Budget pro-touring platform--ideas?

[Boyd]

Of course, I'm partial, but in my mind you can't beat a mid to late second gen F-body for affordability and parts availability. Look at what PHR has been able to do with their Project g/28.

Stick with a late 70's Trans Am. You can still find them dirt cheap and I think that of all the mid to late second gen's (except for the 73-75 SD TA's), they will increase in value and desireablity the most.

Currently, I have a very straight '78 Type LT that I'm into so far for less than $6k including the cost of the car. I have upgraded the front discs to third gen 1LE 12" rotors. Van calipers, D61 police pads, Kore3 brake hoses. I stayed with drums in the rear to be able to keep my stock MC and prop. valve, but I upgraded them to 11" drums from the mid-70's station wagon/cop car heavy duty brake package. I have SpeedTech Upper control arms, Moog 5610 coil springs, all new PST front end components, 1-5/16th Hellwig swaybar, Hotchkiss Springs in the rear with a Global West Del-A-Lum shackle kit. I did the Herb Adams mod on the front spring perches, KYB gas-a-just shocks on all four corners. I also added Pro-touring F-body aluminum body bushings. And I have 17x9 wheels all around with new Falken tires. Engine and Trans is next, but even when you combine those with the cost of paint and body (which will be last) I won't be in to the car for more than $12k. With that said though, I have done/will do all of the work myself and I started with a very clean car. The car will need minimal body work (I have paint and body experience) and with the exception of swapping out the front buckets for some Jeg's Sport seats, the interior is nearly perfect and won't eat in to my budget.