Looking for a new project. Pros and cons advice

[timster]

I finally finalized the sale of my 71 F100 and after paying off some bills ready to find a cheap project/driver to build over time. I am in Ridgecrest, CA, fairly close to LA, SD, San Bernadino, etc. The decent "popular" cars are out of my budget, seems to be plenty of less popular cars to be found. Trying to stay 75 and older to avoid annual pollution testing. 2 door cars only, with the possible exception of a real clean wagon.

Cars in my price range I would consider include:

60-71 Rancheros
60-69 Falcons
62-71 Fairlane/Torino/Montego
67-70 Cougar
70-75 Maverick/Comet
58-63 T Bird
71-75 Duster/Demon
67-75 Dart
64-69 Barracuda
64-72 El Caminos
64-65 Chevelle/Tempest
71-74 Apollo/Omega/Ventura

With the GM stuff, lots more parts availability. A Buick Apollo should be able to use Nova suspension parts. Guessing trunk, rockers, and floor patch panels, if needed, should be able to use Nova stuff - I think. Fenders/ quarters would probably be a different story - anyone know?

A falcon/fairlane/ early maverick probably means fighting everyone else for later maverick/Granada spindles at pull a part. I have experience with doing a 5.0 EFI swap so could get a donor Mark VII pretty cheap to upgrade powertrain.

Mopar stuff I have no experience with, so would have to start from ground zero.

Comments?

[Z06vet]

My vote is for 64-65 chevelle/tempest. Really like those cars and they look great with proper stance.
Scott

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/64918-Lets-see-some-64-65-chevelles

[silvermonte]

If you are looking at 71-74 omegas- apollos- venturas why not include the novas in that group, ive seen a few pop up around the $4000 range. They can look pretty good if you do something with the goofy bumpers sticking out a foot past the rest of the car.

[BMR Sales]

Start with a Nice Clean Slate like this Buick Apollo. A little more up front, but less in the long run!

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/4692086587.html

[Munssey]

I'm so divided on what to suggest and give thoughts on but I gotta know what your planning to do with it (Autocross, car show, weekend cruiser, daily driver?)

[mikidymac]

You forgot to add 73-75 GM A-Bodies to your list :).

[groho]

I've always imagined building a '68 dart with a 5.7 hemi. The costs would be more simply because of this is not an "off the shelf" build, but can you image the look!? If its a budget build you're after, bow-tie all the way. The ford stuff has a nice after market, and parts are readily available but still not as flexible and inexpensive as chevy.

[nekkidhillbilly]

the only difference in the appollo omegas venturas sheet metal is the front clip and the tail lights are different but use the same pan. prob could find a nova cheaper to be honest. id rather have the buick myself but if you didnt care the bop cars are much rarer than a chevy usually are harder to find and cost more.

[Twentyover]

1974 MkI Mercury Capri, Early Celica, Opel Manta- Dare to really different. Lightweight shells, low tire loading, moderate horsepower yields good performance

[timster]

I'm so divided on what to suggest and give thoughts on but I gotta know what your planning to do with it (Autocross, car show, weekend cruiser, daily driver?)

I am thinking a daily driver right now. I'd like improved braking but not the multiple piston disc brakes stuff. Front discs, rear drums or maybe upgrade to discs over time. I am sort of leaning El Camino or Ranchero. I am use to having a truck so be nice to have some of that versatility.

Going to look at a Ranchero tomorrow with a V8 C4 set up that sounds promising. Talked to owner on phone and seemed like a decent guy and was forthcoming about the issues it has. Get it running/stopping/turning safely. probably upgrade the rough interior with something more modern like buckets with decent lumbar.

Also have a line on an Omega that looks promising, but been chasing that guy for 2 weeks now. He only wants to meet at a day/time that is hard for me to do. Guess our work schedules will keep that from happening.

About 3 weeks ago found a couple V8 darts but they went fast, before I had the sale finalized on my truck.

[timster]

Mikidymac, the 73-75 A bodies I am finding seem to be either totally beat, 4 doors, or going for more money than a Falcon/Dart/fairlane in similar condition. El Caminos of that era seem to be a bit more reasonable in price. But aren't those a bit on the heavy side, like around 4,000 lbs?

