first-rate Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own
There has never been a better time to build a muscle car project. The availability of aftermarket parts, crate motors, disc brake kits and other upgrades make approximately anything possible. The other plus is the relative low cost of these parts. One can categorically start with a bare shell and build a perfect top notch car using aftermarket/new parts exclusively. The sky's the limit!!
Another plus with these older era rigs is the simplicity of the cars themselves. They are much easier to work on or build than the newer stuff. No emissions, electronic fuel injection, abs brakes, air bags or any other industrialized systems that need thorough specialized training. All the non-sense is outta the way!!
With sites like eBay and Craigslist, there are tons of sources to find solid project cars. You can find just about any make/model predicted without a lot of effort.
Choosing A Make and Model:
One of the coolest aspects of this whole car construction firm is choosing your project. You may want to build a numbers matching 100% strict car and re-create a piece of automotive history, or you may want to get an old "mongrel" for cheap and play the creative angle to build something unique. Cost is a big factor here, a extremely sought after numbers matching rig is gonna be much more high-priced to acquire and build than an old "grocery getter", but both have advantages.
Comparatively, a 1969 Rs/Ss numbers matching Camaro is gonna fetch top dollar if done well, if being at the top of the food chain is important to you. The same 1969 Camaro with a puny 327/powergide that was never anything more than a basic model is obviously going to cost less initially and be easier to find than the "top dog".
I think the lower model is more fun to build because the sky's the limit. It was never anything extra to begin with, so it's categorically a blank canvas that can be cloned or modified with any crazy mods/upgrades. The engine, tranny, color, pretty much any changeable is possible. You categorically can't do that with an industrialized model without de-valuing it.
Wheelin' and Dealin':
There are running, driving cars that need a little tlc, or there are absolute basket cases out there that can be had for cheap. It depends on the whole of ambition you have. I prefer the basket cases for lots of reasons.
The main theorize is there are lots of 'em laying around. Lots of guys start these projects with a lot of enthusiasm, but finally get in over their heads. They don't have the money or the expertise to see the project through to the end, and it becomes a nightmare. It's not unusual to find projects that come with tons of new parts and killer stuff that cost a small fortune, and now the owner just wants it all gone. If a car on jackstands in someones stable disassembled in a billion little pieces doesn't scare you, there are very good deals out there for you.
Assessing The Condition:
The whole one thing i look at when assessing any project is structural condition. Look at the frame rails, suspension mounts, crossmembers etc. For damage or rot. Portion the frame diagonally to be sure the frame isn't crooked. Portion from the cowl area to the outer corner of the radiator reserve to ensure it's dimensionally correct. It doesn't have to Portion "dead-nuts" on, but if there's sure heavy damage you should find it early.
The good news is that any possible damage is fixable! Just because there is a 2 inch quadrilateral hole rusted through the rear frame rail doesn't mean the car should go to the crusher!! If fact, the more problems you find are just ammunition you can use to get a lower purchase price. Don'T Be Afraid Of Damage/Rust! It's all fixable.
Look at door hinges and latches. Window regulators. Dashboard wiring. Is the fuel tank dented? Is all the door glass tinted the same? Has someone hacked up the car in any way to do some freaky institution stuff? Are all the nuts/bolts/fasteners there? Brackets? These are often overlooked details that can be a royal pain to deal with later.
It should go without saying to be sure the title is clear. Previously wrecked cars can be re-titled as "salvage" vehicles. This doesn't mean the car is categorically damaged beyond repair, it means that the guarnatee firm considered that the cost to mend the car at the time of the damage/accident exceeded the value, so it was "totalled". For example if you owned a 1967 Dodge Dart in that was damaged in 1981, it wouldn't take much damage to exceed "book value" on what was at that time a run-of-the-mill grocery getter.
This affects re-sale value more than anything else, it is a mild preventative from buying the car, but again, it's leverage to negotiate. If you never plan to sell the car, re-sale value wouldn't be an issue.
Practical Thoughts:
It's very possible to spend years looking for a "perfect project". The qoute with that type of conservative reasoning is that you'll never find anything "perfect". At some point, you have to stop picking every prospective car to death and jump into the game. For example, is a carved up dashboard categorically going to be the unlikeness in a victorious build and a life altering nightmare? It doesn't take long on any project to find surprises, dealing with them without catastrophising them is the unlikeness in cars that get fulfilled, and old rustbuckets on jackstands. A fulfilled, car with flaws is worth more than a car that'll be exquisite someday. There's an old saying in business: At some point it is vital to shoot the engineers and begin production.
Calculating The Cost To cease The Build:
This is where most would-be projects go wrong. You should have a clear idea of what it's all gonna cost before you even look at a car. The bad news is these projects can get out of control categorically quick if you're not careful. The good news is there are lots of good sources for parts, and catalogs to job-cost the project.
A good first time project would be to just re-condition an old rig without a lot of upgrades. You can improve your skills with categorically super trick stuff after a few builds. It doesn't take long before you'll be able to build about anything you want.
Here's an example of a basic allocation for a uncomplicated recondition project:
Initial purchase: 00
Sheetmetal/body parts: 0
Paint/body materials: 0
Rebuild brakes: 5
Rebuilt engine/longblock: 00
Engine add-ons: 50
(headers, holley carb, Hei ignition,
trick valve covers, etc.)
Drivetrain upgrades: 0
(u-joints, tranny cooler, steering
linkage, etc)
Bumpers/trim mouldings: 00
Windshield: 5
Interior Kit: 0
Tires/Wheels: 00
Misc surprises: 00
Est cost to build: ,110
Summary:
Building these cars is a real kick, there is nothing like rescuing an old car with your own hands. The only way to learn to do this is to just get a project and go for it. The good news is it's not that difficult. A willingness to get your hands dirty goes a lot additional than high mechanical ability. someone with basic mechanical aptitude can categorically build a musclecar.
first-rate Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own
Can Crusher
first-rate Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own
first-rate Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own
first-rate Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own
