I'm Cursed. Anybody else have a ton of cars/things they want to BUILD?

Ok, so I'm pretty tight with both Pat and Crovo - and I'm fairly hip to the fact that the 3 of us need to buy an old airport just to have enough garage/hangar/storage space for our collections and builds. (and a drag strip)

Pat's a proven DIY guy on every corner of a car, from hand formed and polished aluminum trim to hand stitching a complete interior that came out bitchin. I know he'll be building custom things forever, if not longer.

Crovo buys, mods, RACES, then sells everything from hoopy Miatas to national show winning Impalas that perform BETTER than their show paint looks, and everything inbetween - and I know that's just the tips of crazynesses that's in his head.

Me - I've literally lost COUNTLESS night's sleeps engineering the countless ways I want to thrash on any given car and turn it into a form of personal expression.

Not even addressing the 6 cylinder and up powertrains I lust for - I want to do things like take my 65 Biscayne wagon and make it a 2" cowl hooded hardtop. It needs to have custom leather guts, pro-touring stance and suspension, an exhaust tone so deep and strong that pisses off the dead, and all around performance to back it up.

I want to build a 53-54 Chevy hardtop car in the worst way. I always have. Those bodies are just classic and hot as-is - so I'd just want to shave it and smooth it out a little, and go pearlescent white - then ghost in a sick set of flames by just adding 2-3 more layers of pearl appropriately. It'd need REDDER than RED guts, too. The only things not red on the inside would be chrome.

I want to rat rod out a postal jeep. I want no front sheet metal, and I want to run a built 300 cubic inch inline 6 - with a huge mailbox for a carb scoop. I want to channel it over the frame, then chop the top so hard and stupid that I have to drive it in a semi reclined position. I want to cut the top of the roof OUT and have the shifter hang out the hole in the roof about 6", and if I sit straight up, I do too. The frame would be custom built/modified so that the rear axle is BEHIND the body, and sit underneath a small custom fabbed bed - with a wood plank floor - that holds my beer keg gas tank. I pretty much want to be a real live version of an Ed Roth cartoon. The whole car would barely be 4 feet tall and maintain a USPS themed paint job - and the door would still slide as opposed to open via hinges. I have no intention of it being a great performance car. Just a totally bitchin head scratcher.

Even though I'd never really fit in one, I want to start with nothing and build a Budget T-Bucket in less than a month. Keeping a build under 3 grand, I want a T bucket that could be used as a fuel efficient commuter car option with a simple 4 banger/5-speed combo from a cheap donor. It needs to come from a truck so I could turbo it later, or be something bitchin looking like a quad 4.

Because I know my "triple extra medium" frame is too damn big for a T-bucket, I've lost a LOT of sleep having naughty thoughts about how to do lots of T-bucket types of things to other body styled donor vehicles - using everything from a damn VW Rabbit body all the way up to a building a 91-6 Caprice "B-Bucket" where I take a stock caprice sedan body and make it into pure hot rodding "Twisted steel and sex appeal". Most people will hate it, and I'm comfortable with that.

I want to experiment with putting high revving smaller powertrains into light weight older cars too. I've heard that a DOHC motor from a Suzuki Swift can be mated to a trans from a Zooky Samuri, and be an absolute KILLER RWD combo in things like MG's, and similar old flyweight eurotrash. I want to try that.

I met a street legal sand rail this past summer that was running a supercharged 3800, and it made me need one of those too.

I've yet to see a vehicle that I wouldn't feel comfortable painting like the General Lee. That's how much stupid redneck love I have for that stupid redneck paint job. It's perfection. It's my paintjob equivalent to chocolate, cheese, or bacon. Any one of those things are an instant improvement to anything they are added to, and I think less of people who feel differently about any of those 4 things.

I seriously could build at LEAST 10-15 B-body sedans and wagons alone - all differently, without losing any steam. I have B-body wagon porn in my head that make those stupid 57 chevy conversions look even stupider.

And suspensions. Being of a design and engineering background - I've got suspension ideas for some of these cars that are like things I've never seen on anything else. I'm not saying they're GOOD ideas, but they come to me, and no matter how hard I try not to, I noodle on them endlessly and almost obsessively until - in my head - the geometry WORKS. Then I want to build them.

And Flames. We already know that I'm a total retard for flames. I see them on everything that doesn't already have them - even if it's completely inappropriate to do so, including on my wife. It's like the world has only 2 categories - things that have flames, and things that don't have flames yet.

Anyway, now that I've shared a cliff notes version of the TIP of the iceberg of the curse that haunts me - are there any more of us out there besides me, Pat, and Bill?

