Question for the PT crowd?

[Bill Howell]

I read your post and thought I would chime in. I am certainly one that thinks outside the box so first, I am glad to see others do it.
I would suggest this, if you really want a car you can track and compete with, this is not the right choice. I have spent way too much money on my 72 Charger, but finally realized that I just can not overcome the weight and more importantly, length of my car. If you want a touring car, that will get looks, be different and be a blast to drive, you are dead on the money here. My first build, 65 GTO convert, was just that, never meant to be on a track, but certainly was the best road trip hotrod I have ever had. ridetech setup, with bags and swaybars would probably be all you need suspension wise and will ride like a dream. Late model drive train, mini tub and you are done.

[Off Duty]

Bill,

Thanks for chiming in.
I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions, and the professionals like yourself and Bulldawg above, just confirm to me that I'm on the right track.

I'm not going to fool myself into believing that this is a "track car" by any stretch of the imagination.
A 1/4 miler, with a LOT of work, maybe, but never anything that would be competitive in a short, twisty course

You've pretty much nailed the purpose of this build.

I want to be able to load the wife, grandbaby, and some luggage, get in, turn the key, and drive to California if I so desire!
All without having to worry so much about dependability and reliability, and be able to do so in comfort and "style."

Yeah, I like to turn heads
A friend of mine once said, "you've always had an 'interesting' car"

I've had some boats in my day too, from a 63 Impala SS, and a 71 Superbee through 2- 77 Grand Prix's.
I like the comfort and styling and the ROOM.

I've also spent my time hauling a 2000 Z28 and an 87 Corvette through the cones on more than one occasion, and trained multitudes of officers to do similar crap with fully equipped patrol vehicles, from dodges to Crown Vic's.
Even had an undercover Jag thrown in the mix...( what a pig at low speeds and in tight turns!)

As for the weight and size of this thing, a lot of that can be addresses with "special materials."
Then again, how much coin do you put into a rig, and what do you want to lose in the compromise?

My true loves are the 2nd Gen Camaro's and Firebirds.
The one's I've seen here and on Nasty Z28 make me
One day, I'll build one, and it'll be a weekend, track/show/fun car.
If it goes cross country, it'll do so on the back of a trailer

But for now, I'll be happy just being a little "different", cruising the coutryside, and occasionally blowing the doors off some poor unsuspecting fool with "grandpa's" hot rod....

As a final note, I have some of the folks here to thank, or to blame, for my sudden change of direction

After seeing several of the "heavy metal" rides done up in PT style on the board, the bug bit.

I actually started looking for another 63 Impala.
Later I looked at the 60's Impy's and Biscayne's, and even started looking at the real heavy iron, the 50's model Fords, Chrysler's, Chevy's and Pontiac's.
My parents had a 56 Pontiac Chieftain as I was growing up, and my dad had a sweet Bonneville 4 door.
The thought of revisiting my childhood was definitely there.

Then one day, while randomly perusing porn, uh, I mean cars, I ran across a 65 T-bird.
It was nothing special, but it hit me like a brick....That's it!!

No one does them (thus the different theme), they're cheap (as compared to a 2nd gen Camaro/Firebird) and they're BIG & HEAVY...everything you'd want in a Pro-Touring machine, right?

So there you have it.

Thanks for all the support and suggestions.
Please, keep it coming.

As soon as I make a decision, I'll post the pics and start a thread.......this is gonna be fun...I think?..