What is a good beginners American project car?

Question

I am what you call a "newb" and would like a cheap and easy car to get my hands dirty and learn about what it takes to restore a car. Also I would like to do as much as I can on my own and take the big stuff to the shop.

Answer 1

something from the 80s

an 80s monte carlo would be best

the sports cars from that time used a lot more electronics that are now pretty out of date and would not be fun to replace  

Answer 2

Unfortunately the prices on classic cars just keep going up, so I'd start with something a little newer.  I think that a Chevy G-body would be a good choice.  Either a 81-88 Monte Carlo SS or a 78-83 Malibu.  They are fairly simple to work on, easy to upgrade, on and there are plenty of parts available at a reasonable price.

Answer 3

If you want a car, the G-body cars like the Monte Carlo are a great starting point for a project, as has already been said. Another vehicle you may want to consider would be a '73-'87 pickup or full size Blazer/Jimmy. They can be had in 2 or 4 wheel drive. The engine compartments are huge and can accommodate anything from the lowly straight 6 all the way to the biggest baddest big block that you could build.  They are very easy to work on and parts are available anywhere and are inexpensive. They can be built as low or as high as your budget allows, and they have 2 bed styles and 3 bed sizes to fit all needs. I prefer the 8" Fleetside bed cause my trucks are working trucks.

I bought my first vehicle in 1984 and I still have it. It's a '78 GMC K-35 Crew Cab Dually. I've redone the body 3 times and rebuilt the engine twice. I still don't have as much in it as a new truck would cost. They are tough trucks that are easy to work on and are rock solid reliable.  If I had to replace it today, it would cost me somewhere around $50,000 to buy a new one set up the same way.

No matter what you decide on, have fun with it and build it how YOU want it, not how someone tells you it should be.

Answer 4

1969 camaro corvette chevelle

Answer 5

I will  get killed for saying this in Chevrolet section, but consider the Jeep Cherokee. Built with very little changes from 1984 to 2001. Parts cheap and plentiful with HUGE number of options for your imagination.

Make sure you go 1991 or later, due to major improvements at that year.

Good  Luck

PS Did I say stroker??