Another muscle car question...

DanicaFreak

DanicaFreak

She's crazy.
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@Johali @BobbyFord

Affordability of a daily driver muscle car. Remember I live in the rust belt, so this would be a summer only car. Im dreaming here, but any car stand out as being relatively easy to maintain?
 
DanicaFreak said:
@Johali @BobbyFord

Affordability of a daily driver muscle car. Remember I live in the rust belt, so this would be a summer only car. Im dreaming here, but any car stand out as being relatively easy to maintain?
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Not that I can think of in this day and age unless you go back to pre 1975. The ford Torino's were built really well.
 
DanicaFreak said:
@Johali @BobbyFord

Affordability of a daily driver muscle car. Remember I live in the rust belt, so this would be a summer only car. Im dreaming here, but any car stand out as being relatively easy to maintain?
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Any of the older V8s are easy to work on. I’m not sure about availability of cars or parts up there.
Small block Chevrolet parts are abundant and affordable. The cars are getting less and less affordable to purchase.
The televised automobile auctions are driving up the prices of “yard or barn finds.” People see the auction prices these cars are bringing and they think the car that has been sitting in their backyard for the last 30 years is just as valuable. They don’t grasp the concept of how much time and money goes into restoring a vehicle to that level.
Buying right is also key. You don’t want to buy a rust bucket or bondo bucket.
 
BobbyFord said:
Any of the older V8s are easy to work on. I’m not sure about availability of cars or parts up there.
Small block Chevrolet parts are abundant and affordable. The cars are getting less and less affordable to purchase.
The televised automobile auctions are driving up the prices of “yard or barn finds.” People see the auction prices these cars are bringing and they think the car that has been sitting in their backyard for the last 30 years is just as valuable. They don’t grasp the concept of how much time and money goes into restoring a vehicle to that level.
Buying right is also key. You don’t want to buy a rust bucket or bondo bucket.
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You make alot of sense both you and gator. I remember looking in one of those old V8 engine bays,..they are sooo empty....compared with todays jammed packed engine bays
 
not a muscle car, but are the air cooled older bugs easy to work on? or are they just a pain? I have read conflicing info.

Im dreaming of a by gone era.
 
DanicaFreak said:
not a muscle car, but are the air cooled older bugs easy to work on? or are they just a pain? I have read conflicing info.

Im dreaming of a by gone era.
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I had a good friend that was a VW mechanic at a garage/service station in the late 60's and through the 70s. He always said that It would take less than 8 hours to do anything to a beetle. Engine rebuild? Done. New jugs pistons and rods? Done. Install another engine? Done.
 
Johali said:
I had a good friend that was a VW mechanic at a garage/service station in the late 60's and through the 70s. He always said that It would take less than 8 hours to do anything to a beetle. Engine rebuild? Done. New jugs pistons and rods? Done. Install another engine? Done.
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Some of these little Beetles are worth a lot of money depending on the year.
Karmann Ghias are valuable...
Type 3 Notchback Sedans, Type 3 Fastbacks...
Micro buses...
Type 34 Razor Edge Karmann Ghia is a pretty cool looking car...
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/01/volkswagens-other-karmann-ghia-the-type-34/
 
http://www.classicvwbugs.com/contact-us/the-classic-vw-bug-shop/
35k for one that was in good condition before restoration. Up to 65k for a rust bucket\ restoration
Steve owned Farmers Fabulous Fix-it Factory, His shop was just down the road from URI and he specialized in bugs. College kids loved bugs. He kept engines on the shelf and would R&R a motor in just a hour or two, then rebuild the one he took out for the next guy. He'd do a few every week.
 
Bobw said:
http://www.classicvwbugs.com/contact-us/the-classic-vw-bug-shop/
35k for one that was in good condition before restoration. Up to 65k for a rust bucket\ restoration
Steve owned Farmers Fabulous Fix-it Factory, His shop was just down the road from URI and he specialized in bugs. College kids loved bugs. He kept engines on the shelf and would R&R a motor in just a hour or two, then rebuild the one he took out for the next guy. He'd do a few every week.
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5 bolts, one fuel line and a small wire harness are all that’s required to remove to drop the motor on a vintage Bug. We would lift the car on the rack, unbolt the motor and then set the car back down with an upside-down 16 gallon grease barrel under the block, raise the car back up and the motor stayed in the barrel. :)
 
BobbyFord said:
5 bolts, one fuel line and a small wire harness are all that’s required to remove to drop the motor on a vintage Bug. We would lift the car on the rack, unbolt the motor and then set the car back down with an upside-down 16 gallon grease barrel under the block, raise the car back up and the motor stayed in the barrel. :)
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Mike had an air jack of some kind that he used. Took the weight off, unhooked it, dropped it down and rolled it over by the work bench.
 