Pat, Bill, what else do you guys want to build?

Everybody else (including you friggin lurkers) - chime in. B-body or not, what's your poison? Even if it's not cars - what's the PG rated kind of thing that you could spend 24/7 doing for the rest of your life?

I want to put a 350-403-455 in my Olds Cutlass, and want to TOTALLY restore my 67 GTO.

I also want to win the lottery....soon. ; )

-Mike

ps nice write-up!

I want a Cutlass. I'd recreate the car my dad had when I was a kid, and do everything we both wanted to do to it.

455, bucket seats, floor shift, full gauge package, dark pearl blue paint, TA snowflake wheels with Olds center caps, just.. all of it.

I also want a Miata with an LSx. I don't care that it's been done before. It's badass and everybody knows it. There are others, I'm sure, but those are the main two.

1970 Chevelle Malibu Convertible with a '71 rear bumper (love those tail lights). Or maybe a '71 Chevelle with '70 headlights.... hmmmm 454-LS6 engine of course and a completely modernized interior.

I miss my Fleetwood too.... gotta get one back in the fleet someday.

Oh, and when I win the lotto. 2011 CTS-v wagon. Black with black leather thank you very much. Yeah, I know it's not custom but does it have to be?

And a few others I'll never get around to doing.

Oh man, the CTSV wagon and the ZR1 are the only 2 new cars that make the cut. I'm feeling you on the wagon being black on black too.

I also can't believe I forgot to bring up VW's. I want to build a couple Volksrods too.

I want another Fleetwood too. MAN what a comfortable car. I think I'm leaning towards a 93 though. Same with wagons. I'm ready to be underwhelmed by TBI for awhile.

Great read, Broham! Man, you've really got me thinking! Jeez man, where the Hell do I start???? My list would be miles long. Well, here's a minute of "just off the top of my head..."

I think that sooner than later, I will have a turbo LSx'd t-topped 3rd gen. All slammed on 18's and ready to tear up the autoX.

I want to do the LSx Miata that I started and never finished. It will happen some time!

I want a Turbo Regal limited that runs 10's with all the chrome. Blue/gray, please. Screw those Monte lookin' GN's! And I'd LOWER the damn thing! Do ANY of those guys know how to do that??? ARGH!

I want another TBI B-wagon to satin black and flame for the winter. Only this time, I'd do the interior all red.

I want to do a V8 boxy S10 in the worst way... Bare bones and ridiculously quick. That may get done before the 3rd gen.

I want to make a complete luxo-import killer with an '05 Legacy GT. Sue me. It'll be most awesome!

I need another K5 lifted blazer so bad it hurts. 8" lift and 35's again, please.

I so want to rat rod a 64 DeVille hardtop... ooooh Sexy. Black and red red red!

I want to build a honda hatch the right way. And show those idiot ricers how to really go fast with crap and not look like a total idiot doing it.

Oh, and I think I'd like to make a B-wagon somewhat quick, too...

Oh, yeah. I forgot to add my own car to the list. Bill pretty much nailed it (minus the flames though)

I saw the Green Hornet last night and now I want an Imperial, lol. What a bad ass looking car!

As for reality, my current projects on the table and in hand

1. Re-Resotre (Dad did a backyard cosmetic one cirica 1980) on my 1963 BJ7 Austin Healey


2. Get my DGGM 94 on the road with the following upgrades
Sun Coast hood, Bonnie seats, S-10 center shift and overhead consoles, Rear Discs and 3.73 posi rear, Fresh paint (or touch up as it's pretty fair for the most part)




3. Fully Restore and make a pro touring 1968 Cougar that my father in law bought brand new, 105K and it's been sitting in a garage since Dec 1996....


4. Turn Big Red into a bad a$$ B-body Rat Wagon with an olds 455 with stacks popping up out of the hood

5. Build an old Baja Bug with 35 inch rear tires and big snorkel on the roof, lol.

6. Chop the top on a wagon by 3 or 4 inches (see rat rod project )

oh that's just off the top of my head ha ha ha. I have many naughty thoughts about cars like John does.

Oh and Bewb here's a General Lee teaser, lol

Fully Blown 572 crate engine'd, 6 speed rower, 4.56(?) geared B body wagon dressed in 5-6 different colored body panels, 1/2 with wood, 1/2 without. Those with wood MUST have the wood peeling. Airbrushed rust in strategic northern fashion. Paint the inside of the rear glass body color.

All with a license plate that reads SLEEPR.

That and a '66 Impala SS ragtop. White with copious amounts of chrome and black leather (not Corinthian) guts.

