Help with a Build

[tjtucker]

I went to the local Good Guys show in Oct 2008. Spent a lot of time in the vender area with the DSE & Air Ride boys. I went for a ride in all the cars and like them all so much I decided not to buy a street rod and now I want a Pro Tour car.

My ideal of a build is pretty much a daily driver with one of the new gen motors and a 5 or 6 speed or an auto. I do not want a show car but something nice with a modern drive train, brakes, wheels, and of course AC since I'm in Texas.

Now everyone knows what I looking for... lets say I found 2 nice local running Camaros
1. An Orange 69 z-28 knock off with good exterior paint, interior, 350 motor and auto (no rust)

2. Is a true 1970 Z-28 Silver, with good exterior, ok interior, 350 and auto (no rust)

Which would you build if both cars can be purchased for the same amount approx 11,000.00

If I were to build either car all I need to do is the drivetrain, brakes, & wheels.
Would I be better off doing a full DSE frame including front sub frame and rear or would I be better doing an Air Ride set up? What is the pros & cons?
What do you think the approx build cost would be? again not going for show quality sourcing use parts, engine, brakes, and trans.

Thanks TJ .

TJ

[jy211]

what's your total budget to spend to build the car you want?

I ask cause some people are selling their _% finished cars....

[JEFFTATE]

Build the First Gen.
They are worth more ( at this time ).

[bigvegan]

"What do you think the approx build cost would be?"

How long is a piece of string?:rotfl:

But seriously, I'd give Frank at Prodigy (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/member.php?u=149) a call, as he's pretty generous with his time and expertise, or join the Thursday night chats here. There are so many variables (doing the work yourself vs. farming it out, locating the parts, getting the parts, getting the parts to work together, troubleshooting, changing your mind, etc., etc.), that it may be best to come up with a budget for how much you can spend, double or triple it, then try to build the best car you can within those constraints.

Buying a complete car is almost always cheaper than building it, so figure out how much you want to be involved in the build process and buy accordingly.

"all I need to do is the drivetrain, brakes, & wheels."

That is the right approach to take. Just keep that perspective, as "just" drivetrain, brakes, wheels and suspension can take a while.

Good luck!

[tjtucker]

Thanks for the reply.

I have been around for a couple of months and some of the cars for sale are nice but I don't want to spend 15K for a project and not know what I'm really getting. Some of the completed cars are nice but I don't want to spend 75,000 to 150,000 either.
I should have purchased the DriverZInc. 55 Shoebox for 37,000 but it sold before I saw the add.

Anyway, is it better to do a full frame car are a Air Ride car?

TJ

[Jim Nilsen]

I would get the 69 for many reasons but the main one is that you want it for a DD and that puts you at a different insurance situation and accident risk. If you wreck the 69 or someone hits you, you stand a better chance of getting it fixed than totalled. Finding all of the parts for a 69 is easy. Finding ALL of the parts for early 2nd gens is not as easy.

Either car is a good choice, goodluck.