cheap beginner cars

[Mock2]

Hey guys, I'm a teenager lookin to build my first car. I'm lookin for something cheap though. i'ev thought about unusuals 74'-82' 2nd gen camaros and different cars like that but can't decide can you help me.

Thanks Bryce

[paulk68]

I really like late 70's early 80's chevy Malibus. you can usually find then in pretty good condition for a few thousand dollars

[ssmonte86]

78 to 88 Montes. Actually any g-body.

[Mock2]

thanks I'll really take those cars into consideration

thanks Bryce

[dropit69]

there is a nice ol 1971 buick skylark near me..grandmas car 66k miles for 2500..be nice car to start with alot better than what i drove at your age..lol..good luck..

[69CamaroRacer]

I have been eyeing the early 70's datson Z cars with v-8's installed... they are an extreamly light car and it would be a fun project.. You can pick up a good project car pretty cheap and you can buy one with the sbc already installed for under 10k There are 2 for sale on e-bay now.

[ssdeuce]

3rd gen Z28's and Trans-AM.

[DusterRT]

If you'd like to come over to The Dark Side...

Mopar A-Bodies are still kind of affordable. Darts, Demons, Dusters, Scamps, Swingers and Valiants..

[ProdigyCustoms]

I like a V8 Monza, been thinking about one of those little cars with a bad ass small block.

[MonzaRacer]

doing the Monza.
also my buddy has a 75 Vega for sale AND it has a 283 and a 4 speed.

[NOT A TA]

I'm with Frank, V8 Monza !

John

[BonzoHansen]

3rd gen f-body - parts are out there, pretty affordable, not too difficult to work on, aftermarket parts galore. And you can get one on the cheap, even with good paint. Plus it has 3 point front belts, and late ones even have air bags.

[TonyL]

Late model corvairs are CHEAP, easy to build and work on, and have super gas milage. They've got four wheel independent suspension, unibody construction and are lighter than the corvette of the same year.

This car got to this point for less than 2 grand total invested.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Damn True]

I have been eyeing the early 70's datson Z cars with v-8's installed... they are an extreamly light car and it would be a fun project.. You can pick up a good project car pretty cheap and you can buy one with the sbc already installed for under 10k There are 2 for sale on e-bay now.

I'll second that and throw in the Datsun 510 and 2nd Gen RX7 as well.

[evan]

All the performance goodies will cost approximately the same amount whether it's a 1980 Malibu or a 1969 Firebird. The only way to keep the costs down and still get all the goodies is to find a super solid platform to work with. A solid frame (most important), a relatively rust free body, paint you can live with, and a complete interior are all big money to fix or replace and not nearly as much fun to spend your paychecks on.

I wouldn't recommend any vehicle that is too obscure unless you are very comfortable doing a lot of fabricating. Check the mags and the online sources (like the ones along the right hand side of your screen) to see what kind of parts are available for which cars.

[ullose2]

Fox body mustangs are relatively cheap and there is alot of aftermarket support for them. Companies like Maximum Motorsports have alot of suspension goodies for them. They are everywhere too so one shouldnt be hard to find. The only thing is, is that they are everywhere so I guess it would be a little harder to make yours different. This doesnt matter to me so much as long as its fast, but some people like to stand out. Good luck searching. i hope you find something soon.


Heath

[wiedemab]

I'll second the Fox Body Mustang suggestion. I built my '89 coupe right out of College and on a somewhat limited budget. They are fun cars and the aftermarket parts supply is almost unlimited.

[Steve Chryssos]

....This car got to this point for less than 2 grand total invested.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Wow that's cool!!

[Steve Chryssos]

I wish I wuz a teenager again! I'd do a 75 Nova four door with a bench seat. I could throw a buch of Camaro parts at it and have room for me and five friends.

[Mock2]

wow thanks for the help really appreciate it. great car tony.
I'm not to scared of alot of fab work my dad owns chubbys perforamce fabrication. If you any of you guys have seen mizfit motorsports car he (my dad) did all the fab work on it. I think you'ev seen it steve.
thanks for the that really opens up options i did'nt even think of.
Thanks Bryce

[jy211]

There was a camaro for sale in kasas in the for slae section. I think it was under $2k...


https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30055

[Bill Howell]

78-81 malibu, hands down for a budget project that will kick some butt.
Plentiful, and cheap. Here is a shot of mine. I drive it more than the GTO.

