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

[BwanaDik]

He's already got the "new" car, I think he's looking for something with character. I had the same wish and got this. There's just a different feel to the early '70's cars. We've got a small pick-up and a BWM hot rod sedan but they're not the same as the old Coupe

Here's another one. Chevy 327 power for that V-8 noise we all love so much!

Intermeccanica INDRA

Clicky

 

[sportsguy]

OK, trying to cover a bunch of replies...

Tyler - decent idea, but I'm not a fan of the Nova/Chevy II. Thanks for playing, pick up your two-slice toaster at the door on your way out...!

Let's get my budget sorted - $25,000 - $30,000. So, while all of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 chatter is nice, it just ain't gonna happen.

A bit stunned by how little love the Buick Grand National is getting in the poll. WOW! Still, the poll is makign me feel good about the old iron!

Who mentioned the AMG Mercedes...?! I see where you're going, and appreciate it, but you're on your own there. I cannot see me tearing into an E55 in my garage to tinker... LOL

Old school BMW's, while appealing, need not apply. I have a new-ish one, so if it's old school Euro I gravitate towards, I'll find a Porsche (and probably lament my decision. )

Now, all my *personal* thoughts aside, I'm LOVING this discussion and the cool ideas folks are putting forth. Even if I know some are clearly not what I'm after (clear in my mind, if not in my posts), everything mentioned is rockstar so far.

 

[rogdeb]

Got nothing technical to add (cause I can't) --- except I voted Mustang The '69 is just too cool looking.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Got nothing technical to add (cause I can't) --- except I voted Mustang The '69 is just too cool looking.

Gunny on that! :yahoo:

Rog, can you buy me that one....please! :clapping:

 

[airboss]

Not to be biased

I've owned a few Mustangs and these are the ones I would like to have back.

Not my pictures but same models

'68 hardtop box stock, 302, auto, aftermarket wheels, and "wide oval tires " remember them. A real sweet driver.

1972, again out of the box stock, 428,ram air, 4spd, Detroit locker rear axle.

2000 Mustang GT, not exactly stock, 302, 5spd, high pressure injectors, custom super chip, ebach matched suspension (struts, shocks, springs,and sway bars), 2 1/2" exhaust with flow masters, and 17" wheels and tires.

 

[Old Michael]

Yes, Mustang.

But maybe a bit older?

 

[juniorfjr]

The cuda' would be great, but Mopars are drawing dollars I don't understand. The 69 Camaro is the car that got away back in the day. I am now working on my 6th mustang and would love a 69-70 boss. But the rare ones are out of my range now. A friend just sold an original yellow 70 boss 302 with 115k on the odo. Reached a point where they were afraid to drive it, for fear of a loss. Paid off the house and retired though. A restomod 69 is a good mix of cool and useable.

 

[dj bill]

in my garage right now next to the fjr,for sale for the right price,brand new 351 windsor in her last fall.

 

[fjrwalker]

Of the cars you’ve listed I’d prefer the AMX. The rarity makes it a more interesting choice, for me. Next I’d go with a Camero, just because I logged millions of miles in them in the showroom of the dealership my dad worked for. But if I were in the market for a “collector car” I’d steer clear of the muscle cars. In my opinion, unless you go with a full-on restomod, the driving satisfaction just doesn’t live up to the looks.

 

Instead I’d look for a cruiser. Something like a fifties Buick (I drove a ’53 in high school in the mid 70’s) or an early 60’s Cadillac, Lincoln, or Imperial (when they truly were the world’s best cars). These cars can be much more affordable than muscle cars and because they’re not so much about performance they don’t disappoint nearly as much as drivers. Plus you can pack in a bunch of people to go out for dinner and/or a cruise.

 

If anyone finds granddad’s ‘62 Sedan de Ville in the garage or barn, please let me know.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Sports,

My neighbor took me a riiiiiide in his pristine Gran National.... I did not know what it was until when he hit the throttle.... it felt like 3 g's against the seat. What a sleeper.

Since this is a turbo charged V6, you will get good mileage and a Sleeper like the FJR.

