I am looking into buying a new car to start drag racing this upcoming summer. I am looking at a couple different kinds. One is a camaro. I mean one of the newer ones around a 2000. The other is an older muscle car like a nova or chevelle. But the problem is i am not sure where to find the older muscle cars.

I have checked in the auto & rv and places like that and all I can find is ones completely restored for like 20 to $30,000. I am in the market for more of a drivable project car around $5000. Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to AF......

You have the same problem that the rest of us have...... where to find decent classic cars cheap.

Respectfully, I think you first need a plan....... decide ahead of time what kind of mods you want to do. Want a high-hp crate engine? Well that means you would consider a 6 cyl Nova or Chevelle, or an engine-less chassis, which is much cheaper than a V8. Decisions like this will help you target the car you want, so you do not pay extra for stuff you will just replace.

IMO the most important thing is to start with a rust-free chassis and body..... and there are precious few unrestored project examples in Illinois. So consider looking in the US southwest or California. Check out Hemmings Motor news, the internet (autotrader sites, Craigslist in southwest US cities etc.

Another point........ Camaros and Novas cost quite a bit. $5000 is a pretty slim budget. For a real vintage pony or muscle car, $5000 will buy a wreck needing major work.
IMO you will get more bang for the buck by considering a less popular make. A buddy of mine has run some AMC cars (Gremlins and Hornet hatchbacks) that are awesome. They are quite light, will accept small block Chevy engines, (although the original AMC V8's are not bad) and are cheap to buy.

Another issue is weight.......... Camaros and Novas are relatively heavy. Consider a '79 and newer Mustang........... yeah there are lots about but there is a good reason for this..... they are quite light, decent V8's will fit and there is a tremendous aftermarket support for them.

Good luck.

To add to what MR has said, I would recommend forgetting a classic muscle car if you want a race car. Unless one's already been built, it is a monumental task ($$$) to convert one.

It appears you're Chevy-oriented. With that, I would suggest a '78-'87 G-body. The Malibu is getting pretty tough to find, but Monte Carlos are still everywhere. A very good chassis to begin with, ALL the necessary performance "goodies" are readily available for the G-body. You can get Cutlass and Regal even cheaper. Grand Prix is pretty good too, but you'll find them to be a bit pricy ("nicer" cars than most of the others). Forget LeMans or GrandAm, too, as they are VERY rare.

Small block easily bolts in to the G-body. Good aftermarket companies like Hooker, also make the necessary parts to install a big block Chevy in there, as well.

PM me and I'll give you a link to an excellent site where "used" race cars are bought and sold.

Make sure you understand, though. A RACE car lives ON A TRAILER unless it's at the track. If the car is to see ANY street duty, is a STREET car, NOT a race car. Very important regarding legal issues and fuel.

Welcome aboard and have FUN!

Jim

craigslist is a good place to find a car. im assuming his total budget is over 5k since he mentioned an 00 camaro (assuming he means the ls1 and not the v6) would be over that, just that he was looking for a decent project he could take away under 5k.

assuming i am right on that, a 2nd gen firebird/camaro could come in under that for a project. you can get 1st gen mustangs around that too. novas arent that hard to come by in that price range at least around me http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/953439232.html probably a bit harder finding one in that condition around you, but its possible. you can also get later 70s novas really cheap.

monte carlo or regals are also good options.

monte carlo or regals are also good options.
Whoops, I did not think of those because I was too focused on a 'classic' car. But they make great hot-rod material, even if they did not have much of a performance image when new.
If you buy one locally, be very careful to inspect the frame for rust damage, especially at the rear.

try this site see if you like some old muscle cars that post
http://www.dragtimes.com/muscle-cars-for-sale.php

hi here you can get muscle car and more detail about it.....
www.motorclassic.net (http://www.motorclassic.net)