[timster]

1974 MkI Mercury Capri, Early Celica, Opel Manta- Dare to really different. Lightweight shells, low tire loading, moderate horsepower yields good performance

I have been searching using year range, not manufacturers. Been using 1960-1982. Which is into the smog era, but thought maybe a pinto/vega/monza would come on at a bargain price. And the Monzas could be had with V8s, but not they are either rollers or they seem to be a bit higher than the falcons/fairlanes/darts/dusters/el caminos.

Can body and interior parts be had for a Capri or Opel?

[timster]

I've always imagined building a '68 dart with a 5.7 hemi. The costs would be more simply because of this is not an "off the shelf" build, but can you image the look!? If its a budget build you're after, bow-tie all the way. The ford stuff has a nice after market, and parts are readily available but still not as flexible and inexpensive as chevy.

I think Chevy would be cheapest, assuming the car could be had at a decent price. I agree, the small block Ford has a good aftermarket now as well and plenty of donor cars for powertrains. A dart would be cool, but a running dart in decent shape seems to get snapped up quick. I will just have to be patient.

[84TransAm]

I'm more of a GM man, but I like the '70 up Rancheros. Something different and can look pretty sweet.

[Nicks67GTO]

My vote is for a 65' Tempest. Of all the tempest/lemans cars its by far the best looking.

[timster]

I looked over a 66 Ranchero today, and did a test drive through the neighborhood. Had major steering and braking issues making it not safe to drive at highway speeds as is. A ton of slop in suspension and a tiny steering wheel. Also darts badly at speeds over 30+ when pushing firm (not hard) on brakes.

Car has a lot of strong points, such as a nice 289 4V & C4 trans, and doors and tailgate are solid, glass all there, and a very straight aluminum grille. Appears to be very solid, but buried under at one or more cheapie paint job. Car is probably worth the asking price. Three things have me doubting buying it.

1. The steering. How hard will it be to get quality steering parts for a 66 Ranchero/Falcon? Could be one thing or practically everything in the front end needing replaced. And that just gets it back to stock with drum brakes. Car is about 3 hours from me, so would have to be towed/trailered home. Trying to avoid taking on a front end re-do in my alley. Would be a ton of money to hire it so that path is out.

2. Paint/body. Other than the floor pans and bubbled paint at driver rear, car seems very solid. But it has been painted at least once, in a non original color. Probably Maaco/Earl Scheib style. I wonder what is under the paint? Probably nothing major but probably need to be stripped to bare metal for a repaint. lots of time and I would get evicted if I bought a compressor and used air tools. I was hoping I could drive it patina'ed, at least for a while and guess I still could, but was hoping for a nicer look finish. Maybe another Maaco job to hold it over for a couple years?? Not sure that is the answer.

3. Interior is shot and about the seat is only thing that can be recovered and reused. Needs new rubber gaskets at doors, windows, windshield, etc. Plus instrument panel is warped/broken, door panels rough, headliner missing.

I know I am being nit picky, but I would like it better if it only had one or two of the things I consider to be big problems. or at about half the price listed, but I know he won't come too far of his asking price and I don't blame him for that.

I need to look at a few more cars in this price range to see the competition. And tonight I will checkout suspension parts on NAPA and rockauto to see what US made steering components go for. On my 71 F100 8-10 years ago, it was about $300 for all new steering parts and very easy to work on, as trucks are bigger, sit higher, and have plenty of room to get at things. I thing this would be more of a challenge and more dollars.

[Rick Dorion]

After selling my 68 camaro I was in a similiar position. I looked at Dusters, Darts, etc and wound up with the 67 Bel Air. I decided I wanted a 60's chevy that had the best body I could find. It's fun. I have a little repair to do on the rear window and over a rear wheel well but that's it. Someday I'd like another F-body but this satisfies my need.

