Hard to find in great shape, but chrome bumper Capris are cool. CThe V6 ones were good autocrossers in their time. I like Cortinas, but they are getting expensive. The Volvos are cool, because I think IPD is still selling bolt on stuff for them that works well.
Ford Fiestas ruled Showroom Stock sedan for a brief period. Newer than you want though. I think a decent MGB GT is a lot of cool good looking car for the money. I don't care for the siamesed port heads and stuff like that. Sometimes a Morris Minor sedan can be reasonably priced. Discs, 1275 and trans from a Spridget, and they can go pretty well. Rabbits are super upgradeable too. VW was kind of like the Brits where they never changed things so much that you can't screw the newer stuff onto the older chassis. I have a Rabbit pickup with a 16V motor, plus a GTI dash and seats, and AC. Its fun. Not Pre 75 though. Pre 75 Rabbits are pretty thin on the ground, I fear.