about $3000. The body is what will cost you and is what makes all the difference.

A "rough" body can be a thousand hours of work and $5,000 in panels and trim.

You also have a balance of "desirable" and "affordable". A lot of really cool older cars, Galaxies, AMCs, Satellites ect are inexpensive and cool - but any sort of replacement part or performance part is either non-existant or stupid expensive.

For example there are no rear-quarters for a 73-74 RoadRunner.


The best bang-for-buck Muscle car today is the 74-81 F-body. A clean roller can be had for $2-3,000. This is a car with minimal rust and usable interior. Any GM power trail will drop in and it has all the feel and charisma of a 70-72 F-body and will out performance most 3rd Gens and 1st Gens.

Here is my project.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/e8794b20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/254c1299.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/9967f37d.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/c871d717.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/007f60f1.jpg

[HyperTek]

67-68 cougar
cheap like mustang coupes, but more unique and better interior
Way cheaper than a same year camaro and any dodge hemi project.
tQdIruZ8_48

And they had racing history
Epz2Ari5SEM
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Mercury/67-Mercury_Cougar_Grp_II_DV_08_AI_09.jpg
Thats what I want

_AQ6DSL5rU0

as cheap as they get http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3004519789.html

this one looks pretty cool http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3033814724.html

I think Vettes are cool, C3 and yes I like the C4s.

[Edwin562]

Hands down, the 71 Cuda.. :)

[HyperTek]

if u want to kill some time on youtube
Flemingsclassics - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/Flemingsclassics)
rkmotorscharlotte - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/rkmotorscharlotte)

Some nice cars

[omgRWDgoodness!]

N8c4VcTnLvc

[slowvia]

I know these are still considered white trash, but third gen Camaros can be rad, and for cheap.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2131/2317944574_3fbc8be9ec.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/G6cpM6/James-1.jpg
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs258.ash1/18562_1317216484719_1059956481_967125_4884533_n.jp g

[DS562]

word^^

i am and always will be a sucker for the '68 dodge dart.

[Bubbles]

You can build a kick-ass power train to any old car for about $3000. The body is what will cost you and is what makes all the difference.

A "rough" body can be a thousand hours of work and $5,000 in panels and trim.

You also have a balance of "desirable" and "affordable". A lot of really cool older cars, Galaxies, AMCs, Satellites ect are inexpensive and cool - but any sort of replacement part or performance part is either non-existant or stupid expensive.

For example there are no rear-quarters for a 73-74 RoadRunner.


The best bang-for-buck Muscle car today is the 74-81 F-body. A clean roller can be had for $2-3,000. This is a car with minimal rust and usable interior. Any GM power trail will drop in and it has all the feel and charisma of a 70-72 F-body and will out performance most 3rd Gens and 1st Gens.

Here is my project.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/camaro%20327/e8794b20.jpg









Good post.

When I say rough body I mean I'm not going to replace anything on the exterior, how it looks is how it will stay.

I want a car that I can drive everyday, will 3000 rebuild the engine or are we talking cooling, steering, all the little shit?

I have a boner for Trans Ams, so I'm less interested in the others.

Also love your car, that with some paint is what I'm looking for, if not nicer.







N8c4VcTnLvc


Not that interested in power to start out with. I fully intend on it being slower than my SR swap.


I know these are still considered white trash, but third gen Camaros can be rad, and for cheap.





Yuck.

[HyperTek]

looks like your mind is already made up.

[jevus]

Aww yeeah, thats waz up

[Bubbles]

I don't see this happening right now, sadly.

I'm too in to bikes and my civic costs me nothing.



If I was a rockstar I'd pull the money out of savings, pick up a rough runner, blast some Led and go hit on underage girls at Taco Bell.

[Corbic]

Good post.

When I say rough body I mean I'm not going to replace anything on the exterior, how it looks is how it will stay.

I want a car that I can drive everyday, will 3000 rebuild the engine or are we talking cooling, steering, all the little shit?

I have a boner for Trans Ams, so I'm less interested in the others.

Also love your car, that with some paint is what I'm looking for, if not nicer.
Not that interested in power to start out with. I fully intend on it being slower than my SR swap.


A 1979 - 1981 Firebird should be cheap. It will either have a 301 Pontiac or a 403 Olds by that point. Then again these cars are so old it may have a swapped 305, 350, 355 et al.

