Need help picking first Project Car.

[mez6266]

I am looking into starting a project car for me and my son to work on when he is back from school. Neither one of us has tackled a full teardown and rebuild of a car, but think it would be fun. This car would be for weekend rides or maybe a summer car but would never race or show. We both love the older pony cars but it seams the total cost would be as much as a new Camano. I would like to rebuild a sporty looking car for under $10,000. Since this would be a learning project I don’t want something too exotic or a car that would be hard to get parts for. Any help in what to look at or things to keep in mind? I also would like a recommendation on a good book about restoring cars or trucks.

Thanks
Dad

[cees67]

if your heart isnt set on any particular car or brand, a great entry level relatively cheap car would be a fox body mustang imo. I know it isnt a classic but it has an aftermarket parts selection like no other and a wealth of information on line can be found . They are easy to set up for entry level drag racing, road racing , auto crossing etc and the resale value holds up as well ..... that is my 2 cents. good luck!!

[Yoda4561]

I am looking into starting a project car for me and my son to work on when he is back from school. Neither one of us has tackled a full teardown and rebuild of a car, but think it would be fun. This car would be for weekend rides or maybe a summer car but would never race or show. We both love the older pony cars but it seams the total cost would be as much as a new Camano. I would like to rebuild a sporty looking car for under $10,000. Since this would be a learning project I don’t want something too exotic or a car that would be hard to get parts for. Any help in what to look at or things to keep in mind? I also would like a recommendation on a good book about restoring cars or trucks.

Thanks
Dad

It's not impossible to build a nice project car for under 10 grand, but it won't have all the latest fancy parts, and you'll need to do almost all the work yourself (labor is $$$$$). 2nd / 3rd gen camaros and firebirds are still pretty affordable, and both can make a great base for a project car. Once you pick a car, take your time shopping for one and get the cleanest car you can afford given your project budget, since body and interior work are some of the more expensive things you may need to source out. Probably most important regardless of what car you choose, have a good plan laid out, goals for the car, parts you want to use, and get it all on paper before you buy a single part. While stuff is almost certain to change, it's good to see it all in once place so you don't end up with a mish mash of stuff that doesn't work well together.

[mez6266]

Thank for the fast reply.
What year do I look at for a fox body mustang?

[Taman]

I see 70's Trans AM selling for $5k. As for Mustangs. Any tear between 87-93. Roller cams and headders are stock. Find someones project that is unfinished. You'll pay $.50 on the dollar.

[joemac]

Thank for the fast reply.
What year do I look at for a fox body mustang?

87-93 are the bread and butter years. They started in '79 though and '79-'86 also accept all the same parts. You can also find '94 up mustangs cheap if you like a little newer body style and they use most of the same parts and have a huge aftermarket following as well.

Are you partial to a particular brand or make? This might help your cause. There are an awful lot of choices out there.

[srh3trinity]

An early fox body Mustang would be cool, the one's that a lot of people call bug-eyes. They have great aftermarket support and a late 70's/early 80's model would be cool and unique. I have been watching for the right second gen TA/Firebird to wrench on. I will pounce on the right one when I see it. The hunt is part of the fun, and the second gen aftermarket is improving while I am waiting/watching.

[BrianJ]

I've never heard of anyone ever call the early ones "bugeyes", only 4 eyed mustangs.

[MrQuick]

Dad, please stay away from Buick and Mopars. Do you wallet a favor and stick with Chevy's and Fords.

Early Chevelles are great choice, full frame, a lot of aftermarket parts available, large engine options and they are worth a little when done. Sporty looking, not so much.

There were a few rust free projects on ebay and craigslist recently for under 5k. A project car provides a better base, they are usually blasted, rust has been uncovered already, parts are usually disassembled and labled. Plus you might get some new parts included. Make sure the glass is there.

If you buy an assembled car you never know what you get till you start ripping stuff out and stripping paint. The scary time is when you remove the carpet, fenders and windshields. Although tearing apart the car is so much more fun that assembling them. Then the project would depend on initial purchase price.

Good luck

Vince

[Lowend]

A C4 Corvette could be a great project. They are pretty common, parts are still out there, and when it's done; you'll have a very fast toy.
Earlier muscle cars are getting too expensive to start with.

Look at an '89-96 with a 6-speed

[DarkBuddha]

A C4 Corvette could be a great project. They are pretty common, parts are still out there, and when it's done; you'll have a very fast toy.
Earlier muscle cars are getting too expensive to start with.

Look at an '89-96 with a 6-speed
Good choice... I've been looking at 'em myself since I saw a beat down '92 sell for $2100. It wasn't pretty and it needed a ton of work, but it did run and drive. That's a lot of car for $2100!

[JohnUlaszek]

Good choice... I've been looking at 'em myself since I saw a beat down '92 sell for $2100. It wasn't pretty and it needed a ton of work, but it did run and drive. That's a lot of car for $2100!

And it's already got "Corvette" suspension.

[Tom Welch]

68-72 Novas are all over the web and penny saver type papers

[srh3trinity]

I've never heard of anyone ever call the early ones "bugeyes", only 4 eyed mustangs.

