I’m understandably in a project car mindset after enjoying yesterday’s “The ‘Shitbox Triangle’ And How To Pick Your First Project Car,” and though I’m in no shape to be taking on a car project more ambitious than the RC variety, I can’t help but think about what my dream project would be.
“Isn’t that the same thing as a dream car?” No, not to me. For example, a dream car for me (I have many) might be a Mustang GTD; but my dream project car is certainly some kind of Beetle or Beetle-based kit car – probably a Baja bug, like the topshot beauty on sale here. at I like those, obviously, but they also seem like something that would be fun and relatively easy to work on – just four bolts to pull the engine, no water cooling to fuss with, and all that. Mind you, in this fantasy I have a nice three-bay air-conditioned garage for cars and car projects, and all the tools and stands and lifts etc. to do it all like I’m hosting Horsepower TV or any of those other old Power Block shows.
Less interesting to me are project cars in the David Tracy mode of rusted heaps, but I gotta say, the astounding 240Z restoration series on YouTube really gets my resto-project juices flowing. I mean, look at the attention lavished on these hood hinges!
How about you? What’s your project-car dream?
Top graphic image: Beverly Hills Car Club
NA1 NSX, because the only way I could reasonably afford or justify the cost of what I consider my dream car is one that I got for cheap that needs extensive work.
I’d love to build a Shelby Cobra replica. Time & money get in the way currently…
Or V8-swap my Miata.
A good friend had a shell valley cobra kit with a 460 ford. Helped him wrench on it a bit. Easily the most frightening car I’ve ever ridden in.
Exactly the appeal!
I priced out a Factory Five roadster kit with a Coyote 5.0 many years ago (somewhere north of $40k all in with new parts?). But that’s a lot of cash to have on hand, and I have kids.
Vipers used to be that cheap, but I didn’t pull the trigger.
Hmmm Vipers. I looked into Factory Five too. But at the time with a couple of pre teens, a mortgage and a demanding job it wasn’t going to happen.
I want to convert an old dead VW Beetle into electric for driving around town. It doesn’t need range, I just want to bring smiles.
Beat me to it.
The Lightning Bug.
I have mine, a built Jeep TJ, but not the time or money to really work on it. I have built and trussed D44 axles (which in hindsight I should have just bought assembled D60s), and next on the list is a V8 swap since the 4.0L is nearing end-of-life and struggles with the big tires and heavy drivetrain. I was doing good working on it for a while, but I’m at the point where I need to buy the big items (like the engine and transmission) and have no money to do so.
My other project car dream is regular cab short bed GMT400 pickup, to make my own version of a 454SS. I missed my chance to pick up the perfect project base a few years back and have been kicking myself for not taking the opportunity now that the GMT400 trucks have rocketed in value.
I still see the “grampa ” trucks under $2k. Almost always a blue on blue early 90s k1500 with the 350. You have to the south to find them. There is probably a business buying them and selling them to their deaths up in the salty areas.
I wish that were the case in the PNW, but when I see them for sale here they are either beat to within inches of their life for $8k or pristine and they want $20k for them. Then again, up here a car that runs is almost automatically $4k, even if it is missing body panels, lights, and windows.
Most of the south it’s still $1k car / suv that runs. Truck that runs is normally $2k. Some $1k trucks still exist but probably need some work and tires before you can safely drive then.
Right now, it would be a brass-era Ford Model T speedster, or even a speedster made from some other brass-era car, although a Model T would be by far the easiest and cheapest car from that time to work with owing to how ubiquitous they were. I’ve already made a scale model version of my vision: https://www.diecastxchange.com/threads/custom-brass-era-ford-model-t-speedster.242084/?post_id=4404338#post-4404338
That looks amazing
Having just thrown myself into the Model T world I’ll say with confidence that yes, you should do this. There is no reason not to do this that I have found yet during my several weeks of ownership.
My hangups about it are that I don’t quite make enough disposable money to throw at a project that will probably end up costing $20k or more once the build is realized. I know that’s fairly cheap for a project car, but it’s still money that I don’t exactly have right now. Another problem is that I live in a condo building in a city, which means I don’t have space to keep and work on one, which would be another expense. Hopefully someday these two problems will be solved, and I can work on building one. I’d take it to local car shows and anyone who asks would be able to touch and sit in it.
How is your ownership experience though? I’m in some Model T forums and Facebook groups, and I’m always interested to know how people got into T ownership and how it’s working out.
I’ve only had it for a little under two months so mostly I’ve been revelling in the novelty of parts availability by ordering parts. Well, that and teaching myself how to install new tires on the detachable split rims of the style used on wooden wheels in 1926 and ’27 (mine’s a ’26 coupe). From what I can tell the car hadn’t seen much use or received much maintenance since the 1980s but fortunately it was garaged while sitting.
