So I have a wealthy friend who wants to get into vintage rallies (pre-1974 car) culminating in the La Carrera Panamericana. He's set up a challenge to his friends: Whoever's suggestion he takes (which car to purchase) gets a hundred bucks and a co-drive in his GT3 Porsche at a track day. Leaning American, but not necessarily. Want's something out of the ordinary - not a Camaro/Mustang or such. Would like to keep it under $50K, but if he gets excited about it, can go up to six figures.
So what's a neglected classic? If it were me, I'd go with something like a Lancia, or the world's coolest Corvair, but I'm weird. What do you guys think?
Does he want a car that actually ran in the Carrera, or a vintage car that can in the Carrera?
If it's a car that *can* run, and wants to vintage race it, AND be American, I'd personally suggest looking at Trans Am books with results in them- and find something other than a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger. Like a Dart or Falcon or something like that. On that note, the 'Vair is a perfect choice. Another cool car is a Studebaker.
I was going to take my '74 Alfa GTV to the Carrera, and it's a pretty popular modern Carrera car.
Lots of cool P-cars and Mercedes actually did the race and are good race cars. The American cars that actually ran tend to have more stock car history than road racing. But that would be a cool choice- Hudson, Ford, Chevy, etc.
Anyway, he needs to decide if he wants to be historically "accurate" or more modern vintage racer. And go from there.
RossD said:
Studebaker GT Hawk!
Love those, but they've already been done so much....
AMC Javelin.
Even better if it's painted red white and blue like the Sunoco Trans Am cars.
In reply to Kreb :
You could emulate the rope-drive cars that ran at Daytona.
Borgward , the last ones were made in Mexico ,
Home town favorite !
Mndsm
MegaDork
10/15/18 8:01 p.m.
Hudson hornet, or a nice desoto
Falcon Sprint, '64, maybe '65 too? They had a rally history back in the day, and lots of Mustang go fast stuff bolts on...
Can you make a racing 1950s Ice Cream truck ?
In Spanish of course......
In reply to RossD :
Or a Studebaker Champion?
I would second the Pontiac Tempest. There was one that was raced in the Trans-Am championship for a season. It was run by Herb Adamns and nicknamed the Grey Ghost. A replica of that would be very cool to see ripping up the Highway in Mexico.
http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/08/gray-ghost-rides/
I was thinking more 1st generation, but that is extremely cool.
Chrysler 300A or B? 53/54 Lincoln?
Does he want to try and win or just finish and have fun ?
Many of these cars are basically a NASCAR chassis with old body panels ,
I think the real spirit of the race is a 50s car , or ice cream truck !
Well he mentioned up to 1970s, which tells me that he's thinking Historic A+ or FIA. He's in France right now. I'll have to pick his brain further on his return. I don't think that he's that into winning, just wants to have fun. I also mentioned that he might want to consider renting a ride from someone with a neat car who needs funds and a co-driver.
pres589
PowerDork
10/16/18 2:31 p.m.
Olds Toronado?
Peugeot 504?
Volvo Amazon?
Lot of good ideas in this thread already.
RossD
MegaDork
10/16/18 3:04 p.m.
Saab 96! It was even a rally winner during that time frame!
I would go 2nd gen Barracuda. They were successful rally cars during the day too.
1959Ford Thunderbird
Or even a 55 tbird... prices have come down to the mid 30 range on running driving amateur Restorations. Leaves a lot of room 2 race prep it
Toebra
Dork
10/16/18 8:29 p.m.
How about a Cutlass, like James Garner had, or an Avanti? If it is going to be a Javelin, make it an AMX.
