Classic Car DD

pres589 wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: If you aren't allowed to do any major changes, a 911SC would probably be top of the list. The thing is... being able to make swaps like that is a bonus, so why disallow it? Like that Barracuda I mentioned, why not buy something with a good body but worn drivetrain then plunder a mid-90's truck for its Magnum 5.2 & four speed (I know the trans tunnel may not like this but I think it'd be worth it) automatic for easy starting all year long, improved performance, and nice driving behavior? "Oh, but I don't like nice idle characteristics and 50+ more horsepower without actually doing anything to the engine itself"?

It isn't that I mind modern engine swaps. I was just wondering if you were to buy a classic car to daily drive right off the bat what would it be. And let's face it engine swaps take time and sorting.

93EXCivic wrote: Dang it. I meant to say no modern engine swaps either. I was going to say basically a classic you could jump into and drive without a major rework.

I would still want to do at least an MS swap to bring the emissions into the late 80's. It takes me an hour before I get a pretty bad headache in most classic cars. Makes them pretty pointless to me, if that's not fixed.

This car was my DD for about a year:

The only things I ever wished for were A/C in the summer and a choke in the winter (dumb PO had neutered it, and I never cared enough to replace)

It got fuel econ in the mid 20s average and never, ever left me stranded. The only reason I stopped driving it was that some well-hidden but poorly-executed structural rust repairs failed.

I'd love to do it all over again with A/C and a nicer example.

Powar wrote: This car was my DD for about a year:

I still want one of those, but pretty much in the same vein as the 1800ES for me.

I agree about doing a MS and emissions upgrade. Sometimes I think folks forget how stinky old cars can be even in stock, original condition. Our '73 ES has an early EVAP system that I still need to do some diagnostics on to cure a smelly interior when the tank is full.

I need something with a usable backseat, so my options are a little more limited. If I can ever find a runner in decent shape, with minimal rust, I'd plan to daily a classic 145.

Another I've started to fall in love with is the Mercedes hardtop coupes, especially the W114:

Though I doubt any non-diesel vintage Benz would be reliable enough to daily, and I have heard the gas mileage is atrocious.

If 4 doors was a requirement, along with a useable back seat, this is what I would get. basically, the same car as my GTV, but a little longer to accomodate the second set of doors and the rear seats. And I like the look of the Giulia over the later Berlina (I'll ignore the reportedly better Cd of this car, too- for better mileage).

pres589 wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: If you aren't allowed to do any major changes, a 911SC would probably be top of the list. The thing is... being able to make swaps like that is a bonus, so why disallow it? Like that Barracuda I mentioned, why not buy something with a good body but worn drivetrain then plunder a mid-90's truck for its Magnum 5.2 & four speed (I know the trans tunnel may not like this but I think it'd be worth it) automatic for easy starting all year long, improved performance, and nice driving behavior? "Oh, but I don't like nice idle characteristics and 50+ more horsepower without actually doing anything to the engine itself"?

I've been looking into other options that fit. Had a nice conversation with Art Carr about using one of his 200-4R with an adapter in a Mopar. The 200-4R is about the same size as a 904, and has decent ratios.

For a stick behind mild 5.2 Maggie, I'd use a fresh T-5. This is for a driver, not a street/strip combo.

In a B or E-body an A500/518 trans will fit with some trimming of the ribs on the case and a fabricated replacement for the lower bolt-in part of the trans crossmember. I've been giving this combo a lot of thought for my wife's '73 Challenger.

If I were going to find one as a daily (3-season car here), I'd probably go with a Mopar A-body, probably another '68 Barracuda. Probably a 318 Maggie with the fuel injection and that T-5.

But seeing that my shop is only 6 miles from home, I get to take a toy in on the nice days.