DF, some important questions to ask is what's your budget? Another is how much work can you do?
I watch the Mecum auctions. I've seen some very nice cars go for not much money. Just something else to think about.
 
Depends on what your definition of musclecar is. You talking late 60s early 70s, or something later, like 3rd gen F-body’s ( 80s camaro/firebirds ) or late 80s early 90s mustangs?

Early stuff is really easy to work on but the base car can cost a lot of $$. Later stuff will/could be less expensive to initially purchase but parts and maintenance can be more money. In a nutshell - carbs and distributors vs computers and fuel injection.

A later 70s firebird or camaro might be had for decent money, not hateful, and still cheap to work on. Same goes for late 80s early 90s mustang. Would need to avoid rust buckets and ones that have been thrashed. Mustangs especially, people loved to throw every aftermarket go-fast goody on those things.
 
Bobw said:
I watch the Mecum auctions. I've seen some very nice cars go for not much money. Just something else to think about.
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Yep.

Sure, a '69 Camaro or a '70 Chevelle or whatever will typically fetch a good amount, but there are plenty of less popular options for affordable prices.

I came across this car on my local craigslist yesterday. Just one example of what looks like a nice car for not a lot of money.....

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/71-pontiac-ventura-ii-super/6716213193.html

It's easy to find good deals at car shows (GoodGuys etc) as well. If you're looking for something a little more modern (fuel injection, better suspension/brakes/etc) you can't go wrong with a foxbody Mustang or a 3rd gen F-body. Or a G-body, whatever your preference is. Lots of reliable choices that are cheap and easy to work on.
 
Bobw said:
DF, some important questions to ask is what's your budget? Another is how much work can you do?
I watch the Mecum auctions. I've seen some very nice cars go for not much money. Just something else to think about.
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more of a dreaming thing now...gathering research but budget would be about 5-10K
 
The Ventura 2 sweet listed would be a excellent vehicle
for you! Fits your budget too. Pack your bags! Git'er done!,
FWIW The Ventura is a Chevy Nova with different grille and tail lights. minor cosmetic changes IIRC.
 
2 Sweet said:
Yep.

Sure, a '69 Camaro …..
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This is a twin of the one I bought new when I got out of the service. I did put Cragar SS wheels on it. Just under 4k IIRC, sure wish I still had it.
th
 
Bobw said:
The Ventura 2 sweet listed would be a excellent vehicle
for you! Fits your budget too. Pack your bags! Git'er done!,
FWIW The Ventura is a Chevy Nova with different grille and tail lights. minor cosmetic changes IIRC.
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1280px-1960_Pontiac_Ventura.jpg






OMG..............love that car
 
That Ventura was nice....price not too bad either. One could, if they chose to, clone that into a GTO. Some purests frown on that practice tho. I say if you want to for personal reasons, have at it.

However, as a person who has owned/worked on Pontiacs since senior year in HS, double the price on just about everything except spark plugs and tires, lol. If they have corporate engines, it’s not as bad.
 
I had been looking for a classic car for several years. I traveled 400 miles to look at an AMX and discovered the picture on the internet was nicer than the car looked in person. I'd recommend to find a car locally so you can check it out. I wouldn't want to drive a classic car as a daily driver, the most basic modern car is more capable than a 50 year old car. Watch Mecum auctions to get an idea what might be in your price range (set up an account and search to see what cars sold for in previous auctions - they don't spam you). The rule is to buy what you like.

About a year ago I bought a '65 Thunderbird with 48k miles, it's a survivor. The car had sat a long time and for the first summer I had it, it spent a lot of time in the shop getting leaks taken car of, power brakes fixed, the carburetor rebuilt, and power steering fixed (my car repair skills fell into disuse decades ago). So keep in mind you will have to service an old car. This T-bird has a 390 4 barrel and came with glasspacks (which is loud for a luxury car- but the V8 sounds good when the glasspacks warm up). I got to enjoy it this summer. I take it out every couple of weeks, it is reliable now. (This year of T-bird is not popular and inexpensive).

Thunderbird 65 teal front34.jpg


The dash is what got me to go look at the car.

Thunderbird 65 interior teal1.jpg
 
Zerkfitting said:
I had been looking for a classic car for several years. I traveled 400 miles to look at an AMX and discovered the picture on the internet was nicer than the car looked in person. I'd recommend to find a car locally so you can check it out. I wouldn't want to drive a classic car as a daily driver, the most basic modern car is more capable than a 50 year old car. Watch Mecum auctions to get an idea what might be in your price range (set up an account and search to see what cars sold for in previous auctions - they don't spam you). The rule is to buy what you like.

