It's everyone's favorite time

"Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow" (chriskf)
11/24/2015 at 14:47 • Filed to: None

Help someone pick a project car time!!!

So my brother has recently informed me that he wants to get a project car, mainly for the purposes of having a fun car that he can learn to do some more serious wrenching on. He already knows how to do the basic maintenance you’d do on most modern cars, like changing your oil and swapping out some basic parts.

He doesn’t have a really clearly defined idea of what he wants, like no specific cars. He mainly wants a fairly cool old American V8 in decent running order but that could use some work over time. Essentially, ‘Murican V8 project-lite. Here’s a rough idea of his criteria:

- Budget: $6k max, preferring to stay under $5k.
- Looking for something American and a V8
- He won’t buy something with a lot of rust
- Would prefer something with a decent interior/exterior, so he can focus budget and time on learning mechanical stuff first
- Should run, but can require a bit of work

He’s looked mainly at Mustangs so far, everything from a ‘73 Mustang Grande (he’s going to check that out tomorrow), to some promising mid ‘60s Mustangs, and now is looking at a couple Foxbodies.

I think he’s been looking mainly at Mustangs because they’re common (cheap/plentiful parts) and simple. But I’d imagine there are some other cool old ‘Murican V8s out there in his price range that he could consider too. I, however, am not well versed in such matters, and he isn’t into looking at ‘70s and ‘80s tuner cars. :P

So what suggestions do you have Oppo? What CL/forum finds can you share? He lives in the Seattle area.

DISCUSSION (34)

64Mali > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:53

Can I recommend Chevy anything. Cant go wrong with cheap power from a 350 or LS. Cheap and readily available parts.

G0 4 d00r for less money..

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/531929…

or get a Nova

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/526222…

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:55

I was going to say Fox-body. There are still some out there that are in pretty good shape, but man is there a lot of junk. I lucked out on mine, I bought it with the whole body disassembled but still running/driving for cheap. A few hours later I had the car put back together and it’s probably worth twice what I paid.

F-bodies are nice too, I’m big on the 3rd gen cars, but my dad has a 4th gen Z28 with 174k miles on it that’s been the most reliable car I’ve ever seen or heard about. You can’t go too far wrong either way, except that working under the hood of the 4th gen F-bodies kinda sucks...spark plugs are an all-day job until you get really good at it.

Fox is still my vote, but I’m heavily biased, haha.

crowmolly > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:56

73-74 or 4th gen Nova or Fox body.

If you can find a decent pre-restyle 3rd gen Nova or 2nd gen f-body that’s cool too.

I’m recommending these because they are easy to work on, parts are cheap, and maybe most importantly they all have strong communities that will help him with damn near anything he comes across.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:56

Kinja'd!!!

Mullet ‘Maro all the way. You can usually find a clean, running one for around $3k give or take a few hundred. Look for a later one, 90-92. That’s when GM got into using construction adhesives and stitch welding, so the chassis are actually a fair bit stronger than the earlier ones. In the later years you could also get a 350 in some trims, which is much better than the stupid 305. But you could have a fun upgrade path with a 305 - do the basic performance mods (headers, exhaust, intake, etc.) with the intent to go to a 350. At the same time get a 350 and build it on a motor stand (heads, cam, etc.) and then have a fun motor swap project, all while keeping the car drivable.

Also, avoid T-tops... they always end up leaking. Always.

jariten1781 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:56

Old F150 or some other truck...they’re the best first project vehicles and they’re more of a blank canvas if he decides to go beyond restoration.

Sweet Trav > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:57

80’s G-bodies

1983-1988 Chevy Monte Carlo SS

1983-1988 Olds Cutlass (Hurst Olds/442)

1983-1988 Buick Regals

1986-1988 Buick Grand National

1979-1984 Chevy Malibu

If you can find them from the south they will be relatively rust free.

RyanFrew > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:59

He’s got the ticket with a fox body. Gonna be pretty tough to find a properly good ‘60s Mustang in that price range, I’d think.

Tripper > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 14:59

Kinja'd!!!

crowmolly > Snuze: Needs another Swede
11/24/2015 at 15:00

Re: T-Tops

Make SURE you check the floor pans in any 3rd gen f-body project.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > 64Mali
11/24/2015 at 15:02

You can recommend whatever you’d like!

