Muscle car

[TRXnewbie21]

Hey guys I'm heading off to college and wont be able to drive my maxx and other R/C's as much anymore so i plan on working many hours to buy some type of beat up old muscle car and restore it. I was thinking of finding either a late 1960's, 1970's, or early 1980's Dodge Charger, Pontiac Firebird, or Chevy Camaro. There are others cars I was considering looking into but these 3 seem like good choices to me. Which do you guys think would be the best choice, concerning part availability, style, and longevity. I've always been a fan of Mopar so the Charger is top on my list. I also like El Camino's, I've always been wooed by their look. Also since I'm going to major in mechanical engineering maybe my professor would let me bring the car to class and we can make some parts for it

Thanks for the input guys!

[TMaxxcrazy33]

if i could do that i would deff be geting a 1969 dodge charger 440 R/T i love them cars

[streetdemon]

Hate to burst your bubble but if you're going into mechanical engineering you aren't going to be making parts, at least not all too often. That being said, the charger might be pretty tough to find parts for, and I have always liked the El Camino. Just look for something with the straightest body possible. Changing an engine is easy, so is the trans rear, etc. You just want a straight, non-rusty body (don't worry about paint) and a nice chassis that's not rusted.

[BobR]

As a Mopar guy (and Charger owner) myself, I'd have to say go with a '70s Camaro/Firebird (late second-gen, or better, early third-gen) if only because of GM parts-bin availability. You really can't underestimate how expensive and rare Mopar parts are in that era and earlier, especially for desirable vehicles. And restoring a car is very possibly the most frustrating, difficult endeavor you will ever undertake - it's a nightmare.
Likewise with streetdemon's ME concerns. Aside from senior design work and the occasional CNC component (a coaster with your name on it!), you'll most likely be doing very little in the way of manufacturing.

[TRXnewbie21]

well i guess i didn't really mean make parts. i meant more put the parts together. When i went for my orientation i got to check out the engineering class and last year they made an offroad go-cart and had competitions with other engineering schools.

[streetdemon]

well i guess i didn't really mean make parts. i meant more put the parts together. When i went for my orientation i got to check out the engineering class and last year they made an offroad go-cart and had competitions with other engineering schools.

My brother actually has that at his school, except it's called formula SAE. The thing is that it isn't even a part of any class. It's basically a club, but it's a huge competition for them. They go all over the country racing.

[BobR]

Yeah, FSAE is typically outside of any class. Some schools have it or a similar program (Baja, etc.) as a tech elective, but you're not going to have any personal work done in a program like that.

[nunster]

Unless you got the money to dump into the project do not do it. Before you know it, you will have thousands and thousands of dollars invested into it and still will not be much of a car yet.
I still have a 440 with a tci tranny sitting collecting dust. I think it has a blown head gasket. It was an engine I through together. Still hasn't been bored yet. Still factory pistons. But with 1961 quenched heads that still need harden seats put into it. So got to run lead in the fuel. But with factory exhaust headers it produce a min. 250 hp at the wheels. Maxed out the schools dyno. That was a little past 3/4 throtle. ooops getting off tracked hear aint I.
So if you want a money pit that will give you headaches. Start restoring a car. You will find out why shops charge so much to restore a car. But at least you are trying to futher your education and move on in life. Good luck and try to have fun while doing it.

[4(CH3NO2)+3(O2)]

I can speak from experience that if you're going into Mechanical Engineering, and plan to do WELL (3.6+ GPA), then you're not going to have a lot of time for project cars (or money for that matter) for 3.5-4 Looooong years. But then when you graduate and get a real job, you can waste thousands on R/C...

[joedirt]

i got a 4sp 78 trans am putting out 550rwhp

[Sierra 008]

Go with a late 80's ElComino and slide th front fenders, hood and nose of a Camaro on it. Drop a C6 Vette otor and drivetrain in it and a 5 point harness and watch out!!! You could really have some fun at least till everyone hears about that super fast Elcomino with the Camaro front end on it!
Good Luck at college.

[joedirt]

parts are easy to get its the money. last summer i spent 5k just to get the car close to running. i replaced all the gaskets fuel pump gas tank bought performance parts ect.

[PMDRACER]

If you are going to buy one, pay the money now for a solid, well running car. Do not buy a project car or one on its last legs. You will not have the time to work on it, let alone expense.

I just 'restified' my Pontiac and it cost me over $20K, and that was after getting a killer deal on the paint job by trading out work. That amount does not include the money I spent on the motor, trans, fuel system, etc the year before.

Simply put - you need to spend the next 4 years learning, studying, and absorbing. This will not be the time to be thinking about whether your ride is going to make it to class in the morning.

[Nitronaught]

For parts availability and cost you are better off with a GM or Ford than a Mopar. Even though mopar parts have become a little bit more available I find them still very pricey in comparison.

Plus if you are making a daily driver out of it the front suspension of a GM or Ford holds up much better than most Mopars. I've had a 72 Duster with a 426 dropped in it, and a 75 Chevy Camarao with a 350. The Camaro was much cheaper to fix up and drove way better. but the Mopar was best for going down a straight 1/4 mile with your eyeballs slammed into the back of your head along with an empty wallet...

Listen to BobR he knows what he is talking about...

[TRXnewbie21]

you see i was planing on getting the car either 3rd or 4th semester of college and keeping it at my parents or grandpaps house while i'm finishing up school. then once i've got a real job and start settling down, i'll start dropping money into it. By no means would I be worrying about this car while i'm at school. i just want to get it while i'm at school so its ready and waiting for me by the time i've got a real job and a reliable car.

Also when i talk about the manufacturing of parts that would be parts such that would be on the interior. maybe make a sick custom steering wheel or shift knob.

I have to maintain a 3.0 to stay in the engineering class or else i'll be back home at community college. And i'm about a 2.6 student so i've got my work cut out for me. It's gonna be tough enough having atleast a 3.0, let alone that and building a car.

[Jason_garrison]

GM muscle cars tend to have a wider selection of cheaper parts available. But you would be far ahead in the long run buying one already done. You will have less $$ into it, sure its more up front but save now and then when you graduate buy what you want.

[Grand National]

I agree, you don't see as much chargers on the road today rather than firebirds and camero's. Plus chargers look amazing!

[TRXnewbie21]

anyone have any photos of their cars just to motivate me alittle more? ha.

[nunster]

Maybe you can custom build parts for your rc cars? And once you get out of college. Well then here comes marriage. =) And your strugling for money. Because the job you wanted someone else has. I would wait untill you have the money and time and then get a car to restore. Use that money you have in a better way. But if you do get a car. Well I was going to say a bug. But I remember how much my vw camper van costed to keep running. well good luck.