Alwyn678

cONSIDERING COST AND SPEED??

427V8

Well I CHOSE a '69 :D

MIKER

Well, considering just cost and speed.
I would have to say a C4. It is getting to where a C4 can be had for a fairly low price and they have a lot of desirable high performace attributes from the get-go. I think a C4 would make an excellent budget canyon carver.

Now for an out of the box choice (budget not considered): Any '57-'82 Vette built from the ground up with nothing but the best equipment that modern technology has to offer with regards to performace and comfort. Basically a whole new car skinned with any one of those attractive fiberglass bodies.

Steve Straus

If i were choosing a vette to completely Rod and trick out it would have to be a 75. They are less expensive due to being the lowest horsepower vette ever produced from the factory (I think it was 75, maybe 76). I could find a cheap 75 that's a little beat up and go to town on it. a daytona front end here, a 6-speed and a big block there, 4" Open exhaust and I've got a hot rod. Don't forget the obligatory flames on the side of the car.

trw

I would choose a pre-smog vette. The best body and frame I could afford and still have money left for the rest.

Building a cheap to buy vette and putting money in it, is like buying a house in the slums and putting 100k in it, no chance to sell.

Also, most places have smog rules, so you limit yourself to sell or move.

Just my 0.02

Terry

INTIMIDATOR ZO6

Well, let me think about this one, a Hot Rod Vette :rolleyes: Maybe a C4 or maybe a C3 :confused: Decisions,decisions :D

VetteChick73

I'd choose a '73 ya silly! :crazy: :lol:

yellow 72

I'd like to find a basket case midyear coupe (if any still exist) and go with a 502 crate motor 6 speed, all the modern suspension goodies, maybe a 671 blower, yada,yada,yada............

Double Aught

I was just dreaming about this last week. I would get me a 62 and install the C4 front/rear suspension. Drop in a LT4/6spd. New wiring. Custom seats. 17inch wheels/tires. Ahh, to dream. :chevy

Aeroshark

If I had to pick a Vette for Hot rodding it would be either an 81 or an 80. These are (arguably) The most aggressive and "fast" looking sharks. They are not very valuable in terms of pitting it up against a big block or somthing reallly rare. I think they are awesome and have a lot of potential and are probably the best buys on the market right now, plus the car isn't as old as some other sharks meaning that you are more likely to find one in the price range you want (cheap) in good drivable condition. Oh, I singled out 82 because if you want to hot rod and mod, you may not want to deal with the FI, but if you like it, there you go! But I figure if you wanted FI and a Hot rod, you would go with a crate, so then again 80-81. And although i have never,and probably never will use NOS, A set of dual NOS bottles sitting under that large composite rear hatch can look daunting to some of the lil boys on the playground! :D :eek: :blueangel:

BSeery

I like my '80 for the looks.
I would have to go with a pre-emissions car 1974 or older to get away with what I really want to do.
And since I like the looks of the 1980, and would be changing out the front and rear bumper, the '74 Convertible would be the way to go. I would hate to put plastic front and rear on a "chrome" car.
So '74, with '80 front and rear, a 1967 "stinger" style hood, small block in the neighberhood of 400 HP normal 500 HP nitrous.
Lowered suspension, composite springs front and rear. 16 - 17 inch wheels, 5-6 speed richmond tranny. 3.7? rear gears.

And an awesome red paint job !!

Of course my '80 is about to get a 400 HP block, has the composite rear spring, might be getting the composite front soon, 700R4 next year, then 3.55 - 4.11 gears.

Red73

C2 with C5 running gear, big block, fenders flared, no front bumpers, convertable :cheers:


[Modified by Red73, 8:09 AM 8/4/2001]

Alwyn678

I see I amm not the only one thinking about this!!!!I am thinking 74 or 75 may be the way to go...but i think I will do a coupe to reduce Frame Flex :smash:

Rolling Thunder

:cool: hmmmmm, I might try something like that. Might use my 71. :lol:

Carl in LA

The choice is simple in Cali... any thing pre '74. Who wants to hassle with the smog *****.

Ganey

Alwyn678

Nice conv.!
You are right, a coupe is much better for a Hot Rod. Besides less frame flex, built in rollbar, easy to hide another & removable back glass if you want. 75 up has race type bladder gas tank.

:cheers:

Ganey

77 w/ FE-7. :cool:

Pick the body/chassis you like & build an engine for it.

Already done it. I got the body/chassis that needed the least mods for me. 77 only needed Indy Pace car front spoiler. May need L-88 hood & rear flares later. Engine & HP no problem for me. :cool:




[Modified by Ganey, 9:31 AM 8/4/2001]

spikezz4

Guess I'm lucky. My 77 needs a full rebuild from the frame up. Wonderful time to turn dreams and ideas into reality with the best the after market hast to offer. Add the word "fabrication" to the vocabulary, too.

The bad news is that we are 31/2+ years into the project. I gave forcasting completion.

Spike

SmokedTires

I would say go with a 74 for a couple reasons. First you mention cost, the chrome bumpered cars while very nice, their prices continue to go up & up, a 74 usually has a lower value than any of these. Also a 74 is the last year that uncle Sam isn't going to force you to mount a converter which leaves exhaust options open for your hotrod vette. One of the nice things with the 74 too is that you can updat the nose or tail to a later model C3 if you so desire.

I maybe alittle prejudice on this though being that my car is a 74, but it turns out to have a lot of options for modifications.

On a side note, 74 was the [B]last year<?B> that ANY Corvette came from GM with a big block. :D


[Modified by mikeo, 2:37 PM 8/4/2001]

MassVette

Rubber bumper shark---most bang for the buck; Big Block is a bolt-in for the entire series. So's a R.O.D. 6 speed....