What Early/Mid 80s Car Would You Buy As a Project?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 10/07/2016 at 10:24 • Filed to: Project Car

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I’m feeling like early 80s makes for some awesome projects. What early 80s car would you go for? Gotta say the Capri is catching my eye right now. An ASC McLaren would be a great talking point. Nothing better than coach building a convertible for your wife because Ford wouldn’t let her park the SL in the lot (or so the legend goes). Of course bubble back is the hope.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:27

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AW11 MR2. I mean, I already did, but I’d do it again.

djmt1 > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:29

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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:32

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Toyota Carina GT. AE86 looks, but with IRS.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:32

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Painfully obvious answer: MK2 Supra. Less obvious answer: 1st gen CRX Si.

LongbowMkII > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:33

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This is easy. Mk2 Supra. Mild turbo and ecu upgrade. Suspension and wheels/tires. OEM plus style I guess.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > interstate366, now In The Industry 10/07/2016 at 10:34

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Is the A60 Supra becomong obvious? I’ve always loved them but it always seems like everyone else thinks they’re ugly off of Oppo.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:34

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One of the following: AE86, AW11 MR2, ST165 Celica All Trac, S12 200SX, or an XR4Ti.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > LongbowMkII 10/07/2016 at 10:35

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I’d get the OEM wheels modified to fit a wider tire. It’s a stunning wheel.

TysMagic > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:35

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Audi Coupe GT

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 10/07/2016 at 10:35

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Good call on the 200SX.

Tristan > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:36

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This.

The plan:

4.6 32v B-head engine with the Cobra trimmings, 99+ Cobra IRS, T-45, and make it handle. It would be extremely fun and way cheap. And the noise that 32v makes... mmmmm...

gmctavish needs more space > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:37

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A euro E28, preferably 533i or 535i

LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:38

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Assuming you’re talking about the 14x7's the width isn’t as much of a problem as the diameter. Tough to find good 14" tires these days.

MultiplaOrgasms > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:39

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Alfa 90 is life.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:39

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They’re tough to come by, but still haven’t really jumped in value a ton.

I’d love to pick up a clean S12.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:39

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This is my Uncle’s 84 Capri. He’s owned it since 1985 and it’s currently sitting in the back of my cousin’s shop . Last it was on the road it had a 351W/4bbl/5speed with GT40 heads, big Holley, loud exhaust, etc. What are those rear wheels though? I kind of love them.

nerd_racing > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:39

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85 RX7, and I did!

nerd_racing > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 10/07/2016 at 10:39

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ugh XR4Ti

Noodles > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:40

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Indy pace car Mustang (with T-tops). Always liked that car.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:42

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Here’s a seemingly pretty clean S12 for a decent price

https://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5800859951.html

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > nerd_racing 10/07/2016 at 10:42

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It’s kinda surprising how often I see deals on them come up. It’s not all the time, but more frequent than I’d expect.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > LongbowMkII 10/07/2016 at 10:46

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http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=55&diameter=14&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 10/07/2016 at 10:47

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Yeah, I’d totally buy that if I were in the market for a lightweight 80s FR car and in Fresno.

LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:51

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225 is stock width. Best case scenario is finding an L-type with 15x6's. 205's will be fine the modest power.

404 - User No Longer Available > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 10:51

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S130 Crown. Because fender mirrors and a column manual shifter . I grew up in Hong Kong, where they are used as taxis, so it’s a childhood thing for me. Think Japanese Crown Victorias, except they aren’t used as police cars in Hong Kong, those are Mercedes T1 instead.

(OK, this is from a Comfort, but the previous fleet Crowns pretty much have the same interior.)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:54

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Yeah, if it were closer to me I’d probably go look at it.

Would make an awesome rally project.

But then again, if it were near me it’d be 200 lbs lighter from all the rust. haha

interstate366, now In The Industry > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 10:55

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I like them. The A70 is my personal favorite of the four Supras, but that’s stretching the definition of mid-80s a bit.

Roundbadge > Tristan 10/07/2016 at 11:08

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Would’ve been my answer as well.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > LongbowMkII 10/07/2016 at 11:11

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You don’t want the L type though because no fender flares and that atrocious brownish red interior.

Garrett Davis > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 11:19

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LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/07/2016 at 11:21

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Fender flares are superfluous. 225's fit under the standard body.

And if you don’t like burgundy interiors you’re in the wrong decade.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > LongbowMkII 10/07/2016 at 11:24

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They’re superfluous but gorgeous. The blue interior’s way better. It just is.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 10/07/2016 at 11:30

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Is it for sale? I’m interested once I can sell the Montego.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 11:31

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ALL THE CARS I’M CURRENTLY TRYING TO SELL THE MONTEGO FOR!

Mercury Capri (Fox based)

Ford EXP

Mercury LN7

Intent is to rally cross.

Yes I know the EXP and LN7 are terrible ideas. If I find one none of you will be able to talk me out of it.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 11:42

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1984 Volvo 242 Turbo

Want to lower it, put it on some Ixion or Pegasus wheels, do a modern T5 swap with a manual.

Nothing too crazy, but have an awesome looking restomod

duurtlang > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 11:51

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I actually bought this 1986 Peugeot 205 yesterday . For €300. Runs and drives absolutely fine. It’s a bit rough but it’s 30 years old and was €300, so nothing to complain about. Very characterful and fun to drive car. Oppo post coming up.

Bigjohn428 > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 11:54

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LS swap, suspension upgrade,

Kanaric > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 12:00

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I would like to import a Ford Capri

TDIGuy > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 12:08

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80's Shelby Daytona or Omni for sure

Die-Trying > Wobbles the Mind 10/07/2016 at 15:42

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built it already....... 1981 silverado cab, on a 76 4x4 k5 blazer frame. super short stepside.............. but if i were building another project, it would be a

panel van, and put two coupled v8 engines in it.......... probably some low stress 454 engines...........manual trans........

it would definitely be a hidden in plain sight monster...........

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Wobbles the Mind 12/31/2016 at 19:31

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1986 VW Vanagon Westfalia Syncro in this very color. 1st year for the 2.1l wasserboxer (which would be replaced by something from Porsche or Subaru), last year for the beige interior.

Restored versions are selling for six figures, but I’d do it just because I love the car and am not really interested in the resale value.