About a year ago I bought a '65 Thunderbird with 48k miles, it's a survivor. The car had sat a long time and for the first summer I had it, it spent a lot of time in the shop getting leaks taken car of, power brakes fixed, the carburetor rebuilt, and power steering fixed (my car repair skills fell into disuse decades ago). So keep in mind you will have to service an old car. This T-bird has a 390 4 barrel and came with glasspacks (which is loud for a luxury car- but the V8 sounds good when the glasspacks warm up). I got to enjoy it this summer. I take it out every couple of weeks, it is reliable now. (This year of T-bird is not popular and inexpensive).

View attachment 36597

The dash is what got me to go look at the car.

View attachment 36598
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I know where there is a yellow 100% original, rust free, garage kept 390 AMX. I’ll try to get a picture of it tomorrow.
 
BobbyFord said:
I'm going to see if this guy wants to sell this car. I'm sure he has a price. My buddy wants it. If he doesn't get it, I'll try to buy it.
As promised...Completely original, except for the serviceable items like tires, belts, hoses, etc...Original black plates.
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Oh, does that bring memories of my younger days. We didn't have the AMX --- just the Javelin. It would haul the mail.
Had the biggest engine you could get. Red, with white vinyl top --- wide white stripes down the side. Just wicked fast.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Oh, does that bring memories of my younger days. We didn't have the AMX --- just the Javelin. It would haul the mail.
Had the biggest engine you could get. Red, with white vinyl top --- wide white stripes down the side. Just wicked fast.
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These cars in this condition are rare. Great car.
My friend that wants the car had three Javelins. Nice light cars with big motors. What’s not to like? :D
 
@Zerkfitting Does your 'Bird have the swing away steering wheel?

DF, yesterday Mecum auctioned off a '32 street rod. Typical '32 with a small block Chevy but it's not a original steel body, a repo fiberglass body. Looked good on TV. $18k
 
BobbyFord said:
I'm going to see if this guy wants to sell this car. I'm sure he has a price. My buddy wants it. If he doesn't get it, I'll try to buy it.
As promised...Completely original, except for the serviceable items like tires, belts, hoses, etc...Original black plates.
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What's the motor? Does it run?
 
Bobw said:
DF, yesterday Mecum auctioned off a '32 street rod. Typical '32 with a small block Chevy but it's not a original steel body, a repo fiberglass body. Looked good on TV. $18k
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Yep, I Like that feature (it works well). There are no turn signals in the dash - the ones on the fenders are the turn signals. It doesn't have a glove box, the center console is the glove compartment. And it has the sequential turn signals.
 
BobbyFord said:
I'm going to see if this guy wants to sell this car. I'm sure he has a price. My buddy wants it. If he doesn't get it, I'll try to buy it.
As promised...Completely original, except for the serviceable items like tires, belts, hoses, etc...Original black plates.
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When I bought a new '71 Gremlin, I was shown a 2 year old AMX that I passed on - I've regretted that decision ever since. (The Gremlin was a better car than the Pintos and Vegas that friends bought).
 
Local guy had one of these, The Rambler SC

3817422-1969-amc-s-c-rambler-scrambler-std-c.jpg

13763717-1969-amc-sc-rambler-srcset-retina-xxl.jpg

IMHO it was a Chevy II with a 390. Trying to remember but I don't think it had a back seat, just a carpeted area back there.
 
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I had a 1964 VW Type 3 Notchback but only for a short time. My timing was bad - not long after I got it a job change forced me to move and I couldn't afford to take all my toys so I sold it. Floorboards and rocker panels were rusted out, but all of the hard-to-find notchback body parts were good and solid. The floorboards and rockers could have been fixed with easier to obtain fastback body parts.

Since I'm a Pontiac guy I lean towards mid to late 1960s Ponchos, usually the intermediate bodies. Since the Pontiac V8s from back then all have the same outside dimensions despite their displacement, it is easy to swap in bigger engines. The Pontiac 400 is a good engine to bore out to 455 cubes, and you can turn it faster because the 400 has smaller crank bearing surfaces than the true 455 does. You can also get a Tempest or LeMans body relatively cheap and build it into a GTO killer that the kids think is an actual GTO.

Many modern cars have more horsepower than the old 1960s - 1970s muscle cars, and run circles around them in handling, but it's true that the old cars are simpler and have more space to work with. And there are suspension kits available to correct their geometry so you can hang in the turns with the newer stuff.
 
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