Do you keep seeing automotive projects you want?

[cadfaeltex]

or am I the only one. I see cool old cars and start thinking about how I could manage to get one or what I'd like to do. Mecum auctions on TV are especially dangerous!

Here's a sample of the projects I'd like to do:
1. restomod an old truck
2. see how much power I could get out of a straight six mustang or slant six cuda
3. restore an old british roadster
4. have an old Saab
5. have a diesel W123 Merc
6. have an original Mini
7. have a good example of a c3 (or c1 or c2) Vette
and so on and so on

Well, you get the idea. I need a bigger garage (and to have a lot more money)

 

[The_Jeff]

The internet more than tv makes me want to try some stuff out after seeing success blogs from regular joes.

I want a rat rod consisting of a cool body shell, like a 1948 buick, on top of a S10 frame.

Aircooled VW bug
68-72 chevy truck
2 stroke street motorcycle (with expansion chambers, naturally)
I did the w123 thing with a 240d. Then, idiot me, I sold it. There are cheap ones out there still.

 

[sciphi]

Sorta. I have a dream project that the Uncrossable Controller of the Pursestrings might sign off on if the price is right: Finding an older Miata, re-doing the suspension to make it handle like new, and throwing on some sort of forced induction for mid-range power. Could be done for a "reasonable" price given the right set of circumstances.

Sadly, it's a dream that likely won't see the light of day.

 

[Spazdog]

add in there a two cycle Lawn Boy, BSA Gold Star bobber, and a classic wooden sailing dinghy and that would be an awesome list.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
add in there a two cycle Lawn Boy, BSA Gold Star bobber, and a classic wooden sailing dinghy and that would be an awesome list.

Don't know about the first two but you did make me think that someday I'd like an old wooden chriscraft or other wooden runabout.

Of course, if I had unlimited funds I'd get a Merc 300sl gullwing, a series 1 Jag E-type, and a Lamborghini Miura.

Oh, almost forgot a boxster as a fun run around.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Sorta. I have a dream project that the Uncrossable Controller of the Pursestrings might sign off on if the price is right: Finding an older Miata, re-doing the suspension to make it handle like new, and throwing on some sort of forced induction for mid-range power. Could be done for a "reasonable" price given the right set of circumstances.

Sadly, it's a dream that likely won't see the light of day.

+1 There's a '91 sort of near me with a jackson racing supercharger and the correct engine management goodies, track worthy roll bar, hard top, a couple sets of rims with lapping tires, he wants $4900... Seems dumb not to offer $4500 and get it!
I'm short a real garage, so I need to get that first and then I can stash away some money outside the "family budget" that I can do whatever want with.
A strategy for you is to pretend you really want to get a street bike, do that for a couple months and then a Miata suddenly becomes cheap and safe logical alternative that any wife will sign off on! It worked for my Dad, he had a '91 for 4 years and sold it for what he paid...

I'd also like a E30 sedan as a daily driver, but its just asking for trouble and extra expense...

 

[SLCraig]

I think about cars I want all the time..

I'd love an 05/06 Altima SE-R
09-11 Civic SI sedan
01-02 Infiniti G20 -> full Primera conversion and boost.
4th gen Maxima (97-99)
Z32 300ZX twin turbo

SO many cars I want. None are terribly expensive, but the problem is space and extra $ to put into a project.

 

[Quest]

no car projects in my case.

Just small OPE engine works every now and then (no chonda fur shure!)

Q.

 

[Schmoe]

A 1976 to '79 Trans Am. Seems like even if you found one, everybody is watching the Velocity channel and want top dollar for junk. Since it is already junk and just sitting there, there's really no motivation for a seller to sell. If you don't meet his price, they don't care because they think someone will come and buy it at their price because they have a high dollar piece of junk.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

If I had the funds and a garage...

A 2nd gen Miata built for fast street or track days
A new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
A later Fox Mustang and a Summit Racing catalog
A clean '78-'81 Camaro Z28 complete with cheesy decals
My old '78 Malibu (never should have sold it) with a healthy 383 or LS swap

But what I'd REALLY love to do is build a kit car from scratch, like a Caterham 7. That would be a fun little car, even to commute in!

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
But what I'd REALLY love to do is build a kit car from scratch, like a Caterham 7. That would be a fun little car, even to commute in!


Never thought about doing a kit car until I watched an episode of Gearz where they were doing an SLC and then went and found this: http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/type-65-coupe/

I think I need rehab

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
A 1976 to '79 Trans Am. Seems like even if you found one, everybody is watching the Velocity channel and want top dollar for junk. Since it is already junk and just sitting there, there's really no motivation for a seller to sell. If you don't meet his price, they don't care because they think someone will come and buy it at their price because they have a high dollar piece of junk.


Better buy up Fieros before their sellers start thinking highly of them! (seriously)

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Better buy up Fieros before their sellers start thinking highly of them! (seriously)


Saw the '88 version listed as a future classic in an article last week (can't remember where) so it may have already started :0

Oh, forgot to add a Porsche 993 to my list!

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
But what I'd REALLY love to do is build a kit car from scratch, like a Caterham 7. That would be a fun little car, even to commute in!


Never thought about doing a kit car until I watched an episode of Gearz where they were doing an SLC and then went and found this: http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/type-65-coupe/

I think I need rehab

Both Musclecar and Two Guys Garage built '33 coupes from Factory Five.

http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/33-hot-rod/

I'm not a huge fan of the old hot rod styled coupes, but one with a tubular frame, race-inspired suspension design and a modern fuel-injected V8 would be a lot of fun.

 

[Quest]

LOL! I would have mo betta dumb luck finding a vette (Chevette, that is) than paying top $$ for those others...

Q.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: Quest
LOL! I would have mo betta dumb luck finding a vette (Chevette, that is) than paying top $$ for those others...

Q.


Hmmm, wonder if you could actually find one and then turn it into something actually fun - better suspension and a turbo cobalt engine in it. See, it's a sickness - I can turn anything into an automotive project challenge.

 

[SEMI_287]

3rd gen Camaro or Firebirds. I've found a 86 Trans Am, new 355 and 700R4. Trashed interior, needs bodywork and paint. He wanted $3500.... No thanks. I found a 88 IROC-Z, needs paint and a new interior. TPI 305. They wanted $1700, I offered $1000 and they said no. I walked. People really think they have high value cars...

 

[Klutch9]

For a long time I've wanted to buy either a Mitsubishi Starion or a Chrysler Conquest. Most of them are quite cheap, but need work. I figure it'd be a good project to take on for a fun little turbo rocket

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I saw a Cobra kit car on the road a few months back. It seemed pretty solid but the fiberglass body was mostly in black primer and the panels and trim looked like they were thrown together. The driver was having fun with it regardless.

That got me thinking: does a Cobra need to look like it's on a magazine cover? Can't it look like a beat up old racecar on the outside but still have the goods underneath? Would you drive it more and worry about it less if you didn't spend 5k on finishing the fiberglass perfectly and having a show-quality paint job done?

 

[Nick R]

Well yesterday at a junk yard/used car yard, I saw a rusty 70s Dodge Charger 440 Magnum. I was drooling. Sadly the guy who owned it wasn't willing to sell it