Before you do anything.....Make it driveable!!

You'd think the title to this post is a no-brainer, but you'd be amazed at the number of musclecars I see that have $2000 worth of tires and wheels on them and a $5,000 paint job, that you can't hold in the road at freeway speed, or are hard to start, or won't idle or overheat if it idles more than two minutes. Here's some simple advice to avoid this problem. # 1. Driveability / Performance. Even if the engine is bone-stock, you need to make sure the radiator is (A) big enough to cool the engine- ( I see this all the time-a 440 swapped into a 318 Challenger, or a Rat motor swapped into a small-block Chevelle, and the radiator can't cool the engine even if your not in traffic ) and (B) Not clogged up with corrosion. Once you've ascertained the radiator is big enough, have it professionally cleaned. And change the water pump and the thermostat and the hoses. Make sure that you have good plug wires and that the timing is set properly, and that the carburator isn't too rich or too lean. If the car has an automatic transmission, have it flushed including the torque converter. Sounds simple-but you won't believe the number of good-looking cars I see that run like absolute crap, or are 2 qts low on oil or tranny fluid. # 2. Driveability / Safety. Make sure the brakes are working properly. I've seen this on test-drives from used car lots. You pull out, hit the throttle-the engine roars, the car leaps forward, and then you try to stop. There's nothing more sickening than the brake pedal going to the floor or the whole car shuddering under braking. Brakes don't cost that much to fix, and are a vital part of a safe car. I've also driven good-looking cars that you can't hold in the road at highway speed. Make sure that the steering linkage parts-idler arm,ball joints, tie rod ends etc are in good shape and that the alignment is right. I've let go of the wheel in some musclecars and almost hit a parked car or went in a circle. Before you start spending money on paint and bodywork or trick rolling stock,or a killer crate engine, at least make it safe to drive. And if it's driveable and pleasant to drive, you'll be more motivated to finish it. Nothing deflates a gearheads ego like a car that won't run around the block. Mastermind