Smallest Classic American car.
Discussion
Guys, Could do with a bit of a hand here please.
I'm looking to sell my current skyline gts-t and get a nice classic last 60's or early 70's american car. I've worked on 60's cars before, so mechanically should be ok with looking after or building her up.
I've had a look around a few cars now and the main issue I have is of size. Yank cars are great, but far too big.
The garage I have would only just be able to handle the length of a mustang, around 4813mm and not much more. in terms of width as well, a mustang with a width of 1860 would be the most I could put in there and still get around her.
So, I'm looking for a good looking american motor from the 60's or 70's. I want smomething with a decent amount of power, say around the 200-250bhp mark, not totally stupid mpg, rear seats and most essentially that will fit in my garage. so 4820x1860 should be around the max size of it.
yes I know a mustang would fit nicely into all of these requirements, but can you think of anything else thats not ridiculously expensive? and i am willing to build it up from a complete rust bucket shell.
I'm looking to sell my current skyline gts-t and get a nice classic last 60's or early 70's american car. I've worked on 60's cars before, so mechanically should be ok with looking after or building her up.
I've had a look around a few cars now and the main issue I have is of size. Yank cars are great, but far too big.
The garage I have would only just be able to handle the length of a mustang, around 4813mm and not much more. in terms of width as well, a mustang with a width of 1860 would be the most I could put in there and still get around her.
So, I'm looking for a good looking american motor from the 60's or 70's. I want smomething with a decent amount of power, say around the 200-250bhp mark, not totally stupid mpg, rear seats and most essentially that will fit in my garage. so 4820x1860 should be around the max size of it.
yes I know a mustang would fit nicely into all of these requirements, but can you think of anything else thats not ridiculously expensive? and i am willing to build it up from a complete rust bucket shell.
Corvette C3 would fit at 4710 x 1760 (figs from http://www.carsplusplus.com/specs1977/chevrolet_co...
Depends what you call "classic" from the 60s/70's really and how far away from stock you want to go. Personally I really like Ford Mavericks (there's a Grabber on Ebay at the moment) and Pinto (with a 302/351 obviously) and Chevy Vegas. What about a Chevy II Nova maybe that would fit or at the top of the baby muscle list for me a Dodge Dart or maybe a Demon or even a Plymouth Duster.
Seeing as you're in Yorkshire you might want to sign up to the YorksYanks Forum and you'll probably get some good advice from the local guys. Plenty of brains to be picked over there.
Seeing as you're in Yorkshire you might want to sign up to the YorksYanks Forum and you'll probably get some good advice from the local guys. Plenty of brains to be picked over there.
Edited by TheMighty on Thursday 28th January 12:55
First one that pops into mind is the Dodge Dart. A friend had a couple and their durability was legendary, especially in his uncaring hands. They are much smaller than other cars of their era, but I couldn't say if they are Mustang size.
Another possibility is the Corvair. These were never loved by the masses so should be much cheaper than a Mustang. The rear mounted engine should lend an air of uniqueness too.
How about a Ford Falcon?. This was the starting point for the Mustang, but it may not be similar in size. Should be cheaper to buy though.
Personally, if I was after a fun, low tech, 60's ish car, I would be looking for a Cobra replica. You come across as handy with the spanners, so maybe an unfinished project might be up your alley.
Another possibility is the Corvair. These were never loved by the masses so should be much cheaper than a Mustang. The rear mounted engine should lend an air of uniqueness too.
How about a Ford Falcon?. This was the starting point for the Mustang, but it may not be similar in size. Should be cheaper to buy though.
Personally, if I was after a fun, low tech, 60's ish car, I would be looking for a Cobra replica. You come across as handy with the spanners, so maybe an unfinished project might be up your alley.
I reckon a a demon or duster or late 60s dart would be too big...
an earlier 63-66 a body mopar like a valiant or barracuda would fit, the later ones got bigger
or a mid 60s chevy nova
or mid 60s ford falcon
I also love the look of 61-62 buick skylarks and olds f85s...smaller than his 4820mm limit
some of the AMC cars are pretty small but I'm not well up on them...
an earlier 63-66 a body mopar like a valiant or barracuda would fit, the later ones got bigger
or a mid 60s chevy nova
or mid 60s ford falcon
I also love the look of 61-62 buick skylarks and olds f85s...smaller than his 4820mm limit
some of the AMC cars are pretty small but I'm not well up on them...
Edited by motorizer on Friday 29th January 21:33
redtwin said:
Buick Skylark is smaller than a Dart?. I have driven both, but either my perception of size or my memory is way off.
No...Skylark is a fairly large car (at least the older models were - the first itteration shared the bodies with the Pontiac Tempest/Lemans/GTO - the second shared the body of the Chevelle)
That being said, one of the oft forgotten American muscle cars was the Buick GSX based on the Skylark...
455ci engine. A mate of mine had one. It was a screamer.
61 to 62 skylark is a different body style and is smaller than a dart, they only became an intermediate tempest sized car in 1964...which was actually the third generation
people always say darts demon and dusters are small but they're acxtually pretty long, big rear overhang..
people always say darts demon and dusters are small but they're acxtually pretty long, big rear overhang..
Edited by motorizer on Saturday 30th January 13:45
Edited by motorizer on Saturday 30th January 13:53
those skylarks also came with the 215ci aluminium v8...which later became the rover v8
E bodys such as challengers are pretty big cars especially width wise as they were basically based on a shortened b body platform (charger, roadrunner..etc) so they are the same width but a foot or so shorter, might go i his garage lengthways but I bet he wouln't get the doors open, (long door too)
E bodys such as challengers are pretty big cars especially width wise as they were basically based on a shortened b body platform (charger, roadrunner..etc) so they are the same width but a foot or so shorter, might go i his garage lengthways but I bet he wouln't get the doors open, (long door too)
I think if you are talking about a reasonably sized classic American car it has to be the 64.5 to 66 Mustang.
It fills all your criteria, and there are parts supplers and clubs and support galore.
The others are all a bit esoteric, making parts supply more problematic, Getting the horsepower you want from many of the above suggestions would be far more pricey than a Mustang.
Bear in mind the 64 Falcon though. There are one or two about for sale, and use all the Mustang mechanicals (I know it is actually the other way around) and are good looking cars, plus they have a sporting/racing heritage.
The later E-body Mopars (Challengers/Barracudas) are big cars as mentioned, very wide.
It fills all your criteria, and there are parts supplers and clubs and support galore.
The others are all a bit esoteric, making parts supply more problematic, Getting the horsepower you want from many of the above suggestions would be far more pricey than a Mustang.
Bear in mind the 64 Falcon though. There are one or two about for sale, and use all the Mustang mechanicals (I know it is actually the other way around) and are good looking cars, plus they have a sporting/racing heritage.
The later E-body Mopars (Challengers/Barracudas) are big cars as mentioned, very wide.
Pontiac ventura's are very nice. First gen AMC javelin's not the beaky 2nd gen. If you like the US look you could get a 'Chrysler' Charger (not Dodge!), not many about though but most are RHD Aussie imports (unless the LHD thing appeals more to you)
I'd love a Firebird or Gen 1 Camaro but try to find a cheap one, even the rust buckets are dear.
I'd love a Firebird or Gen 1 Camaro but try to find a cheap one, even the rust buckets are dear.
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