Lets see. Thankfully I only have two cars and no more room so I can't get crazy with projects. Not yet at least

For now, just finishing the wagon. Once spring comes, I'm having the new quarters welded in, whole car painted and tint applied.

On the VW I plan to install the Euro optioned fog light kit, new oil pan, and transmission flush, new headlights (as the ones on there now fogged BAD), and refinish my rims.

If my little brother gets a job I told him I'd help him find a B body of his own so that'll be another project.

Oh and finally finish my HO layout. Got the wiring for the DCC system about 3/4 done. Scenery is next. God I hate wiring...

Bewber wrote:

Everybody else (including you friggin lurkers) - chime in. B-body or not, what's your poison? Even if it's not cars - what's the PG rated kind of thing that you
could spend 24/7 doing for the rest of your life?

When you restrict it that way . . . nothing.

Original 427 Cobra.

The one in my head that just won't go away is a T bucket.

My friend built one in 1980,and I made the mistake of driving it.

Watching that fan spin and listening to the exhaust while looking cool with hair blowing was, well.....nufff of that.

I would love one towed behind the wagon on a matching black trailer with chrome wheels,to take to shows.

I even have a plate in mind, CASUAL T. Please get the pun.




My wrenching days are behind me,however I would enjoy doing so on this as they are so open and no fenders get scratched.

It is in Texas, http://www.cars-on-line.com/47643.html

Maybe CRAIGLUST Mike knows it.

A little late for the HAIR blowing thing isnt it?
Gotcha
Jim Gordon

well I have my 82 GMC Caballero that isn't selling, and I have a caddy 500 on my enigne stand, so I'm looking for an eldo or toranado transmission.... I'm thinking of pulling the 3.8V6 out of the cabby,move the fuel tank up front, then pull the rear end out, cut a hole in the bed and dropping the caqddy 500 in the bed of the truck mated up to a front drive trans axle, fab up some exhaust and have some fun

unless somebody buys the cabby before spring

thats just one idea.....

Got me there Jim

Still got Marge tho

Lorne,

Dude you can build an entire T bucket out of a catalog.

toomanytoyz wrote:

<lots of stuff>

Oh, and I think I'd like to make a B-wagon somewhat quick, too...

Great list Bill. But that last one... it'll never happen...

Bewber wrote:

Lorne,

Dude you can build an entire T bucket out of a catalog.

Thats very true John,I have done the math on those kits,and 10 doesn't go very far.

I wish my boys were more interested,but the reality is I am better off getting something already titled cheap,and doing it like the one pictured.

Maybe I will hook up with someone on woodward who has what I want or knows of?

lornejay1 wrote:

Got me there Jim

Still got Marge tho

What does your Wife Jackie have to say about Marge?

I sincerely hope that Marge and Jackie are one in the same person or Lorne may be having
problems far worse than getting his hair blown around in a T-Bucket.
Fingers Crossed
Jim Gordon

Okay so my priorities are a little different than most. Should the Gods of financial benevolance shine upon me this is what I would really like to build:

Replica of a Model J Deusenberg with a matching Fisher "Station Delivery" body (the original true woodie and genisus of our long roofs) sitting on a lowered 3/4 ton GM truck chassis or strengthened "B" or "D" chassis. 6 BT Cummins, hardened 4l80, 4 wheel discs with trailer/car interlock ABS (hydraulic discs on the trailer) and air suspension all setup for towing the RV over long distances including a Hensley Hitch.

Modern guts with full size buckets in four locations,full console with real cup holders and places to put our stuff, built in buzzers and bells like power everything, trip/nav and engine monitoring computer, full time backup/rearview camera AND A RADIO/CD PLAYER THAT WORKS!!!.

Have a friend who can build up a fibergalss front clip for the Model J but will have to build from the windshield back from scratch. So far it looks like 20 to 40 K to put it all together. Oh well deams are cheap. Would still be a great camping hauler. We have the technolgy....just not the money.

Lorne: You really must tell them how she got the name "Marge". Good story.

Bill

i want to modernize a 49-53 chevy 3100 pickup. replacing the thriftmaster I-6 with the 4.2 I6 from the trailblazer. hidden a/c and stereo. paint the engine and strip down all the plastic and make everything look like its from the 50's

i want to drop a 6.0 and tranny from 3/4 ton silverado into a buick wagon.

i want to classically rat out a caprice sedan.... bag it, Crovo it,have some stripes pulled, red steelies, wide whites, cherry bomb exhaust, gut the interior, cut open the roof and put in a "rat fink" floor shifter that comes up through the roof.

i want to get a roady hearse and turn it into a Buick El Camino.

i want to take my 94 f150 put an 8' step side from a 70's f250 on it, rebuild the 300 thats in it.
put body matched steelies on it with 50's dog dishes on it. reupholster the bench with leather (the smooth type from the 50's) re-chrome the grille and front and rear bumpers. replace all the badges on the truck with 50's style script. and repaint it with a lacquer forrest green.