I’m diggin’ that Malibu, but idk that he has the mullet to go with those super ‘80s Centerlines. haha Those would need to go IMO. :)

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:02

Suspiciously cheap bronco https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/533031…

318 dart https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/532996…

El Camino! https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/532970…

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Snuze: Needs another Swede
11/24/2015 at 15:03

He did have a bit of a mullet when he was like 7... lol

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > crowmolly
11/24/2015 at 15:04

All good reasons. Appreciate it!

64Mali > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:04

I have a slight soft spot for those type of cars. I’m restoring a 64 4door Mali. The advantage, is plenty of cheap parts since Chevy. But not a popular car due to having the extra doors.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Sweet Trav
11/24/2015 at 15:05

We’re originally from Arizona, and have family and friends there still. If he found the right car, I don’t think he’d be opposed to getting it down there and driving it back up to the PNW.

crowmolly > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:05

Actually, I do have a follow-up:

Is he looking for old-school carbed, electronic carbed, or EFI? It does kind of matter. Does he want to mod heavy or not?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
11/24/2015 at 15:07

He’s already got a newer (2008 maybe) Silverado 1500, so I don’t think he’ll be looking at any trucks or SUVs.

I’ve always had a thing for Darts, but I think that one is in a bit rougher shape than he’s looking for.

Not sure if he’s an El Camino guy, but I’ll pass it along! haha

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Tripper
11/24/2015 at 15:08

I’d love to see him get a classic more like this, but he’s got his heart set on ‘Murican V8s.

I found some awesome postings around Seattle for a 122 Amazon, some VW Notchbacks, and even a P1800 wagon!

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:08

For some reason Craigslist Photos won’t work here for me, but here are a list:

71 Dart 318/Auto
Pros: Huge aftermarket/MOPAR/Low Rust content from pictures
Cons: Could have problems when stuff is taken apart.

73 Plymouth Scamp
Pros: Same as dart above / Plus it looks a lot cleaner than the Dart.
Cons: Less desirable year (first year for 5mph bumpers, etc)

Continental MKIII
Pros: Oh just look at it. It’s a ‘71 with huge amounts of chrome, black with a black vinyl top, and supple brown leather interior
Cons: Top of the price range, not sporty, 8 MPG (but the Mustang will only get 12 or so...)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > jariten1781
11/24/2015 at 15:09

He’s got a newer (2008 I think) Silverado as his daily, I don’t think he wants another truck.

I do dig 70s and 80s American pick-ups though.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > RyanFrew
11/24/2015 at 15:10

There are a couple up there that are closer to $7k mark, but the question is whether or not they’re riddled with bondo. haha

RazoE > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:10

IROC Z Camaro.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > crowmolly
11/24/2015 at 15:11

Good point.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > crowmolly
11/24/2015 at 15:13

Honestly don’t think he’s thought about that, but given the period cars he was originally looking at I’d say old-school or electronic carbed. He’s looking to learn with whatever he gets, so I’m not sure it matters to him.

Not planning to mod heavy. More a restoration, weekend cruiser kind of thing. In other words, it will probably never see a drag strip or anything.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:13

Perfect... he just needs to regrow it and pick up an IROC. His uniform should be a stained white undershirt, jeans, workboots, and aviators. And then hang around Dairy Queen parking lots blasting White Snake, Motley Cure, GnR, etc.

Tripper > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:20

Problem?

Kinja'd!!!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Tripper
11/24/2015 at 15:37

lol far beyond his mechanical ability or budget. Unfortunately. ;)

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 15:43

Do an old Ranchero

vondon302 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
11/24/2015 at 15:52

Came to say fox body.

vondon302 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
11/24/2015 at 15:54

Holy crap! That scamp is sweet. That’s a 6000+ dollar car in Detroit area. I got bummed and didn’t look at the other 2.

shop-teacher > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 16:11

That budget is too low for much of a good 60’s/early 70’s car, but there’s a lot of good mid 70’s stuff in that price range. For example, I sold my ‘74 buick Apollo (Buick’s Chavy Nova) with a very nice interior and a pretty darn good body and a factory V8 for $6500. There are lots of other mid-70’s cars like that. None of them will be fast from the factory, because 70’s emissions, but they are very modifiable.

Spoon II > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 16:12

Others have said it, but if you can find a non-rusty Fox Body then I’d definitely go with that. They’re pocket-sized balls of V8 fun

Tripper > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 17:10

Lol yea, If you see the pic from the other side its silly. It doesn’t even look like you could fit seats in it.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/24/2015 at 18:14

How about an Alfa GTV6? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/529226…

Or a spider? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/529192…