A "Mini-Musclecar" or "Insurance Beater" may be what your looking for......

Even in the late '60's musclecar owners were getting shafted by insurance companies. Anything over 400 cubic inches was really targeted. However- the big three-GM, Ford and Chrysler quickly responded with hot small-block models to combat this. Even today-everyone wants the big-block models, which drives prices up. However-you can still find deals on the small-block models, and they can be made to really rock with very little work. Here's some of my favorites. # 1. 1968-70 Dodge Dart GTS / Swinger 340. These lightweight terrors pack a high-winding 340 V8 and will give those smug big-block cars a run for the money they won't soon forget. If your mechanically inclined, you don't even have to step up to the premium model. Buy a dirt-cheap 318 model and hop that up or swap in a 360.  # 2. 1970-74 Duster 340 / 360 / Demon 340 / Dart Sport 340 / 360. The 1970-73 models are the most desirable because they have the hi-perf 340. The '74 360 versions are basically a truck motor with a 4bbl and dual exhausts. But they have a lot of potential-'92 and later free-breathing "Magnum" heads will bolt onto the earlier blocks ( you'll need a "Magnum" style intake, but Edelbrock sells them for about $200 ). And there is a ton of speed equipment out there for Mopar "LA" engines. The same applies-318 versions will be a lot cheaper and can be made to run surprisingly fast, or a 360 is a bolt-in swap. # 3. 1968-77 Pontiac Firebird 350 / "Formula 350". Everybody fights with machetes for 400 and 455 versions. However-350 versions can be a screaming bargain. They respond well to traditional hot rod tricks-4bbl carb and intake, headers and dual exhausts, mild cam, etc. And, since Pontiac V8s are externally identical from a 326 to a 455, a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap. If you can live with a 350, or are looking to swap engines anyway-you can save many thousands over a Formula 400 or Trans-Am. # 4. 1968-79 Chevy Nova, 1971-77 Pontiac Ventura.  Nova "SS" models-even small-block versions sometimes command a King's Ransom, but there are hundreds of thousands of base models out there, and most have 350 Chevy or Pontiac power. Almost any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Camaro / Firebird fit these cars, so they have a lot of potential. # 5. 1969-73 Mercury Cougar. 390 and 428 versions bring a King's Ransom, but 351W and 351C versions are plentiful and are usually much less expensive than a same-year Mustang. # 6. 1971-76 Ford Maverick "Grabber" / Mercury Comet GT. These were sport packages offered on these compacts. Weighing about 2,900 lbs and having a 302 V8 under the hood, these cars have tons of potential. They weren't considered hot when new because they had a 2bbl carb, single exhaust, and salt-flats gearing. Give him a 4bbl, some dual exhausts and some gears between 3.23 and 4.11 and look out! A buddy of mine was aghast when a hot 302 Maverick showed it's taillights to his 440 Road Runner. Even if you can't find a Grabber / GT, there are a lot of 302 base models that would be cheap and really rock with very little work. Any of these would be a great sleeper. Mastermind