Still more cool one or two year wonders.....

For whatever reason-poor sales, bodystyle changes,smog laws whatever-some really cool stuff only lasted a couple years. But on the upside not many people know about them, so sometimes you can get a real bargain on a unique car. Here's some cool rides, mostly later model stuff but still fun. I've listed them in no particular order. #1. 1975 Plymouth Road Runner. For this one year only Chrysler put the Road Runner nameplate on the Sport Fury platform. They had a "Tuff" steering wheel, bucket seats, special badging and the famous "Beep-Beep" horn. 318 versions are dogs, but the 360 and 400 models can be made to run strong. Roughly 6,500 were built so you should be able to find one. # 2. 1977 Pontiac Can-Am. Wanting to capitalize on the Trans-Am's skyrocketing sales and image the engineers came up with this performance package based on the LeMans body. Appearance items included a special white paint job with "Judge" style striping,a ducktail rear spoiler,a Trans-Am style "Shaker" hood scoop,body-colored Rally II wheels and a Gran Prix instrument panel. Performance items included front and rear sway bars, a 400 Pontiac V8 ( 403 Olds in California ) a TH400 with a shift kit, and a positraction rear end. The "A" bodies were all downsized for 1978 so it only lasted one season. Cool if you can find one. # 3. 1983-86 Mercury Capri. That's not a typo. Most people hear "Capri" and think of the 4-banger / V6 econoboxes of the '70's. For these few years you got a 302 V8 with  real tube headers,a 600 Holley on an aluminum manifold,a five-speed stick or a 4-speed automatic and sport suspension-basically a re-badged "5.0" Mustang. Obviously anything that fits a Fox 'Stang will fit these cars so there's tons of potential. I'd remove the "5.0" emblems to make it a real sleeper. # 4. 1984-86 Ford Mustang SVO. These had Recaro seats,16" wheels and tires,sport suspension and a Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that made between 175 and 205 hp depending on year. They didn't sell well because the "5.0" V8 models were both faster and several thousand dollars cheaper. However you can buy them fairly cheap today,and the 2.3 Ford is virtually bulletproof-you could turn the boost way up and get more power without ill effects. # 5. 1984 Chevrolet Corvette. This was the first year of the C4 body that lasted until 1996. Power is a "Cross-Fire" injected 350 backed by a 4-speed automatic, or a 4-speed manual with an overdrive-the "4+3"-you can engage the overdrive in 2nd,3rd or 4th effectively giving you 7 gears. 'Vette collectors snub these cars in favor of the '85-91 "Tuned Port" injected models which keeps prices low. My brother in-law bought a rough-but running one for $1,200 and I've seen nice ones on used car lots for $2995!!  There is more speed equipment for a small-block Chevy than anything else on the planet so ramping up performance should be easy. # 6. 1989 20th Anniversary Trans-Am. These cars had a special white and blue paint job,Recaro seats,WS6 suspension and the nasty Turbocharged V6 out of the Buick Grand National. The Turbo GN motor not only had more power than the LB9 and L98 small-block Chevy V8s, it was a couple hundred pounds lighter. So these cars were not only faster than a regular T/A, they handled noticeably better too. Dynamite if you can find one. # 7. 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder. These were based on the Marquis / Crown Vic platform. You got Police Interceptor suspension,fat 18" tires and wheels,a monochromatic paint job,and a snarling 302 hp V8 pirated out of the Mustang Cobra backed by a 4-speed automatic with a special high-stall torque converter. Inside were special seats and Auto Meter guages. Ford never promoted these cars,and never had the buff magazines test one, and then wondered why they didn't sell. Jennifer Garner drove one on "Alias" in a decent car chase, but even that didn't help. Cool if you can find one. # 8. 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO. The best car nobody bought. These had either a 350hp 5.7 V8 ( 2004 ) or a 400 hp 6.0 V8 pirated straight out of the Corvette backed by a six-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Car and Driver summed it up perfectly "It runs like a Corvette, handles like a BMW and looks like a Rental Car." The bland styling is why they didn't sell. If Pontiac had done what Ford did with the Mustang and what Dodge did with the Challenger-go retro '60s or '70's style-they'd have sold like hot cakes. The upside is Cops won't notice you unless your being really obnoxious. I've seen these on used car lots for as low as 8K so they are a bargain if you want one. Mastermind          

Some more cool one or two year models........

