The Perfect Auto-X/Road Course Car...

[cheapthrillz]

Hey guys, I have been thinking about a car strictly for auto-x/road race. My future wife is showing interest in our hobby (I promise I'm not trying to push her into it) and I thought that I would take advantage of this oportunity to help her decide on a good car to build and race. The intentions would be to find a good stock/slightly modified platform that I could help her build as her driving skills increase. I feel like sharing a hobby would give us things to do together on the weekends and such.

So the question would be, what would make a good racecar? The criteria would be:
- nothing with a super high initial investment (aka. 1st gen, etc.)
- a good platform to build on (doesn't have to be a PROVEN platform though)
- obtainable parts (no oddball rare cars)
- decent styling (of course.... to a female's liking)

So here are a few of the cars I have in mind:

Her No. 1 choice:


Corvairs:


Porsche 914's:


Late 2nd gen f-body (or maybe 3rd gen):



Anybody have anyother good candidates?

[jy211]

why not a 4th Gen? Pleanty of power, many options for bolt on's.

[silver69camaro]

Reading your thread, I think a E36 M3 or a modified Miata would be the way to go. It meets every point on your criteria list.

[John Wright]

Miata?


edit: whoops faster typer^^^^

[cheapthrillz]

why not a 4th Gen? Pleanty of power, many options for bolt on's.

I was trying to stick to older cars..... mainly because they start off less complicated and anybody (with some skill) can take a newer camaro/miata/corvette to the track and perform decent. Also, she just likes older cars for some reason lol! The car she really wants is a 70 cuda or challenger, but I had to explain to her that those cars are very expensive...... very.

[John Wright]

changing directions quickly is alot easier on the wallet when the car is fairly light to start with...

[vintageracer]

Porsche 914's are cheap to buy, VERY fast and handle superbly when modded. Generally faster than most 911's in vintage racing.

An aluminum LS in the middle and away you go!!!!

[montessaj]

How about a nice G-body? Monte Carlo, Malibu, Regal, Cutlass?.. Great cars, and they can be made to handle. The aftermarket for these cars is growing quickly. Think about it..... No seriously.

[cheapthrillz]

Wow, you guys are posting faster than I can read/reply.

Matt: I like the idea of the E36 M3 and I know the performance level of BMW's in general, but parts are not cheap for them, and I would be afraid to modify it too much because they make such good street cars also.

Miatas are great little cars and highly raced everywhere all the time. I just don't think I'm ready to jump on the Mazda band wagon.

John: I agree, lighter is better, which is what I told her. Her response was "mini cooper?" lol

Mike: I love the 914's! And I think she does too after going to the Mitty this year.

Andy: I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I suggested g-body's and she said something along the lines of "grandpa's car". I like them though!

[Bryce]

You will probably have to completely different setups between road racing and autoXing. So a car that can be set up with easy adjustability. Also a really stiff chassis and lightweight will be key.

[cheapthrillz]

You will probably have to completely different setups between road racing and autoXing. So a car that can be set up with easy adjustability. Also a really stiff chassis and lightweight will be key.

The plan will be to start with a stock or slightly modified car and let her run some auto-x and road courses. Whichever she decides that she likes the most, we will build the car for that particular racing. Depending on how much she likes it (and her skill), we will build the car to be more competitive.

[chr2002ca]

I think your first choice, the Mustang, is the best one. I watched a 1st gen Mustang rip up the Del Mar Goodguys Autocross and it came in 1st or 2nd, maybe 2nd. I believe a 1st gen Mustang also did quite well at the optima Shootout. It's a light-weight car, rather inexpensive, usually easy to find, plenty of parts, etc. Plus, it's a classic and good looking. I don't think you can go wrong there.

[joe5.8]

im partial to the fox body mustangs there is a ton of aftermarket

and you can get one pretty cheep

and if you lucky can get on with mini tubs already installed

racingjunk.com has a bunch from factoy 4 banger to all out road course cars

like this one
http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...car-quot-.html

[406 Q-ship]

How about a C4 Corvette? Get a 1988 or later for the improved suspension geometry, they are cheap and easy to drive. There are a ton of mods that can be done for them too. 1st choice would be the 1992 up with the LT1 engines, the 1988 to 1991 are good too but less power but they have the ZF 6 speed trans that can be a white elephant (1988 had the Doug Nash 4+3). The 2nd choice for me would be the 1986 or 1987 model years, better frames but they don't have the zero scrub suspension design. Stay away from the 1984 and early 1986 models they have the iron cyclinder heads and weakest frames of all the C4 Vettes.

I want to get a 1988 with a manual for a track car, yank the engine and trans then replace with a LS3/TKO600. 1988 is the only model year that came from GM with a real black interior too.

[silver69camaro]

Looking at the parts I've purchased for the Camaro, I'd say a BMW is similiar if not cheaper in price. Especially if you look at initial investment costs.

Remember: The car you can afford to race is the car you can afford to stuff into a wall and walk away from. That's why Miatas and old Bimmers are the choice of most racers.

[BA.]

The 914 up there looks cool!
The 944's are also easy to find, and do well from the git-go. Rock solid engines.


I also have to agree with Joe5.8, those Fox body Mustangs look good, are plentiful, cheap, and have LOTS of parts availability.

65-66 Mustang NOTCHbacks are a dime a dozen too....and light,...but would need all the parts as it gives you nothing. Lots of parts available.

[joe5.8]

some links to aftermarket road race suspention for fox bodys

http://www.griggsracing.com/

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/

http://www.steeda.com/

http://www.uprproducts.com/

http://www.mustangdepot.com/

http://www.racecraft.com/index.php?m...d=15&chapter=1

http://www.ajeracing.com/

[mikedc]

I would also vote for the early Mustang. I'm not really even a big Mustang guy but it fits the bill here.

The 67/68 notchback will get you all the aftermarket & benefits of those model-years without the larger bill for the fastback roof.


You probably want a very lightweight car more than a very powerful car. And I would concentrate on improving the stiffness of the unibody itself before adding stiffness to the springs/shocks/sways.

[sittingonacouch]

I vote for the 914 or 944, but I'm a huge Porsche fan.

[TonyHuntimer]

If you want older iron...2nd gen Camaros and Firebirds...from the factory, much better than first gens.

3rd and 4th gen F-Bodies are great too, but now you're getting newer.

911's are great. Fox body Mustangs are good because the crowd that races them is mostly cheap@$$ hobby racers who get the most for their money and really have figured "it" all out for you.

How about a Vega or Monza? The lighter car that you find, the less power you need...which also means that you'll break less parts.

How about an old VW Rabbit?

Tony Huntimer
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