Anyone need a Challenge starter? 1981 Starlet (trades for beer and other things) Mine and in MO

I have an 81 Starlet that is partially apart that I bought with the intent of making it a challenge car. However, I have a baby on the way and the wife wants to clean the driveway out. It is time for someone else to take it over. It is rusty (will need floors) and has hail damage (primarily on the roof and hood), but the glass is all good and I have a clean title in my name for it. The motor and transmission are sold but who wants those anyway! I have other engines/transmissions that can come with it for a nominal fee (SHO 3.0L V6 and ranger transmission, Volvo T6 (2) straight 6, Toyota w58, 302). I would love to sell it but it isn't worth much of anything so I will accept trades or anything cool. Make something awesome out of it and let me drive it sometime and we can make it a REALLY cheap way into the challenge with a car the weighs basically nothing but is mostly watertight. Pictures later.

Glad you are farther away than I want to drive right now.

I have some rotaries and transmissions that would work great in this for whoever buys it...

Well, I don't really want to scrap it but that is likely its fate unless someone comes and gets it.

A rotary-powered Starlet? THAT would be fun...

Look forward to seeing some pictures. Would this thing flat tow with a tow bar?

Would the miata drivetrain even make sense to bolt into this thing?

With a little work, I would imagine it would flat tow. I took the the front crossmember out but it should be easy to put back in. A miata engine would almost double the stock power. It weighs very similar to a stock miata.

keep in mind you need at least some weight over front wheels to make flat towing work. i tried to flat tow a rolling chassis and the front wheels would not track. ended up strapping the steering linkage straight and dragging the fronts around turns. i had a rough time flat towing my impala with no engine as well. it kept trying to go straight into turns. such a light car might need a trailer.

Is this where I get to say "I told you so"?

In reply to psteav:

And I respond with "Hi Kettle!"

bengro wrote: Look forward to seeing some pictures. Would this thing flat tow with a tow bar? Would the miata drivetrain even make sense to bolt into this thing?

I have not been up to speed, but I flat tow my starlet with a home made tow bar. No issues. If it wants some weight, strap some wheels and tires in there???

"Mostly watertight".

Picture time!

I might have gotten a little overzealous with the mower.

I do have the entire front suspension and wheels with good tires. It is going to need a LOT of rust repair but it has a clean title and can be yours for a minor amount of horse trading.

I have the entire front clip too

I hate rust, but still seems like a good deal (for someone closer -not me!).

...and congratulations on the new baby!

Thanks!

Come on though, OH isn't THAT far away.

Will you all enable me by posting super cheap LS400s so this can get a 1UZ?

This thing needs to get out of my driveway. I am open to offers of beer, scotch, good will, etc...

It is still here and I am not really wanting to crush it.

Swank needs this in his life. It will cure his rut and allow for proper swap and boost insanity.

I couldn't agree more!

captdownshift wrote: Swank needs this in his life. It will cure his rut and allow for proper swap and boost insanity.

A Starlet counts as "all the things", right?

I would imagine it does.

In reply to tuna55:

Exactly! All that torque in something with the weight of a thimble