I've always wanted to fix up an old sports car/gut it out and use it as a toy. I have the resources and skills and I'm looking for advice and ideas on which car to begin with. I've always wanted an old Porsche but I feel like it would get expensive fast and parts would be hard to come by. I'm ideally trying to keep it under 15k, "ideally". Miatas are fun but, relatively inexpensive, and parts are plentiful but it doesn't have that x factor for me. Please share your input! Thanks!

 

Classic MG, I've built a few over the years.

 

+1 on the MG or Austin Healey ... I'm a Midget/Sprite fan from way back... so much so I have always had one (or two) ever since I was 15 years old. (My current is a 1975 MG Midget 99% restored)

Basket cases can be found for a few hundred, decent body shells for a few hundred more. (You can even buy brand new body shells but now you are getting into prices that rival new cars).

Parts are inexpensive and readily available, and if you can't find it here, then chances are you can find it easily in the UK. for an idea of how easily they are to find do an Internet Search on MG Parts... and you should see at least three of the main suppliers

Best of luck no matter what you do...

Motor on!

 

For a first project I recommend you stick with something that is more recent that has a good support network. Consider the Miata or Mustang GT that was built in the mid 80"s to 2000 can be found still in restorable shape that won't break the bank. Whatever your planned budget you will spend twice that on the "project" car.

I have done a couple of first gen Mustangs, a 72 F100, a 70 Nova, 75 Spitfire 1500, and I am currently working on a 74 Stingray. All but the second Mustang (68 Fastback) and the Corvette have been in the price range you are looking at. The 68 Fastback snowballed to twice the planned $16K budget very quickly. Also realize that I have the resources and skills to rebuild engines, weld in floor pans, do minor body work, and paint the vehicles so I am not spending the lions share of my budget farming out work. I am not too good with the interior trim and usually farm that out.

For every completed project there is 4 or 5 cars that are in somebody's garage sitting on jack stands that the owner has lost interest in or can no longer fund it. Whatever the project car, have a plan. Know what a realistic cost of rebuilding the engine, transmission, rear end, suspension, wiring harness, bodywork and interior trim are going to cost if you do the work or if someone else does it.

 

Stay away from the norm, parts prices can get outrageous. I prefer to go with the 1968-73 Opel GT, If you have the skills then this is a car to have fun with. Very simple set up. There is a great support community here in the states Opelgt.com and over sea's. The parts are available, along with many upgrades, here in the states from 2 main suppliers, very reasonable. Of course the main problem is rust, as is with any old car, look for one from out west if possible or garage kept. I have been playing with them since 1980, and parts availability has come a long way, with many new reproduction's. Just a matter of money & or skill level. Yes I have Opelitis. & now Mini Mania

 

My 1st thought is always MUSTANG, but if you want to do something alittle out of the norm how about a Datsun 510, 240 Z, or a '77 Celica

 

I always thought it would be cool, and a hell of a lot of fun, to take a small car like a Mini or Miata...and shoehorn a newer Chevy LS motor into one. I've seen some guys doing it to Miatas......imagine having a car that small with 400+hp on tap that is totally streetable, gets good fuel mileage, and more power than you would ever need

 

Turbo e30 or supercharged e36

 

I'm thinking still a Porsche if I can find one.... But I do like the idea of a Datsun... Maybe I should stick to the good and true and just do a classic mini!

 

A 2 door Datsun 510 would be a cool project if you can find one in decent shape. Older 911's are going up in value quickly, same with 914's. 944's are great handling cars, but parts and maintenance can be more than a 911.

 

Unfortunately you're right. I wonder how hard it is to find parts for a 510 or even a 240z.

 

I think the bigger problem is finding a good 2 door 510, or 240Z to start with : (

 

I'd be cool with a clean body and engine and everything else would be brought up to modern standards.

 

I feel like I have a list of project cars that mimick you guys. In no particular order


BMW 2002
BMW e30 M3
Datsun 510
RX7 Gen 3
Mazda Miata (because everyone should have a track day miata)
Subaru Legacy GT Wagon
Ford F100 circa 1950's
Ford Falcon 1960's
Maybe an AE86


I've actually owned a few cars on this list but sold them before I got around to their projects (F100, BMW 2002, Miata) maybe one day!

 

Find something cheap to buy and able to turn over. Approach everything else about it with zealous gusto and damn what anybody says or thinks about it. Make it so cheap that cutting it up, spray painting, gutting it, drilling into it, setting it on fire, and generally ruining it won't bother you.

 

Miata may be the cheapest project for performance if you're into autox/track days.

But beware, they aren't really reliable. I went through 3 engines on a 99 (NB) in a matter of 24K miles.

 

Fight California Traffic Ticket with traffic ticket california . 100% money back guarantee - No hidden fees! We can fight almost any traffic ticket California for a flat fee for all citations. Call us today at (818)332-0255.

 

Check out my post called Bevy

 

What the heck were you DOING to them?!? People get 300k-400k miles out of the ORIGINAL engine on Miatas! Although the '99s in particular can have a bearing issue....
Newest one I've had was a 2003 LS and zero problems in 85k miles.

OP - Nissan Z car or late C4 Vette.