J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

What is the next Classic to get the treatment ?

I had a look on Ebay and there are rotten shells going for £1500, much as I like the Mk1 Escort there is too much competition so what would make a nice classic to modernise, the MK2 is afflicted in the same way as well.

Granada Ghia Coupe, standard looking with Cosworth power, a good handler and probably a more stable platform as its bigger, though heavier its still way lighter than modern cars and a decent Cosworth lump would make it fly.

Saab 900 Turbo. front wheel drive though.

Capri, Mk1 getting expensive, MK2 a bit ugly, MK3 ?

Porsche 944, cheap, galvanised, strong, ditch the 8 valve or 16 valve and convert to something more tunable. RWD and handles.

Early 3 series, 5 series ?

Volvo 240, RWD and loads of tuning stuff from Sweden, turns into a complete drift monster and looks surprisingly good with a bit of work. Simple mechanically and very strong, V8, YB, most things will fit.

Manta, the early one, stunning looking and enough space up front for a decent motor, a bit scarce, possibly the later Coupe as well.

Early Celica/MK1 Supra. Any of the early ones if you can find one.

Mitsubishi Starion or Galant.



Any other ideas ?

Varboy

Reliant Scimitar GTE (If you can find one)
Triumph Vitesse Mk II (Father had one with a 2.5 conversion, he sold it to his mate for £100 years ago, bet he regrets it now)

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The Triumphs are a bit too old and a very wobbly base for any kind of power.

Scimitar is a good idea, they are out there if you look.

NACRO

944 turbo already available at banger money and offers enough power for the chassis with usual chip tuning and induction/zorst.

Problem is parts for them are not cheap and mechanically while robust they are complex.

I reckon that rules them out.

Prasius

iTrader: (1)

My Brother has two of these in his back garden, a donor car and 'his' car.

He's planning to stick what I think is a vauxhall straight six in it, but I'm still trying to convince him to put an SR20DET or similar in it. Your right about the space upfront - you could throw pretty much anything you'd want in there within reason. Plus, they're damn light and RWD out of the box - and unlike the Capri, they went around corners

The later Mk2 Manta GT/E might be a good bet - I think its a pretty good looking 'retro' car, and a lot more common than

dbrad

iTrader: (26)

Legacy turbo

4x4 turbo huge potential

future classic i'm sure

CrisPDuk

dbrad That's what I'm hoping too




Although I'd be happy if it was either of these two:



Mk3 Capri prices are already climbing, and 2.8 V6s are getting scarcer and pricier because everyone who got a laser really wants a 2.8i

what would scooby do

Another vote for the legacy

Here's mine: £1900 and 280 bhp

NotoriousREV

I want to build a Volvo 740 Turbo monster but I have too many cars as it is. I reckon early 3 series are where the sensible money should be. Buy yourself a tidy 2 door 325i and enjoy.

NACRO

The E30 318is is always going to be a good bet as well. Think of it as a junior M3.

NACRO

Maybe the jig is already up for a decent 325is? They seem to be costing strong money, great cars though especially the LSD equipped sport.


1990 G Reg BMW 325i Sport

Price:
£3,995

Features:

* Manual
* Black
* Petrol
* Saloon
* 2494 cc
* G reg (1990)

Full Description:

Glossary of Terms

2 Doors, Manual, Saloon, Petrol, Insurance Group:16, Mk II Sport,Diamond Black Metalic,Light Silver Leather,FSH,Electric Sunroof,ABS,LSD,PAS,Electric Windows,C.Locking,15"Cross Spoke Alloys,Sold by ouselves to the last owner 8 Years ago,Superb Condition. £3,995
Trade Seller:

James Paul

Dealer's Website: Go to website

Contact number: (01403) 823723 or (07970) 911053

HankScorpio

Just browsing PH trying to think what would meet and came across this, looks clean and not stupid price
Ford : mk1 escort mexico (mk 1 mk2 )

rob878

How handy are you with the spanners J4CKO? What about mk1 fiesta, they're still reasonably priced, £500-£1000 will get a reasonable one. Zetec engines fit, and can be picked up for 250 ish would need some work on the gearbox side bulk head to get to fit

a very very nice example of what is achievable would be this:

Turbosport Forums

I went for a pug gti purely because they are still cheap, easy to work on. Has scope for more power from engine swaps etc.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Just speculating really, cant really justify the money at the moment.

Would want RWD really, like the Legacy but its not old enough yet.

Had a Manta GTE back in the day, plus a few Capri's, wasnt much to call as standard between them in terms of handling, the GTE tended to be more biased towards understeer though, the engine was a right wheezy old thing, Jackos mate had the 1.8 Berlinetta and that was a nicer engine and not far off as fast, why they didnt fit the 2.0 130 bhp ohc engine instead of the old iron block 110 bhp van engine I dont know.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Basically anything that older blokes either had when they were younger or wanted at the time i reckon. That's the reason things like Mk1 XR2's 205 GTi's Mk1 Golf GTi's etc etc are all on the up for a good example. Boys buying back the toys they had or wanted.

5t.

Carl Davey

iTrader: (3)

It's probably a bit modern (well no more so than the Legacy) but hopefully the Cavalier Turbo.... he says looking out of the window at his own one... before looking at the spare room full of restoration parts.

I really love this car. Cheap to buy, 4x4, 204PS, 6-speed box, leather and alloys. It walks all over the Vectra B GSi.

Carl Davey

iTrader: (3)

More realistically these are well on their way to classic/cult status atm.

what would scooby do

This is what I have tucked away. A very, very early MK2 Golf 16v.

64k miles

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

How about a proper hot hatch - Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth for me.

D

jd5217

The reason the escort mk1 & mk2's are so sought after now is that they are still being used competitively for rallying and therefore complete shells are becoming rarer.

Most are being bought up as soon as available and being built and stored ready for an off.

what would scooby do

Nice but just a pile of rust by now

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

R5 Gordini Turbo - The early one -But same applied re rust and chocolate mechanics. But defo a future classic.

Fiat 3P berlinetta - Rust bucket but bullet proof engines.

Honda civic CRX - Not the 150bhp Vtec 1994 > model but the early 130bhp 1.5I CRX model.

Olly

Good, original tidy Novas are starting to fetch strong money. Rally lads are snapping up the good shells, the others have rotted away, and scallys and cruisers have ruined the rest.

Try finding a good, rot free, unmolested SR or GTE.

And as for decent, original Nova Sports... silly money

MooseRacer

Dont think the Mk1 1500s were 130bhp. They did a mk2 1600 non-vtec that was 130bhp.

Could be wrong mind

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

Not mine

Brit_in_Japan

I had a series of Fiat 128 3P's, the original hot hatch? Can't remember the last time I saw one on the road, rust the major enemy but as you say the engines were bomb proof, even modded. The bottom end could take 10,000rpm+ out of the box with no modifications. I sold my last one in 2003, had two rust free doors and a rust free tailgate, rare as rocking horse poo!

what would scooby do

Must be a photoshop

MadGrip

This is my little beauty, may have to sell it though ,as I think I've a contract coming up this year which means I wont get to use it & it'd be a shame to just have it sat in the garage ,and its 100% road legal

MooseRacer

That's nice - how much are you after for it?

MadGrip

not sure mate, its hard for me to put a price on it really, but I'd be open to offers if I were to sell it. click the "view my scooby" link to read the spec

Cheers

Phil