Hey fellas. So I've been contemplating starting this Build Thread for a while. The real reluctance being that at the moment I don't have a project car and in all honesty, I'm unlikely to get one to even get started for another year. I'll say it now before anyone else does, Worst Build Thread Evorr! Ha! The reality is though, even if I did have a car in my possession, I'd still have a long way to go and a whole lot of learning to do.
So why did I start this thread? I guess I feel like this has been a pipe dream for far too long, and even this, sharing that I want to build a project car, is a step towards that goal. I hope I'll be able to draw on the experience of you guys and in turn contribute to a subject everyone here is passionate about. As I learn, I hope that others too can learn from this, just as I always learn from reading the many build threads already here.
Now saying I want to build a project car can be very vague without highlighting exactly what areas I want to be involved in. The answer is, everything. Mechanical, fabrication, body work/painting, welding, fibreglassing. I suppose electrical work is the only aspect that goes into a build that I'm not currently excited about learning.
I guess the next step is evaluating my current capabilities. Well, I'm not at a complete loss around a car or as the French call it Le Automobile. I change my own oil, my brakes, I've changed my wheel bearings, some work in and around the engine, but I've mostly done suspension work. Luckily in the Mechanical aspect, I think I'm pretty well covered in attaining more knowledge and guidance since my dad has 35+ years as a mechanic. All that while I've been pretty busy finally getting that 52 on my bmx! Ha! I kid, I kid. Really though, I've spent a lot of time in the garage. No, I take that back, I've spent some time in the garage. And while I've helped out with engine and transmission work, I can't say that I was there often enough to let that level of detail sink in. Hopefully, some more of that knowledge can percolate into the further greying matter.
Regarding the prospective project's criterias, the first and maybe even the main criteria: RWD. Front-engine, rear-wheel or maybe even the odd mid-engine, rear-wheel (the only thing I can think of fulfilling that mid-engine layout is the MR2, and I guess that is lower on the list of possible candidates). The next, budget-friendly. This is definitely going to be a long-term, budget-conscious build. It's only based on what is available at the time that I will truly be able to pinpoint a budget to purchase the vehicle. If something I really like comes up at a reasonable price then I may consider selling my current vehicle and investing a little more. The project would of course then have to be a daily driver also. However, for now I'm thinking along the lines of having the project be an additional vehicle. With that being said, ideally I would be looking at something between $15,000 and $20,000. I'm definitely up for bargains though, rusty with pitbull-chewed interiors are welcome. If there are cars that fit that criteria for under $10,000 then I'm willing to take a look. Remember, I'm very interested in learning to do body work and panel repairs etc. In addition to being rwd and within those budgets, the only other thing, and this is an absolute necessity, is that the car must be legit and easily transferred. The goal of this project isn't to have a track monster but something simply exciting to drive and looks the part.
That just leaves the prospective candidates. Based on RWD and budget constraints most of you can guess where we'd be looking. The '70s & '80s! Damn those boxy edges and wedges are sexy!
So the candidates...
1. First Gen RX7
I really want to stop here. Really. I drove one of these a very long time ago when I had just gotten my licence. Absolutely exhilarating. I love everything about it. The way it drove, the sound and I think it just looks fantastic. Should I get one, it would definitely be rotary. While I do know that there are a lot of swapped examples, I'm all for buying one of these and swapping back in the soul. As such, I'm willing to buy a trashed engine from now so that I could use the time to dissect and learn its ways since my dad does fix rotaries and has had RX 2s in the past. I do know however that there are some mechanics who specialise in rotaries and so may have older non-working ones that I could use as a learning aid. So please, feel free to point me in that direction.
2. RX2
I'm almost certain I wouldn't get one within the budget I'm looking at. I am however willing to look at a 616 and do a conversion.
3. RX3/4/5
I can't recall seeing any RX3s locally, hopefully I'm wrong. Haven't seen an RX4 in a long time. And I do recall seeing an RX5 for sale on tuner a while back. I believe it was green and from Mayaro. Any help here would be really great.
4. Datsun 1200/1600
5. Datsun 120Y (310...maaaybe the 210 also)
6. KE70 Corolla
7. Datsun 620 Van/ Mazda 1600 Van
8. A172 Box Lanc...errr...I dunno. I do like these. I just never gave thought to owning one seriously. Oh well, it's there. Box Lancer.
9. And this really should be higher up but because I already said main criteria being RWD and this is FWD I didn't want to go back and change all that...Anyway...the Mini.
So these are the car-ndidates at the moment. That is, based on that budget for firstly acquiring a vehicle. Off the bat I can tell you it's not going to be a restoration. It'll be more along the lines of a restomod. A tasteful restomod.
So that's about it for now. Feel free to comment anything or make suggestions, point me to builds, post some of your favourite pics of the cars listed anything. It's going to be a looong process so thanks for the patience and I know I've already bored some of you already. So, here are some pics to say Thanks in advance.