Imaginary builds

[chimp koose]

This post is to help GPster stay entertained while he is healing up . As a kid I used to lie awake at night dreaming up cars I would like to one day build . Most all of them were pre 48 . Many were finished in metalflake! After building one particular car that was nice ('63 Pontiac Acadian) but that I was strangely not in love with I vowed to only build cars for myself that I had always wanted . That choice was made over 25 years ago and I have not regretted it . My first Front engine dragster was something I had always wanted (I was drawing pictures of them in grade 3 art class after watching them on wide world of sports ) . My 49 Anglia was another must build as I had saved pictures of the Brogie and Silvera drag Anglia from the mid 70's (fell in love with that one the moment I first saw it ).My T coupe was inspired by a next door neighbor basement renter who had a highboy coupe , blue with a blue and white tuck and roll upholstered roof. He only lived next door for 1 summer and I never talked to him ( I was in grade 3 and my parents would not have approved of me talking with a guy like him ).After I finish the T I will be done with my bucket list cars . I am just wondering what kind of things you RRT guys stayed awake dreaming about building when you were too young to drive ?

[enjenjo]

When I was about 11 years old I drew many pictures of a 46 to 48 Fleetline Aero-coupe. So far I have owned three. Plus 4 regular coupes, 2 four door sedans, and a sedan delivery.

[idrivejunk]

I only ever wanted a GTO. Just about any year would do, but a tri-power 4 speed 66 in Barrier Blue. Never had much luck making MY dreams reality but would like to think I've helped others to. Life capped me at Grand Prix and thats close enough I reckon.

A '40 Ford was the only thing I really lusted after as a kid.

[jaybee]

If I could have any 3 cars in my garage they would be:

1934 Ford coupe.
1967 Chevelle 2 door hardtop.
1969 Mustang sports roof.

[chimp koose]

I am guessing that none of us would keep these cars as stock . What would you do to them? Other than the obvious bathing them in metalflake when finished !

[jaybee]

I love cars which drive well. That leaves out Pro Street and original restorations. No bias ply tires and drum brakes for me.

I'd probably build the '34 with an LS-architecture engine because they're so compact and make good power. I think the '34 looks awesome with full fenders, so I would work hard to get the widest tires possible under the car with fenders. Disk brakes are a must, but thin fender cars should have a solid axle. Let's face it, you're only going to get so much ride and handling out of these cars, but getting the right spring rate and shocks would be a priority.

Or build that same car in a '30-31 A coupe. I like those a lot as well. Not a Deuce coupe? What can I say? I'm dreaming up my car. I sure wouldn't turn one away, but it's my 3rd choice. This is a mental exercise so I get to be picky.

The '67 Chevelle would also be LS-powered. I'd go pure Pro Touring on that one, with an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis  and plush interior but almost no body mods. The look would be '67 SS all the way but dropped over a lowered chassis with a whole bunch of rubber underneath.

As for the Mustang, once again Pro Touring but with a much more home grown flavor. Put a 393 Windsor stroker under the hood with EFI. With aftermarket heads and good parts that'll make a streetable 500hp and gobs of torque. Or that 400M I wrote about on another thread if I felt the urge to spend a lot more money just to have something unusual. Beef up the chassis with Monte Carlo bar, Export Brace, subframe connectors, convertible inner rockers, and whatever else I can think of. Front suspension would be strut rod eliminators, Shelby drop, all the chassis reinforcements from the Boss 302 manual, and a homebuilt coilover conversion. Rear suspension would feature a torque arm setup to replace the factory leaf springs. This car wouldn't escape entirely without body mods. I'd go with a ducktail or blade spoiler on the rear. At the front I'd tuck a 2010 Mustang C/S or Boss 302 lower front fascia under the stock bumper. The stock lower fascia would be cut so the ends would remain on the car to tie the original sheetmetal into the modern-style splitter package.  https://www.americanmuscle.com/csboss-lowerfascia-fog-1012gt.html

[idrivejunk]

Come to think of it there are a couple imaginary rides in my head. I have never thought them through because the punishment for desire is the agony of unfulfillment. But they might be fun to think about.

Of course everybody probably knows I'd like to rotate the engine in my GTP with a four speed out back a la 63 LeMans. Or just hack out the floor and put 69 Firebird junk under it. Because the car still blends in.

Then theres the single passenger, offset-driveline scratch build styled as a 30s coupe. Or take that 40 business coupe and have a slide-in bed like some 30s cars had. Those are neat.

My long term favorite idea car is the Chevroldsmobuiac. There could be one for each decade but the requirement is that it have distinct elements from all four brands... Chevy, Buick, Olds, and Pontiac. Best of each. For random 1970ish example, Chevelle / Camaro SS gymkhana wheels and tail lights, Buick Stage whatever 455 plus GSX chin spoiler and hood tach, Judge interior, nose, and wing, and 4-4-2 scoops and red W-30 wheelwells. Pick your own quarter panels (pick Grand Prix) or use different on each side and round it out with a Muncie or TH400 and 12 bolt posi. Because of course you would.

