Vintage Sports Car with a Back Seat

Some other ideas:

Karmann Ghia (not sure just how big the back seat is, and a few years didn't have one) or some other air cooled VW product.

If a Mustang won't fit the budget, but otherwise seems like it would fit the bill, consider something else in the compact '60s or '70s domestic category - you could probably still score a Javelin, Rambler, Nova, Dart, Falcon, or Comet in your budget. Particularly if you get a four door, or some of the more offbeat '70s cars.

A 1970s era Mercury Capri, before they went to the Fox body, would definitely fit the bill. If you can find one. I think this one is a GRM Reader's Ride.

From the land of the Rising Sun, you might want to keep your eye out for a nice 510 or an early Celica with its mini muscle car styling.

MadScientistMatt wrote: Some other ideas: If a Mustang won't fit the budget, but otherwise seems like it would fit the bill, consider something else in the compact '60s or '70s domestic category - you could probably still score a Javelin, Rambler, Nova, Dart, Falcon, or Comet in your budget. Particularly if you get a four door, or some of the more offbeat '70s cars.

Somebody posted a 4 door Falcon that they were considering selling here recently. Was it Jumper K. Balls?

You can find a super nice Scirocco 16V for 5 grand.

I've had a couple Lotus Elites. Ugly, but they are great drivers. Really good steering, ride, and road holding, and balance. An Eclat or an Excel is better looking, especially the Excel.

You will have to work on them, as they have been cheap fora long time. Most have been in the hands of people unable or unwilling to maintain them for a good while.

I would love a Mercury Capri. An early 2 liter or an early V6, when they were still light. I haven't seen a decent one for sale for years, and as a Cortina person, I tend to look.

I believe that Sunbeam Alpines had a bit of a back seat. Not too sure about 5 grand for either the Alpine or Capri though.

I always wonder if the big Cologne engines will fit where the Capri 2.3 / 2.6 were. They were up to 4 liter in Exploders and Rangers.

Here is an XR4TI:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172204671885?rmvSB=true

Those are pretty sporty. With the T5 upgrade, you can afford to let the motor put out all the boost that you want.

An Alfetta might be possible in your price range, or maybe a Berlina sedan, too. I thought that my Berlinetta 1750 Sedan was way too heavy for the power.

Datsun 510 with tasteful upgrades. Naturally I'm biased toward 1200s but four up even with a 1500 engine installed would sap it pretty bad.

Early Celicas are nice as well.

It's newer than you may want but early 80s Supras are good fun.

I've owned a coupe of Volvo 142s, with sway bars and good dampers they are fun to drive.

BMW 320i is supremely unloved but a few minor upgrades make them very nice to drive.

GOT IT... Sunbeam Alpine GT... and it is for sale!!!!

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5576617806.html

In much the same vein as an MGB GT: (Only about 350 lbs heavier)

Lots of fun options if you are interested in doing some pro touring to some weird 70's domestic cars.

It's funny what some of you guys consider a "vintage sports car". I think the OP is looking for something in the late 50's-early 70's vein. Which is the age I would also consider "vintage" not an 80's VW hot hatch, and certainly not a Miata.

I think MadScientist got the idea right with his suggestions at the top of this page.

I'll add a couple more suggestions.

Opel Manta

Fiat 124 Coupe.

Just to compare it to these new suggestions, Chevy Corvair

lets end this right here then...

In reply to NOHOME: Done!! Once you ship it to my house I'll send you the $5k.

Vintage according to most sanctioning bodies and DMVs, 25 years and older ARE vintage.

Jus' sayin'

In reply to t25torx: You're exactly right...I was thinking it would most likely be something from the 60's-70's with maybe a little leeway either side of that.

...and that Manta is pretty cool!

It looks like there have been a lot of cars posted in this thread that are more than $5k cars....either that or I need to make a withdrawal from my savings account and buy a couple of them.

How about an R107 SL?

They were made between 1972 and 1989, and there are plenty of them out there. Some seem to be going up, but you can still find them easily for less than $5000.

Add a back seat kit for $500.

Here is a running project for $2700: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/cto/5576866372.html

My vote is 6 series BMW or Corvair. It's tough to go wrong with either one.

Jensen Interceptor - get your choice of coupe or convertible. More a grand tourer than a sports car IMHO, though.

Here is an Eclat. No bids yet. The 5 grand maximum makes this search pretty limited. Most of the posts are not about $5000 cars.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-lotus-eclat/

In reply to Mike: A Lotus is always excellent thinking unless of course you actually need to go some place! Within a specific time frame.

In reply to cdowd:

IMHO Much better looking!!