You can easily swap the bumper to get the "Bandit" style '77. A 77-78 is going to have a S&TB tax and will cost nearly double for a similar condition car.
http://www.motorera.com/firebird/1980/80transam4.jpg


I would consider my car "rough" and it doesn't need a single pannel replaced. It actually only had two rust spots, one in the pillar and one in the toe-board. Easy fix. I paid just north of a grand for mine.

$3000 all depends on what you want do do. Parts are stupid cheap and super common. I'm doing a LS327 build, but I'd recommend a 350 with Vortec heads. You'll be north of 400hp with around $1,500 into it if you buy all new parts and use "your" 350.

Check out NastyZ28.com for a lot of Second-Gen information. Its Camaro oriented but they really are the same car for the most part.

[slowvia]

Don't forget TPI motors! Super cheap and common, and loads of torque. I had dreams of building a TPI 383 back when I had my GTA.

[Kuma]

I know these are still considered white trash, but third gen Camaros can be rad, and for cheap.

If you're going into the 80's and want something cool. Fox body.... Cougar/thunderbird.

cougar xr7 comes with 5.0, and you can get a 4cyl turbo thunderbird (turbo coupe)

87 Cougar xr7
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/228479/1987-mercury-cougar#2284790031

87 Thunderbird TC
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/209646/1987-ford-thunderbird#2096460311

[slowvia]

If you're going into the 80's and want something cool. Fox body.... Cougar/thunderbird.

cougar xr7 comes with 5.0, and you can get a 4cyl turbo thunderbird (turbo coupe)

87 Cougar xr7
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/228479/1987-mercury-cougar#2284790031

87 Thunderbird TC
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/209646/1987-ford-thunderbird#2096460311

I agree about the Fox bodies. I still think that old Fox body Mustangs are the best platform for cheap drag racing. I just personally think the Camaros of that generation look better, personal preference I guess.

[KendallH]

I have a muscle car. 1972 Ford Gran Torino. It was my first car (was into muscle before s-chassis) and a very slow ongoing project.

Not mine, but same body style and similar color:

http://cdn-2.thejameslist.com/data/images/4895743_large2.jpg

[rhd_sr]

Brother just sold his 79 trans am. Had a 454 in it. Not really a lot of work needed, maybe paint. Sold it for 2000.

[HyperTek]

I agree about the Fox bodies. I still think that old Fox body Mustangs are the best platform for cheap drag racing. I just personally think the Camaros of that generation look better, personal preference I guess.

when i was a kid, my mom had an 88 gt 5.0 convertible.. I thought it was soo cool.. as I got older and got my first car which was an s13, i started to realize how much of a piece of shit that mustang was.. problems here and there, un-ergonomic interior etc.. I do respect them though for being torque monsters..


http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3037796285.html

[HyperTek]

this looks pretty nice too 1987 trans am gta 5.7 runs (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2994377247.html)

[Bubbles]

Brother just sold his 79 trans am. Had a 454 in it. Not really a lot of work needed, maybe paint. Sold it for 2000.


That is exactly the type of deal I'm looking for.

Guy has one sitting in his barn on a back road near where I live, might talk to him out of curiosity.

[Corbic]

this looks pretty nice too 1987 trans am gta 5.7 runs (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2994377247.html)

That would have been gone 3 days ago if it was listed up here.

[Kuma]

I agree about the Fox bodies. I still think that old Fox body Mustangs are the best platform for cheap drag racing. I just personally think the Camaros of that generation look better, personal preference I guess.

My buddy has a turbo 5.0 stang, I like it, the cougar/T-birds are just more unique to me.... Here is my 5.0 cougar on mustang KYB coilovers. I don't think I've ever owned a car that wasnt rough on the outside lol...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248059_362108737175507_1591908772_n.jpg

[WanganRunner]

Nova SS clones of whatever the fuck vintage this is are CHEAP. I've seen flawless restored cars going for $8-15k, which is crazy cheap for a 100% restored muscle car with real balls.

They're ugly, but it's a good, American "I'll fucking fight you if you look at me" sort of ugly, IMO.

http://world-viewer.com/data_images/chevrolet-nova-ss/chevrolet-nova-ss-02.jpg

[slowvia]

this looks pretty nice too 1987 trans am gta 5.7 runs (http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2994377247.html)

I love GTAs! My first DD in high school was a white 88 GTA.