I now have everything I need to convert its tail light into a combination tail and stop light which is the last barrier to making it street-legal. I’d really rather not drive it in traffic without a brake light even if it were legal to do so here. I am, however, okay with hand signals for turns.
I’d been casually keeping an eye out for a locally available T for the last several years, inspired mostly by a combination of the idiosyncratic design and the social, economic, and historic significance of the car. I wanted a closed car because, well, Seattle weather, which reduced the available pool a bit but eventually this one turned up not too far away. So far, so good.
I like the idea of taking something that over-promised and under-delivered and make it a better version of itself. Like 70s or 80s cars that were under powered and didn’t have the advantage of modern suspension and steering advancements. I’m currently very drawn to the looks of late-70s Camaro Z28s. I’d love to take one of those and wake up the engine (or LS swap it), and tweak the suspension to help the ride and handling. There would obviously be interior tweaks to make it more livable too.
Yeah, I always wanted to do something with a mid-80s G-body coupe like that. I don’t know about full LS swap, but at least drop in a 350/TH350 combo and tighten up the suspension extensively. Everybody likes the Monte Carlo SS from that time period, but I always preferred the simplicity of the Grand Prix or the Cutlass Supreme body styles.
Fun car that’s sometimes a project: Datsun roadster.
Fun project that’s sometimes a car: LEAF-swapped Datsun pickup.
Realistic: C4 Vette, TDI swap, stanced AF 50mpg daily
Wishful Thinking: Lancia Stratos Restomod
Yes
In all seriousness, I’ve done most everything in car hackery, rebuilding and restoring. I must admit that as I’ve gotten older – later 60’s now, bodywork is less appealing and a lift of some sort to avoid rolling around of a cold hard floor is very appealing. I’ve got a circa 2000 ls400 sitting waiting in the project launch window. I selected it bc the body is clean straight and rust free. The engine and trans are DOA which suits me fine. The current plan is a mild 5.3 turbo LS swap (AL block), ( down in the back, parts, prices and availability dictated), a dodge 8HP70 8 spd auto box, maxxecu ecu, and a ford 8.8 irs swap (lsd and available gearing). I’ve also got some electronics stuff and CANBUS hackery I’d like to try out on the cars systems. Possibly rebuild the electrical system if it needs it (likely). Suspension, air susp delete, and steering rebuild and upgrade and likely go over the body to make it as good as I like and then paint it. I also might put in a new interior (something I’ve always wanted to learn to do), and a set of 350z seats, some fancy wheels and tires. No stance, low rider or other mods. Probably take a couple of years to complete. Most likely will be my last car project.
I love aircooled VWs (have six), and actually have the shop you mention (3-bays, lifts, and tons of tools). However, I get easily distracted by Marketplace and have more project cars than I’ll ever get to and really need to thin the herd. I’m never going to fix my ’69 Alfa Spider, regardless of how much I’d like to and my cold storage barn is full to bursting.
Having said that, I’d REALLY like build a Porsche 550 Spyder replica. That’s a bucket list project for me.
If you want to follow an absolutely amazing restoration on YouTube, check out GT1900garage. He’s rebuilding a rot-monster Opel GT and because he’s not a native English speaker he tells the story through captions, fantastic camera work, and music. I can’t recommend that channel enough.
Been watching that one. The guys a hero!
My mom still owns the Opel GT that was one of the vehicles I learned to drive in. My dad and I completely rebuilt the engine with all new bearings, seals and fasteners – even the carb. Have I watched some GT1900Garage? Yes, I have.
1991 CRX completely stock looking with a GTR powertrain and HICAS ported.
Make it happen, capn! They are still out there, I picked up a 90 Si Hatch for 4500 a few years ago. Stock other than coilovers and a muffler, which is fine.
I have a project right now (2001 S4) but since high school I have wanted a Grand Wagoneer, and an AE86. I have looked for both over the years, but they just seem to always be just out of reach cost wise no matter how much more I make.
Man, isn’t this the truth. I’ve always wanted to buy an 87 944 just like my dad bought when he finally ‘made it’, and they’ve always been a couple thousand more than I can afford. I get old, get raises, make more money, but the prices of them keep going up, and they’re still a couple thousand more than I can afford.
Yeah, I’m at the point now where I could afford my dream projects, but I don’t have the space to work on them. We moved into a place 9 years ago with the intent of building a garage. 4 false starts later, and I’m starting to wonder if I will ever it built without burning all my project car money on the place to build my project cars (and motorcycles). Its becoming a bit of a catch 22 that keeps me saving money, but no enjoying the fruits of my labors.
Dream: 1964 Plymouth Valiant 2 door with a Nascar cup motor (because 9000rpm V8), independent suspension, and modern creature comforts so I can road trip across the US.
There are probably 10 other weird car project ideas floating around in my head though.
VW Eurovan, fitted out to live in it and travel (No overused trendy words here)
Have bought it, now I just need the rest… but challenges with work and health have to be overcome first.
