Budget Muscle

  • Thread starter Slash
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Slash

Slash

POWER BY FORD
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Indian Falls, NY
slashfan7964
You are in the market for a classic muscle car, but you don't want to break the bank buying one. Almost everyone seems to think that owning a classic is typically high dollar, and it's not. You also want something that is easy to get into which serves as a good introduction to the muscle car world, while still being something those most people don't have.

You've got $8,500 saved up. Your budget won't allow for anymore. You don't want anything older than 1965, but you also don't want anything newer than 1985. Do you get something complete, nice and driveable, or do you get something a little cheaper to mod up and make your own? Do you turn to the 1970's? What do you get?
 
That engine put out 265hp, right? Not true muscle car output, but still enough.
 
Ken Koios
That engine put out 265hp, right? Not true muscle car output, but still enough.
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The 390 that year put out between "265-335". A few years prior it was dumping out over 400 with certain models and a few years after it was around mid 300s.

Couple bolt on parts will net you a 50-100 horsepower increase for not much money at all. Dig into it a little and 200 horsepower bolt on is not out of the question.
 
Murcie_LP640
Is this another hypothetical or is this a real situation?
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Hypothetical.

Could potentially serve as a buyers guide for either myself or someone else looking to get into the scene for cheap so make it actually viable.

Personally, I'd say the Fox Body, later 2nd and early 3rd gen Camaros, and Mavericks would be the easiest to get into, but if you want something different, a Duster, Valiant or various Firebirds might work.
 
Slash
The 390 that year put out between "265-335". A few years prior it was dumping out over 400 with certain models and a few years after it was around mid 300s.

Couple bolt on parts will net you a 50-100 horsepower increase for not much money at all. Dig into it a little and 200 horsepower bolt on is not out of the question.
Click to expand...

Easy to do with the extra $2500. That would be a fun little car with say 425hp under the hood.

Fun game. The only thing I have a problem with it is my wife is going to hate it come next tax season.
 
Ken Koios
Easy to do with the extra $2500. That would be a fun little car with say 425hp under the hood.

Fun game. The only thing I have a problem with it is my wife is going to hate it come next tax season.
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Hell, that $2,500 could easily get you a tear down and rebuild that could push you into 450-475 territory, maybe more if you use "cheap" parts. Little much for a beginner though.

For $2,500, you can build a small 302 that puts out just over 400 crank horsepower so for that money with a 390...FE parts are a bit expensive but they interchange with many other engines of that series so that may knock price down a bit.
 
Slash
Hell, that $2,500 could easily get you a tear down and rebuild that could push you into 450-475 territory, maybe more if you use "cheap" parts. Little much for a beginner though.
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Who said anything about a beginner? Slightly skilled novice, but not a beginner. Plus, I still have some connections in the Ford parts world. I would still have money left over.

Remember, I was a Ford and Mazda Service Advisor, parts supervisor, and Quicklane Foreman.

Oh yeah, my wife is eventually going to kill me.
 
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Ken Koios
Who said anything about a beginner? Slightly skilled novice, but not a beginner. Plus, I still have some connections in the Ford parts world. I would still have money left over.

Oh yeah, my wife is eventually going to kill me.
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Not you per say, but for anyone that's never tinkered with one of these machines. They are stupid easy to get into.
 
True! And I think that would be the best part on buying a budget muscle car. The tinkering.
 
Murcie_LP640
Damn.

Probably the only potential interest in that price range where I am is a Holden One Tonner.
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It's potentially real though, and should be treated as such.

I really want to get into Mopar stuff.


Ken Koios
True! And I think that would be the best part on buying a budget muscle car. The tinkering.
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That's why I do it. It's freaking fun.
 
Slash
You guys have your own breed of muscle down there. I suspect it might be more expensive to get into than here in the States though.
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It is. The Kingswood/1 Tonner is pretty much the classic Aussie car for people who can't afford the "proper" muscle cars. Though a 350 Chev conversion is pretty popular with them.
 
Slash
The 390 that year put out between "265-335". A few years prior it was dumping out over 400 with certain models and a few years after it was around mid 300s.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't depend on Ford's hp ratings. The Boss 429 was rated at 375 hp, and put out more like 500 hp. Hell, the SS396 Camaros were rated at 375 hp. Same with the 428 Cobra Jet. It's rated at 335 hp, but known to put out more like 400 hp.

As for budget muscle, I've seen base model, powered Torinos, Fairlanes, or Galaxies for under $10000 from time to time.
 
mustang fanatic
I wouldn't depend on Ford's hp ratings. The Boss 429 was rated at 375 hp, and put out more like 500 hp. Hell, the SS396 Camaros were rated at 375 hp. Same with the 428 Cobra Jet. It's rated at 335 hp, but known to put out more like 400 hp.

As for budget muscle, I've seen base model, powered Torinos, Fairlanes, or Galaxies for under $10000 from time to time.
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Oh trust me, I know.

playnthru
You could have this for your budget http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4446072236.html

Or spend a little more for this http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4445348084.html
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Lol the bottom one is $10,000 more than the budget XD
 
It only works on that weird body style. It also seems to fit the weird name, "Ranchero". :lol:

I'd take an El Camino as an alternate, but Rancheros are less common and thus cooler, in my opinion.
 
JMoney689
It only works on that weird body style. It also seems to fit the weird name, "Ranchero". :lol:

I'd take an El Camino as an alternate, but Rancheros are less common and thus cooler, in my opinion.
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I agree. Though I prefer the years just prior to.
 
It's a 250ci sixer with the weak rear end. But for less than $5,000!!! So for another five you can put a stock 5.0 or 302 in it, three speed, and decent rear end and have a fun little Maverick! Doesn't need anything else either. Paint color leave much to be desired, but it's in great condition, as is the interior.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Other-Grabber-/191146181481

$_57.JPG
 

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