Some '60's and '70's econoboxes that can be wicked fast....and "Retro-Cool"...

Early Novas ( 1962-67 ) have kind of a "Cult" following which drives the prices way up. If you can find a deal on one, by all means buy it and build it, but it may not be feasible for most people. That aside-here's some cars that could be low-budget fun and real fast.  #1. 1962-68 Ford Falcon / Mercury Comet. These cars are really light-about 2,800 lbs-so even with a mild 289 / 302 they can really run. You could find a wrecked "5.0" Fox Mustang and swap the whole drivetrain-engine, T5 tranny, 8.8 inch rear and for very low-bucks have a fast, reliable sleeper. Or you could go old-school style gasser-straight axle, dual quads, fenderwell exit headers etc. If you wanted to build a corner-carver-a lot of early Mustang suspension and brake upgrades fit these cars. They have a lot of potential for low bucks.  # 2. 1964-68 Plymouth Valiant / Barracuda. A lot of these may have Slant-Six or 273 V8 motivation, but a 360 or 408 stroker crate motor would bolt right in and make one of these lightweights a rocker.  # 3. 1971-77 Chevy Vega. Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins dominated Pro Stock drag racing in his V8 Vega in the early '70's. V8 Vegas were all the rage in the late '70's and early '80's. Hooker and other companies offer motor mounts and headers etc. You could use an old-school small-block or a late-model LS engine to build a pocket-rocket. ( No one gives a shit about Vegas-your not desecrating ' 69 Z/28 )  # 4. 1971-80 Ford Pinto / Mercury Bobcat. 289 / 302 Pintos were also popular in the '70's and are actually easier to build than the Vegas. A Maverick or Mustang II 8 inch rear will bolt right in and stand up to almost anything. "Dyno" Don Nicholson ran V8 Pintos in Pro Stock and was the only guy who gave Jenkins a run or beat him once in a while. # 5. 1971-77 Ford Maverick / Mercury Comet. These lightweight cars make great drag racers. A buddy of mine was shocked when his 440 Road Runner got beat by a screamin' 302 Maverick.  # 6. 1971-77 AMC Gremlin / Hornet. With a curb weight about 2,700 lbs and a short wheelbase these cars make great drag racers. Like Pontiacs-AMC V8's are externally identical. Which means a 360 or 401 would bolt right in place of a 304. A guy I knew in high school had a 401 Gremlin-and he surprised a lot of people-including a couple of big-block Chevelles.  # 7.. 1971-77 Pontiac Ventura. 350 versions can be made to run, but a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap. Weighing about 3,200 lbs-600 less than the average '70's Firebird-these make great sleepers. And a lot of suspension and brake upgrades that fit the Camaro / Firebird fit these cars.  Any of these would be a fast, fun ride with the right combination. Mastermind