I'd have to buy an old Wal Mart Supercenter to hide all the cars I've dreamed about owning.

You know it's true.

Honestly. To pick ALL of them... I'd need more than a WalMart. I'd need a few of them.

Turbocharge my wagon, or drop in an LS 5.3/6L80E combination and leave everything else stock.

I always wanted to build an Impala SS with a C4-style clamshell hood that opened forward. Cut the fenders about 2/3 the way up the wheels, make a huge custom fiberglass hood, and have the whole thing tilt forward corvette style.

Cadet57 - if I'm ever in your neck of the woods, I would love to see the layout. My brothers and I had a big HO one growing up but we had to dismantle it before DCC went mainstream. Transmissions and car projects are taking up most of the basement now, although that phase of life is changing. I'm an operator on a few fairly large model railroads here in Syracuse for the time being.

81X11 wrote:

I'd have to buy an old Wal Mart Supercenter to hide all the cars I've dreamed about owning.

You know it's true.

Great idea! And finally, something useful to do with a walmart store!

I still want to get my Dad's old 75 impala coupe back to the car it use to be. Lack of room and too many projects keeps putting that on the back burner. Every time I get a free spot or time, I find another cheap craiglist car! One project I would like to take on one day is to for some reason build a 3800 supercharged wagon. Don't ask why, but theres something about the 3800.

sherlock9c1 wrote:

Cadet57 - if I'm ever in your neck of the woods, I would love to see the layout. My brothers and I had a big HO one growing up but we had to dismantle it before DCC went mainstream. Transmissions and car projects are taking up most of the basement now, although that phase of life is changing. I'm an operator on a few fairly large model railroads here in Syracuse for the time being.

Definitely. If you're ever out this way, give me a couple days notice and we can put something together. If you still have any locos and they have a decoder bring em along, they'd be welcome too. One of the model RR forums I post on, one of the guys works on the RIT club layout and the Rochester & Genesee, dunno if you're familiar with those.

Love this thread!!

I want to have a GARAGE!!

I would love to have a nice 73-77 Malibu Wagon. One of my favorite styles (other than ours) Big Block....lowered a touch...with the handling goodies on it. MMmmhummm.....would try to make an SS clone. lol






Other than that...putting 3.73/4.10s in one of the LT1 wagons...and actually having one done. Might go wild with the '96 and make it a racer wagon...flat black/white and just nassty. Limited interior and just fast.
Fix up the '95 and make it my nicer show wagon...and just keep the OCC going! I would love a GARAGE again!! Lol

It's been done John....

That's unreal. Looks like maybe I could live without the bed.

[quote="brokecello"] Love this thread!!

I want to have a GARAGE!!

I would love to have a nice 73-77 Malibu Wagon. One of my favorite styles (other than ours) Big Block....lowered a touch...with the handling goodies on it. MMmmhummm.....would try to make an SS clone. lol






Here's you a starting point...

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/2130045463.html

Bewber wrote:

That's unreal. Looks like maybe I could live without the bed.

x2 i think it would look much better ending at the back of the jeep.

i forgot one. i want to do a 1st gen oldsmobile bravada s10 pickup.
get a 4x4 s10 and put all the oldsmobile stuff on it wheels, grille, body cladding, badges, and the interior. paint it a factory Olds color. ive never seen it done.

Is that for Priority Mail?????

Here's a quote from Dave Lohr a guy Ive met a couple times and quite the hot rodder:

"I have never built anything for anyone else. It's been only a hobby up to this point, but it's really not a hobby. I am driven to do it and cannot explain why or stop. I think I need part of my brain removed to stop. It's all I think about around the clock. It consumes me. I am lucky that my wife loves me."

I have my wagon totally built in my head with almost nothing untouched. I doubt It will ever be 100% done

My 1960 Buick needs a dual quad 425 Nailhead, a 4 Speed, Bags, Astro Supremes and a metalflake roof.

My Dodge Cummins truck could suck $10k out of my bank account without me minding. Reinforced rockers, tube fenders, air lockers, sequential turbos, an Heavy Truck 10-speed, onboard air...

I won't ever really do my truck because I really was a 416 Unimog with a Cummins 4BT and overdrive fully equipped for any doomsday scenario.

I really want a hot VW TDI in something less lame than a VW. 250hp and still capable of 50mpg ideally.