[MonzaRacer]

Too bad Im so far away I have a 69 Pontiac Ventura that I would really like to see someone resurrect. According to first glance and past information this car was supposedly one of little over 1800 428 cars, I got it minus the 428, and yes I saw the actual 428 that came out.
The doors still shut good, it does need a dog house but I needed that since I got it. Been talking to one of my friends about buying some of my Pontiac engine parts, but if a guy wanted to make it handle Ridetech makes CoolRide or ShockWaves.
I really hope the car doesnt go to waste. And I have other projects and no good place to work on her. I love the car, she looks like a larger GTO/Lemans.
I had even toyed with building a LSx copy of a 428 once, BUT Lsx take too much cash to simply get running. SBC/BBC/Pontiac all take a carb or TBI and HEI distributor.
Done deal. I figured out it would take about $1000-$2000 in parts to make it run.
MSD, special intake, custom headers, custom mounts.
MY SBC/BBC take less than $50 mounts, $150 headers, $300 carb or $150 used carbs, $25-$50 USED hei, $75 In ignition parts unless you scrap some up in junkyard.
Anyway I do have 1969 Pontiac Catalina Ventura 2dr body, again supposedly one of the 1800 and some 428 cars but not guaranteed. Does have 2.93 Limited slip, may come without engine/trans.

[timster]

Checked out a 1973 Olds Omega today. In better shape than the 66 Ranchero, but has a lot of the same issues and I think it would cost more to get it where I would want it. I never realized how massive those mid 70's bumpers are until today. If I was to own one of those cars I'd be looking for an alternative, like maybe seeing how a 68-72 Nova bumper would fit/look.

Anyhow, got home and saw that a friend had emailed me a couple more leads. The search continues.

[snappytravis]

I took my drivers test when I was 16 in My dad 68 camino, It belonged to my grandfather and was purchased by my parents in 70. My vote is for the camino.. Good luck

[Munssey]

All things considered, it sounds like you have a good direction with trying to find an El Camino \ Ranchero. The other suggestions wont give you the bed you are looking for.

Luckily, being in the High Desert, you're bound to come across someone with something in your price range. Most likely, you'll find more that are not currently running which could be a benefit if you're okay with a little up-front elbow grease to get the car going again. The up side is that you have a high potential to find something with no\ little rust in the area.

A few alternatives if you're looking for a bed and be able to get performance out of it:
-60s-70s C10 Short Bed (or the GMC \ Apache flavor of the same trucks)
-Early year D100 Dodge Pickup or Ford F100 Short beds
-Toyota FJ45 (has the bed). More of a project car but could EASILY be turned into a hot rod with the full frame under it to start.
-Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute (if a low budget is not first focus)

Good luck!

[snappytravis]

Whatever you decide to buy make sure there are lots of parts available for it,, The little stuff will nickel and dime you to death, You may be better of buying a body with no engine or buy a driveable car then do a little at a time.

[timster]

The only thing holding me back on something that won't move is my current living situation. Hopefully in 4+ months I could better deal with a roller type project. Until then, if I want something fun to play with, it needs to be mobile with the type of problems I can fix in a weekend with hand tools. Most of my tools will be in North Carolina for another few months. Plus getting it towed here.

Wouldn't mind a short bed pickup. So far best candidates seem to be Dodges, or smog era Chevy's. I've learned that is best to be patient, even if it is frustrating. I settled for a long bed F100 once and seemed like the next month cheap short beds were for sale all over the place.

[timster]

Looked at another Ranchero today with a 289 2 barrel, 3 speed manual trans. 2" Dual exhaust with no crossover, cherry bomb style mufflers.

Idles good, but giving it gas at about 2 k while parked still causes a loud banging noise (about every 2-3 seconds) that seems to come from bottom of engine or maybe farther back. Owner isn't very mechanically inclined, had no idea what the noise was. Price on car is pretty good and dropped a little after talking about the noise.

I am thinking could be one or more things. Problem with a rod. Broken piston skirt. Broken crank, or something else in the bottom end of engine.

Or, maybe a bad or incorrectly installed flywheel.

Car has a good body, needs floor pans patched but is straight. Trim is in decent shape. has new tires and shocks. Older style aluminum rims.

Kind of rolling the dice. Could be an easy fix, or could mean a rebuild is coming due.

[timster]

Just got off the phone with a guy with a 2nd gen Javelin. Yeah I know they are harder to find stuff for, and the bulging fenders are a bit too much for some. I have seen a few on here and elsewhere lowered & with larger wheels and tires that look pretty damn good. Was a white Javelin with sidepipes I used to see a couple years ago that seemed pretty cool going down the road.

How are repo parts, like a dash pad, door panels, seat covers, bumpers, trim pieces?