If I could find a mid-70's Mercedes W114 with a gas six cylinder and a stick, I would drive the wheels off of it. Those cars are built like tanks. If you dropped the "no engine swaps" rule, then I'd take the same car, with an LS1 and T56. Preferably with 240D badges on it.

alfadriver wrote: If 4 doors was a requirement, along with a useable back seat, this is what I would get. basically, the same car as my GTV, but a little longer to accomodate the second set of doors and the rear seats. And I like the look of the Giulia over the later Berlina (I'll ignore the reportedly better Cd of this car, too- for better mileage).

Those cars have had my attention for a while as well. Is there any performance potential (autocross and such) or are they too tall/heavy?

2nd Gen Corvair Corsa Volvo 544 BMW 2002 I fell out of love with the 1800es. Useless back seat, Too ponderous to be nimble, too low for an around the town car. Still good to look at, and I could see it if I was still a surfer...

Rob_Mopar wrote: If I were going to find one as a daily (3-season car here), I'd probably go with a Mopar A-body, probably another '68 Barracuda. Probably a 318 Maggie with the fuel injection and that T-5.

True... if I were in an "American car" mood, I'd go looking for a Dodge Demon (preferred) or Duster. A mid-gen Barracuda would be cool too. /6 w/ auto & a/c versions are fairly common and relatively cheap. I'd run that as-is for awhile as I gathered bit for a manual conversion and ITB MS - I still dream of my "Demon 666"...

kreb wrote:

alfadriver wrote: If 4 doors was a requirement, along with a useable back seat, this is what I would get. basically, the same car as my GTV, but a little longer to accomodate the second set of doors and the rear seats. And I like the look of the Giulia over the later Berlina (I'll ignore the reportedly better Cd of this car, too- for better mileage).

Those cars have had my attention for a while as well. Is there any performance potential (autocross and such) or are they too tall/heavy?

Everything I can do to my GTV or a Spider will work on the sedans. And they will be about as competetive, on a relative basis (which is to say that they would be fun to drive, but not really competetive head to head). A total blast to drive.

The size is very decieving- they are not big cars at all. Barely heavier than a GTV, too. I know people who vintage race them, very quickly; a friend did the Carrara Paramaricana with one; and I know the guy who took one on the super long rally about a decade ago (can't recall the name).

A "modern" engine swap idea would be a TS motor from a Milano/75, which had a modern A/C system already. That would be totally awesome. Actually, it's not an idea at all- I kinda bought one for a Berlina about 5 years ago, but ended up not going to that convention- so a friend of mine locally bought it. She loves the car.

I'd like to drive one for a while- the greenhouse on it seems bigger and more open than what I have on my GTV, and I LOVE how I can see out of it. Seems like it would be a great car to drive....

Ian F wrote:

Rob_Mopar wrote: If I were going to find one as a daily (3-season car here), I'd probably go with a Mopar A-body, probably another '68 Barracuda. Probably a 318 Maggie with the fuel injection and that T-5.

True... if I were in an "American car" mood, I'd go looking for a Dodge Demon (preferred) or Duster. A mid-gen Barracuda would be cool too. /6 w/ auto & a/c versions are fairly common and relatively cheap. I'd run that as-is for awhile as I gathered bit for a manual conversion and ITB MS - I still dream of my "Demon 666"...

If I had to do a Ford, it would probably be a Cortina. I like the original Mustangs, and Pintos are ok. But the early Capri is better than both (to me), which is easily surpassed by a Cortina.

Cortina with a 2.3l from a modern Ranger. Well, with a few other changes, I suppose. That would be cool.

a friend did the Carrara Paramaricana with one; and I know the guy who took one on the super long rally about a decade ago (can't recall the name).

Is your friend Conrad Stevenson, or the car's actual owner? The one gussied up like a taxi? That looks like a great car, and they've had real success with it.

The problem with the 2.3 Duratech is that it's a really tall motor, and might be hard to get under some older car hoods. Not so much if you ditch the factory intake manifold, but it's still pretty tall.

I daily drive a poo brown '79 911 Targa. Technically my wife's car but she's letting me drive it to work every day.

Lots of people don't like the Targa, I think it's ideal. Cheaper than other models (paid $8500 for this one), and fun to take top down on sunny days.

