So,what rust bucket old muscle car should I buy?

youtube | 6/15/2016 | youtube

[mdittmar]

So,what rust bucket car should I buy?

It's gotta be cheap,it's gotta be running.

I need a truck,love El Caminos,then again I could buy a cheap truck that runs and get a 68 Camaro,then I watched the original "Gone In 60 Seconds" from 1974 and I like the fake Mach 1.

It has to be a manual not automatic.

[DaxtonBrown]

I ave a 57 Bel Air and a 67 Camaro. The Bel Air is a tank, will run forever The Camaro is a rocket sled. Take your pick.

Next I want a 53 Chevy pickup.

[DaxtonBrown]

“You’re not going to get a 68 Camaro or any Mach I “cheap”.”

You’d have to pry my 67 Camaro out of my cold dead fingers.

[21twelve]

I imagine you are right - just guessing at the dates.

Found the article:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-revenge/

As great as the Honda is, I was still debating on renting something for the kids to go to prom in rather than a mini van.

[Boowhoknew]

scare the young twerps in the tuners and mile high pickups.It’s good for the soul

[Boowhoknew]

66 and 1967 B bodies are reasonable enough, all the same underpinnings, Coronets and Belvederes

[mdittmar]

My aunt had a Laguna,It was cool,had swivel seats.

[enduserindy]

I had a mint 65 4 door. Put it on a 4x4 shortened Scout Terra Truck frame and drive train. Looked right out of Road Warrior.

[RegulatorCountry]

There’s some pretty good upside for 63-65 Rivieras, if you can find a solid, complete car. The lines are great, the interior is fantastic, especially the dash and console. 66-68 models are starting to appreciate but you’d need to find a high option GS. The boat tails have always been controversial, I’ve always liked them but many don’t. The 71-72 GS 455 models in good color combos are starting to pull interest, but very nice ones that aren’t GS can still be had for less than $5K. 1st generation Rivieras look good in any color combo. 2nd generation look best in metallics or dark colors with no vinyl top. 69-70 models were not as well proportioned with the 70 model being especially awkward, not as much interest in those. The boat tails look best in dark colors with the factory Buick mag wheels.

[Doogle]

....the one that has the most available parts to replace

[Dr. Sivana]

Coronets and Belvederes are hard to find, I’ve not seen any for a doable price , but at least you can get parts. A four door Dart or Valant could be a reasonably priced A body option, though you really have to beef up the suspension f yu upgrade the 225 or 273 that came stock in the earlier models.

[BigpapaBo]

Between myself and Mrs Bo, we have owned many Honda/Acura vehicles.
Sedans, suv’s, and vans. We have never had a single issue with massive drivetrain failure(engine or trans).
We’ve had them rust out. But other than the usual maintenance and regular fluid changes we’ve been lucky. I might add the trans fluid gets changed every year no matter what. High quality fluids are the key imho.

Excellent choice on the w210. When taken care of, they will go forever.

[rockrr]

Another car that I owned! (and forgotten about) I'm going through this thread catching up and seeing all the different cars that I've owned over the years.

I ended up parting out the Laguna after some clod sideswiped it.

[rockrr]

I procrastinated on a ‘67 Mustang coupe last fall.

The owner had put it under a tarp and condensation had its way with it. The interior was really bad - but he had a brand new complete interior kit for it. 351W and 4-spd.

The doors were rusted shut - I was afraid that I would going to destroy the doors trying to open it. I knew that I would have to remove the fenders and pull the doors, then pull and replace the hinges. I was very reluctant to start in on another rustbucket - especially for that price.

He was asking $4k. I offered $2k and he gave me the pained expression before shaking his head no.

I put out a couple of casual feelers but he wasn’t budging. Well, I found out this week that he sold it. He got $1800 for it.

Rats.

[c-b 1]

You are probably better off that you didn't get it, if the doors were rusted shut there were probably more serious rust issues. The interior is no big deal, surface rust on the exterior of the body is no big deal but when things rust out or together there are usually more problems.

The first thing to check on Mustangs is the torque boxes on the sub frame under the area of the driver's feet, if they are rusted out there will be serious rust problems elswhere.

When you go to look at a car like you are looking for always go prepared to crawl around under the car, and search for rusted areas.

[Jimma]

Just finishing the restoration on my 1970 RoadRunner. Sublime green, matching numbers, 383 w/727. She is pretty.

[rockrr]

Thanks for the advice.

I’m in western Washington where it isn’t so much wet as it is damp. It doesn’t take much trapped moisture to start a good crop of mildew going but other than slight surface rust where the paint was scratched or rubbed through (like the window ledge where you rest your arm) the damage to the interior was limited to the upholstery. Rubber parts like door seals were manageable.

When I tried the door the latch mechanism worked and the door opened about an inch before catching. I knew that if I forced it something would give - and it might not be the hinge.

I’ve always wanted to restore a ‘67-’68 Mustang so I will keep your advice in mind as I inspect them.

Thanks again!

[central_va]

You can't go wrong with a 68 Firebird:

E-bay Details about 1968 Pontiac Firebird

[Ghost of SVR4]

[mad_as_he$$]

Eloco body panels can be hard to find. You can buy every Camaro body panel from that era as a repop - including the unibody shell.

[mdittmar]

Don’t think Finnegan would sell his wifes’ Elcamino,but I think that’s what I’ll get. Had one before years ago with the factory manual 3 speed,it was fun should have kept it.