2 stroke SAAB 96 with a perfect interior so I don’t have to mess with that. Also a star trek replicator. It only has to make parts.
Interior stuff isn’t too hard to find. Brake master cylinders and front drum brake parts are nearly impossible, as are windshield wiper switches that don’t leak wiper fluid from the syringe portion:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51234362201_e994a4484e_z.jpg
Edit: I suppose the wiper switch counts as “interior stuff” especially as the leak falls directly onto the driver’s left foot.
Ford Flex
Electric Powertrain Conversion
Chopped Roof
Obviously a horrible idea…
Ambitious but cool!
A chopped roof Ford Flex would probably look a bit like the Eagle ithrust thingy that TG made
A 1960s or early 1970s GM station wagon with a straight-six and a three-on-the-tree.
I’ve already got the collector’s plates for it. I even have room for it if I get rid of my GMC Envoy – which I haven’t even started since sometime in April.
https://gmclassics.com/the-62-67-chevy-nova-wagon-model/
Citroen DS. I have no care for massive performance, give me that hydro-pneumatic suspension and a beautifully unique body shape. And a reliable source for quality spare parts.
I have 3 little kids. My ideal project car is a project someone else has completed.
My idea of a project is sending my old Mercedes to someone like Monceau in Belgium and having it completely restored, but with an EV powertrain.
1st on my list would be Cosworth DFV swapping my Pinto wagon and getting it all setup as an AutoX/Track Day car.
After that, it’s an endless list ranging from resto-modding 80’s and early 90’s Lincoln Town Cars, to Ducati swapping an Autozam AZ-1, to a Baja rebuild of the Beige Unicorn, to building a Brookville Roadster 32 Pickup with an Ardun V8… But also I think DT or Torch should go visit Brookville Roadster, it’s neat little factory in Ohio that still makes 32 Ford’s using mostly original techniques.
I’ll be the oddball here. Gimmie a 1997 Probe GT or MX-6 LS. Moreso desired but less likely to find- 1997 Volvo 855 T5-R.
Those probes look great IMO. MX-6 rear deck is a bit long. They day I bought my 850 there was a Ford Probe next to it but the paint was UV’d to hell
I do somewhat agree about the decklid on the MX6. Just a filthy c hair too long. Weirdly, I also feel like the Probe’s rear windows are just a hair too long as well. The MX definitely got the nicer interior!
I’m currently working on it. My 1973 TR6 that I’ve redone the whole interior on, and am almost done with the rebuilding of the Zenith-Stromberg carburetors and the tuning of. I’m digging into some of the missing things, like the brake failure warning light circuit and the oil pressure warning light circuit, that are for some reason, connected together on the schematic.
On my long departed TR6 I ripped out and rebuilt from scratch the entire electrical system. Best thing I ever did. Took months as it was a ground up learning experience.
I did that to my 77 MGB. I bought the looms from Moss motors, in sections, so it was ready to plug and play. My TR only has these few issues, due to previous owners removing and/or altering things, so I’ve had few issues at all in my 11 years of owning it.
I did mine from scratch. I’d heard horror stories and experienced an under dash electrical fire in a Jag E-Type at highway speed. The 6 hadn’t misbehaved but I did the wiring partially as a learning/masochistic massage thing… young and didn’t know better. I later did my 7 which was significantly more work.
All my wrenching experiences are like this, a learning opportunity.
Still enjoy it all, although true hard core rust repair and fabrication is further down the jump in with both feet list now. Been there done it, and it and I’m too old to go it again.
I do hate having to unfix bad fixes, hacks and PO’s dirty deeds.
I’ve never been particularly consistent with exact models, but conceptually, I’d love a car that makes me become the local expert on it.
At this time, I’d be ecstatic to be bequeathed some sort of mechanically confounding French/Italian car (ideally with a crucial piece of tech that nobody understands, such as Hydropneumatic suspension or Spica mechanical injection), or a first-generation RX-7 with the Nikki 4-barrel carb and Watts-link rear axle.
I love proving that you don’t need to be a certified wizard to work on unusual vehicles, and learning the ins and outs of intimidating systems is deeply rewarding.
LS swapped Porsche 944
I had an 86 944 and spent enough on belt changes and broken Porsche parts, an LS swap would have been cheaper.
I race them, spun a rod bearing damaged the crank, got a quote for $800 to repair it. I can buy an entire LS for less than $800.
I used to take mine to track days, and it was a ton of fun. Being the base model I had, it was also not very fast. I also got crap from Porsche guys because I ran adapters from 5×130 to 5×112 so I could use my Audi track wheels on it.
I sold it to a guy for the body after breaking a couple valve springs and deciding that was enough for me with repair costs. It paid for part for the cost to return to college. A small part.
The VW/Audi 5-cylinder swaps look interesting.
I currently pay the Porsche tax, no interested in swapping just to pay the Audi tax…LOLOL. Give me a Chevy.