Good morning! Those of you who like your cars ready to drive as soon as you purchase them are probably going to be disappointed this week. We’re looking at projects, but only viable projects around $2,000. And we’re starting out with a couple of cars that are local to me, and would be tempting if circumstances were better.
On Friday, we did a weekly runoff with a twist: I added a new, fifth car to the mix. The results were nearly a four-way tie between everything except the Hyundai Sonata, which is probably a solid used car but could be used as an anaesthetic. The beat-up little Mazda 323 won by just a few votes over the other three choices.
That little Mazda would be a fun car to mess around with, especially for the price, but if you ignore the prices, the Dodge Daytona is still the one I’d be most interested in owning. But I would buy something like that to drive, not to let sit around, which means its value would plummet like a rock as soon as I got it home. So maybe I’d be better off with something cheaper like that Mazda.
I know a lot of readers don’t like project cars. I’ve heard many of you question why someone would buy a cheap, non-running example of a car and spend time and money fixing it up instead of just spending more on a better example to begin with. It would be easier, and probably cheaper in the long run, right? Yeah, maybe. But here’s the thing: Some of us like turning wrenches. It’s kind of the point. I’ve even had friends who lost interest in a car as soon as it was finished, sold it, and bought another wreck, because it’s the work that interests them. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I do enjoy the satisfaction of driving a car that is only running because I made it run. Fixing stuff, and using stuff you’ve fixed, is one of life’s great pleasures. The money matters, of course; it always matters. But it isn’t the point.
That said, you don’t want to spend too much money on the initial purchase, because it eats into your budget for fixing the car up. But you also don’t want to scrape too far down into the bottom of the barrel, because down there all you find are basket cases and parts cars. Two grand, give or take, feels like a decent initial outlay for a project car these days, so that’s the price range I’m shopping in this week. We’ll do four pairs, and then a runoff at the end of the week. Here’s the first two.
1984 Volkswagen Scirocco – $1,900
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8-liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Wayne, MI
Odometer reading: 120,000 miles
Operational status: Hasn’t run in a couple years, bad fuel pump
You never forget your first, they say, and that’s as true for cars as it is anything else. My first car was a VW Scirocco that was well past its prime by the time I got it, and I always felt cheated out of quality time with it when it had to be junked due to rust. I’ve wanted another one ever since. I’ve test-driven a bunch over the years, but the right car has not materialized at the right time. This Mk2 Scirocco looks pretty good on the surface, but it needs some mechanical work before it’s ready to hit the road again.
The Scirocco never was a real screamer; even the final 16V models were not all that quick. But they’re lightweight, tossable cars that will put a smile on your face even during mundane drives. This one has a 90 horsepower 1.8 liter engine and a five-speed stick. It has been sitting for a couple of years, at least; the seller bought it non-running with a bad fuel pump and never got around to fixing and reviving it. The new fuel pump is included, but that’s probably not all it needs by now. Belts, hoses, brake lines, and tires should all be inspected at the very least, and probably replaced.
I wish I could show you the interior, but the seller only included exterior photos. I can see through the window that some interior panel or other is between the front seats; it could be one of the door panels, or it could be the security panel for the rear cargo area. In any case, I’m sure it’s in need of a good cleaning.
The paint is in pretty good shape, considering it looks like it’s just sitting behind a repair shop. It has a little rust showing in the photos, but the Mk2 Sciroccos weren’t nearly as rust-prone as the Mk1s were. It probably has a bit more rust underneath, but I’m sure it’s not ready to fold up like a soft taco like my old Mk1 was.
1987 Dodge Shelby Charger – $1,975
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Romeo, MI
Odometer reading: 100,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives, but “would be best to trailer home”
The relationship between Carroll Shelby and Lee Iacocca produced some amazing cars, but this one is often overlooked. It’s overshadowed by the Ford GT40, various Cobras, and a whole range of Mustangs. But considering what Shelby started with, this little FWD Dodge Charger is a hell of an accomplishment. It’s finally getting some recognition and respect, but for years it was the red-headed stepchild of the Shelby lineage, and nobody cared about it at all, except for weirdos like me.
The original Shelby Charger engine was just a souped-up version of the regular Chrysler 2.2-liter four, but as soon as the turbocharged 2.2 became available, Shelby wasted no time shoehorning it into the Charger. In “regular” Shelbys like this one, that meant 146 horsepower, which doesn’t sound like much these days, but it put the Charger in the same performance category as all but the hottest contemporary Mustangs and Camaros. This one runs, but it sounds like it was just recently brought back from a long slumber. The engine has been rebuilt, and it has a new clutch, brakes, shocks, and fuel tank. It still needs new fuel lines and a few other things. The seller suggests bringing it home on a trailer to complete the work, but I guess if you’re brave enough, you could try driving it home.
The interior is grubby, but it looks like it could be brought back with some elbow grease. The Grant steering wheel is actually a huge improvement over the stock plastic wheel, which is the same thing you’d find in garden-variety Omnis and Horizons. It doesn’t have air conditioning, and I don’t know if it ever did.
Outside is where it gets a little dicey. There is some significant rust under this car, and some areas in the floor that need patching. The left rear wheel arch doesn’t look so hot, either. It’s time to either learn how to weld, or make good friends with someone who does.
Personally, I’d happily drag home either one of these and start digging in. I just lack a couple of minor things – time and money – that prevent that from happening. But hey, a fella can dream, can’t he? Which one would you stick on a rented trailer and bring home?