My mechanical ones are worse, I assure you.

[chimp koose]

Now you guys are TALKING ! How about a 56 crown vic with a tunnel ram cleveland /4spd . Silver with black leather tuck n roll and Cragar 5 spokes  with big rubber out back .Raised a couple inches all around . This was not my dream but I saw it for sale on kijiji and could not shake the vibe .

[jaybee]

I'm pretty sure Dad's favorite car he's ever owned was his 1949 Ford Business Coupe. For my thinking this one would have to be a sleeper build, very stock appearing on the outside but with plenty of rubber underneath on steel wheels. Update the look a bit with by making them 17" wheels, which still have enough sidewall to not look like rubber bands. Put in an MII front and another torque arm rear. I've become sold on torque arms for several reasons. It's adaptable, can use existing leaf spring front mounts for the left and right control arms, hooks well, and provides great articulation to prevent nasty handling surprises caused by suspension binding.

I see this one being the sort of car you'd want to drive long distances with good reliability and comfort. That's partly a testimony to Dad, who used to drive straight through to Iowa from Pennsylvania or Amarillo, TX when he was in the Air Force, before the Interstate System was built. When he got too tired to drive he'd find a place to pull over and lean on the steering wheel until it got too uncomfortable to stay asleep, then he'd keep going. I don't see doing that, but long hauls would be a lot more comfortable with nice bucket seats with good thigh and lumbar support, a center console with a padded lid at just the right height for an armrest, and an armrest on the door at the same height.

I left the power for last. It needs an engine that can run all day, get fuel economy if you're driving for distance, should scoot when you step on it, and it would be nice if it made people stop as they walk past your open hood because they've seen a million like it. The 4.6l 4v from an earlier Lincoln Aviator or Mk VIII ought to fit the bill, along with the matching 5 speed automatic. They made 280-300hp stock and with a few modest changes 325-350hp would suit the bill very well.

IF that engine would fit under the hood. They're pretty dang wide.

[jaybee]

Here's another one - 1983-88 Thunderbird. https://assets.mustangandfords.com/f/9147682.jpg

These are all Fox body underneath, only a few inches bigger than a Fox Mustang in any dimension other than overall length, and not much heavier. As a result you can do anything to them you can with a Fox body Mustang and have something unusual. 

[enjenjo]

Here's another one - 1983-88 Thunderbird. https://assets.mustangandfords.com/f/9147682.jpg

These are all Fox body underneath, only a few inches bigger than a Fox Mustang in any dimension other than overall length, and not much heavier. As a result you can do anything to them you can with a Fox body Mustang and have something unusual.

Or you could do a Fairmount, the original Fox body.

[idrivejunk]

Here's another one - 1983-88 Thunderbird. https://assets.mustangandfords.com/f/9147682.jpg

These are all Fox body underneath, only a few inches bigger than a Fox Mustang in any dimension other than overall length, and not much heavier. As a result you can do anything to them you can with a Fox body Mustang and have something unusual.

My boss has a weathered but cherry one stashed, in case somebody wants to build one. I imagine model specific resto stuff for them is getting scarce.

Anybody else got a closet Riviera fetish? 65, 70?

It would be a hoot to spec out a Grand Prix from each year but that would be less than fair because they all have such a big head start on cool.

[chimp koose]

I think the 65 ish rivierra is almost perfect as is . Wire wheels lowered a little and whatever nice paint you want , pearl , candy and yes .....even a little flake . If A riv of that vintage gets body mods they would best be subtle as the designers really did a great job . They would be neat with almost any drivetrain but something modern with OD would make for a car you would never want to stop driving .

[chimp koose]

OK so here is one I talked an old buddy into trying years ago . 56 Nash metropolitan with a turbo rotary /5spd ! Silly part is that they use almost identical motor mounting . I think he ran into a problem with the stock firewall mounted steering? His car had a 4:56 factory gear . At the time NHRA required a minimum 90" wheelbase , the Nash was 84" or 86"as I recall . He started the build but we lost contact and I think life got in the way of him finishing it . That car would be likely UNDER 2000 lbs . The original 4 cyl and cast iron 4 spd were definitely heavier than the rotary combo . That little beast would be the ultimate sleeper . A strut front end from a Datsun 510 or 240 Z  could be used to lighten it more . The datsun front end bolts on to the donor car so would be a good possibility for a swap .

[jaybee]

Long ago I had a buddy who was building a Metropolitan. He carried the long block into the basement by himself. It was a cool little car and very interesting in the way it was built. Being an early unibody it almost couldn't have been better designed to catch and hold water and mud.