What car would you resist the temptation to modify?

'69 dodge daytona, or a superbird for that matter...

 

A Yugo. Modifying or altering a Yugo
in any way whatsoever would be a
crime and sacrilege, akin to, but even
worse than, painting a moustache on
the Mona Lisa! Bone stock and in completely
factory-orginal form, they already reach
- and probably somewhat exceed even
- the heights of absloute mechanical
perfection!!! Styling-wise too, the sleek
form of their impeccable bodywork soars
far and away above any previously-reached
or even dreamed of, pinacle of automotive
grace, beuuty and style!!!. They are cars
truly inspired (and possibly even built) by
the gods themselves! How the hell can
you improve on that????

 

You know why Yugos had rear window defrosters? So the guys pushing it could keep their hands warm.

 

I dunno 'bout that...I think they look pretty bitchin' lowered.

 

Not that my car is really worth a whole lot, but my '58 Studebaker Commander HT is going to get basic mods and that's it. It's just not a common model and they only made 1500 or so of this one year only body style.

I just want to put a cam in it and lower it a touch. Done.

 

Here ya go, Adjustable. I love large-series '37/'38 Buicks and Cadillacs. The largest of them are the series 90 cars. But up until recently, I thought that the series 90 was reserved for only hearses and limosines...until I found these two '37s on the net. Whoa. I had no idea that Cadillac ever made a 90 series sedan...let alone a coupe! Just look at that edible dark chocolate brown sedan! Look closely at it's hood-ornament...You guys think there's a chance that it's gold-plated? LOL. And that coupe in beautiful tuxedo-black! I say again...Whoa. How could a guy even contemplate modifying one of these cars?

OK, alright...I can. Take either one of 'em, add some skirts, lower the rear a bit, and add dual straight-pipes. Especially the black coupe. That's it...nothing more. Can you imagine bombin' down the highway in one of these, looking over the mile-long hood, with the pipes just blaring? OMG.

 

P.S. - Here's a link to see a few more shots of those awesome Caddys.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10093/Cadillac-Series-90-V16.aspx

 

I think the 40 ford coupe and sedan can be improved. The Aussies had better lines than us yanks with their slopers.

Devin

 

I'm an aussie and I think the USA '40 de-luxe coupe is impeccable, stylewise. That said our sloper is a very sweet looker.
Hard to think of any < HAMB -friendly > car remaining unimproved. Even a '40 I'd have to alternate and 12 volt.

 

Belair, now THAT was funny!

I'm not a big fan of cutting up nice, original cars. Hell, I'd rather do bolt-on type stuff to a restored car than an original one (don't worry guys, I don't have the money to do that!); a car can always be restored again, but it's only going to be original once.

Can't re-grow that cherry.

That being said, 'restified' stuff doesn't bother me; wheels, bolt-on engine mods, even swapping a 400 for a 283. That can all be undone easy enough.

But, I think among American cars, the 1937 Studebaker coupes and 'coupe express' pickups are really hard to improve on. Period. Depending on what I was starting with, I might put a cam, carbs, and dual exhaust on it; maybe lower it a taste... but I'd be very, very reluctant to change anything else.

My .02...

-Bill

 

There's nothing wrong with shaving off the love handles, though, or a new set of shoes.



'53 Skylarks I tend to agree need nothing, but they were a factory hot rod when built. Most of the cars I like, I like the car more or less as it is, though. For me it's more about, if I have a nice original, I'm not going to cut that up - they're only original once, even if it's a dirt common car. Something that needs a lot of work, can be another story, unless it's exceptionally rare. We have the carcass of a Franklin I'd like to take what's left of the body from and turn it into a little hot rod, just for the reactions when people say we ruined a good car and I can pull out the photo of it as it sits, it would cost more to restore it than a nice one sells for ready to drive.

 

------------------------------------
Thanks for posting the pics and the link on those two
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 'Series 90'' Caddy sedans
and coupes. Years ago, I saw a restored '37 Series 90
Hearse in a museum, but until your post, I had never
seen, or even heard of, a Series 90 sedan or coupe!
Those cars are truly amazing and I had no idea that
any Cadillac could look so good! The long wheelbase
and particularly. the long, long hood and massive, but
gracelfully swept back front fenders, combined with
the sleek, and by comparison to the rest of the car,
somewhat abreviated looking, coupe or sedan body,
absolutely exudes style, grace and class, They have
an almost 'sinister' and 'arrogant' air about them too!
Truly, unabashed 'conspicuous consumption' and classic
art-deco stylng at it's finest! As for mods, I agree
with you completely. Some fender skirts and some
slight lowering, with a bit of rake to the rear. Instead
of dual straight pipes though, I'd probably run a set
of duals with 'glass packs' or 'chambered pipes' to
lend just a bit more subtleness and civility - but still
with an authoritative and very "iron fist in a velvet
glove" tone to the exhaust! For wheels and tires - some
16 or 17 inch diamiter 80 or 90 spoke wire wheels or
similarly sized, polished aluminum solid disk wheels
- with large diamiter, fat sidewall, wide whites!
Bassiclly all subtle mods feeding into the original
theme of the carand nothing that couldn't be returned
to factory stock with a few hours work. How would
that be for shear perfection??!!!

Mart3406
==========================================

 

57 Golden Hawk
Im doing one at work for the boss. Im fine with not changing it.
(but I did sneek in a bigger cam )

 

My dad bought a Yugo for $1 it was a pretty sweet ride.. He sold it for $500.. and then it was used in a shooting..

I wouldn't mind having one just to say I had a Yugo... Do it up like guys did with the Pro Street Pintos and Vegas and what not... A Pro Streeted yugo, blown SBC, huge slicks, paint it a nice Salmon w/ teal splash graphics.. I'd drive it!

WHOA!! Those are soooo sexy!! I love the proportions..

I had a '36 Olds 4dr Sedan (w/ a straight 8) that was pretty cool (to me), I think all it could've used was a coat of black, skirts, and a lowering job... I'd like to have another one (maybe a coupe, or a 2 door Sedan, or roadster)

 

Any car that is complete and restoreable that had low production numbers,i don't mean motor or interior options i mean acctual production numbers, 100-200 etc.

I agree on the t birds, and for sure on the restored 32 3 window previously posted, WOW any more pics of that?

 

mine would be my 1998 vw jetta. Now having the truck, I want to modify only that.

 

-------------------------
That is one SWEET '56 Ford!!!

Mart3406
===========================

 

Dude.......... you just made me throw up in my mouth!

 

Pretty much any high-calibur muscle car, and a few of the rare convertibles like a '57 Chrysler 300C 'vert or '58 cadillac convertible.