Hey guy I'm a teenager lookin to build my first car. I'm lookin for something cheap. I'ev thought about unusuals like 74'-82' 2nd gen camaros and different cars like that but I can't decide can you help me.
Hey guy I'm a teenager lookin to build my first car. I'm lookin for something cheap. I'ev thought about unusuals like 74'-82' 2nd gen camaros and different cars like that but I can't decide can you help me.
Thanks Bryce
Howbout a 74-82 Corvette? Great cars to start with, decent brakes (4 wheel discs), IRS, loads and loads of go-fast-parts available...
Most of the project cars I would have suggested were mentioned in your thread on PT.com.
It really all depends on what "cheap" means to you and what you are willing to sacrifice as far as affordability, availability (cars and parts) and difficulty of modifications.
Sure, you could go with any of the obscure cars that were mentioned, it's always cool to see them given some attention. Make sure you find one with all the trim and an excellent body though, it's often tough to locate replacements, especially for a beginner.
Anyway, here's my list of favorites for the criteria I listed above:
74-up Fbodies
Fox body Mustangs/Capri
All GM G-body cars (there's tons in great shape still)
All GM X-body cars (Nova, Apollo, Ventura, Omega)(68-72 Novas are starting to climb though)
Low trim level 64-72 Buick/Olds/Pontiac A-bodies
70-72 Monte Carlos and GP (69 and up)
60s and up Mopar A bodies (parts may be harder to find)
73 and up Elcaminos
2WD trucks/suvs (small or fullsized) from GM or Ford
Thanks ben. what all did gm produce in a and x bodies
cheap to me is being unusual, going to cruise night and having something that no one else is going to have.
I'm probably gonna miss some here. I'm sure everyone else can fill in the gaps or correct my mistakes.
GM A-bodies (evolved into G-bodies during the 70's):
64-77-
Chevy-Chevelle/Malibu/SS/Laguna; Elcamino/SS and Monte Carlo/SS
Buick-Skylark/Special/GS-350/GS-400/GSX/Regal
Olds-Cutlass/F-85/Supreme/442/Hurst
Pontiac-Tempest/Lemans/GTO (74 GTO is a Ventura X-body); 69-77 Grand Prix/SJ(G body); Can-Am/Grand AM
GM X-body (62-67);(68-74 are similar to 67-69 F-body platform) (75-79 are similar to 70-81 F-body platform)
GM G-body- (69 GP/70 Monte/70 Cutlass Supreme) were the first G-bodies because they were a 2 door car built on a longer A-body chassis....a "Personal Luxury" configuration.
78-87 (Only the Monte and Cutlass Classic RWD lasted until 88)
can't beat the fox bodies wealth of information, used parts and the pricing for the parts that go in them. I just picked up one with 96K for $1000. Needs a little work, but after I sort out what I believe is a fuel injector issue it'll be clean running. A little paint, GT40 heads and intake off an explorer, gears and nitrous and I should be deep in the 12s. That won't be a bad deal for around $4500.
There is a real clean Monte SS on my street for sale original paint and stickers no rust, current registration and im, older couple has it for 3500.00 cars are out there better to look local than internet.
I would try to look for a car that has a decent powerplant to begin with. In reference to the Monte, no offense hopefully taken from the GM guys here... is going to be a massive project to be able to even show a Civic SI your tail lights. The weight and 305 power plant aren't going to be great starting points. A 350 third gen camaro would be another good starting point, along with the 2nd gen. The third gen camaro will have a little more snort to play with depending on the year, with gears and a stall converter you would have a decent setup. If your looking for a stick car, they unfortunately don't come in the 350ci setup of the thirdgens.
It's always nice to start with a good motor combo, that way you only need to refresha and improve it to have a nice ride. Rather than having to pull it out and put something in it's place.
Nick brings up an undeniable point. Montes are big cars, there's no way around it. A Malibu from that generation may be a better candidate but you'll have to ditch the boat anchor 305.
Most of us know that the stock Monte SS engines left much to be desired. The smog police destroyed any hope for real performance out of that car, especially if you live in a state that has strict emissions standards like CA or MA.
Who's to say you can't transplant a GN drivetrain or a BBC? There's plenty of room. And if you really want bang for the buck, rescue a solid 500 Caddy motor from a 70-76 Eldorado, add an aluminum intake, a mild cam and upgrade the heads, mate it to a BOP Th400 and blow the doors off a ton of cars for relatively short money and get halfway decent fuel mileage. G-body specific motor mounts are available for that engine too. You'll have to upgrade the front springs due to weight increase.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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