International Scouts 62-71(The little scouts, not the Scout IIs). Cheap, easy to work on(delco electrical parts). 4x4. Most have a little 80hp slant 4. Tops out at about 60mph, and can get 20mpg in stock form (stay away from big tires). Its a truck, its a convertable, and its an SUV.
I've restored a lot of Beetles in the past... yep good cars and a great way to learn about maintaining an engine, adjusting valves, etc... but I'm so burned out on them... Unless he really wanted one.. but I think he's pulling more towards a full-sized classic.
I'm a "former" Cascade Rambler Club member. Just sold a rust bucket '65 Classic.. Typical rusted out cowl, firewall, panels... let's just say more trouble than it was worth. No power steering.. had to turn the steering wheel twice as much as other car to get the dang thing to turn.. no power brakes (not a biggie.. could have fixed that).. Only good thing about it was the rebuilt 232 I put in there. Yes, they are good cars, but if I did get another Rambler it would be like the one I had in High School.. power steering, brakes and a V8... I loved that car! I'd prefer something with an open driveline... but we'll see.
Yeah.. he's totally into the "ratty" original patina, or primered look... but he likes big metal flake paint jobs as well.
Well the good thing about the S-10 is after he's done with it I could cut off the front end, and yank the rear for a future project! Ha!
51 Chevy 6 cyl 3 spd on the column. It worked for me. The one I learned to drive on was piss green all over. Neither of my sons can drive a stick shift. They were more into sports than cars. I'm a lousy dad to put these guys out into the world without knowing how to drive a stick shift.
I'll just say it... Get the kid a late model car with airbags. 6cyl short bed truck or a Camaro, Mustang with a cool set of wheels will do the trick. After he learns to drive defensively and learns how to dodge cement trucks and idiots who like to text and drive, move into a classic car. Plan a good father & son project for the future. Don't kid yourself... This ain't 1950 anymore
My first vehicle was a 1963 F100, I respected it and still do, have owned it for 10 years this year. 223 inline, 4 speed, 4.10 gears, about 80mph ON THE FLOOR, and pretty darn reliable, pull the choke in a little and she would twist off in any kind of weather. The one after that was a 70's Datsun pickup that I beat the shit out of, donuts, powerslides, 110 on the highway daily, 4 speed, 1600 4 cylinder, NOT RELIABLE AT ALL. Always jacking with the carb, timing, starters, clutches, brakes, it SUCKED. After that a 1974 Dodge D100 with a HOT little 318 that would turn 7200 easy and run 140! I loved that truck, dead nuts reliable and ran like a raped ape. Everything I have had American has been pretty reliable come to think of it. Stay FAR away from older foreign stuff. Buy him something cool now and he will never forget the good times he has with it and working on it. These are just the ones I had from 15 to 17. Too many to talk about or count on two hands even in the 10 years I've been driving and racing.
My first car, in @ 1988, was a '68 R/T Charger....in fucking ALASKA with ice/snow.... What a bunch of nancies talking about a "new" car for a first car....is this the HAMB, or am I lost????
This has probably already been sugggested. My pick for a teenaer would be a little 60's ranchero with a 6cyl and a 3spd. #1 reason is that you CAN NOT pile other kids in the car with no back seat.. and having people in the bed is illegal. #2 is the 6cyl is going to get a kid into trouble trying to race all his buddies down the street (my block get's kids in hondas doing 60mph+ in a residential street) #3 very few kids know how to drive a stick anymore (much less on the tree) so you limit the amount of people that want to borrow the car... and you limit the possibility of your kid lending his car to a buddy who then wrecks it. #4 is it has a bed. Pickups always come in handy. #5 is that Rancheros are cool looking and can go the custom route or hot rod route.
my vote is a 85 toyota 4x4 pickup with an exocage...and big bumpers... And plan on him wrecking it...rolling it and generally beating the crap out of it...
Snow and ice are only part of the equation...but now there's assholes texting, talking on the phone, and other dumbassery. Not to mention, at least in my neck of the woods, a considerably larger number of people on the road. People are more safety conscious now mostly because they have to be. I had an old car in high school (94-98) and I ruined it, and it got keyed, and backed into by a little old lady, and I lost the steering, and 150 other things. All those things could happen in a newer car too...there's always the unforeseen. It's just easier to throw a kid into a newer car and call it safe...it's all how safe you want to feel.
hi im angel im 16 and my pops gave me a pre-restored 51 cadillac sedan for my 16th bday. best gift ever look @ pics on my album. and just recently got my license.
I hear ya....my son is 3 right now, when he's old enough to drive, he'll be driving the same Charger I did when I was 16.....safety is "taught" by the parents, not the car....
haha i understand what you mean w/ car getting messed with @ school. im only 16 and take my 51 up their sumtimes and yeah u do gotta worry cuzz teenagers are very IMATURE
He saw an early Maverick with a straight six and really liked the body style... that may be an option. He also seems to like the Falcons.. so we'll see. Just a side note: We're picking up a little Dodge Shadow for him to learn with. I'll use it as a commuter occasionally. This will not be his HS car. This will get him familiar with driving and get him a little experience before we do buy him whatever he's ultimately going to end up with. I too and concerned about his safety and agree with what others have said about safety is taught from home... If he's going to be a car guy I believe it's important that his first car is something that he is interested in driving/working on. So let it be written, so let it be done!
The Jalopy Journal
