Sarah has given me the green light to look for and purchase...within my means, my next project car. I have narrowed it down to 3 different cars I would like to have. Considering she's only approving 1 project I have to choose carefully and assume this will be my only other custom muscle car project.

Here are the ones I am interested in, and a pro or con:

Camaro. I like the first gen Camaro but they are hard to find in good shape and the ones that are in good shape and NOT affordable.

Nova. Not a huge fan of the early larger style Novas, so I would likely shoot for an early '70's Nova. The two door models are harder to find and more expensive but the Granny 6 Cyl garage cars are usually the easy choice. Parts would be cheaper for a Nova than a Camaro, and it seems it would be a cheaper project in the long run.

1973 Corvette. It's my favorite C3. I love the rear chrome bumper and front rubber nose. Again, price, condition, and availability are my limiting factors. Easily the most costly of the three, yet probably what I would enjoy the most.

I think I'm leaning more towards the Nova, not just for cost and ease, but it's more unique than the Camaro...meaning you usually don't see as many trolling around town or at car shows and I'm not wanting to be just another car show Camaro guy.

Thoughts?

1. The C3 (of course) but to get one in the $6 to $9k range, you're going to have to take a road trip.
All the decent ones on the web are $12k +.
There is a 69 here for same $55k BB, Tri-Power, restored.

2.Camero, you're right. Desirable though. If I hit the lottery, I get a Z28 for the collection.

3.Nova, least desireable of the bunch to me but, the SS's are nice.
Just looked at a few online, damn, they want the same prices as a C3.

Finding any of the 3 that meet your price vs shape will be a matter of a lot of looking with a big dose of good luck.

I found a 2 door 1972 Nova for sale locally for $900. Doesn't run but it's a 6 cyl that I would pull anyway in favor of a V8. Needs some body work to correct rust but that's not a huge issue. Waiting on pics of each body panel and the interior. If the pics please me I'll go visit the car and see just how much work it would take to resurrect it. For $900, it could be a great deal.

Good luck

Keep us posted. Why narrow it down to those three? If you find something similar to a nova, would you jump on it? Still lots of interesting/unique cars out there. I'd like to have a 50's vintage pickup with a hot rod motor

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Humm, a little body work, one color paint, rubber floor instead of carpet, black wheels with 9 inch hub caps, BB 427 with 600 horse, M22, 4:11.

I have always been a fan of the Nova's. Having both a '77 and a '73, but why not drop the money into the current car so you can beat Curt.

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I'm certainly not going to compare this engine I'm building for my Vette to Curt's. They have different purposes.

That being said, I think since I take so long to work on projects I like getting a good deal when I find it even if I can't work on it for a few years. Once I have it I can plan and order parts.

If I get something that's a few grand I'll certainly have to wait until after the Vette is painted. In this case, if it pans out, I just can't pass up a $900 '72 Nova.

hm... I donno... The early 2nd gen Camaro would be on my list.

If was doing a C3, I would want either an early 68 or 69, or jump up to 79/80, and take advantage of the low low prices.

You see, I want to build either a Greenwood or a C2 GS clone. And to do that, all I need is a cheap shit 79 or 80, something no one wants to preserve in the first place, and modify accordingly. Tube frame with C4 or C5 underpinnings... LSx motor...

If I were looking for another project it would be a Chevelle, out of what you listed I'd go for the Nova.

My next project is sitting in the back yard waiting on funds to start on it.

86 notchback mustang, I love 4 eye foxes, this one will be a strip car thats technically street legal, drive it to some of the local gatherings etc.

Just need $$ to start.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/Mekanic/Cars/100_0664.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/Mekanic/Cars/100_0662.jpg[/IMG]

I grew up with Chevelles EVERYWHERE... They were the standard barer in my high school, circa 1983. If you want to do one of those, I would look at a sister car, the LeMans, Cutlass or Skylark.

Those Fox platform 'stangs can go fast, just don't expect them to turn!

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How is that different than any other mustang?

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with an 8.8 rear, 4.30 gears, a built C4 auto, bolted to a 351w with a 90mm hair dryer on the front, I just hope the thing doesn't take off lol

The goal for that stang is to be in the mid-high 8's

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My head is already planning and off the bat I"m looking at maybe doing a late model Vortec 7400 or 8100, fuel injected using the factory harness and computer, 4L60E or 4L80E, and stiff suspension.

I'd go for the Nova..

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I passed, he sent me a few pics and it has been wrecked and the frame and body are in need of serious work.

Still on the lookout.

If you are able to pick up the car, the best place to find a Nova is in Iowa. There are several listed on Craigslist in Iowa. For some reason they where really popular there.

Wow you weren't kidding. Quick search and I found a ton of Nova projects for sale...most very reasonable.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1452597672.html

Here's one in Hannibal

Matt,

Here's one that has some body work already done. When should we go pick it up?

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/1548252397.html

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"Already in primer" would make me very cauious. Even using a magnetic thickess gauge wouldn't tell you about any welds underneath. I'd rather see one that has the sheetmetal done but no filler/primer at the same price.

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Those ones are cheaper!

I was thinking something like this would be a fun project. Wait I don't need any more projects. Maybe I'll just buy something that's mostly finished.