[jerome]

s10(this is what I chose), luv, gbody, 3rd gen fbody, 2nd gen rx7, datsun, fiero, fox body

[MonzaRacer]

Bryce,My buddy has that 75 Vega and if you want I might be able to get a few pics of it and a set price or I can give you the guys number and YOU can talk to him.
Its a nice car for what it is and what still needs done. Probably a $3k car maybe less and he has some sort of wheel adapters and a Glastek cowl hood to go with it.
Email or pm me if you might be interested.
I do also have a 75 Monza but its very rough to start on there are many in much better shape out there.
Good luck
Lee

[JEFFTATE]

Third-gen camaros are cheap.
Easy to get parts for, and they perform well.
Just upgrade the motor.
The suspensions already work well.

[1FstChevy]

Ha I like how a few people are pitching the same cars they own, but heck, why not! I'll do the same just since F-bodies are the best!

Get a late 2nd Gen Camaro 79-81 are the best! They have 3 point belts as well, more old school style than 3rd Gens! and might I add the ladies love them! 2nd Gens are also going up in value so even more of an investment!

[Jim Nilsen]

75 Toyota Celica GT, the one that looked more like a small Mustang would be really cool with all of the body kits that could be modded to make it look even more confusing yet unique. If it still runs good you could do a lot to it and drive it getting great mileage and when you get it all together put an LSX and a 6spd in it and get even better mileage along with the kick a$$ value.

I don't even know if any still exist since I haven't seen any for a very long time.

A 71-3 Vega fastback would be cool if you could find one too!

The 68-75 Novas are still priced low for some sweet cars and would be a good value for the performance parts available to make an awesome car.

Good luck deciding . Are you looking more to learn how to fabricate and make this a classroom kind of build ? or are you wanting to be able to drive it ,is the big question ?

[Mock2]

thanks guys, I thought about a 2nd and 3rd gen camaro but theres lots of options I'll keep my eyes open thanks guy I really appreicate it.

[BonzoHansen]

thanks guys, I thought about a 2nd and 3rd gen camaro but theres lots of options I'll keep my eyes open thanks guy I really appreicate it.
3rd gen parts fall out of trees.

[LateNight72]

I would do any type of B.O.P. A-Body. A chevelle would be cool, but prices are getting as crazy as 1st Gen Camaros..

[TheMonkey]

Late model corvairs are CHEAP, easy to build and work on, and have super gas milage. They've got four wheel independent suspension, unibody construction and are lighter than the corvette of the same year.

This car got to this point for less than 2 grand total invested.

Tony-

would you mind breaking down the $2k? did you do body/paint yourself ? nice work.

thx, Scott.

[TonyL]

Thanks Scott. Sure, I'll break it down.

1st corvair from Sacramento craigslist with blown engine 350 bucks.

2nd "race car" corvair from craigslist (SF bay area) 800 bucks.

the race car came with a built "140" putting out close to 200 hp. Electric fuel pump, headers, big cam, ported heads, electronic ignition, hi-perf carb kits, carb rotator kit (to prevent fuel starvation under hard cornering, a "must have" ) And a set of flowmasters I sold for 100 bucks! It had a grant GT steering wheel and a tach where the clock should be. new headliner, high output lights, new domelight, new licence plate light, and virtually every neat part that I needed to make the first car whole again. A 4 speed with a brand new clutch and pressureplate, and a full suspension upgrade with poly bushings. (squeeky. but better than stock) But it still needed:

head gasket kit 40 bucks, oil pump gasket 8 bucks, and the heads resurfaced. 50 bucks at the local head shop. (they owed me a favor)

All the work and sweat to swap the engine, transmission and suspension from the race car over to the monza: Free.

I bought a "do it yourself" spark plug wire kit for 30 bucks. and used the cool metal looms from the two fan covers to make my own layout that had symmetry.

I gave 50 bucks for 2 used "fart can" ricer mufflers from a recking yard.

I've probably got 80 dollars in spray paint and bedliner

and 90 in actual DP 90. (all the work was done by me and a friend over a 4 day time span.)

and I got a deal from the local tire guy and gave 175 bucks for the set.

The rims? I got a great deal from our very own PRRC. That's so awesome, I still don't believe it.

I paid 150 for FATMAT

and I think I paid 80 bucks for my shocks. (monroes. UGH. Long story)
And that's it.

The seats were free, Every thing else was done by hand.

I used a store bought freeze plug to block off where the fuel pump went. and a 6 dollar T handle boat plug to become my new oil cap.

And I just bought a 69 camaro spoiler to begin my "diffuser" for the front of the car. Cost me 35 bucks, brand new.

So there you go. Not counting registration, the car cost me less than two grand all together. I still have to do the interior, get a different tach, a stereo and actually "paint" the car. The pics do wonders for the car, it looks far worse in real life. She's good from far but far from good, if you know what I mean.

[TheMonkey]

Thanks for sharing Tony. Car looks like fun to drive.

I like hearing about builds like this. Recent 'Hot Rod' magazine has an article about a couple guys that built up a budget duece that looks great.

