Opponaughts: Weekend Resto-mod challenge

"average user" (avgusr) 02/24/2018 at 11:36 • Filed to: None

1

43

Good morning.

I am nursing a little bit of a hangover, so i am planning a little weekend challenge for you all:

You have just won the lottery. You don’t want to be THAT guy and run out and buy a new exotic, because you live in LA/Miami and all the tasteless Kardashians and Eurotrash has one. You want something classy, timeless, but you dont want just a vintage car, you want to make it livable with a modern drive train that would start without a mechanic on retainer.

So you want to build a resto-mod. But here are the rules:

You can replace everything under the hood, but the look of the car itself must be preserved (paint, wheels and suspension mods OK). The more you can preserve the interior, the better, but modernizing mods is OK.

It can be a sedan, coupe or wagon, even a SUV. But it MUST BE at least 25 years old.

The base car (the vintage part) CANNOT be a classic supercar or classic American muscle car , so: NO Lambos, NO ferraris, NO 911s, NO classic Camaros, NO Vettes, NO Mustangs, NO Challengers/Chargers etc etc. You are Oppo people, you can figure it out.

NO LS-x engines . Almost every resto-mod seems to have one of these. Be creative. The engine can be of any vintage, any type. Transmission choices are also open (lets assume you can make it all fit under the hood)

The goal is a car that you can use on the street, so do not build a drag race machine.

I will start because i came up with these rules in the first place

I will take a Jaguar XJ-C from the 70s, like this one:

and stick a the last gen of BMW naturally aspirated I-6 in it, with a 6 speed auto:

Reason: I want to build a classy car that would elicit something other than boredom at the valet stand of your local fancy joint. If Fancy Kristen approves, you know you are getting there.

Please post a picture of the car you are talking about, maybe the engine too. We are all car nuts here but its hard to visualize everything.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:40

2

Mark III Supra, facelift model (specifically 1992 Turbo trim) with R154 transmission, under the hood I’ll swap in a 2JZ-GTE with turbos and all the bells and whistles. Exterior need not be changed, it’s already a damn nice car!

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:41

1

An 80s Subaru BRAT.

Drop in a newer motor and gearbox for the extra umph and better fuel economy, drop in a few sneaky modern features like bluetooth and 3 amp charging for the daily commute, and just go anywhere. It’s a quirky AWD trucklet that deserves a bit of thrashing, not because it’s a beater, but because it deserves to see the world.

average user > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 02/24/2018 at 11:41

0

Post a picture of said car and engine if you can. Not everyone can envision what a Mark III Supra looks like.

average user > winterlegacy, here 'till the end 02/24/2018 at 11:43

0

Whats your engine choice?

WilliamsSW > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:44

3

300g. Hellcat. 6 speed manual. Discs all around and updated suspension. Hopefully find some bigger steelies that can take a bigger tire but retain the wheel covers.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:44

0

I got you. Here it is

interstate366, now In The Industry > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:46

2

Mine would be an early NSX. Repaint, super light wheels (Volks or Mugen MF10s or something similar), 3.2/6-speed drivetrain from the later NSX and add an HKS twin turbo kit. Restore the interior to factory spec if possible.

average user > interstate366, now In The Industry 02/24/2018 at 11:47

1

Pictures! And also i am feeling super old if NSXs are over 25 years old.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:48

0

I’m not entirely sure - I’d probably go for an EZ36 if I could shoehorn it in, but I don’t think there’s space in the bay for it, so a lower displacement EJ or FB should work fine. About the time I’d have the money to do something like this, the FB20B would probably be a good candidate.

interstate366, now In The Industry > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:49

0

Spanfeller is a twat > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:51

3

Range Rover Classic two door stick and the 3.5 ecoboost crate motor with modern suspension (fuck it, replace the ladder chassis with a tubular chassis because STIFF)

OR

A Fox Body Mustang (The Mexican one) with a 2.3 ecoboost crate motor. With a conversion to IRS and an LSD. I’d put SVT badges but that would be sort of cheating.

average user > WilliamsSW 02/24/2018 at 11:57

4

Interesting idea, although i fear the chassis of that car will fall apart the second you step on the gas.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > average user 02/24/2018 at 11:57

1

Wait, didn’t realize u said wheels and paint and suspension can be modded! Here:

average user > Spanfeller is a twat 02/24/2018 at 11:58

0

I love the idea of the both, actually, but especially the Rangie. I would replace the interior with a soft dash era interior and some Range Rover classic wheels. Classy as hell.

average user > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 02/24/2018 at 11:59

1

Oh my.

