Let's play a little hypothetical game. For the purpose of our discussion today, let's assume that you just hit the Powerball for the jackpot. Money and time are no longer in the picture. You have decided that with a portion of your winnings, you are going to build a Hot Rod to cruise around in.
What car would you pick to start the project with, and what would you do with it?
For myself, I would pick a '57 Chevy 210 Hardtop Coupe. And I would turn it into a wheel standing Gasser. Drop in a big 454 with a blower stickin' through the hood, heavy duty Powerglide transmission, a custom roll cage, and a candied forest green paint job with a "real flame" flame job on the front and back the sides. I'd tub that baby out and throw some monster slicks on the back. I'd run the exhaust right up through the hood too.
So what would you do? Chop & drop a '49 Merc? Rat out a 32 Coupe? Buy a "Judge" GTO? Turn a '64 Impala SS into a Lowrider? Do what you want...the sky is the limit...tell us what your dream project is.
i would love to get a early 60's nova and radically chop it. to the point of actually having to belly out the floor to get enough head room. then put it right on the ground, with pneumatic suspension. the body panels would remain plain jane, no scoops or nothin' like that, but suicide doors would be awesome. no chrome either, black or midnight blue would be nice. no markings of any kind. i just think that would be awesome.
then drop in as big a block as could be wedged in there just for effect. i'm not so into tubbing it out and makin' low times. the more stock appearing other than the chop is where i'm at.
Last edited by williamwilman on October 13th at 12:14 PM.
UMMM. Tough question. Being I have been through the gambit of street rods and all, I have been thinking about building a street car from the ground up designing a safe but lightweght chassis and drive line myself. Utilizing composite fiber glass body panels, I will design the body to slip through the air with a low drag co efficeint. Naturally it will be a mid engined two seater coupe with Gullwing doors.
Use an alternative power plant rather than the 400 to 650 cu. in. V8. I am thinking a Chevy/ Buick 3800 V6. Have a 350 mile cruising range with a top speed of 180 MPH and a 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. I am thinking computer controlled fuel injection with a turbo charger or two and manual adjustable boost that kicks in around 4000 RPM topped of with a Nitros system for an added punch if needed.
I am also thinking comfy things like A/C, Killer sound system, leather seats witha 6 point harnes,GPS system if I ever got lost, and a radar/ Lazer system that can spot a Smokie two miles away.
That is if I ever won the mega lotto. Other wise I can just dream.
Got to go with my love for the Willys, Hard to decide if stick with a metal one or go fiber glass body like photogr to lighten that puppy up, I would go with a Mopar 440 block holly 6-pack under the hood, I would go 3 speed for less shiffting, I know ! lol . But I tosted a few with my 3 speed, 350 camero inshort distance while they were shifting from 1st to 2nd I add a car length on them.
Headers, straight pipes cherry bombs if they still allowed them to past State inpsection ? Dark Candy apple blue paint, white inside. Strongest springs on the market for the front to hold the 440 block. 70s size tires with the old Gragers crome rims and 60s BF Goodrich with the first style Keystone classic crome rims. Iknow they dont match. trust me Ill show you.
Also would make a cut in the trunk to have a small seat put in and could be folded up for use and folded back down to look normal. You know the scruffy dog that laid on he cold floor keeping you company while you work on it. lol
Last edited by Forensic2 on October 13th at 4:05 PM.
First and foremost I would buy, already restored, an original 427 AC Cobra.
The rest would be a 55' Ford Crown Victoria, drop a 427 side oiler in with the factory dual quad package (drug free), flared fenders, top loader four speed, 4:30 gears in a 9" Detroit Locker, Bench seats, tuck and roll, killer stereo, AC, Power steering, brakes, windows, Ferrari red with white on red interior colors, H-60s on Centerline wheels (15").
1970 Ford Torino, 429 SCJ with a 460 ####, four speed, screaming yellow.
my favorite hot rod would be to buy back the 68 barracuda thats in my avatar pic. 340 4 speed blueracer cam, MSD ignition, holley 750 double pumper, centerline convo pros, 4.11 gears.
wish i never sold it
As a long time Ford girl, and the first lady to respond, my dream car is a '65 or '66 Mustang(original, not fastback please),hardtop.
And since I know nothing about motors or tranny's and whatnot,I'm willing to learn what to do to put it back into original mint, as long as it's a project I can do with my dad! I don't want fancy motors or tricked out parts, just want it the way it would have come off the line when it was first made.
I'm not really qualified to define what is considered a "Hot Rod".
IMHO, the 6 cyl version would not really be considered a hot rod...at least not in the classic sense. However, the .289s and .351s...all off the line options...would most certainly be considered a hot rod in any sense.
I don't know if that answered your question or not, but those 'Stangs are still way cool, and a very worthy project.
I am a gearhead. Motor ready, drivin' steady.
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