Take a Late '70's early to mid 80's car with a decent body and interior, preferably rear drive, and update it with new powertrain and suspension. Cheaper than most of the smallest and cheapest coming from The Big Three. Easier to take care of yourself and you'll be recycling to boot. Obviously some will be in better shape than others because of who had these cars new. For the most part the Montie SS's will be worse off than say a Grand Prix LS for the simple reason that "Grown-ups" bought the GP, Regal(non GN,GNX OR T-Type) Cutlass Supreme, where as the Montie was more for the Hot Rodder. Same for the Wagons which were cut short because of the Mini-Van. These bodies are ripe for restification and honestly I don't think the A-Bodies (Caprice, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE, BonnieS, Deltas and Buick's version) are that far behind. After all, most of the cars sold today are More Doors. Ford and Chrysler embraced the front runners early, so there isn't that large of a selection from them. The Aftermarket is swamped with crate systems that would make these cars perform to today's standards for far less than a NEW car. I won't even mention the ride difference.
I posted this idea as an opinion after reading an article about the new stuff coming from Detroit or rather their designs, not gonna go there. Anyway, I got nothing but HAMMERED! People were telling me that it's not a viable option. REALLY? If that is true then how come the Aftermarket is the only industry that took the smallest hit when the economy tanked? I know we lost some shops and companies but overall they weathered the storm the better than others. I know most of us rarely use the cars we build for Daily Drivers but we are Modernizing these cars never the less. Even if we go back stock, the way stuff is made today, as far as engines, trannies and suspensions go, is WAY better than what came on these cars when new. The biggest draw back that I could figure was the fact that most of us can't finance a "restification" over 5 years. Tell me what you guys think. I know that when my Wagon comes home she will be my Daily Driver. Or at least what I drive when I'm not on the bike. That's why I got her and that's what I'll use her for since the only time I really go anywhere is to pay bills and run errands.
I posted this idea as an opinion after reading an article about the new stuff coming from Detroit or rather their designs, not gonna go there. Anyway, I got nothing but HAMMERED! People were telling me that it's not a viable option. REALLY? If that is true then how come the Aftermarket is the only industry that took the smallest hit when the economy tanked? I know we lost some shops and companies but overall they weathered the storm the better than others. I know most of us rarely use the cars we build for Daily Drivers but we are Modernizing these cars never the less. Even if we go back stock, the way stuff is made today, as far as engines, trannies and suspensions go, is WAY better than what came on these cars when new. The biggest draw back that I could figure was the fact that most of us can't finance a "restification" over 5 years. Tell me what you guys think. I know that when my Wagon comes home she will be my Daily Driver. Or at least what I drive when I'm not on the bike. That's why I got her and that's what I'll use her for since the only time I really go anywhere is to pay bills and run errands.