However, it may not have as much Muscle Car looks you may be looking for...with that in mind... it is probably Least likely to be stolen too !

 

[C&C]

Put me down for the '69 Camaro (Z-28 specifically); been my 'if' car my whole life: if I had the money, if I had the garage, if I had the opportunity, if................

 

[Bounce]

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

that pretty much sums up all American Muscle. fast off the line (displacement, etc.) but wonky when it hits the first curve. all that American Muscle displacement usually translates into lots of weight up front (engine) and old-school suspensions (some designs think "live axles" are new tech).

From your comments you're familiar with how a car should handle. Don't expect that from classic American Muscle. There's a reason US cars don't find a lot of favor around the world outside of the straight line large displacement fanboys.

If you're looking for character and handling isn't an issue, it's hard to beat a 59 caddie hearse in candy apple red!

 

[AVGeek]

If you're thinking early Mopar, don't count out the Duster/Dart cars. I had a 72 Plymouth Valiant (Dodge Dart) with the 318 and factory air. The car is light, actually handles reasonably well for the era, and can be found very cheap (I saw a 74 that was similar to mine in Phoenix recently for only $800; it was a driver that was looking for paint and interior). Of all the cars I owned when I was younger, it was one of my favorites.

 

[Checkswrecks]

None of the above! There are so many Mustangs and such that they generally don't get noticed. Meanwhile, your price could get you into a Model A rod!

 

[sportsguy]

Well, so much for old muscle cars not being able to handle...LOL Leave it to Hotchkiss Suspension!

2010 Challenger SRT8 v. 1970 Challenger T/A 340 - worth watching.

 

[Panman]

I like your whole orginal list even the Grand Sport. Decide what you want and just do it, just remember that it's never going to be as cheap as you thought. I wish just once I could buy something turn key. I thought that's what I was doing when I bought my FJR! Even with that Ilearned to farkel.

 

[fljab]

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...

I saw that too! I wanted a new '11 5.0 Mustang but I cooled off and bought a real clean '05 Dodge Magnum RT.

That said, there's nothing like a classic American muscle car; they are pricey for a nice one and you could easily spend as much or more for a good running modern car and it wouldn't do anything as well - except for the cool factor and retaining their value.

I trend toward anything not Chevy for the most part, but even I cannot argue with the ease and availability of parts and horsepower. The old cars updated with modern LS power makes for a great combo. But, DANG, there's so many of them at any drive in show or what not. Ditto for chevy powered 32 fords.

Fords; I've been a ford guy forever and still have a '73 Q code Mach 1 I bought new. Before anyone gets excited, it's in bad shape and has been sitting out for yrs; I've been actively trying to sell it for a couple of weeks now and have some 'maybes'; decided it was time to let go.

I really like the unusual cars - something like a '64 Polara, or ? I dunno, but I know when I see it. Kinda how I got onto AMC's; they made some strange stuff aka Pacer, but some of their designs were pretty clean.

Good luck and by the way, your poll: for the AMC choice you have a '69 AMX listed, but the pic is of a '70 (best yr IMO). I'm voting for it anyway...

 

[rogdeb]

Got nothing technical to add (cause I can't) --- except I voted Mustang The '69 is just too cool looking.

Gunny on that! :yahoo:

Rog, can you buy me that one....please! :clapping:

Will do Mark If you can buy me a Lincoln Mk 3, 1970, and we'll trade I have this thing for the Mark 3 ever since I saw one in an English ganster movie, about 40+ years ago. Make mine white, red leather interior --- thankya buddy

Sorry for the hijack Sportsguy.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Yes, Mustang.

But maybe a bit older?

Very nice but most likely pushing close to 100K. ( 67 shelby GT?) would be my guess. I have owned up to 4 mustangs at one time. I sold Three of the four to a restoration guy in NH. I still have my 65 convertable which I bought when I was 17 but sad to say it has been going down hill for the last several years. It now resides in a field waiting to be restored.

Dave

 

[juniorfjr]

None of the above! There are so many Mustangs and such that they generally don't get noticed. Meanwhile, your price could get you into a Model A rod!

Too bad when someone ruins a good ford by putting a damm chevy motor in it.