I've almost bought a few model A's to build a traditional rod out of. At the moment I'm thinking a super low Tudor with a Caddy flathead.

I need a huuuuge convertible. There's a 68 Caddillac with a 472 running and driving on craigslist here at the moment for $1500. That's taking some self control...

I want an Omni with a Neon SRT4 motor, 5 speed, and AWD from a Chrysler minivan. Show ricers and the Mk2 VW guys what's up. This one would probably put me in jail.

Early Boxsters are destined for catastrophic engine failure and therefore cheap. I'm 90% sure I could fit an LS4 V8 in one for a perfect track car for under $10g.

I too share Crovo's desire for a tricked out Legacy GT wagon to replace my wife's tiny Impreza. That one might actually happen.

I really want a 56ish GMC 2.5 ton to put a rollback body on for project retrieval.

My dad and I took apart a 1966 LeMans 4 Door Hardtop when I was in Jr High and haven't really touched it since. I want it to be like a musclecar answer to a modern sport sedan. Like an M5 or E55.

My wife likes C3 Corvettes and Ive always thought they could be neat. Probably a pro-touring flavor with an LS capable of 8k rpm, a 6 speed and side pipes for sure.

I have notes on a killer Olds Diesel block-based small block I designed. You can fit a lot of cubes in there. Should be able to take 1500hp on mostly off the shelf, inexpensive parts. Twin turbos of course. Don't even have a vehicle in mind for this one.

I want a bike-engine reverse trike with a Beetle body. That one's not original but the one I saw never got finished.

Custom Van?

There's at least 20 more. A buddy and I actually looked at a 20000 sq ft warehouse for sale here but my wife doesn't love me quite that much. Its still for sale if anyone local wants to pony up a few grand. Seller only wants $65k...

20,000 sq ft building For SALE at $65K? I need to move...... Prices here are $1.80 a sq ft lease PER MONTH!!

I was looking to go from mobile detailing to a fixed location and a 1000 sq ft garage went for $1800 a MONTH!

I'll second the 427 Cobra, I'd even take a replica. I'd leave the body bare aluminum, maybe just clear it.

Buick RMW Painted up like a '70 Saturn yellow GSX, with yet to be made 17" Buick road wheels.

OCC painted up like a '69 Hurst, with a Mondello Olds BB, and a Richmond 5 speed.

'90s 2wd ext. cab S-10 with a Bravada front end, lowered just a little, turbo'ed Quad 4, 6 speed, boxed frame, and chrome 15" Olds rally wheels off an '80s 442.

'95-'96 9C1, debadged, OCC grill, OCC frt bumper cover, Olds badges, beige int., Bravada floor shifter, 17 Olds SS type wheels.... Super 88.

"70 Olds 442 W-30, 4 speed, any color.

Chevy or GMC 15 passenger window van, Duramax, loaded up, with a slider, and a Quigly solid axle 4wheel drive conversion.

'70 Ford Torino, Boss 429, drag pak, Magnum 500 wheels.

'70 Mercury Cyclone, Boss 429, drag pak, Magnum 500 wheels.

'69 Dodge Charger, General Lee replica, 6.1 "Hemi"

Oh, and Lorne's low mile, black WB4 RMW .... with my OZ Novas.

I reeeeally like the idea of the 9C1 converted to a Super 88. That sounds badass.

Stingroo wrote:

I reeeeally like the idea of the 9C1 converted to a Super 88. That sounds badass.

I 2nd that. Love Oldsmobiles and that would be a cool ride!!

matthimself456 wrote:

I too share Crovo's desire for a tricked out Legacy GT wagon to replace my wife's tiny Impreza. That one might actually happen.

Matt, I'm well on my way to beating you to the punch there.

toomanytoyz wrote:

matthimself456 wrote:

I too share Crovo's desire for a tricked out Legacy GT wagon to replace my wife's tiny Impreza. That one might actually happen.

Matt, I'm well on my way to beating you to the punch there.

Yeah but Matt's will have shiny paint and will actually run at the time of purchase, where Crovo's will be a "deal" that needs little more work....



And as soon as it looks nice he'll trade it for the next bag of magic beans....

Nothin but love Dude!!

81X11 wrote:

toomanytoyz wrote:

matthimself456 wrote:

I too share Crovo's desire for a tricked out Legacy GT wagon to replace my wife's tiny Impreza. That one might actually happen.

Matt, I'm well on my way to beating you to the punch there.

Yeah but Matt's will have shiny paint and will actually run at the time of purchase, where Crovo's will be a "deal" that needs little more work....

NO! You're wrong there! See!

lol