Thinking of buying a third car - seeking muscle...

[sportsguy]

So I'm thinking of adding a fun car to the garage. We've been thinking of maybe this summer picking up a classic car as a "project", by which I generally mean already restored and runs well already...

Happy to bring home a survivor and wrench it back to top form, but in either case, it must be a runner and a driver with no rust.

For inspiration, here's a representative sample of the rigs above... I mean, who doesn't like looking at cars like these!?

 

[puppychow]

Are your other 2 cars sports cars as well? If so, how about some pictures?

PS - I like the 'Cuda and the AMC. Maybe the AMC slightly better.

 

[Fairlaner]

The AMX will be hard to find parts for is my guess, the other 3 not so much.

The Cuda will cast a small fortune, the other 2 will be easy to find in any condition from a 1 to a 10. Both the Camero and the Stang can be made to handle really well and also smoke anything on the road.

Just a case of personal choice i think, me i pick the Mustang of course.

R

 

[fljab]

The AMX will be hard to find parts for is my guess, the other 3 not so much.

There are 3 types/generations of AMX; the '68/9, '70 (pictured), and '71/4. There's pretty good support in parts for all but the '70 for the most part. The drivetrains have had good availability due to the Jeep guys, but getting body/interior parts is the hard part and for that, the '68/9 are the best.

the '70 you have pictured is probably most desirable. It was built on the earlier platform but has many 1 yr body and interior parts. It also has the later engines which weren't that different internally but bolt patterns and such are and more common.

Don't be scared of an early AMX for parts + aftermarket support, it's probably the best for AMC's. But, as always with any old car, buy the best one you can as it's money well spent vs having to go back and buy or scrounge up the parts + reconditioning.

They are a good value, or have been, in the collector car market plus when you go to a generic car meet, you'll most likely see a shitload of Camaros, Chevelles and Mustangs, some Mopars, but not so many AMC's.

I have a '69 American with a 390 in it; I went to a big show in Daytona once and parked next to a deuce coupe with a blown BBC in it. It had lots of billet and polish and the guy musta had $50K+ in it and I had as many or more people come and talk to me about my car as he did his (he was kinda disgruntled about that).

Have fun regardless of which one you get!

 

[Bungie]

My brother had a 70 390 AMX. Bought it as a beater and then spent Spent SPENT bringing it back to cherry. Serial # 17454 (Hey! My alzhiemers is taking a rest today!). He ended up winning best in class at the Waterdown car show. He sold it during some hard times and I know not a day goes by that he doesn't kick himself in the ass for letting it go. The only fundamental problem with that car was the short wheelbase. Breathed on 390 + 2:29 (if I recall) gearset, and well, drop it down into first at about 30mph and punch it = instant sideways!

I'll scrounge up some pics and scan them up for you.

 

[Panman]

Look for something with out rust, if you paying someone to work it big bucks! If your doing it your self it is a big time comitment! I did a lot of the work on my sons 69 Mustang Sportsroof. Funny thing is is the stuck up Mustang guys most likely wouldn't let this thing in their show.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Man I'd love to have the 'Stang or a Camaro. :yahoo:

If only $$ grew on trees...

 

[ionbeam]

If you are looking for a car that will be driven, say to the local ice cream shop and has some visual character any of those cars except the Grand National will due. Neither the Camaro or Mustang will be unique, stand-out or be rare but the parts are readily available to build what ever you dream.

I've owned an AMX and have driven a 'Cuda fairly often. These two will take a lot of work to make them a pleasure to drive. The AMX suspension needs. The 'Cuda has major weight distribution issues and its suspension doesn't acknowledge curves at speed. If you want to go quick in a straight like these two are acceptable and with a lot of $work$ can be made respectably quick and fast.

Against all odds, the Grand National is a stinkin' quick car when 100% stock and can be made to run even faster very easily. If you want to go quick and fast this is your car. When totally stock this car actually was quicker than a Vette for a couple of years. On a scale of 1 to 10 it scores a full 2 for style; scores a 2 for distinction; scores a 2 for class; scores a 2 for visuals; scores a 7 for handling and scores a 10 for being quick. To look at a GN in a crowd of classic cars it scores a 2 for moving the soul. At a track where people know cars it scores a 10 for moving the soul.

Buick Regal with some makeup:

 

[Bounce]

 

[wheatonFJR]

Is that Richard Petty's car?

 

[Papa Georgio]

One of my friends paid $2500 fo a 63 chevy from a old lady in southern Nh. He said he screwed her, I told him he got screwed she only paid $1500 for it new and drove it for 40 + years and still made money when she sold it.

I wish my old cars were worth more than i paid for them.

 

[sportsguy]

OK, to be fair, both pics of the Grand Nationals in this thread are actually of the GNX - a model year 1987-only, limited production model. I'm unlikely to snag one of those simply due to the higher prices. (Call it $50k against a normal GN at $25k-$30k-ish)

Saddened to hear the 'Cuda isn't really a handler - not that I'm necessarily surprised - as it is my emotional fave.

I had the same thoughts/concerns about the AMX's short wheelbase and the big power/torque - wonky handling. My history is in Jeeps. Short wheelbase and big V8s on wet pavement are a special brand of "fun"... Not really concerned about parts availability on the AMX, simply because a friend of mine has restored 2, so I can figure out sourcing with his help if needed.

I *want* to want the Mustang as much as I did say, 5 years ago, but I seem to be emotionally over them. Still, a nice one, in good shape, with the right price is still capable of turning my head. A BOSS 302 would catch my eye for sure, but in my price range, they are trashed. Still, a solid bodied 302 could be dragged home as an actual "project"... (Thus far my definition of "project" is an already restored or survivor rig, as opposed to a non-running shell.)