Here's some more one or two year models that you can still gt a bargain on.  # 1. 1967 Pontiac GTO. For some reason everyone wants a '64-66 model, or a '68-72 model. These are overlooked and I don't know why. They have the best of both worlds. The bodystyle is very similar to the '66, yet they have many cool features that the later models had. For example if you get an automatic in a '64-66 model it's a 2-speed ST300 ( read BOP bolt-pattern Powerglide ). The '67 models had the excellent 3-speed TH400. The new 400 inch V8 had much better breathing cylinder heads than the '66 and earlier 389. Front disc brakes were an option for the first time. 81,000 were built, so you ought to be able to find one for a decent price. # 2. 1971 Dodge Super Bee. For this one year only the Super Bee was based on the Charger body instead of the Coronet. Hemi and 440 Six-pack versions are priced in the startosphere, but you can still get a good deal on 383 models. 6,500 or so were built so their not a moon rock.  # 3. 1973 Chevrolet Corvette. For this one year only you got the ducktail rear end of the '68-72 models and the urethane front bumper of the '74-79 models. The L48 and L82 350 V8s were rated at 190 and 250 hp respectively, and the LS4 454 was rated at 275 hp. For some reason 'Vette collectors snub these cars in favor of the earlier or later models-but I think their cool and that keeps prices reasonable. And the catalyst-free dual exhausts make them much more powerful than the later ones. # 4. 1974 Pontiac GTO. Often called the "Best Nova ever Built." This was the year that Pontiac switched the GTO nameplate from the "A" body LeMans chassis to the "X" body ( read Nova ) platform. The buff magazines howled to the high heavens and derided the car which probably hurt sales. The Trans-Am was now the flagship, and the engineers were trying to jump-start sales with a new, fresh package. The buff magazines were wrong-it was a good performance package-they had wrist-thick front and rear sway bars,a Trans-Am style shaker hood scoop,front disc brakes, and a 350 V8 backed by a 4-speed or a TH350. They were good performers for the time-15 second 1/4 mile times. 7,058 were sold-and think about this-a 400 or a 455 is a bolt-in swap, and a Ventura weighs about 3,200 lbs-600 lbs less than a same-year Firebird, and any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Camaro / Firebird fit these cars. A dynamite sleeper if you can find one. #5. 1977-78 AMC AMX. AMC tried to resurrect the AMX nameplate on the compact Hornet chassis. They actually gave it some cool graphics and a great handling suspension. The bummer was the biggest engine available was a 304 V8 with a 2bbl that wheezed out 120 hp. The upside is AMC V8's are like Pontiacs-they are externally identical from a 290 to a 401. So a stompin' 360 or 401 would be a bolt-in swap. With a curb weight of 2,900 lbs-a 360 or 401 in one of these would give those smug disco-era T/A owners ( and some 5.0 Mustang and other musclecar owners for that matter ) a surprise they'd never forget. Maybe one of these can be your dream ride....Mastermind    

Some one or two year "less than premium" models that can be cool and unique...