MINIGTI > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:02

1

I love the series 2 XJ12c. I’d keep the V12 and make sure it was maintained. I saw a freshly restored one at my British car mechanic. It was in for a manual swap. Would totally DD in summer.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:04

3

A Volvo P1800ES, pull the body off it. Then buy a Volvo Polestar V8 Supercar, the body on that would go. The old Volvo body on the V8 Supercar chassis. Keep all the racecar bits, & the bare minimum for street legality. Register it in Florida. 

Mostly for the beautiful 5L V8.

Spanfeller is a twat > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:08

1

I love the range rover, I want to buy one and do a lot to it.

I know i’ll hate how it’d drive (i drove the next gen one and...ugh) so I am bracing for it. I think that the 3.5 ecoboost is more than enough for the old gall.

Full list of mods is:

hidden modern radio (with things like seek, volume, and power wired to the original head unit)

Change all the leather for modern leather, so would I change all the electronics and switches so that they don’t look so goddam plastic-y

Air springs from the current gen range rover.
A tubular chassis and all the panels replaced with aluminium (except the doors which should remain steel)

British racing green paint (metallic)

All lights to be replaced with LEDs (hidden behind the original covers though)

My craziest idea would be a bit tacky though, as it would be finding a Range Rover interior from an evoque and placing all of it inside the Classic, again, it would be a daily driver and I want to be able to use Waze on Android Auto.

SmugAardvark > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:13

2

I’d start with a black-on-black mid-50's Bentley R-Type Continental Coupe, as seen here:

Next, I’d add the Banks 866T 6.6L turbo-diesel motor and the accompanying 6AT transmission, putting down about 425hp and 725 lb-ft of torque.

I wouldn’t go too crazy elsewhere. Add some chassis bracing to keep it from folding itself in half when you launch that meaty V8. Drop it down about 1". Add some American Racing Vintage Rally wheels, wide enough to handle the power, but keep some white-wall tires on it.

Why would I do all this? Well, I think the better question is, “Why wouldn’t I do this?”

John-Palazzo > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:18

3

Lotus Elite:

Powered by spinning nachos (13b):

Oooooooor, Chrysler 300:

Powered by a Mercedes-AMG 63:

InFierority Complex > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:20

1

Lancia Flaminia Super Sport swapped with an Iron Duke.

diplodicus forgot his password > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:23

1

BMW Bavaria with an s38 drivetrain swap. Lowered like this one. I’d use BBS RC wheels though.

Or maybe a Mercedes w114 with a 2.3l Ecoboost swap on airbags.

These look good on the BBS RC wheels also but im a big fan of the original 14" steelies with the body color hubcaps. Navy blue mbtex interior.

Alfalfa > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:25

1

Triumph TR7

Maybe with the 2.0 Skyactiv from a ND Miata.

WilliamsSW > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:27

0

In reality the factory engine in that car (413 2x4 cross ram) is way too cool to swap out.

And yeah, I forgot that it’s a unibody. Next choice would be a 63 Bonneville convertible because perimeter frame. But I’d use a period correct 421 3-2 and spend the $ on a 6 speed, brakes and suspension.

average user > John-Palazzo 02/24/2018 at 12:34

0

That 300 is gorgeous.

duurtlang > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:37

2

I’m doing that already. My 1987 Peugeot 205 CTI gets a rebuilt more modern turbo engine from a Lancia donor vehicle (technically a Peugeot engine) and some added creature comforts like rain sensing wipers and cruise control.