The Camaro only recently caught my attention. You see so many of them, until I started seriously considers buying a car, I just overlooked them. Still, I've seen a couple over the past week online that were really, really well done. Simple, clean and priced right.

The Grand National draws me simply because of what it was/is. I love the car, but getting into details sees me thinking I want the simplicity of natural aspiration. Plus I suspect that black paint would drive me NUTS trying to keep it clean and straight. When emotion enters into the equation, the GN moves up the ladder for me...

Last night I even started eyeballing old Porsches, De Tomaso's, Maserati's, etc. Porches can be had easily enough. They can be expensive to maintain, however. De Tomaso's in my price range all need work - big work and, well, the Mareati's are just plain sweet to look at but I doubt I'd seriously consider buying one.

I keep coming back to simple American muscle, though. Someone asked abou the "other two cars" in the stable... one is my wife's Jetta. Ooooh, I know. The 2006 VW Jetta really wows 'em at the car shows. Fact is, we LOVE our Jetta. It flat rocks as a great everyday car. It handled our 4300 mile cross country move with ease, swallowing miles every day with no fuss or drama, while keeping us and three dogs comfy and safe.

The other car, my daily driver, is just a small used car I bought last year...still, it has a fun side...

Loving the feedback guys - many thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Muscle cars are new territory for me. My first car was a 1984 VW Rabbit GTI. Next was a VW Jetta GLI. See a trend...? I'm a euro-car guy for the most part, with Jeeps thrown in for good measure. Bringing home a project car is something entirely different, so I'm feeling like muscle is the way to go for me. I've always loved the sound of a V8 idling... go figure...

Panman mentioned something I feel is very important. Scratch that - VERY IMPORTANT...

Clean rust free, and buy the best you can afford. This advice alone may tempt me into a more common model like a Camaro. Zero rust is the only way I'll roll, and I'm willing to pay for a clean body and frame. Surface rust on stuff I can deal with, but body or frame issues kill the car dead for me. I'm happy to tinker, but I'm not set up for full on body shell cutting.

 

[zenwhipper]

Man for the price you pay for a 'classic' these days, you can go out an get a brand new 2011 Mustang GT. The GT is $40K and performs as good as the BMW M3 at $68K

https://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1010_2011_2011_ford_mustang_gt_vs_2011_bmw_m3_comparison/index.html

With a new car you get a very refined machine with a great interior. But if you like to tinker with your cars- an older one is inherently more easy.

Just sayin'...

Scott

 

[sportsguy]

Man for the price you pay for a 'classic' these days, you can go out an get a brand new 2011 Mustang GT. The GT is $40K and performs as good as the BMW M3 at $68K

https://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1010_2011_2011_ford_mustang_gt_vs_2011_bmw_m3_comparison/index.html

With a new car you get a very refined machine with a great interior. But if you like to tinker with your cars- an older one is inherently more easy.

Just sayin'...

Scott

Thought about exactly this Scott. What it comes down to is bleeding more money on insurance, essentially. With the classic, I can get coverage at significantly reduced rates through specialty insurance providers, whereas the newer Mustang would just roll with my current provider. Since it's a third car, it's tougher to justify a 2011 Mustang just sitting. At least with a classic, there's also the chance to sell it for at least what I paid for it. A new Mustang - while an excellent car, see me taking the hit on depreciation and given how many are sold, it'd be a LONG time before your average 2011 Mustang GT has any useful resale value. Not my prime motivator, but worth considering.

Now, the 2012 BOSS 302 has my attention, but it's likely to command a premium over sticker, putting it close to or north of $50k to purchase. Not willing to go there...

But, I like where your head is...mine was in the same place last night watching a recorded program detailing the work Ford did to bring the new Boss 302 to market...

 

[ionbeam]

During the week some places like this major intersections in Indio, CA looked like this:

But, on weekends there would be hundreds of cars on display and for sale. Being mostly desert cars the bodies were rust free but the paint was cooked and sandblasted and the interiors were fried. Good solid foundation for rebuilds though.

Then there are opportunities for kits: Event though it overlaps your current BMW.

There are a ton of other cool options including GTOs and Chevelles.

Have fun!

 

[jcyuhn]

Have you considered the 2003-2006 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG? It is basically a big German hot-rod, essentially Stuttgart's version of the Regal turbo. Nice examples are currently priced in the middle $20s. The 5.4L V8 is supercharged and intercooled, making 469HP and 516Lb-Ft. I think it's actually faster than the Regal, typical times are 12.5 @ 115MPH on street tires. Downside is mainly potential repair costs of all the fancy mechanical and electronic systems.

 

[user 6393]

My ex-husband had one of these in high school, and an old Chevy II

I am partial to old Camero's meeself

 

[BwanaDik]

American only? Or possibly a European model?

How about one of these? Italian styling and MoPar Power

Ghia L 6.4

Looks to be around $55,000 which seems to be around what you're going to spend (maybe a little high)

For Sale

Alternatively you might look at a Jensen, or Avanti.

Or is your heart set on '70's American iron (which is cool too)

(My photobucket seems to be wacked out, hence no pictures, is anybody else having trouble viewing it?)

 

[fjrbrad]

I'm with Whipper. Buy a new Boss mustang. All the modern conveniences and handling, with a warranty. Gotta be a fun car. Don't get me wrong I love the old stuff, but the new retro is pretty nice as well. Tons of performance goodies for those new stangs as well.