Every manufacturer had some "budget" hot rods that were pretty cool and priced less than the top of the line models. These can be fun rides not- "cookie-cutter" rods that you see at every "Show-n-Shine" every weekend. Here's some of my personal favorites in no particular order. # 1. 1970-71 Pontiac Tempest T37, 1972 LeMans GT.  The buff magazines called these the "Poor Man's GTO". You got a 2 door Tempest coupe with a 350 V8 and a 3-speed stick, although you could also get a 4-speed or an automatic, and a 400 or a 455. In 1972 the "T37" moniker was dropped, but the "LeMans GT" was the same basic package. Cool because their NOT a GTO that someone gussied up like a Judge.  #2. 1971-72 "Heavy Chevy". These were a 2 dr Malibu with an SS style domed hood,a blacked out grille, hood pins,slotted 14" Rally Wheels and "Heavy Chevy" badging. Most have 350 small-block motivation which certainly isn't a bad thing, and some have 402 Rat motors. 6,727 were built in '71 and another 3,000 or so in '72, so their not a moon rock. I wouldn't pay "SS" money for one-but they are cooler than a garden-variety Malibu. #3. 1971-72 "Rally Nova". These were a 2 dr Nova with slotted 14" Rally Wheels, a blacked out grille, and a Black Stripe down the side that said- duh-"Rally Nova". Most have the ubuiquitous 350 for power. I personally think they have cleaner styling than the SS model-with it's fake hood scoops and side louvers.  # 4. 1971-72 Satellite Sebring. These look just like a Road Runner, and a lot of them have 383 or 400 cubes under the hood. 318 models are dirt cheap, and you could swap in a stompin' 360 or 360 based stroker pretty easily. # 5. 1971-72 Dodge Demon. These were the Dodge Boys response to the 340 Duster that was wildly successful in 1970. Besides the potent 340 V8, these cool rides had a scooped hood, a Go-Wing spoiler, special stripes, and cool little "Demon" holding a Pitchfork emblems. Even in the '70's Political correctness ruined things. A bunch of Christian groups complained and Chrysler caved in to the pressure, so the "Demon" moniker was dropped and the name changed to "Dart Sport" for 1973. Much Cooler than a Duster in my book. Mr Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge even put Paxton Superchargers on a few and called them "Demon GSS". # 6. 1972-73 Mercury Montego GT. David Pearson had great success in NASCAR in one of these fastback coupes. I think their better looking than their more sought after Torino cousins. Most will have 351C power which is if anything, a plus factor. A few were built with 429s, but they may be pricey-and Ironically-the 351C was rated at 266 hp and the 429 was only rated at 205. I'd paint one like the Pearson's "Wood Brothers" racer-ala-Popular Hot Rodding's "Project Talledega".  All of these cars offer a lot of bang for the buck and are something you don't see everyday.  Mastermind    

Base models and different model years can be big fun for low bucks.......

I get a lot of mail from people lamenting how they can't afford their dream car. And I'm not talking about Hemi 'Cudas or LS6 Chevelles. Even 396 Chevelles or 383 Road Runners will bring 40 grand if their nicely restored and people want 15 grand for stuff that needs 20 grand worth of work. However-you can still find screaming deals if you look in the right place. For example-if your a Mopar fan even 340 Dusters are getting pricey. But you can still buy a 318 powered 2 door Duster or Dart dirt cheap. Mopar performance and Blueprint engines sell 400 hp 360 crate engines-which would be a bolt-in swap. ( You'd have to get a small-block bolt-pattern 727 Torqueflite; a 904 won't stand up to that kind of power-but B&M and TCI can hook you up. ) If the car was a three-speed stick-I'd swap it for a 4-speed. Yes, people want between 50 and 100 grand for a '69-70 Boss 302 Mustang or a 428 Mach 1.  However, Ford built over 70,000 fastback Mustangs in 1969 alone, and most of them have 351W power. I have seen these in great condition for 12-20K. Ford SVT sells stompin' 351W crate motors-you could keep the numbers-matching one in your garage in case you ever want to sell the car. Yes, 455HO and SD Trans-Ams bring 50 grand all day-but I saw a 1978 WS6, 400, 4-speed T/A with 44,000 original miles for $19,900 on the Trans-Am Specialties website!! I saw a 1979 WS6,400, 4-speed, 10th Anniversary model with 66,000 original miles for $14,900!!!  Chevrolet only built 58,000 SS396's in 1968-but they built over 400,000 Malibus that same year. Buy a 2 door Malibu and slap a GMPP 454 or 502 crate engine in it and rock-n-roll!!  Think outside the box a little and you may find a gem you love for a low price. Mastermind

Special Editions that aren't really Special.....But you may be able to buy reasonably....