Picture from the day of purchase.

Last week:

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:40

1

I’ve been thinking about this one a bit lately. An original Corvair, blue with a white roof. With a NA Subaru H6. Not sure what trans I’d run tho, probably a Porsche trans. I’d like to do a performance oriented airride setup, and of course wider wheels and tires.

boxrocket > average user 02/24/2018 at 12:45

1

I’ve long wanted to put a modern high-power non-chevy V8 in a Volvo wagon or shooting brake. There’s so many options, so if I won the lottery, I could do all of them.

1990 Volvo 760 wagon with a McLaren M840T V8 from the 720S. It would be painted in McLaren/Papaya Orange and share the 720S’ brakes, wheels, tires, and somehow suspension.

Volvo 1800ES with a Mustang GT350R’s powertrain, suspension, carbon-fiber wheels, brakes, etc. in Volvo’s Rebel Blue over a carbon fiber body.

1993 Volvo 960 wagon with a Ferrari FF’s V12, running gear, greasy bits, AWD, brakes, etc. Ferrari yellow with prancing moose badges in the right places.

Mercury Colony Park with the upcoming GT500's running gear, brakes, wheels, etc. I’m of two minds about appearance: convert the body to carbon fiber but either keep the original look complete with woodgrain applique, or go for the clear-coat carbon fiber look.

So many other ideas, but those are my top.

Other choices include a DeLorean (not a supercar, so allowable!) with a Ford GT’s EcoBoost powertrain, NA Miata with either a Mazda 2.5L engine from the current CX-9 and Mazda6 - maybe with AWD? Maybe not? - or a Mazdaspeed3 engine swap but RWD, and a few others.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > average user 02/24/2018 at 13:03

2

Early Celica liftback -

8AR 2.0t from various Lexus and Toyota models. Mated to a 6 speed manual (the Aisin AZ6 seems to be plentiful) and a modern IRS - probably culled from a Toyobaru as well.

Exterior painted Lexus Diamond White Pearl

Interior: 17+ CRV front seat / S550 Mustang rear seat with custom red leather sewn and perforated to look like GT vinyl.

Suspension:

Toyobaru stock height custom built to fit the TA Celica.

Wheels:

17” WORK meister L1. Polished lip with powder coated diamond white pearl centers:

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > average user 02/24/2018 at 14:03

2

Well for a start the XJC I’m doing’s getting an XJ16S out of a first-gen XJR in it. With the supercharger upgraded to a twin-screw for another 100hp or so. Jags should have Jag engines, with cylinders in multiples of 6

But after that I’m going to see if I can stuff one of these:

Into one of these:

...while still keeping it front-mid engine and FWD. With a bit of luck a Porsche transaxle can be hacked to fit.

It’s also getting hydropneumatic suspension for the full 1930s SM effect. The last of them had it at the rear, so I’ve only got to make the front work and fit the pump. Which should be dead easy compared to turning the engine backwardsand squeezing it into a space designed for an I4!

kanadanmajava1 > average user 02/24/2018 at 14:20

3

Can I get one exception from the rules with the excuse that I’m actually building it?

I have ratty looking ‘69 Charger. It’s going to get a modern 4.2l straight six (Atlas LL8) out from a ‘08 Trailblazer. The transmission will be a GS6-53BZ (6-speed manual) out from a ‘04 BMW 545i. The front suspension is going to get spindles from 90's Dakota pickup and BMW sourced front mounted rack and pinion steering. Turbocharging is planned but the model is not decided.

I’m planning to use wide-5 hubs, DIY wheel centers and BBS (etc) bolt mounted wheel lips. Likely in 17" size. The point of this is to get some negative camber while still using a live rear axle. It might sound tricky but it’s fairly simple with suitable parts.

If the exception isn’t allowed I would build an early Citroën CX with some nice and modern engine. Maybe a Volvo 5-cylinder if it would fit under the hood. Not terribly powerful but definitely not a V6. All original looking except the engine compartment. Dark green with green wool interior.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > average user 02/24/2018 at 14:30

0

Love the challenge.

