so, some suggestions please on what to build for a first timer

Dude, that one sure is clean! Nothing like that around here. I'm jelous!

 

It can be done. there's two equally disproportionate things time and money.. with a little money and alotta time you can do alot. I'm in AZ and i can find lots and lots of little rusted cars and trucks whatever. my junk yard has a 40 somthin dodge, and a couple 50's chevy trucks.. all of em are pretty tore up though. as well as an international scout, umm a 50-60s t-bird ad a few others i think.

 

OK then, you're on your way. Be sure and keep everyone posted when it's done!

 

The reasons for doing a Chevy pickup.

1. they look cool
2. they are plentiful
3. super easy to lower
4. cheap
5. easy to get parts.
6. swapping in a V8 is pretty straightforward if it has a tired 6 (me, though - I'k keep a 6 in there!)
7. this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108866
8. there are more reasons...

- Joe

 

I've been kicking around the idea of a budget model t. A roadster or touring on a model a frame built with junkyard parts. There's a 327 with a powerglide for $300 on craigslist and it supposedly run when pulled. Grab a couple of rattlecans of chevy orange and there's your drive train. I see t bodies still go for pretty reasonable prices, and model A frames practically given away (probably because they were known as flexible flyers)

 

Try:

searchtempest.com

It searches all of the craig's lists within whatever mileage you type in.

If you own big enough vehicle (or can borrow one) you can rent or borrow a trailer to go pick it up a few hundred miles south. You can make a weekend out of it. Drive down one day and back the next. If you think further outside the box, you don't have to stay in an expensive motel and eat out every day. Pack a cooler and camp or sleep in your vehicle. It may be uncomfortable for one night but you can take it just this once. Park in a retail parking lot without security or in a camp ground.

Figure out what kind of gas mileage you get, google how many miles it is, now you have a rough estimate of how much the trip will cost (take extra!) For about $300 to $500 and a little adventure, you can have a RUST FREE CAR in Michigan.

Good luck.

 

60 GM pickup...

-You can swap the suspension freely with trucks all the way through 87. This gets you disc brakes and power steering using easy to find OEM parts from a junkyard.

-They are already designed for V8 engines from the factory so swaps are unbolt and rebolt affair

-Pickups are easier to deal with in the rust belt because they are modular. Beds are easier to swap than car quarter panels if it's rusty.

-They are already 12 volt electrical system

-Electric wipers from he factory

-They have open drivelines to start with

I built a 54 Chevy car one time. It turned out real nice. But, to convert to better brakes, 12 volt, proper wipers, open driveline etc, was more expensive than you might think. It all adds up.

 

nice little falcon ranchero for sale in michigan, all body work, chopped, paint, custom front end, needs some work, but probably 10k in it, a steal, i l have built 4 falcons, beleive me this is one nice fixer upper, the guy doesnt know what he has, bet u can get it very cheap, 1k or less, it's on e bay under falcons, just posted a couple day ago, don't look at the bad part of it, the work already done is very nice,

 

As long as it doesn't have that V6 in there... rare engine, hard to find parts and it weighs a fricking ton.

- Joe

 

If it's your first build you gonna need experience, so come over to my place and I'll let you block sand a 48 Chev Aero Cp for about two fucking weeks.

 

I'm going to agree with the pickup idea. Most Ford and Chev trucks from 66 back are just plain kool. So as time goes on ou say to yourself, "...I really would like a car because..." good for you. You'll get more out of the finished truck than you have in it and move on to the next project. Fair warning though: project cars can become an addiction! They're like tattoos, you get em whether you need em or not!!

 

How about the '54-'59 Fords? They came from the factory with a Y block V8 and later models could also be had with FE engines. All years and models were available with an excellent ohv six. If the stock powerplant is gone, most later Ford engines are practically bolt in.
These cars were open driveline with the '57-'59 models coming with the 9" rear end. They also had ball joint suspension and decent brakes that contribute to their driveability. Some years and bodystyles can still be had at reasonable prices, and they seem to hold their value quite well. Anyhow, that's just my 2c.

 

I'm biased, but I'd have to agree. Some Studes are a good buy, but stay away from their OHV 1961-64 sixes.

Yes, I know the feeling of wanting a decent project to keep ones hands and mind busy. Don't let the nay-sayers say a car can't be built on the cheap, it can as I have done a few times. Sure it costs money but its cheaper then many other hobbies one could acquire, and cheaper then 'counseling' and yet more satisfying.

Where are you in Michigan? I might not be that far from you. Check your PM's....I'm going to offer one of my never-get-to-it-but fixable project cars to you. I remember once being a starry-eyed youngster that wanted a project on the cheap. If I hadn't been helped by some buddies to channel my desires, such a future generation (me) of a hot-rodder would of never been born. You are the future of our hobby. Anyways check your PM's.

 

Theo! Shame on you!! a Chevy?? You are supposed to be a FORD Guy!

 

A motorcycle.

 

something you will finish, that is what I would build. one that you can drive while working on it makes a good first project

 

MichiganMan offered me a 64 Studebaker cruiser if I want it in exchange for helping him do some welding on his project. WOW

Solid floors, but no drive train. It's an awesome offer he made me, but just what do these cars look like built? Or am I better off holding out for a Ford or Chevy? Parts would probably be easier to get then for a Studebaker.

 

Correction I have built them all and love them all. I sugested the Chevy pu only because a 350 costs less out of the box than rebuilding a 440 or 312 or 460 etc. that and I can pull parts of of a chevy like the t350 transmission and it will bolt right up. the fordomatic for example came in different leingth and versions. I was thinking cost effective and not so much research time.

 

Get it and drop a chevy in there!

- Joe

 

I like the idea of a simple T roadster, but I'm obviously biased. A homemade 2x4 frame and a glass body (no dents or rust) is a cheap and easy start. Above all, build what you want! The sweet deal will soon be overcome by the bitter reality of a car your heart is not in.

 

my first project that i built for fun was a 50 merc 4 door. picked it up for 4500 sold it for 18k now i have a few. i would choose something you like but also something that is desirable to the masses which makes it easy to sell to move on to the next toy

 

you want cheap, go for a 4 door sedan. especially if you are going to find one here in michigan. the truck prices keep going up (or maybe just here on the east side). sedan are still cheap. and until everybody else catches on, they will remain cheap.
if you want some fun and challenge yourself, go with 40's era cars. the lines and curves created are a lot of fun to reproduce and you can really do a lot with these cars to make them look different and cool.
most 40's era cars are really cheap because not a lot of people are big fans of them (as you can tell, i am).
as far as rust goes, just choose your rust wisely. dont go for the car with the a-pillars rusted out or any of the structural stuff rusted out, but floor and panels are easy and not integral to those cars.

but stay away from the unibody cars. get one with a frame. it allows you to do so much more with the design/styling.

 

if you're not working full time and you want to bring home a project then first ask your wife what she likes...

 

Thats exactly what i got told. Glad i took the advice too, you get times when your sick of working on it but because you have a passion for the car you will see the build through.

 

well whatever you decide. add how much you think its gonna cost then add 2,ooo, even cheap builds are money pits, but its worth it

 

If you are lucky enough to get a 65-66 Lark, they came stock with a 283! But of course Stude v8s will always be superior to me!

 

is the car to look cool and perhaps pratice a build or do you want a car that you actually want to keep? i would say get the car you really want because it will take you more than a winter to build just about anything and after that your soul goes into it and sentimental value will surely set in. if not you could always buy a gas beater and drive it. 8-10 mpgs for me! and i wouldn't have it any other way. (work it only 7 mins away though)