"You can't always get what you want..."

That was a big hit for the rolling stones. The chorus finishes with "But if you try sometimes,you just might find, you get what you need."  That applies to old cars as well.  I'm getting really tired of people bitching that they can't find a deal on a decent car, yet they've passed up ten absolute steals because they weren't "Exactly what they were looking for."  You have two choices you can search the galaxy for your dream car-and then pay way more than it's worth when you find it.  Or you can be reasonable and you may find a fantastic deal on a great car you'll love.  #1 Consider less than the premium model. This should be a no-brainer.  It isn't.  I know an idiot who wanted a 400 / 4-speed disco-era T/A. He passed up a 400 / 4-speed, T-Top equipped '77 Formula ( For $2,300 in 2006 dollars!!! )  That ran like a scalded cat and only needed a paint job. Guess what he said?  "It's not a Trans-Am"  I beg to differ-it damn well is except for the bodywork!!  The engine and drivetrain and suspension are the same. The interior is the same except the Formula has a wood grain dash panel instead of aluminum, but the guages are the same. Dumb ass. A Camaro lover did the same thing. Passed up a beautiful 350 / 4-speed, '78 Rally Sport Camaro because it "Wasn't a Z / 28".  If you just "Gotta Have" a Boss 302 I hope you've got $50-80K handy, because Ford only built 1,600 in 1969 and another 7,000 or so in 1970.  By contrast-Ford built over 70,000 fastback Mustangs in 1969 alone, most of which had 351W power, which is a much better street engine anyway. I've seen really nice '69-70 Mach 1s for $12-15,000. Anything over 20K is usually amazing. About 1/3 or 1/4 of what you'd pay for a restored Boss 302.  I saw a Pontiac enthusiast pass up an awesome '69 GTO Judge clone for $16,000!!!  Because "It's a fake".  Now mind you-this wasn't a gussied up LeMans-it was a for-real GTO-it just wasn't a Judge originally. The owner had added the spoiler and stripes and emblems. This car was in great condition, had a numbers-matching 400 that ran great and the hood tach and factory Air.  Regardless of paint-this car was easily worth the $16,000 asking price. For a numbers-matching '69 GTO with factory air?!!!  "It's still a fake!"  I told the guy what Patrick Swayze said to Marshall Teague in "Roadhouse" before their fight scene. "You are such an asshole."  # 2 Consider less than the ultimate engine. This too, should be a no-brainer.  There's a lot more 396 Chevelles out there than there are SS454s.  There's a lot more GTOs and Firebirds with the base-model 400 than there are Ram Air IV's.  There's way more 383 Road Runners and Chargers than there are 440 / Six-Packs or Hemis.  I touched on it in an earlier post-I've seen quite a few Chargers with 2bbl carburated 383s and 400s.  Especially the '71-74 models. I think there was an "SE" package option that featured opera windows, a vinyl top, and upgraded upholstery and the larger 383 / 400 V8 in place of the 318.  I see quite a few '69-73 Mustangs and Cougars with 2bbl 351s.  A carb and intake is an easy swap.  A 340 / 360 'Cuda / Challenger / Charger is still a good performer and way cheaper than the 383 / 440 models.  # 3. Consider an automatic transmission. 4-speeds are great fun, I agree. However the cold, hard facts are there are more cars out there with automatics. And honestly-with a good shift kit whether its a 340 Duster or a 396 Chevelle or a 455 Olds 442-the automatic is probably going to be just as quick or quicker on street tires because wheelspin is less on take off.  Even a "Smokey and the Bandit" T/A-swap the 2.56:1 axle ratio for some 3.23-3.42:1s, and your "slushbox" will show it's taillights to those smug 4-speed owners.  Even Corvettes have more autos out there than sticks.  I have seen early '70s Gran Prix's and Monte Carlos with factory 4-speeds, but good luck finding one!  The new for 1969 GP was a smash hit-with over 100,000 units sold.  Of those 100,000+ cars only 112 had a 428 and a 4-speed!  See what I'm saying?  # 4. Consider a 3-speed stick. A lot of musclecars had 3-speed sticks standard and the 4-speeds and automatics were extra-cost options.  You don't see a ton of them, but I've seen a few GTOs and Firebirds with 3-speeds, I've seen 340 Dusters and Demons with 3-speeds and a 383 Challengers and Chargers with them. I've seen quite a few 289 / 302 Mustangs with 3-speeds, and a few 390 models. I've seen some 350 Camaros with 3-speeds.  You can generally buy these cheap because their not really collectible, their just weird, and the public snubs them in favor of 4-speeds and automatics.  # 5. Consider how much your "Gotta Have" option is worth to you.  If it's tri-power on a Pontiac or Mopar or Big-Block Chevy  the swap is easy and maybe 2 grand in parts.  If it's a 426 Hemi or an LS6 454 that's an expensive one-probably 15K just for the engine, if you could find one for sale!!  Got a bench seat Charger or Chevelle and want buckets and a console?  Call Year One and get out your credit card.  Just do some honest thinking about what is or isn't a deal-breaker for you.  Mastermind