C3 Corvette with metal bumpers please.

alfadriver wrote:

Ian F wrote:

Rob_Mopar wrote: If I were going to find one as a daily (3-season car here), I'd probably go with a Mopar A-body, probably another '68 Barracuda. Probably a 318 Maggie with the fuel injection and that T-5.

True... if I were in an "American car" mood, I'd go looking for a Dodge Demon (preferred) or Duster. A mid-gen Barracuda would be cool too. /6 w/ auto & a/c versions are fairly common and relatively cheap. I'd run that as-is for awhile as I gathered bit for a manual conversion and ITB MS - I still dream of my "Demon 666"...

If I had to do a Ford, it would probably be a Cortina. I like the original Mustangs, and Pintos are ok. But the early Capri is better than both (to me), which is easily surpassed by a Cortina. Cortina with a 2.3l from a modern Ranger. Well, with a few other changes, I suppose. That would be cool.

You see this thing you are doing? Stop it.

This is my daily drive right now.

i will eventually DD a mercedes W108.

I just wish I lived some place where I could DD a classic...Because I would.

Used to daily drive my '71 Chevy truck, but with the mild cam and big carb, I got tired of the terrible fuel economy. Now my daily is a '72 VW Bug.

Used my Dart as a DD for a while. And right now I just picked up a '72 Chevy pickup for errand running use. It'll be getting some modern 3 point seat belts (a DD with just lap belts is out of the question for me) and could then be used as a DD if the mileage weren't so bad or my commute weren't so long. The previous owner had been DD'ing it.

The good thing about old Detroit iron is that parts availability is great - not too many mechanical bits you can break that aren't in stock at your local parts store, and often for cheap. And A/C can usually be added if it wasn't there from the factory. Though summer heat isn't too bad if you can keep the car moving, if you stop, it's pretty bad.

Plymouth Duster 340 or 360, for the reasons posted immediately above. Also, I want another car that I can name "Dusty the Duster." Because I'm weird.

Currently spinning up a Fiat 124 Spider to attempt a not-quite-DD driver. The engine and gearing is enough that it'll do 60 comfortably, 4 wheel discs, should return decent gas mileage.

Of course no way I'm driving it in the winter, though.

kreb wrote: The problem with the 2.3 Duratech is that it's a really tall motor, and might be hard to get under some older car hoods. Not so much if you ditch the factory intake manifold, but it's still pretty tall.

tall, yes, but I still think they will fit. A lotus twin cam isn't a tiny little engine, and it fit in pretty well. As for intake, I would take the one from a Focus or Fusion (which ever is easier to get) as well as the cams. Almost every part is interchangeable between the 2.0 and 2.3l....

(secret duratec turbo, take a 2.0l, insert 2.3 pistons or rods (I can't recall which ones) and the compression lowers to become a perfect turbo. That turbo Mondeo I played with for a few years rocked)

(and no- my friend is someone else.... he did the challenge with us all 3 times we brought the Turbo Spider)

tuna55 wrote:

alfadriver wrote:

Ian F wrote:

Rob_Mopar wrote: If I were going to find one as a daily (3-season car here), I'd probably go with a Mopar A-body, probably another '68 Barracuda. Probably a 318 Maggie with the fuel injection and that T-5.

True... if I were in an "American car" mood, I'd go looking for a Dodge Demon (preferred) or Duster. A mid-gen Barracuda would be cool too. /6 w/ auto & a/c versions are fairly common and relatively cheap. I'd run that as-is for awhile as I gathered bit for a manual conversion and ITB MS - I still dream of my "Demon 666"...

If I had to do a Ford, it would probably be a Cortina. I like the original Mustangs, and Pintos are ok. But the early Capri is better than both (to me), which is easily surpassed by a Cortina. Cortina with a 2.3l from a modern Ranger. Well, with a few other changes, I suppose. That would be cool.

You see this thing you are doing? Stop it.

You prefer the less straight forward swap for a ZTEC? To each his own, I suppose...