You are right, 4 eyes. I was thinking of the "bug eyed" Sprite

[Restomod]

You aint lookin hard enough,,,,,,
http://bham.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=127&subAreaID=&query=project+car&catAbbreviation=sss
LOTS of great stuff local to you!

[dropit69]

second gens can be had fairly cheap i sold a nice clean 74 roller for 1200...and a 72 roller for 2700...they are out there..hit the paper ..craigslist and take a drive out and about..

[Lowend]

Oh oh
My buddy is still trying to sell his supercharged 5.0
It's a complete monster, but has been sitting basically for 10 years.
Everything should probably be gone through, but the car is all there.
$4500

[cees67]

Thank for the fast reply.
What year do I look at for a fox body mustang?
joe mac hit it on the head ....79-93 are pretty interchangeable
*79-85- still carburated but are getting harder to find clean and the ones that are, are usually pricier more collector oriented 85 being the most potent

*86 -same body as the 85 first year of efi (speed density) which is not as accepting to heavy engine modifacations ie big cam, intake etc

*87-93 -all efi aero nose (most popular) 87-88 still speed density but great out of box performance. 89-93 mass air cars anything goes for the most part

as stated 79-93 pretty much everything is interchangeable.....that is a REAL quick rundown .. have FUN!!!

[2Bad4Ya]

My personal preference on the fox body mustangs is the 1986 body, dunno but I think that front end switch from the mesh grille to slotted opening looked great. I am biased though, I had a 86 white GT wit hthe flat black GT hood stripe and black side moulding. Tinted the windows and put some black centered wheels on it and it looked way cool back in the day.

oops... sorry I started day dreaming there.

I would look for a early to mid 80's model that has a solid body and bad engine or interior. You can then drop in your own motor and piece into it a nice interior.

These things are what keep the local thrifty nickel in publication I think!

[1badchevelle]

El camino's have always be a bit less expensive and fun to drive. Pleanty of parts. Hell I gave 2 way last year(69 and a 72)

[Lowend]

Psst
It's still for sale
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61594

[mez6266]

Thank you all for the Great info
Regarding which make/model
I like all the generation Camaro except maybe the 2 & love the entire line of Corvette but didn’t think it was in my price range.
One thing I am seeing is that a lot of the nicer cars are down south (Live in Upstate NY) & I don’t know how I would get a project back up here. What would it cost to haul a car say 500 miles?

[cheapthrillz]

Look at the early Monte Carlos also. That would be a fun budget build. Also third gen f-bodies can be made to look very good and perform well. There is one for sale local to me that is an all original 86 IROC with only 60k miles on it. The interior still looks brand new. They are out there, you just have to look and be patient. Might have to travel a ways to get what you want though..... Good luck!

[CHILI442]

What about a mid to late 70s Corvette? I see really clean ones go for 10 grand all the time, and if they're not near perfect, you can get them for a good price.

You got a V8, rear wheel drive platform that looks cool and gets the chicks moist.

[fordsbyjay]

One thing I am seeing is that a lot of the nicer cars are down south (Live in Upstate NY) & I don’t know how I would get a project back up here. What would it cost to haul a car say 500 miles?

It cost me $1000 to ship my Falcon from Wisconsin to Louisiana. Buy a better southern car could save you a lot more than $1000 in the long run.

[80proZ]

i picked my 81 z up for $5k.As of right now i have about $6500 in it total.Its also my DD.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[srh3trinity]

That Camaro looks great for 6.5K (or for 15K). Any plans to bring the stance down a bit?

[dadto2jays]

you can still get a chevy c-10 relatively on the cheap side 1k-3k and go from there, I did not read if you wanted a truck but I tell you they are great, easy to fix and if you ever decide to get rid of it you will not get a beating on how much you spent.

Specially 67-72 or 73-87 maybe check out
www.67-72chevytrucks.com (http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com)

[joemac]

you can still get a chevy c-10 relatively on the cheap side 1k-3k and go from there, I did not read if you wanted a truck but I tell you they are great, easy to fix and if you ever decide to get rid of it you will not get a beating on how much you spent.

Specially 67-72 or 73-87 maybe check out
www.67-72chevytrucks.com (http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com)

Yes trucks are a good value and a cool project. They have really big engine compartments that can take any power plant you choose and have plenty of room underneath to work on things. They also have a full frame. Think of them as a roadster with a really big trunk. They also keep their utilitarian value with extensive mods and properly set up can hold their own with most of the stuff out there.

[johncolvin]

You know, nothing is cooler than a Corvette. I'm a Chevelle guy, but have owned Corvettes in the past. I've seen lots and lots of Vettes autocross and the C3 handles better than most C4 Vettes (and I think are easier to get in an out of). You can get post '72 Vette for a pretty good price. Freshen the bushings and balljoints and work out any engine issues and you would have something pretty cool. The C5 is still my favorite, but might be a little $$$ still.

Someone mentioned before, find a project someone started and take it off their hands for cheap. Typicaly the builder buys most of the stuff up front that goes with the car - they just lose the drive. My next project is a 60's wagon or the '69 GTO convertable I'm trying to get off my neighbor.