I'm starting to like late 70s muscle cars.

You know the ones that could pose as a grocery-getter, late model malibus, novas, and monte carlos. I played around witha '72 nova for a bit and had some fun. Now I'm looking for something else. Whats the best late 70s muscle cars? Something like '75-79, I don't like trans am and firebird bodies that much..

GM X-bodies (Nova and relatives) have all the Camaro and Firebird suspension bits bolt right on, in a lighter package.

For some reason, I've wanted to build a Dodge Mirada.

Although I think this is two years too late. How about a Mercury Zephyr Z7 instead?

That Mercury is smooooth. They come with 350 v8s?

Coldsnap wrote: That Mercury is smooooth. They come with 351 v8s?

FTFY

The Mercury is a Fox body. Anything for a Mustang will bolt on. Doubt it came with anything larger than a 302 from the factory, but it's easy to fix that.

I have a weakness for a nice A-body GM

How about a good old Laguna?

Or Olds Cutlass 442.

A guy is selling a Mirada near my house. It looks like it's in DD condition. I could check it out...

I can see where this thread is headed...

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/best-muscle-car-for-beginner/59166/page1/

Coldsnap wrote: I played around witha '72 nova for a bit and had some fun.

wait wait wait wait wait...

you bought one and never told us?

xflowgolf wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: I played around witha '72 nova for a bit and had some fun.

wait wait wait wait wait... you bought one and never told us?

And then moved on?!?

Aaaaahhhh!!!!

Yup bought a '72 Nova and a Haynes manual. Played around for a few months, someone really liked it and wanted to buy it cash up front for more than what I paid for it. Figured why not. I was planning on posting a thread about it because I needed some advice on fixing some rust spots, glad i got out of that though because I didn't want to repair rust.

So now I'm shopping around again.. I think a later 70s car could be a better daily drive anyways.

'78 Monte Carlo http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3904964415.html

here we go

Coldsnap wrote: Yup bought a '72 Nova and a Haynes manual. Played around for a few months, someone really liked it and wanted to buy it cash up front for more than what I paid for it. Figured why not. I was planning on posting a thread about it because I needed some advice on fixing some rust spots, glad i got out of that though because I didn't want to repair rust. So now I'm shopping around again.. I think a later 70s car could be a better daily drive anyways. '78 Monte Carlo http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3904964415.html

I don't suppose you took any pictures of your Nova before you sold it?

Yea, four door. Only thing that was around my budget, All the two doors locally were either trashed or way over priced

In reply to Coldsnap:

So tell us about it?

What am I missing here????? Honestly, I always thought that was Detroit's darkest era.

TR8owner wrote: What am I missing here????? Honestly, I always thought that was Detroit's darkest era.

It was. No doubt about it. Still, some of us do retain a soft spot for these awful cars, me included. My very first car was a 77 Cougar. I'd love to find another one and drop in a gently massaged 460....

TR8owner wrote: What am I missing here????? Honestly, I always thought that was Detroit's darkest era.

It was, but the cars are unloved, appropriately cheap, and can be made a lot better now with very little work.

For the odd Fox luvers

Fairmont V-8 with Sunroof -- Rare Car - $1000 (Stockbridge)

whats the budget?

theres a late 70s el camino down here in albemarle for the right price, as well as a mid 70s olds a-body

or, ill sell you my 64 elky....

Dusterbd13 wrote: whats the budget? theres a late 70s el camino down here in albemarle for the right price, as well as a mid 70s olds a-body or, ill sell you my 64 elky....

I would like a '64 elky....

8k, with all the spares. and it is a competant autocrosser/work tryuck. proved that this past week hauling engines, transmissions, and going autocrossing on saturday. pulled third in CP.

How about some late 70's "practical muscle?"

I've been building this for the past 6 months. It used to be a long box.

And I picked up some stickers for the back window:

Coldsnap wrote: So now I'm shopping around again.. I think a later 70s car could be a better daily drive anyways. '78 Monte Carlo ... http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3904964415.html

If you're shopping the malaise era, I'd skip the bloat and go for an early g-body or fox body. Huge aftermarket potential for improvements, brakes, suspension, engine, etc.

I particularly like the early g-body Monte Carlos (pre '81) where they still had the crease in the fenders and more body contour.

Moving past the curved styling... the early '80's, late '70's Malibus can look great also.