They’re both Michigan cars, so the rust is a given. I’ll take the Shelby in spite of what I’m seeing (and I’m seeing a lot). At least the journey would be…um….interesting.
I picked the Scirocco because it’ll finish up into a much nicer vehicle a lot more easily.
However, I’d want the Charger for the engine and 5-speed, to crowbar it into a 1st-gen Caravan.
No thanks to either bad choice today.
I can smell the interior of the Dodge 1,000 miles away.
I’m calling shenanigans on the rebuilt engine of the Charger. It doesn’t look like any attention has been paid to that bay this decade.(century?)
The Scirocco.
I had a red ‘91 model with that same 1.8 carb engine and it was a honey. I still miss that car.
But oh boy would I take off those stupid-ass bumpers and replace it with the Euro ones *. The rear one is like an aircraft carrier and probably adds 200lbs to the car
*I’m in the UK
Normally, I would not go near rust but I love those Chargers. And they can be made quite quick very easily.
Both. Although the rust is concerning.
The Shelby was a hot car back in the day and I almost bought one new, but this one is done.
Even though I know I don’t fit, I picked the VW today.
I love the idea of bringing an old car back to life, but that desire only goes so far. Replacing a fuel pump and some other relatively straightforward items is one thing, dealing with rust in another entirely. So even though the idea of resurrecting a Shelby Charger is more appealing, the process is way beyond my available time or skill set.
It’s hard to make me vote for a VW product but a rusty version of a MOPAR that doesn’t interest me apparently is enough.
That pretty much sums up my thought process.
+1 Really a neither day for me. It might be a none of the above week for me. I used to do a lot of work on my cars out of fiscal necessity, but those days are behind me. But windy VW, if I must choose.
My grandparents had a similar year Shelby Charger, and my stepfather had a mk2 Scirocco, so I’m pretty familiar with both models. That said, I’d rather have the Scirocco, I always liked the styling, and thought it could be fun with a VR6 swap.
They’re both crap, I’d rather use them for a shotting backstop or something equally destructive.
If they were in decent drivable shape and I had to choose, Charger, I always thought those were cool in a weird way. I didn’t realize the interiors were so basic though, a buddy had a Daytona from that era and it was MUCH nicer.
It’s probably the only Shelby that will ever be in my budget, but Scirocco.
You wish the Scirocco had included an interior photo and I wish the Daytona hadn’t. Excuse me while I shop for a tyvek cover for my monitor after seeing that.
I wish they’d cropped the bumpers out of the VW pics. Ye gods, but those things are unsightly.
That car definitely had a front and a back porch, great for tailgating I suppose.
Rust is the deal-breaker, and I like the Scirocco. If it’d been a nasty Civic or something, I might crawl under the Charger to check for rust.
Definitely an “Ugh!” day. I was all set to go for the Shelby, but I’m beyond the point of learning how to weld a car back together, so it’s the Scirocco for me. And hell, once it’s done, I can take it to tailgate parties and put the Smoky Joe on that giant shelf of a back bumper.
It’s a shame about that Shelby. I’m guessing the floors are rotted because it was parked in a forest/field for years.
So due to the difference in rust, I’m going with the VW even though I’m biased against VWs.
I am feeling old on this one. I don’t even fathom how either of these is worth much more than scrap value in the state they are. Also all you car hoarders should unload now. before to many more of us are out of a job and thus disposable income.
Haha, yes, these are barely $500 cars. The Shelby has some salvageable exterior bodywork but that’s literally the only thing of value on it.
The base model VW has more upside thanks to a clean front end, intact glass, and straight body panels. But that’s about it. The base model VW looks to have a badly done aftermarket sunroof hack job, and without a running engine it’s impossible to determine what else needs doing.
Ooh, that’s a doozy: It would be cheating to say neither, so… VW!
Projects are one thing. Rust and bodywork are another.
My second car was a ’75 Rabbit. It was worse than the ’74 Gremlin it replaced. Always something broken on it, and the frame was rotted out by the early ’80’s. The Daytona looks scary, but that’s my choice.
My first car was a 78 Scirocco. My second was an 83 Jetta. I can do mechanical repairs. I don’t like body work. Even with two front wipers and the small wing on the back, I’ll take the Scirocco.
I’ve wanted one of those Chargers since my uncle bought one new in ’85. It was one of the oh-so-cool blue and silver ones and I only got to ride in it once. This one however, just can’t do it since it’s missing it’s factory gas cap. Oh, and also the iron-oxide that now makes up a good portion of the underbody structure.
I like Sciroccos as well – that one would look great in the storage garage parked next to my VW Fox, which I’m also going to get back to… any day now.
Sirocco all day. Those Omnirizons were shit cars no matter what was bolted to the engine. I had a pair of these same Shelby seats bolted into my Scout when I first got it, and they were as comfortable as a root canal.
I mean so were VDUB, and thus by association all VAG Cars. lol
I always loved those Shelby Charger paint schemes! That silver looks good on any of the offered colors. The large, square sealed-beam headlights are also iconic.
But the Sirocco is the one I’d want to take out on back roads to test it out after each step of functional restoration. I wish there were interior images, as the mold on the Shelby seats is a strong deterrent.
I’d be looking for some Euro bumpers though. Those bench seat bumpers are not my style.