advice for first car/muscle car

hunters21w · #1 09-09-2007, 11:43 PM

hey, im new to this site. Im only 15 years old but im gettin my license very soon. Ive been on the hunt these past couple months or so looking for a street rod. I love the look of the late '60s, early '70s, and the real muscle even better. So if anyone could point me into a good direction to first, find the best way to locate an old muscle car, second, mayb a bigger car(GTO,Plymouth,Chevelle) that would be great. All for about the price range under 4,000. thanks, any advice would be greatly appreciated. =)

MrPbody · #2 09-10-2007, 09:43 AM

Finding a decent muscle car for under $4K is a tall order. BTW, the three cars you mention are not "larger", they ARE (assuming Plymouth Road Runner or GTX) muscle cars (IF the Chevelle has a big block). GTO is the "original" muscle car (let the bashing begin!).

The name "street rod" is generally reserved for the pre-war or late '40s/early '50s modified cars with later engines and other accessories. The same cars with "flat" paint and/or primer and NO BILLET PARTS are called "rat rods". Rat rods have become VERY popular of late.

A shorter wheelbase preformance car, such as Mustang, Firebird, Camaro, etc. are "pony cars", regardless of how much "muscle" they "pack".

Not to bust on you. Just trying to get your vocabulary up to date!

Consider a late '70s/early '80s "G-body" (Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, etc.). Very good chassis for performance and LOTS of "goodies" available to fit. Small Chevy engines bolt right in. Pontiacs go in pretty easy, too. BBC is doable, but not quite as simple. ANIMAL!! All of these would be in your price range.

Jim

hunters21w · #3 09-10-2007, 04:18 PM

ya they arent the biggest cars I could think of but i was just tryin to put something down. Down by my house theres a lot of cars and most of them are older. Today i looked at them and they are in pretty good shape. 1 was like a mustang 5.0 for like 4600, a caddy for like 3000, and another that i liked alot was the camaro for like 2800. not sure on the engine size and all that but it seemed like it was maybe an early '80s camaro. slight surface rust but overall in pretty good condition. From what I hear tho, lots/dealers arent really the way to go, compared to cars you see in people front lawns and stuff. what do u guys think?

Chad82 · #4 09-10-2007, 09:03 PM

Anything you get in that price range is going to need a lot of work (and $$$). Seems like you can get a driving Coronet for under 4k, probably won't be able to find any with a BB. Seen some Le Mans down in that price range but they seem to be getting harder to come by by the day. Some of them are started GTO clones that stop after the engine swap. Also seen some earlier Chevelle's under 4k.

Can't think of much else I have seen recently that cheap that you could restore while driving.

hunters21w · #5 09-10-2007, 09:49 PM

ya thats true. but hey i have another quick question. what kind of motors were in late '70s to early '80s Camaros because there is one down by my house and from what i hear, it runs good and i seen it today and it looks pretty good. i know its not going to be a BB but what kind do they have in them now now. also im not sure about what style it is, so if u could just name all the motors for each style or something. lol, sorry i wish i could give u more info but im not sure.

MrPbody · #6 09-11-2007, 09:14 AM

Most late '70s/early '80s Camaros had 305 (if V8). SOME Z/28s had 350, but I have no detail on how many.

Really, not relevant what engine is in there now. If it's a 305, 350 will literally "bolt right in". A minor amount of attention to the exhaust manifolds (install headers) will be required.

A modified 350, "stroked" to 383 will get you as close to "muscel car" power a small block with longevity can reach. The 400SB makes good power, but the block is woefully inadequate for more than stock power.

2nd gen Camaros are "rounder" in shape than 3rd gen (more of a wedge). The latter is more aerodynamic. More chassis "goodies" for the 2nd gen (virtually ALL the good Trans Am suspension parts "fit"). The 2nd gen cars were originally produced with big block engines (optional, through at least '73), so installing a big block would not be a monumental task. Mounts, headers, etc. are all readily available. Keep in mind, a big block's weight is far greater than the small block, so the car will be a bit "nose heavy", not handling quite as well as a small block or Pontiac-powered car. The small block will provide lots of fun, and if properly built, the car will be quite "fast". The Pontiac would provide more streetable power and more fuel efficiency, but installing one in a Camaro is no less "incorrect" than installing a Chevy engine in the Trans Am.

FWIW

Jim

hunters21w · #7 09-11-2007, 06:30 PM

well i just looked at it again, and if im not mistaking it said it was an RS on the back right of the car, still not sure what year, so if u knew the years that model came out, that would be super awesome. also just wondering if thats a good model? advice would be greatly appreciated! thanx

Chad82 · #8 09-11-2007, 11:28 PM

i think the rs had either the v6 or the smaller v8 (267 i think) for the 2nd gen. dont really know anything about the 3rd gen, i find them to be really ugly.

MrPbody · #9 09-12-2007, 02:14 PM

RS = Rally Sport (sp?)

It was an option available on every year Camaro, as far as I know. Some of the early (1st gen) SSs were "RS/SS" cars. SS usually meant bigger engine, more power. RS was the "sporty looking" package. It included mirrors, stripes, wheels, etc. A "trim" package.

2nd gen cars had straight 6s and V8s. '81 (last year of 2nd gen) MAY vary from that. 3rd gen cars had 2.8, 3.8 (229 Chevy, not 231 Buick) and the V8s. there may have been some 4.3s later on.

Jim

hunters21w · #10 09-12-2007, 04:27 PM

umm i dont really have a clue what year it is, ill probably go in today and just ask them instead of just goin a goose chase tryin to figure it out. lol, but thanks for all the help, i'll update u guys later. thanks again! =)

hunters21w · #11 09-13-2007, 12:23 AM

ya i looked more into the car today. its a V-8, automatic, '91 RS Camaro for 2800, body is in real good condition, but then again its in an autobody lot. so im not sure if they are just covering it up. what do u think of the year? any info would be nice. thanx

Tates McHoolihan · #12 10-23-2007, 02:04 PM

If you want a camaro I wouldn't go much newer than an 81'. 3rd gen and on are hardly worthy of the name camaro.

79transam92 · #13 03-06-2008, 04:10 PM

1st car, Trans Am, 79 are easy to find since they made a buttload of them, 403 engine commonly with auto, easy to drive, it is my first car and easier to drive on the highway than my dad's lincoln truck or moms van(maybe a fun new car soon)

79transam92 · #14 03-06-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPbody

RS = Rally Sport (sp?)

It was an option available on every year Camaro, as far as I know. Some of the early (1st gen) SSs were "RS/SS" cars. SS usually meant bigger engine, more power. RS was the "sporty looking" package. It included mirrors, stripes, wheels, etc. A "trim" package.

2nd gen cars had straight 6s and V8s. '81 (last year of 2nd gen) MAY vary from that. 3rd gen cars had 2.8, 3.8 (229 Chevy, not 231 Buick) and the V8s. there may have been some 4.3s later on.

Jim

I know a guy who rebuilt my Holley carb, he sold one in Enid OK, and the guy rolled it...a shame

'97ventureowner · #15 03-06-2008, 04:46 PM

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