So here’s an interesting musing my brain was having while stuck in traffic. I’ll say now that this is a pure day dream / lotto idea and nothing I’m actually in the position to do. I blame the Mega Millions / Powerball billboard that I pass every day on the way home that’s telling me what the Jackpot it. Given that I’m too old, not skilled enough and lack the dedication, the normal day dream of running a single seater, or IMSA car went out the window and I was thinking about stock/stock-ish cars to use in Hillclimb, which were the first motorsport events I did in the UK over a quarter century ago before moving here. So, what car would you buy to us in Hillclimbs here in North America with the following restrictions.
- Has to be a production car, sold here in the US or available here relatively easily (i.e. common gray market or 25 year old import)
- No Kit cars or pure race cars (by by Factory five or old Formula Atlantic etc.)
- Max price $100K for a good running /driving car. That cuts out a new Ford GT or similar
- Prep would be limited too a max of safety gear, springs, shocks and possibly exhaust and off the shelf tune, wheels and tires
- No Porsche’s. Not that I have anything against them, the exact opposite, but it’s too easy to hit the 996 Turbo or GT3 ‘easy button’
- Fun and col win out over the perfect car 12 times out of ten.
In no particular order I was thinking:
Ferrari 360
Aston V12 Vantage
Renault 5 Turbo 2 (slow, but scores approx. 10 billion on the cool factor)
Focus RS or Golf R (low on the cool scale)
UR Quattro
E30 M3
Alfa Romeo SZ
Morgan Plus 8
R32 Skyline
Giugiaro Esprit Turbo
Bentley Conti GT Coupe
SL 55 AMG (R129 Chassis)
In most cases I’m going for fun and cool over the obvious choice. Note the absence of the obvious contenders like a GT350, 1LE, Zo6/ZR1, Viper GTS. They are all wonderful cars, but too common and the easy button. This is fun over perfection.
Fire away.
DeTomaso Pantera
Vector W8
Matra Murena
BMW M1
... I guess basically just buy the weirdest thing you can find with the engine in the middle.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
DeTomaso Pantera
Vector W8
Matra Murena
BMW M1
... I guess basically just buy the weirdest thing you can find with the engine in the middle.
Yup, wierdes thing out there would win. BTW, where do you find a decent M1 or Vector for under $100K. Damn, can you imagine a Vector!!!!!!
In reply to Pete Gossett :
Smart car. thumbs up.
In reply to chaparral :
NSX, ZZzzz zzz zzz what was that? Oh, you chose an 'easy' button car...zzz...zzz...zzz..
Come on yu know you want light weight manual and BIG egine. 
Ian F
MegaDork
2/14/19 10:27 a.m.
Of the choices presented, I'd go with an E30 M3 - mostly because it's not too hard to find one already caged and logged for racing.
Personally, if I'm doing a "Mega Millions" racing plan, then I'd pick something disposable and easily replaced - one of the currently available racer-in-white cars. One car I'd actually race and a couple of back-ups in the shop in case the first car gets balled up. From everything I've read, when it comes to racing, the car itself is low on the list of logistics.
ZL1
I can't believe I just said that, but since Caymans aren't an option, that's where I'm going..
In reply to Adrian_Thompson :
I will admit I have no idea what anything at that end of the spectrum really costs- if I had $100k to spend on a race car I'd do a lot of racing in a $10k car 
More ideas:
Any homologation special
Anything Soviet
Anything French
STM317
SuperDork
2/14/19 11:32 a.m.
If it's strictly for fun, a Morgan 3 Wheeler seems like it would be a riot
In reply to STM317 :
Now that's more like it, but what sanctioning bodies would let it run? Also, while it's an excellent idea I'm not sold on the safety aspect!
In reply to DeadSkunk :
ZZzzzzz zzzz zzz zz did someone say Corvezzzz zz zzzzzz zzzzzz. Nope, way too sensible and common.
Vigo
UltimaDork
2/14/19 12:21 p.m.
I guess of the original list i would say Esprit because the terrible interior/ergo wouldn't matter while racing and it looks good on the outside. Plus, you never see them in any kind of grassroots racing videos so you'd automatically be the coolest guy on the hill in my book.
After that I'd choose Morgan 8 because it also would look amazing and be a unique experience while being fast enough to be a real thrill and challenge.
I think I would use my 500 abarth. It may lack the grunt of most of that list, but it very lightweight, grips like mad, and does the point and shoot thing well.
How far up the hill are you climbing? Pikes Peak has proven that an electric drivetrain is the way to go if there is serious altitude involved. Maybe a Chevy Volt with a hybrid LSx/electric drivetrain?
I would look at the Mitsubishi 3000 GT-VR4. They don't have a racing pedigree, and were considered too heavy/large/luxo. BUT, with 2000hp, stripped out, AWD, they would be interesting to say the least. And AWD traction!
Why not a C5Z? With a $100k cap you could go bonkers with the motor. Big inch torqer for pulling out of the curves and a snail for the top end. Coilovers. You'd probably have enough left for a used diesel dually to pull it with.
edit: Oh, I forgot. The interiors suck.
Looks like you can get a Ferrari California for about $100k, that would be fun.
If the Atom is considered "not a kit car" enough then my vote is Donkervoort:
If it is too kit car, then TVR Sagaris:
In a hillclimb situation, turbo cars have an advantage as engine output doesn't drop with increasing altitude. I know a few guys who seriously compete in hillclimb events. The most successful runs a Lancer Evo II GSR that's been gutted, caged, and runs huge boost:
So, I guess I'd start with an Evo VIII and take it from there.
unless this is more than 100k and I may not be able to fit in it.
2nd choice:
