Want a bargain exotic? Consider a Corvette! Or a Pantera!

Every car buff lusts after Ferraris,Porsches, Lamorghinis, and Maseratis, but 99% of us will never be able to afford one, new or used. However, "America's Sports Car" can be a good substitute for a fraction of the price. Restored 427 Stingrays can bring six-figures, but small-block C3 and C4 versions are an incredible steal. I have seen 70's models on used car lots and on the internet for as low as $2,500. Four-speed and L82 models will be more expensive than that, but you can still find a nice one for under 10 grand. There is more speed equipment available for the 350 Chevy than any other engine in history, or you could swap in an aluminum-headed big-block easily. These cars also had 4-wheel disc brakes, and except for WS6 T/A's no other car of the '70's could come close in terms of handling. There are a myriad of suspension upgrades available from the aftermarket. The 1985-91 models are a quantum leap up in handling and braking, and were great performers at the time. I have seen these cars for sale as low as $3,500!  Corvette collectors snub these cars in favor of later LT1 or LS1 models, but they are a screaming bargain. 1984 Cross-Fire Injected models are kind of a pariah. They can be made to run but in order to do that most people replace it with a carburator or an aftermarket injection system. The 1985-91 Tuned Port Injected models are the bargains. Edelbrock and Accel offer ported manifolds and larger runners, and throttle bodies that work in conjunction with the factory systems, as well as Vortec and aftermarket heads. There are also cams, headers, computer chips, even blowers available for these cars that would easily make them show their taillights to those smug LS-motored later model owners. As for Panteras, they are often called the "Poor man's Lamborghini" by the automotive press. There were "Gray-Market" versions sold until about 1990, but the ones to look for are the 1971-74 models. They had the Ferarri-like styling of a Lamborghini Miuria or DeTomaso Mangusta, 351CJ Ford "Cleveland" motors mounted mid-engine, hooked up to a five-speed ZF transaxle, and four-wheel disc brakes. They are more expensive than the "Vettes- usually between $15-35K. But considering that a new Toyota Camry or Honda Accord is over $30,000, there still a great deal. Check for rust issues on the frames, but otherwise their pretty solid. There is a ton of speed equipment available for 351C Fords, and because the 351C has the same bellhousing pattern as the 429/460 family, you could swap in a 600hp 514 inch Ford SVT built stroker pretty easily. Any of these 3 cars offer great fun, still-cool head-turning styling huge "Bang for the Buck" and you don't have to be a movie star or NBA draft pick to afford one! Mastermind