[Mock2]

hey guys thanks for the help I really appreciate it if you have anymore ideas please let me know thanks abunch

BRYCE

[s10kool]

well it really depends on what your taste is
i like to lean toward building what you do not see much on the road
but every car guy has a favorite to do

if it were me it would be ofcourse s10 or vega, monza,corvair,datson with radical drivetrain swap:drive2:

[LS1NOVA]

75-79 nova

[shortrack]

how about a Fiero.......put a V8 in it......theres a couple around up here......they have their own website.......Google it

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Almost any non-Mustang Ford Fox Body. Fairmonts/Zephyrs and Granadas/Cougars are ESPECIALLY sweet!

(I have a pic of a Fox-body Granada as my avatar.)

[dannyho]

now that so many parts are available, you can try to find one of the not-so-collectable mopars. that's what I did. People have come up with some realyl awesome designs for a few A-body barracudas on here

[jasonsnova]

about 10 years ago i built a sbc s10....very cheap and light and they dont look too bad either. if yo want a car 71ish vegas look awesome (like mini camaros) as like others said too 74-81 f bodies are cheap

[Jim Nilsen]

how about a Fiero.......put a V8 in it......theres a couple around up here......they have their own website.......Google it


That's a great idea for the money,
www.v8archie.com (http://www.v8archie.com)

this should get you there, for $2000 you can have a car that will do 12's easy and corner well too!!!

The only downfall of the Fiero is the insurance for a younger driver,it has always been high even for older drivers. But for what you get and what you can do to it is a very good bang for the buck.

[Mock2]

what all did gm produce in the a-body package???:drive2:

[LateNight72]

LeMans, Tempest, GTO, Skylark, Cutlass, Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Malibu, 442.


That's all I can think of.. My brain hurts.

[Mock2]

I would love to have a 70' monte carlo or nova

[hdesign]

My next project (after the Nova) will most likely be a 71 Monte (drop top conversion) or a 70 Cutlass Supreme vert.

You have great taste!

[FoxGranadaChuck]

how about a Fiero.......put a V8 in it......theres a couple around up here......they have their own website.......Google it


That's a great idea for the money,
www.v8archie.com (http://www.v8archie.com)

this should get you there, for $2000 you can have a car that will do 12's easy and corner well too!!!

The only downfall of the Fiero is the insurance for a younger driver,it has always been high even for older drivers. But for what you get and you can do it is a very good bang for the buck.

The main drawback to this route would be that you would be ruining a piece of automotive history, especially the 1988 models. But such would be a REALLY cool concept though!!!

[FoxGranadaChuck]

I would like to have an early 70's Pontiac Lemans 2-door at some time in the future. My older brother had one when I was a junior in high school, and I really liked that car! Looking back, that car would have required a TON of bodywork to get it up to snuff, plus the engine block was badly cracked. But it was a really cool car nonetheless!!!

[MonzaRacer]

Good luck on finding a decent 70-72 Monte. I had a 70 with a big block and a 71 with a small block.

I still have parts laying around but no good body to use them on.And the last one I bought had severe rust issues.
But I love Montes, add a set of southside machine lift bars and some air ride and they handle awesome.

[Tony_SS]

First gen Monte's can be found and bought for decent money still. I owned a 72 in college, drove me back and forth 200 miles about every other weekend and was 100% stock. I loved the color.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Here's a local 72 on air... I believe he tries to sell it now and then.. but definately looks sharp!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I liked it so much I made a shirt design of it. It's not a photochop, it actually layed out like this.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

But to me they looked best without the top. Anyway, there's an idea that's something different to do and still fairly affordable.

[hdesign]

I missed an opportunity to grab an extra clean 35K orig mile one last year for under $10K...Red/black/black 350 with tons of options. They are a bargain and a half compaired to Chevelles and GTOs.

[Tony_SS]

Ben, they seem to be stuck in value the past 4-5 years... So I wouldn't worry too much. I'd say the '70 model looked the best with the round lights in the bumper. But IMHO Red was better left for Chevelles etc...

[hdesign]

I've always been partial to a black/black/black 71. I like the finer grill and rectangular directionals. I had a 72 but the grill configuration just never grew on me.

Yeah, I noticed prices have plateaued for quite a while now. They've always been a fraction of the cost of a Chevelle.

[MonzaRacer]

I wish Montes were still , cheapI bought one without engine/trans for $175 back in 91 and after it got totaled in 02 I almost cried.
But I am back to Monzas, here is a pic of my old yellow one

[BonzoHansen]

First gen Monte's can be found and bought for decent money still. I owned a 72 in college, drove me back and forth 200 miles about every other weekend and was 100% stock. I loved the color.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
My neighbor has a 73 that same color. Very nice.