Everyday American Muscle

[Condi]

Has anyone got any suggestions for an "everyday" American muscle car which would live outside in the UK without too much difficulty? Long story short, I'd love a 1960s Mustang but have nowhere inside to keep it, so until the point I have a big enough garage, is there is something else, maybe 1970/80's, which isn't going to rust away? Must have V8, muscle/pony car looks. Budget sensible, but not excessive.

[rovermorris999]

Everything from that period will rust. A body on frame vehicle would be best as they're easier to patch than a monocoque but will need rustproofing thoroughly and regularly. Perhaps a Corvette as you'd only need to worry about the chassis?

[vixen1700]

Sensible budget £13k?

How about a bit of proper Mopar?

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1581684

California car, rust free, keep it outside and just keep on top of any corrosion.

Get the real deal!

[RazerSauber]

Not the era you're looking for but a modern Dodge Challenger can be found at around the 20k mark and will keep rust off way better than anything from the 80's.

[aeropilot]

Condi said:

is there is something else, maybe 1970/80's, which isn't going to rust away?

No.

Also, you have to remember that after 71/72 (with only the odd exception) there was nothing 'muscular' about anything made in the USA, as the emissions rules dropped horsepower dramatically as to be pointless, so anything from this era (Camaro, Firebird & Corvette basically, and Fox body Mustang from the 80's) will need an engine transplant or lots of mods.........and will still rust like no tomorrow.

As poster above says, I'd look at more recent Challenger or Mustang etc which will be in budget, but will happily live outside, and then look for something older when you have that garage.

[Retro_Jim]

What about the mid 2000s Mustang - looks based on the 60's mustang but has a reliable engine and could be left outside.

[aeropilot]

Retro_Jim said:

What about the mid 2000s Mustang - looks based on the 60's mustang but has a reliable engine and could be left outside.

Yep, 4th or 5th gen Mustang would be my choice as well.

This is in budget?

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1647567

[Yertis]

RazerSauber said:

Not the era you're looking for but a modern Dodge Challenger can be found at around the 20k mark and will keep rust off way better than anything from the 80's.

I like the newer Challengers etc but they’re not cool in the same way are they

[KingGary]

For modern(ish) day muscle, look at a the Monaro. Can be used every day and all the oily bits are American.

[I-am-the-reverend]

The real value is in the 65-72 four doors. Dodge Polara, Plymouth Satellite, Chrysler Newport, Chevrolet Impalas and the Ford Galaxie/LTD and Custom 500. 390/440 etc big blocks so plenty of grunt.

You'll need to import something and absolutely drown it in Waxoil, Dinitrol or whatever.

That apart, the 2000's Mustang is an excellent and tough car.

[vixen1700]

A bit limited in the UK, but you could go to the source to find something interesting and at this price you could get it shipped/imported.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276690824093?_skw=ford+mu...

Sounds nice!

Take in a decent road trip too.

[some bloke]

I-am-the-reverend said:

The real value is in the 65-72 four doors. Dodge Polara, Plymouth Satellite, Chrysler Newport, Chevrolet Impalas and the Ford Galaxie/LTD and Custom 500. 390/440 etc big blocks so plenty of grunt.

You'll need to import something and absolutely drown it in Waxoil, Dinitrol or whatever.

That apart, the 2000's Mustang is an excellent and tough car.

So true. I have a 1966 Impala 4 door with a fresh 383 in it if you're interested. It's RHD, so the best of both worlds.

[Condi]

Interesting, and tbh probably what I expect, thank you all.

To the poster above, I doubt any amount of waxoyl is going to stop a car of that vintage rusting away outside, so unfortunately it will have to wait until I have somewhere to keep it undercover. The mid 2000's Mustang is one I hadn't considered, but will have a look.

[vixen1700]

To be honest, the rust thing is probably less of a worry than most people imagine.

Round my way there are a few cars I know of that live outside and are used and seen often:

Rover P6- Just had a full respray and still parks in the road
Scimitar GTE
'70 Mustang
Citroen DS
Daimler 420
'65 Ford Woody station wagen
My Amazon
XJ6 Series 1
'69 MGB Roadster

Get something decent to begin with, protect it and it'll last.

You know you want something old really.

[some bloke]

Condi said:

Interesting, and tbh probably what I expect, thank you all.

To the poster above, I doubt any amount of waxoyl is going to stop a car of that vintage rusting away outside, so unfortunately it will have to wait until I have somewhere to keep it undercover. The mid 2000's Mustang is one I hadn't considered, but will have a look.

I keep the Impala outside and there's a little bit of rust coming back through in a couple of door corners, where it was bogged up previously. These cars are pretty solid though.

If you get something, there are some good car covers around. I have a half cover (made for this model) that I use most of the year and a full cover that I put over it in Dec/Jan. I also coat the underside with Lanoguard every year and don't drive on salted roads. I would drive it a lot more if I had a drive to park it on; I live fairly central in a city and getting home after 7pm, it can be a bit of an issue trying to find somewhere to park.

Edit to say, it's a buyers market atm - have a look on ebay in classic cars/American to see what your budget would get you. Car and classic is quite good too.

[vixen1700]

Another well used local car, this was taken in the Tesco car-park.



Parking skills!

[I-am-the-reverend]

Oooof!

I do like a 1960 Coupe. Not as much as a 1961 but even so.

As for rust: US steel was rather better than that used in European and Japanese cars.

[4rephill]

rovermorris999 said:

...Perhaps a Corvette as you'd only need to worry about the chassis?

Yeeeah - That's not true (especially with C3 Corvette's)

Corvette's not only have a steel chassis, they also have a steel sub-structure that supports the bodywork called "the birdcage", that is buried inside the fibreglass body:



Unfortunately, moisture can get to the birdcage, and they rot away completely out of sight, making the cars seriously dangerous to drive (especially C3's from 1968 to 1982)

This site shows just how badly old Corvette's can rust out of sight:

https://www.corvettec3.ca/rustpics/index.html

[SFTWend]

Some blokes Chevy must surely be worth considering, especially being rhd with a new motor.

I bet it sounds amazing.

[vpr]

4rephill said:

rovermorris999 said:

...Perhaps a Corvette as you'd only need to worry about the chassis?

Yeeeah - That's not true (especially with C3 Corvette's)

Corvette's not only have a steel chassis, they also have a steel sub-structure that supports the bodywork called "the birdcage", that is buried inside the fibreglass body:



Unfortunately, moisture can get to the birdcage, and they rot away completely out of sight, making the cars seriously dangerous to drive (especially C3's from 1968 to 1982)

This site shows just how badly old Corvette's can rust out of sight:

https://www.corvettec3.ca/rustpics/index.html

Absolutely…birdcage on a C2/3 often goes without inspection.


NOTHING metal and older than 20 yrs is going survive in our damp and manly climate

Friend of mine picked up a 93 C4 Corvette for 12k and it’s beautiful.

That’s what I’d be going for.