How much would it cost to fix up an old Chevelle?
I'm 17, about to start my senior year of high school and am still carless ! :/ well I've saved up roughly 9,000 working 2 jobs and recently found this beautiful chevelle that's going for about $7,000 and I'm really interested in buying it. I love classic cars and this one seems to be in great condition- practically new red paint, clean looking leather seats and interior and everything.. The only thing I'm not sure about is the engine- surely it's the original with countless miles! I'm gonna go check it out tomorrow but I was just wondering how much would it cost to fix up and drop a completely new engine in the car? Honestly, I don't know a lot about the mechanics but surely there's all sorts of stuff that would have to be replaced besides the engine. So what types of engines would fit in this (guessing here but roughly late 60s- early 70s chevelle)? and how much would it run me for a nice engine- labor and all?
How Much Would It Cost / What Do I Need To Put The New Chevy 572 Big Block Engine Into a 1970 Chevelle SS 396?
I own a shop, and think if you are that into these old cars, then you should attend a college such a YOTECH, and learn everything you can about cars. You would be in the bracket of $10,000 - $12,000 to have a 572 put in a 70 Chevelle. It can be done cheaper, but if you don't have the knowledge to do things for yourself, then you are at the mercy of having it done. Having it done is expensive! A small block 383 stroker will hand it to the imports, and is far cheaper done than the 572. The 572 is more for the serious race person that has deep pockets. I have a drag car, and a drag truck, but I don't drive either on a daily basis due to the cost. I do love it when I'm out in one of my rods, and some guy in an import takes me on. OH HOW I LOVE IT!!! 90% of the time I don't even get into the four brl to beat them. I take pleasure in riding along side of them about 3/4 throttle, and then I smack the throttle to the floor, smoke the tires, and laugh at them. I don't need but 3/4 throttle to out run them, but I get great pleasure in showing them American Muscle when I smack the throttle down, and it looks like they are in reverse. This is without the bottle, and maybe someday I will run one of them where I will need the bottle. My tip to you my friend is; go to school, and get a job in the business. This way you can afford to have that 572 one day, but never forget safety comes first. Don't kill yourself trying to prove they are slow, and realize the more you know, the easier it is to show them the door. Glad to help out, Good Luck!!!
Classic Cars: What should I know before buying a late 1960's model Chevy Chevelle?
A couple of things to keep in mind:Don't buy the first car that you see. Test drive numerous cars that are within your price range to build a gauge as to what your money is going to get you. As you start actively shopping around you will be better equipped to make a clear and concise decision as to what it is that your wanting.Don't be blow away by pure horsepower statements. With the SS, this is going to be tough to see through, just because one vehicle is able to put out 500+ horsepower doesn't always entail that its fast. A weak power train may be absorbing the output from the engine. Most, if not all, of the vehicles that you view are going to have their flaws. Cosmetics can be improved over time as your own need arises. A sound and reliable power train would be the first item that I would look at. If a car has some minor cosmetics that are not to your liking, don't be timid to purchase this vehicle because you can mold the car into the piece of art that your wanting to build. It's going to be a learning experience. Understand that going into this is not always going to be a walk in the park. You will make mistakes, the car will make mistakes, but this is part of the fun of it. It's a journey, and the journey is the fun, not the destination.
What are some classic or potential classic car models post 1980?
A nonexhaustive list:Already classic: 1993-1998 (Mk4) Toyota Supra. The twin-turbo version sold new for around $40,000. Clean twin-turbo Mk4 Supras are now worth $60,000+.1987 Buick Regal Grand National. Originally sold for under $20,000. Low-mileage examples now sell for $25,000+. The GNX is even rarer and even more expensive.1993-1997 Porsche 911 Turbo (993). Example: 1997 Turbo S originally sold for $115k. Now sells for $150k+.Ferrari F40/F50/Enzo, McLaren F1, Porsche 959/Carrera GT -- need I say more?Almost classic:1991 GMC Syclone. Not quite selling for above its original MSRP, yet. But it is pretty close, and only ~3000 were produced.1991-1992 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4. Only 3000 produced. Many sell for $5000-10,000 (original MSRP ~$21,000).Acura NSX. The "everyday exotic." They are reliable, cheaper to fix than most exotics, and relatively rare.1999-2003 BMW Z8. They weren't really very good to drive, they were exceedingly impractical, and they were priced like exotics but without the exotic pedigree. Not many people bought them, and their rarity will contribute to their desirability later. They also look great.Likely to become classic:2004 Subaru WRX STI. The first STI to come to the US. Already depreciates very slowly. Low-mileage, unmodified examples will likely become more valuable as they age.2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII. Same deal as the STI -- first year, holds value well already, low-miles unmolested examples will be rare.2004-2006 Dodge Ram SRT10. Dodge put a viper engine in a Ram pickup. They were terribly impractical and so nobody bought them. Rarity always helps.1998-2002 BMW M Coupe. BMW took a Z3 roadster, made it into a two-seater hatchback, and then stuffed the engine from the M3 into it. Fairly rare, fairly impractical, but they are a hoot to drive and still worth a lot today.However, there is an important point to be made. The Millennials are much less car-crazy than their parents, the Baby Boomers, who are the driving force behind the astronomical price of rare muscle cars It's unlikely the 1980+ classic car market will ever be as hot as the late-60s muscle car market.
Whats a good first car that is a muscle car?
