New Concept!

[Removed user as requested]

Hey Guys,

Back from the dead.

Don't know what it is, but, as much as I like a racy feeling exotic car, there is something about American Muscle that just looks good. Yes I get totally frustrated with things going wrong with them, such as, electricals, power steering boxes leaking, oil sump leaks, differential oil leaks, then something else blowing up etc.

I hate that sort of stuff to the endth degree as I just want a damn car that I can stick the key in and drive (Like an exotic) without all the issues constantly!

But, then I see an american muscle car that is restored and im like 'sigh' as I do have a soft spot for them.

My question here today is, I still have my 68 Dodge Charger however, no matter what I do/spend on that car, it will never feel racy because its so large inside.

Out of American Muscle cars, which ones would have that 'sports ride' feel once suspension etc is done on it?

I assume the Camaro's and the Mustangs given they are a lot smaller.

If my assumption is right, how do you see your mustang or camaro feeling? Does it feel like a boat or does it feel like a ferrari, low to the ground, and feels fast even though you are driving 30mph due to its design (like a ferrari).

Or is the Mustang/Camaro no different to a big Dodge, meaning, even with the hardest coil over setup etc, it still will not feel like a tight exotic car inside and still feels like your driving a bus rather than a race car?


Next:

I do have a soft spot for the Mustang Boss. Its got sporty/muscle look to it that I seem to like more than the 68 Dodge Charger. It looks racy. Can that car be set up to feel like a GT40 for example (or at least close to, tight, low, race like)?

How light have you guys made your Mustang Boss (1969)?

I would assume by the fact it is much smaller than a Dodge a 1200kg bench mark is reasonable? (given all Alloy engine etc)

That's about it from me

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Dude you crack me up. Welcome back...

[wellis77]

Not such a new concept from the last is it, just a different platform??? I doubt you'll ever get old classic muscle to "feel" like an exotic. It's just a different animal. While I haven't driven my '69 Dart yet, I will say this, it's "feels" low and wicked fast. So low, I may have to roll out of it... 10 cm to the rocker and the floor height is about another 2 cm above the rocker. I looks crazy low too. First time I rolled it out of the garage without the front clip, the guys with me began having feelings and memories of rolling stock cars out of the shop. It has a racey kind of feel sitting that low that I don't think is captured in pictures. I'm also doing all new (read modern) everything, including wiring, plumbing, etc. Once it's up, I don't ever want the car to be down for stupid things like you mentioned. My .02, I don't think you'll get an "exotic" feel out of old muscle, but I certainly think you can get a modern "racey" feel.

[TheJDMan]

Well I can tell you that my 68 Camaro with the stock suspension handled like an overloaded boat. As with most of the muscle cars of the era it was fast in a straight line and not much else. After $40k worth of suspension upgrades it will now go fast in a straight line, around corners and stops on a dime(so to speak). In short, it now feels as sporty as it looks and will surprise the hell out of an unsuspecting Corvette or Porsche driver on a twisty road like the Blue Ridge Parkway. I would not call the handling "exotic", it is not that refined. But it is most definately "sporty" and very close to a late model Corvette. That is my experience with my Camaro but I see a good number of bigger PT cars that seem to handle just as well after suspension upgrades.