Lately, I am increasingly interested in buying an American Muscle Car. I am open to anything, really, either a vintage model Camaro, Corvette, fastback Mustang, GTO, etc. or even a current model Camaro, Challenger, or Charger.

If I got a new one, I'd SC it right away. If I got an old one, I'd turn it into a NA 750HP drag racer. Just a toy that I will drive plenty, either way.

Anyone have any experience in this world?
Am I nuts?
CATTMAN

 

You read my mind. I've been thinking alot about this lately - started out open to Camaro SS, Shelby, or Challenger SRT 8, but after doing some reading I've narrowed it down to the Shelby.
The Camaro missed badly on some styling points, in my opinion, and the Challenger is not available as a convertible. The Shelby comes out as the clear winner for me, especially in 2011 with the newly available performance package.
My first car was a 1973 Mach 1 purchased in 1981 with 36,000 miles on it in 1982 for $3300. It averaged about 7.75 mpg in mixed driving. If driven like a granny I could coax 9 or 10 out of it.
I could never live with a car like that now, not to mention the prices on the older cars are outrageous, but the new Shelby GT 500 is a pretty nice piece of machinery for about 60 grand.

 

You won't regret a classic. Most of my toys are rare motorcycles, but I have a couple of "old cars". I have a 1969 Camaro SS, small block, 4 speed car and a 1991 GMC Syclone. If you have never heard of one, Google it. You'll be amazed. Basically an S15 pickup with a turbo charged 6 cylinder and AWD. I think it was advertised as 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, in the rain! If you have specific questions on old GM muscle, I'd be willing to help. I've owned Corvettes (early cars), Chevelles, and Camaros.

 

Catt,

I have a 67 Camaro SS/RS black on black( What other colors are made) stickshift 468 Rehr-Morrison big block with 749 dyno'd horse. Blows the tires off in all 4 gears at any speed under 60. Its loud, obnoxious, squirrely, and I love it

Jim

 

" Anyone have any experience in this world ? "

I've got three 69 Mach 1's (including a Cobra superJet), a '72 vette, a 78 trans am, and a couple more ; this is a totally different experience than moding a later model P-car.

(PM me if you are interested in one of the small block Mach 1's )

 

Had a '67 Chevelle SS with a 427 in it. Talk about fun to drive! Had to sell it when my Targa came as we only have 2 car garage and my wife didn't volunteer to keep her car on the driveway. The muscle cars are a blast. You will not regret it.

Regards,
Frank A.

 

Had a '71 Chevy El Camino for 15 years, sold it for an '07 Shelby GT, sold it for the '08 C2S. My dad still has a '70 396 El Camino SS and a '64 Impala SS convertible.

Here's the engine in my boat:


J

 

I have a 996tt now. But I did have an award winning Twin Turbo '64 Chevelle. I miss it. But got an offer I couldn't refuse. It's hard to beat the sound of a big inch motor in a muscle car. I definitely got WAY more attention in that car than anything I've ever had. Totally different world than Porsches though. I am new to the P car scene and trying to learn it. I have lots of contacts in the muscle car building scene however.
Lots of fun. I love Goodguys shows and the whole scene. People are SUPER friendly in the industry. Unfortunately, with my young kids, it was just too much $$$ and too much stress to keep it "perfect"

I would LOVE a well built 69 camaro that I could track and drive hard. Spend some time on www.lateral-g.net and www.protouring.com if you want to study and look at options.

 

Yup! I have a 2004 Holden Commodore 5.7L Australian V8 Super Car that I presently use as my daily driver. Its the 4-door version and goes like snot!

 

One of guys who goes to Devens in 993 has viper modded to 900+ horses. I would say, why not? Porsche was never meant to beat all what moves in a straight run.

Z06 is a great starting platform - you can get it to 1000 horses and it will be probably not much more expensive than 997 extreme upgrade. with proper suspension is drives very well too. I would personally get 997 turbo and did the same, I just don`t like seating position in a Vette that much.

as of camaro or charger - nah. vette or viper - those are good american things. with proper suspension mods viper may even be drivable.

 

you said it up there - 'blows tires' - read - does not have adequate traction to handle too much power. Z06 has traction more or less OK.

 

Ever think about a mid-year Corvette (63-67) ....the 63 split windows are difficult to find though.

 

Not sure what to do with it....running slicks 9 inch. I think if I put different gearing it would help. If it had traction control it would be the beast!

 

John....... Actually a nice modern car to work with is a 05-06 GTO. Has a beefy and nearly indestructable LS2 in it, plenty of room in the engine area, and MANY people SC those things. Out-of-the box its a great car and built very well. (My son had one for a while, a 2005). Then you can get to a place like Pedders with some minor suspension upgrades and it will handle half-way-decent.

 

I just gave up my 1964 289FIA Cobra to buy the Porsche... It was a kit car but was a monster of fun...

410 HP/ Four speed top loader/ Jaguar suspension with the inboard brakes...

Fun Fun car
In a straight line it's a monster...