You have named some costly cars depending on what quality they're in. If you plan on fixing it up pick one of the big name cars you named like a charger, chevelle, camaro, mustang, challenger, firebird/trans am, and GTO. This way there are plenty of parts. Now if you buy those to get them inexpensive buy non SS, Z28, R/T, Fastback, Mach 1, Boss, Or even GT. By staying away from those you can get the cars cheaper and then put an engine of your choice in to improve the performance to your liking, plus the badging is cheap and looks real even to experts. Now if you want a mint muscle car for a good price get one form 1971+ the performance stock wise drops but most of the time now a days they're are running faster than the late 60s and 1970 models because of the easy mods people did. My choice was a 1972 Camaro, it happened to be a Z28 but i got it at a good price, I paid $3000.00 for it in excellent body shape just in need of paint, put a supercharged 502 in it cost me $5000.00. Now thats 3x the performance of a 1969, almost as good looking and a 3rd of the price. Another note for you if you don't know cars an old muscle car will be a challenge for you because they are so different from newer cars. I have restored 12 cars since I was 16 till now (12 cars) so I will put price info in sources for you. Good luck, maybe one of my examples will be you first car :) I used craigslist just to show how easy it is to find one there, but I suggest looking on more muscle car sales sites.
Which is the best classic American muscle car?
This is an extremely subjective question. Everyone had their own opinions on what “the best”, actually means. If you're asking about engine, then just about anything with a GM 350, or Ford 351 (Cleveland or Windsor, not that Modified junk), is a solid engine. If you're looking at overall performance, Chrysler pretty much has that one.Personally, I'm impartial to a ’72 Cuda with a 426 Hemi. However, the late ‘60's Chargers, Camaros and Mustangs are extremely popular. Novas, Chevelles, Challengers, Corvettes, Ford GT (good luck getting one!), Shelby Cobra, or whatever tickles your fancy, are all good choices as well.I guess the moral of the story is this: find a body style that you like and roll with it. Chances are, if you're looking for a muscle car to purchase, you're going to do one of two things: build it, or restore it.If you decide to build it, it doesn't matter what it came with originally or how it performed, because you're making it do what you want. So, the only thing that matters is what it looks like in context to what kind of car it is.If you're restoring it, then you need to find a car that fits you. A more common car such as a Mustang or Camaro are much easier to find parts for, but everyone has one. So, something like a ’73 Duster with a 340 might be more up your alley (rare and beautiful). But, it's ultimately your decision.In short, most of them are good for their own reasons, but choose one YOU like, not one that I like. Also, think about what you're doing with it before making any decision to purchase or invest in a project (If that's what you're thinking about).I could get into all the nitty gritty about race wins, sales and production, but that's a bit too complicated and doesn't — in my opinion — make a car good or bad. Good luck!
Which company was dominant during the muscle car era Chevrolet or Ford?
For the money you have your best bet is a 1962-1965 Chevy ll Nova. Right now this body style is relatively cheap and for availability of parts and how easy this car is to work on it's a slam dunk in my opinion. The '66-'67 body style can be found as cheaply if you look however it's preferred more than the 62-65 and usually demands a higher price. Try to get a hardtop instead of a post car. They look better. AS for who was dominant the answer depends on who you ask. Ford guys say Ford. Chrysler guys say Chrysler. I'm a Chevy guy so guess what I'm going to say. But for all the hype...let's consider the number of Chevy motors installed in Fords over the years and that vaunted hemi from Chrysler got bested on the drag strip many, many times by a...ready for this...a 1966 Chevy ll Nova with a "lowly" small block Chevy of just 327 cubic inches. Google "Bill Jenkins".
Which is your favorite muscle car from the 60s/70s?
I have to agree with a lot of other answers here. Many list Chrysler corporation products. 1st & 2nd generation Dodge Chargers. Roadrunners. Satellites, Coronets, Belvideres, even the Lil Red Express truck, which was actually faster than the Corvette during the years the LRT was produced!Ii do cross brand lines, though. GM had some winners, as did Ford & AMC.Ford: Torino, Cougar. GM: Chevelle, GTO, GTO Judge, Monte Carlo, Grad Prix, Grand Am, GS, Skylark, Grand National. AMC: Hornet, Javelin, Gremlin X, AMX,Most of mine listed could qualify as “sleepers”, maybe not the “typical” or “mainstream” muscle cars. I have mostly avoided the “obvious” Mustang, Camaro, Trans Am, Cuda, Challenger genre. The Roadrunner was based on the Satellite platform. The Chargers were based on Coronets, etc. Most of the cars I listed were available as 4 doors or station wagons in the base platform. Satellite wagon, Coronet wagon, Chevelle wagon, Torino wagon, etc.Torino & Chevelle were also available in pickup form: Ranchero & El Camino. AMC played with this concept on the Corner platform & was going to call it the “Cowboy”. They made a few concept prototypes, but abandoned the idea.Most of these cars I listed were available as 2 door, 4 door & wagons. Available with economy 6 cylinder to the largest V8s.If asked which I'd get if money was not a concern? I'd definitely go with a Mopar. 69 Roadrunner or Charger. Or maybe the Lil Red Truck. It was Chrysler's middle finger to the government regulations that ended the muscle cars era. The emissions laws didn't apply to light trucks . So they created one last hot rod using a light duty truck . & Succeeded! The 78 LRT was quicker in the 1/4 mile than the Corvette of the same year!!