There's a lot of cars out there that people advertise as rare, special editions. Their nice, and they have cool features-but their not ultra rare or ultra valuable. For example-in 1967-68 you could buy a Mustang coupe with Shelby-style side scoops and T-Bird taillights. Most had 289 motivation, but a few had 390s. Most are called "California Specials" because the majority of them were sold in Duh-California. There are a few called "High Country Specials" that are the same package that was sold in the Denver, Colorado area. I think four or five thousand were built. I would pay more for one of these than I would for a garden-variety Mustang coupe, but they aren't worth Shelby GT350 money-which sellers will try to get. In fact-you could buy a generic Mustang and add the taillights and scoops yourself if you really dig the look. Here's some others to look for. # 2. 1970 Olds Cutlass Rallye 350. These cars had a super loud Sebring Yellow paint job,body-colored bumpers, and "Judge" type rear spoiler. The engine was a 350 V8 rated at 310 hp backed by a 4-speed or a TH350. 3,527 were built. Rumors persist thst 10 or 12 got the vaunted "W31" 350, but I have never seen a build sheet or window sticker for one. Again-people will try to get 442 or Hurst / Olds money-but other than the paint job-their just a 350 Cutlass coupe. # 3. 1977 Trans-Am SE. Of the 68,000 or so T/A's sold in 1977 over 15,000 were black and gold SE's. Other than the striping and the gold dash panel-their just a garden variety T/A. Because of "Smokey and the Bandit" even more were sold in '78-79. # 4. 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette. All 1978 Corvettes had the 50th Anniversary badging, and nearly 10,000 had the two-tone silver / charcoal grey paint job. An L82 4-speed might be worth a few extra bucks, but other wise their a garden-variety Corvette. All these cars are cool if you can get a deal on one, but don't pay extra for one. Mastermind  

Some '70's cars that could be great sleepers.......

For those on a tight budget often you have to think outside the box to find a cool ride at a decent price. Here's some that most people don't think of that offer a lot of bang for the buck.  #1. 1969-76 Pontiac Gran Prix. 400 V8 power standard all years, and a fair number of '70-76 "SJ" models have 455s! My sister had a '72 GP in high school and she showed her taillights to quite a few Camaros and Mustangs. Any suspension or brake upgrades that fit all GM "A" bodies ( i.e.-Chevelle, LeMans, Cutlass, Monte Carlo ) will fit these cars. Dynamite. # 2. 1975-78 Plymouth Sport Fury. Remember the "Blues Brothers?" "Its got Cop tires, Cop shocks...."  Seriously-the 2 dr models are actually pretty good looking, and a lot of them have 400 or 440 cubes under the hood.  # 3. 1977-79 Pontiac Catalina / Bonneville. 1977 was the year all the "big" GM cars were downsized and they weigh about 700 lbs less than the 1976 and earlier models. While the Caprice/Impala line was limited to a 350 small-block,most of the Pontiacs had either a 400 Pontiac V8 or a 403 Olds V8 for motivation. The 2dr models are actually kind of racy looking, and since they were the top of the line, they usually have cool options like power windows and seats,cruise control, etc. # 4. 1978-79 Chevy Malibu,Monte Carlo and El Camino. In 1978 GM downsized all the mid-sizes,and changed the coding from "A" body to "G" body. The newer cars were 600 lbs lighter than the '77 and earlier models. 1980 and later models were limited to 305 cubes, but in '78 and '79 you could still get a 350 with a 4bbl! There's more speed parts for a small-block Chevy than anything else on the planet-so these cars can be made to really run relatively cheap. # 5. 1977-79 Ford Ranchero. These were based on the LTD II platform instead of the Fairlane / Torino chassis that the '68-76 models were based on. They had a roomier and more luxurious interior which makes them nice drivers, and a lot of them had 400 or 460 cubes under that long hood. Cool if you can find one.  Mastermind