What car to buy: Old, V8 and Carb'd edition...

Ive been thinking about old V8s and carburetors lately. Im wondering about cars that might be somewhat obscure but also not crazy expensive. Chevelles and Camaros are too expensive, Im thinking 60s and early 70s cars. A Laguna is kinda cool, not super common but also not super sought after or rare enough to be out of price range. Looking for ideas like this, theres probably things Ive forgotten existed at this point. 1960 Buick Invicta is another good example, so this should show my range of interest, from Lagunas to Invictas, any brand.

Thanks im interested to see what you guys come up with

Any rwd Riviera. There are some interesting designs just before the boat tails and just after.

You never see '74 -' 78s anymore.
Riviera Wiki

73/74 nova because the less desirable crash bumper era, or go disco nova. Most 78+ g bodys would fill this bill. Ford maverick, any of the less desirable 4 doors depending on the use. Foxbody! A bit new for what you want but available with a carb until 85.

What about trucks? The '73-'87 C10s are super common (they cranked out over 1.1 million in '78 alone), still dirt cheap and came with a variety of inline 6s, small block V8s and even 454s. Plenty of aftermarket support too

Woody wrote:

Cool but hideously rare, a lot of parts are not available and Pontiac guys want an arm and a leg. Now a regular LeMans might be more feasible.

Do you want a land barge, mid size, compact or pony car?

It seems that a lot of the land barges are still around and in serviceable condition, so if your not concerned with "sporting" ability that's what I'd look for. I love me some full size Lincoln/FoMoCo's from the seventies.

Got a 64 elky that I can sell you....

In reply to dropstep:

Funny you mention Novas, last Old V8 I had was. '74 with a mess of a built engine but it was fun when it went. I guess if I go with land barge I just need an engine capable of moving said barge. Thanks

65-70 B body wagon?

I say Pontiac Ventura then cut a hole in the hood for factory style shaker off of Trans Am ala 1974 GTO and the Can Am above. Or mid80s Monte SS.

HappyAndy wrote: Do you want a land barge, mid size, compact or pony car? It seems that a lot of the land barges are still around and in serviceable condition, so if your not concerned with "sporting" ability that's what I'd look for. I love me some full size Lincoln/FoMoCo's from the seventies.

I was thinking the Torino and its dirivatives, some of the less desirable year cars still look cool, and I am not a ford guy.

Vega or monza?

There's always the truck option. 70s to 80s Ford, GM, or Dodge examples can usually be found cheap in workable shape. I don't think late 2nd gen F-bodies have gone insane yet. there's also early box b-body GMs.

I have a soft spot for a 70 or so Cutlass. Cheaper than a Chevelle, but still cool.

Budget?

I'd go 80s Monte carlo ss or el camino if I could find.a decent one for a decent price

Anything from 65 to 72 with 4 doors, little rust and a V8 can be both fun and interesting.

1969-1981 Pontiac Trans Am

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5864210357.html

1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible. 472 cubic inches of loving.

You are TOTALLY speaking my language. I am a huge fan of the superman lunchbox (definition below)

74-76 Maverick 302. The 74 was the first year of the crash-rated bumpers which makes them cheaper than the early ones, but its pretty easy to swap back to early bumpers. They only weigh about as much as a WRX, so even in wheezy smog form, the 302 scoots. 8" rear is pretty stout. I picked up a rust-free CA 74 Mav for $300

Any 70s wagon or sedan. mid-70s GM B-body wagons (clamshells) are super cool. Google why they're called clamshells. The big, bloated Mopars always intrigued me too.

Superman Lunchbox definition: In grade school, if you were a nerdy kid and carried a superman lunchbox you were teased. It wasn't cool. But if you were the cool kid carrying a superman lunchbox, suddenly it was hip. The superman lunchbox car is something so uncool that its cool. That's one of the reasons I lean toward uncool stuff from the 70s.

So I had to go look and found this.

1970 Chevy Impala 32k miles - $5000

Thanks! I love wagons but feel like prices are going crazy compared to sedans. My plan for now is to just search old v8s and see what comes up.

Galaxys, Fairlanes, and Cougars OH MY!