A Clone of a "Niche" car may be just the ticket!

Obviously people have been turning LeMans models into GTO clones, Base model Malibus into SS396 and SS454 clones, and dropping 440s into 318 Challengers and Barracudas for years. However a low-budget way to have a cool, unique car may be to clone a rare car that's based on something other than the usual Chevelle, Camaro,Mustang,Road Runner etc. Here's some examples. # 1. 1961-64 "Super Duty" Pontiac clone. Catalinas,Bonnevilles,and Venturas of this vintage all have 389 V8s as standard equipment. Edelbrock makes a dual-quad intake that is an exact replica of the original SD dual-quad intake, and their are cams, aftermarket heads, etc available to make monster horsepower. Ames performance, Year one, and other companies offer 4-speed conversion kits, or you could go with a TH400 conversion fairly painlessly. Butler Performance and Kauffman offer stroker cranks that can turn the 389 into a 421 or you could use a later model 400 and stroke it to 455. # 2. 1965-69 Chevy Biscayne /Impala. The stripped-down 427 Biscaynes and Impalas were terrors on the street and strip. Original versions are quite rare, and thus pricey. However,it would be pretty easy to buy a small-block version and swap in a 454 or 502 Rat. Same as the Pontiacs-tranny choices could include a 4-or 5-speed stick, or a TH400 or 700R4 automatic with minimal hassle. # 3. 1964-66 Plymouth Savoy/Dodge 330 Hemi "Ramcharger" clone. At about 15 grand, a Mopar Performance 426 crate Hemi isn't cheap, but even if you had 10 or 15 grand in the car otherwise, you'd still be way ahead. No way are you going to find an original Hemi version of these cars for 25-30K! A Torqueflite with pushbutton control in a race car? They did it in the early '60's and it would still be cool today. # 4 1968-69 Hemi Dart Clone. Same thing-you could build this for about 1/5 of what a "real" Hemi Dart would go for. #5. 1963-66 Ford Fairlane "Thunderbolt" clone. I wouldn't try to find a 427 Ford engine ( good luck at any price ) but you can find a 390 pretty easily. Their the same "FE" engine family and look the same externally. Edelbrock offers Hi-Performance aluminum heads and intakes, and their are cams, headers etc. available. Might be a way to go if you want something unique and out of the ordinary. Mastermind