I’ll have a Renault 4 TL.

Stick a Subie boxer in it. Turbo with birds chirping away. I want it for the chirps, not for speed. Maybe even de-tune it so that it isn’t too crazy. Convert it to 4wd maybe, I dunno. Maybe that would mess with the driving flair this thing has. A subaru purr would fit something like this. I think that if you just isolate the Subaru sound without the huge spoilers and flat brimmed caps, that it can sound very much like a classic car.

Widen the wheels a bit but keep them looking like pictured. Get all the period correct factory and aftermarket accessories, like sunshades, bug deflectors, roof rack, etc. Make sure the chassis is coated a million times and perfect, like they do at ICON. Add tons of insulation and stuff. Lovely.

Nice stereo, dark brown leather but not too thick seats, it has to look sorta stock, when it comes to their form. I don’t like when people put new leather seats in classic cars, but without thinking about how new seats are larger in size, which kinda makes it cheap. Remake the dash with wood, metal and leather. Replace all the plastic stuff with nice materials. Yummy.

Option 2:

Actually this is so nice that I don’t need anything else lol.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 02/24/2018 at 14:34

1

Great history connection for those two. I like it.

fintail > average user 02/24/2018 at 15:01

1

A fintail identical to mine:

With a modern V12 under the hood (I think it would fit, but I can’t imagine the structural mods):

The car in stock form weighs barely over 3000 lbs, so it might be kind of quick.

boxrocket > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 02/24/2018 at 15:05

0

This is great thinking.

average user > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' 02/24/2018 at 17:26

0

I love it. Would be the cutest little sleeper.

average user > SmugAardvark 02/24/2018 at 17:27

1

I love that idea. classy as hell and stealth. Should get it painted battleship gray with the chrome intact.

average user > duurtlang 02/24/2018 at 17:28

0

Wow. That is a lot of work but i love those 205 buggers.

average user > kanadanmajava1 02/24/2018 at 17:29

0

Can i get a picture of said vehicle?

Die-Trying > average user 02/24/2018 at 18:31

0

start with a PLAIN white panel van, with no windows. then put in two “healthy” 454 engines, coupled nose to tail, and put a manual 4 speed behind them. set the engines far enough back to get the weight distributed towards the middle.......

kanadanmajava1 > average user 02/24/2018 at 18:40

2

Sure. Here are couple pictures. I have counted that it has body parts from at least 5 different cars. Due to this it resembles one well known Charger quite a lot. The right front fender is from a ‘68 so the side marker holes are mismatching. And yes, those are bullet holes.

These were taken when I was fetching the car after its long journey in a shipping container to Finland. It came from Kansas.

It was the last snowy day of the season. In this picture the towing M-B has just gotten stuck on my home street.

Here’s the engine. It’s ridiculously large but it should still fit in the Charger quite well. The project is currently waiting that I’ll measure the bell housing bolt pattern from both the engine and the transmission. Then I can design an adapter. Some idiot bolted the engine to the engine stand using the same points that I need to measure...

After the package is together I need to test fit it in the car to see how much I need to cut the transmission tunnel. Probably quite a lot since GS6-53BZ is also a very large thing. I haven’t done much to the body before I know how to modify the tunnel area.

average user > average user 02/24/2018 at 22:18

0

Thanks for all the submission. You are awesome people. Keep them coming.

I came up with a couple that would be pretty insane:

Take one Maserati Bi-turbo (aka the least loved Maserati of all time that is not a Chrysler):

Rip out all electronics and replace with something more durable.

Preserve this interior (because, look at it): I would change it to an auto, because this car is for cruising.

And replace the drivetrain with a current generation BMW M3/4 twin burbo 6 (it is still bi-turbo, right?)

pip bip - choose Corrour > average user 02/25/2018 at 07:43

0

Yugo with AWD and power from a Tesla