Does it have to be 2 door? The 4 door versions are usually cheaper.
I'd stay with the "off" brands (Mercury, Lincoln, Buick, Oldsmobile, etc) to find decent deals.
What about something like this?
Oh, and although the 460 would be a cool motor to use, I'd look hard for a runner or close to runner as a first project. It's easier to wrench on a car when you can enjoy driving it rather than start off with a bunch of parts that you won't be able to enjoy for a long time.
-Rob
70's Vette's are beautiful, (IMO) even if they aren't all that fast stock. You can still find them pretty cheap.
I like the Fairmont idea. A friend of mine had a ragged out coupe he got from his Dad, and all I could think about was how that car would rock with a built V8 under the hood.
In reply to alex: It kind of depends on what you consider bargain, but compared to other pony cars, non-GT/Hipo/Shelby '64-'66 Mustangs are really cheap. Even fastbacks aren't too bad. I paid about market value for mine 14 years ago and it's only worth maybe $2k more now than when I bought it. You can get a solid, running V-8 coupe all day long for $5-6k or less, depending on what condition you are after.
Post 65 Falcon. They'll take a Ford SB really easily. You could restomod the hell out of it and then chase around the Improved Touring crowd.
Also, I'm starting to like the looks of the late 80's to early 90's Camaro's. Something about seeing them as IROC racers must've made me retarded as a kid. No really vintage but can be made very muscley. Think LS swap with a stand alone computer. If you put a T56 behind it you'd have a stomping car for just about any race you care to enter.
Depends on how old she wants to go. The best deal right now is in the '80's stuff. So a good Mustang GT, IROC Z, or Trans Am are good buys. If she wants '60's, try a Cougar. I loved mine with it's 390 4 speed, and they are much cheaper than the average Mustang. I also second the Falcon idea, or even an early '60's Fairlane 500.
Dumb question, but has she driven anything of this vintage before? While she might really like the idea of a cool old car to play with, she may find she hates and/or is terrified to drive it. So I'd strongly suggest that whatever you find, make sure you buy it right, just in case "you" need to unload it for her in the near future.
A real one is out of our budget, but it's easy enough to copy.
How "muscley" do you want to be? Some Grandma cars can be worked up pretty good. 
petegossett wrote: Dumb question, but has she driven anything of this vintage before? While she might really like the idea of a cool old car to play with, she may find she hates and/or is terrified to drive it. So I'd strongly suggest that whatever you find, make sure you buy it right, just in case "you" need to unload it for her in the near future.
I second this.
Most folks love the Look of old muscle cars. Then, you put them in control of a 3000+ car with no power steering and manual drum brakes. They get over the Look real fast. Of course those can all be rectified but also keep in mind that safety back then was a shoulder belt. When I got my '73 Mustang on the road the shoulder belts were still in the position wherein they shipped from the factory. No one had ever taken them down for use.
A test drive is definitely on order before plunking down some cash. That or budget for serious upgrades in braking and potentially retrofitting AC if that's called for.
+1 on the Maverick/Comet, and as a Ford guy I'd even look at a Mustang II.
If Ford is the request, Fox is the answer for a simple, well supported platform that can literally be built from the pick'n'pull, and it will drive like a new enough car it won't be scary.
Less budget friendly, but cooler, I'd go with a Falcon.
Well, kinda- '70 to '77 Capri. Sometimes called a "mini muscle car". You can get them for pocket change and a 302 fits great.
Late second gen Camaros and Firebirds are easy to hot rod, and not bad looking (if I do say so myself).
I'll throw a vote in for the old venerable Mustang. While the rare ones sell for stupid money, more mundane drivers can be had all day long for a whole lot less. They may be popular, but the made a zillion of them, which keeps the price down. That popularity also makes them easier to sell if/when the time comes.
Another vote for the Capris – my favourite mini pony car.
http://www.rb-prostreet.com/fahrzeuge/capri.htm
Xceler8x wrote:petegossett wrote: Dumb question, but has she driven anything of this vintage before? While she might really like the idea of a cool old car to play with, she may find she hates and/or is terrified to drive it. So I'd strongly suggest that whatever you find, make sure you buy it right, just in case "you" need to unload it for her in the near future.I second this. Most folks love the *Look* of old muscle cars. Then, you put them in control of a 3000+ car with no power steering and manual drum brakes. They get over the *Look* real fast. Of course those can all be rectified but also keep in mind that safety back then was a shoulder belt. When I got my '73 Mustang on the road the shoulder belts were still in the position wherein they shipped from the factory. No one had ever taken them down for use. A test drive is definitely on order before plunking down some cash. That or budget for serious upgrades in braking and potentially retrofitting AC if that's called for.
Oh yeah. She grew up with a '68 F100 with an I-6 and three-on-the-tree (and just about cried when her parents sent it to the scrapper when the last of the body mounts had returned to the Earth), loves driving my dad's MG, rode a '76 Honda until recently, and I've turned her into a wagon nerd. She's down.
She's definitely one of those girls who will go out of her way to prove she can do something normal conventions say she can't, like wrenching on and driving a vintage hulk.
Anyway, I think this is firmly in the Weekend Toy category; she won't be driving to court in this thing. Maybe.
Honestly, I'm gonna vote either 4-door or station wagon.
If your leaning towards fords, especially one that will fit a beefed up 460, I'd lean towards a full size Mercury or Ford. There are plenty of LTDs and Country Squires out there for a reasonable price.
My grandma has a 66 Mercury Montclair that needs a home.
Looks like this:
alex wrote: She grew up with a '68 F100 with an I-6 and three-on-the-tree (and just about cried when her parents sent it to the scrapper when the last of the body mounts had returned to the Earth),
Well, there's your answer. 
Much of the desire and enthusiasm in owning an old car is the link to one's past.
I have a huge desire for a '71 Dodge Demon. Not because it's some great muscle car, but because that's the car I grew up with.
914Driver wrote:
alex wrote: Oh yeah. She grew up with a '68 F100 with an I-6 and three-on-the-tree (and just about cried when her parents sent it to the scrapper when the last of the body mounts had returned to the Earth), loves driving my dad's MG, rode a '76 Honda until recently, and I've turned her into a wagon nerd. She's down. She's *definitely* one of those girls who will go out of her way to prove she can do something normal conventions say she can't, like wrenching on and driving a vintage hulk.
Time to go shopping then! You will let us know what you get right?
alex wrote: Anyway, I think this is firmly in the Weekend Toy category; she won't be driving to court in this thing. Maybe.
Wait a min? Huh what? Court? You're leaving out some pertinent details that, as your internet friends, we need to know. 
What about another old Ford truck?
fast_eddie_72 wrote: Well, kinda- '70 to '77 Capri. Sometimes called a "mini muscle car". You can get them for pocket change and a 302 fits great.
Where are these Capris you claim can be found for pocket change?
I want this car.
It's in your backyard.
$3500 and I'll bet he'll deal.
Ready driver right there.
This one needs a bit more work but is $2k less.
Owner claims it has a fresh 352 in it.
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