So my friend and I have decided to take on a $ 1k project car challenge. We need some help deciding on what Japanese, pre-1975 car to go with. Motor can be swapped, drive train, etc., etc. Just need some suggestions on old, smog exempt jap cars that might work BESIDES A Z CAR. Its gunna be a beater so it doesn't have to look pretty. Just has to run or have engine swap potential. ANY IDEAS?!

keep in mind we want a total expenditure of no more than $1000 bucks

 

Datsun 1200

1900 lbs

swap in an L28 and stick the radiator to the front grill

 

Mazda 626GT turbo.

 

they made that car before 1975?!?! wow!

 

find a toyota 2000GT GT . oh wait, under 1k lol.

 

it won't be long before i start a project myself. The car of choice for me is a MG Midget. I did some mesurement's, L28ET fit right in her like a glove. and it's a convertable!

 

Datsun 1200 is a good options, but if you're in Cali you'd be just as well off getting hold of a 240Z in decent shape and going with a l28ET.

 

how about a 260Z?

 

heres a datsun 1200 for $1000 and $2000 with the motor

http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/167331318.html

 

1200 . . .hrm, that is an option. A midget would be cool too, but i dont htink i could find one for less than 1k, plus we need a little left over for necceceties like minor tune up or another motor . . .its the 1k challange!!!!!

 

Actually.........I was hoping for a clarification of the rules since I know of no "challenge" that is limiting the years to pre 1975.

Is this for the grassroots motorsports challenge?

I am familiar with most of them and have helped build a couple.

 

Get any small RWD Datsun 2-door sedan. Rip out the engine, cut out the firewall, drop in an L28 or L28 turbo if allowed. Easy and probably the cheapest motor you can find.

 

Its not an official or sanctioned challenge. Just something a friend and I thought would be fun on a split, 1k budget. The reason we are going with 75' and older is that in CA the smog cutoff date is 75'. So we have the option of using the shity running motor or swap in something comparable if need be. The L28 power plant is almost a certainty. Still would like to find some alternatives for a chasis though. Any other ideas?

 

****, I think I just found a viable candidate . . .
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/167306926.html

 

Wasn't that model the precursor to the maxima?

 

hell ya you should get that one... if not you can also look for a 1st gen rx7 i think they were out before 75??

 

RX7 didnt come out til 79. Same time as the 280zx.

 

this is out of your price range but here ya go

68 Datson 2000 Lady Fairlane, Project Car, Rebuilt eng, extra parts $5,000 OBO. 253-6193

 

or this one if you were allowed 10,000 and up to 85

85 McLaren Roadster Failing vision forces sale of rare auto. 5L, V8, auto, Posi-traction, with only 62,000 documented miles. $7500 or OBO 645-1677

 

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/166709552.html

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/166171532.html

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/165749921.html

http://www.craigslist.org/nby/car/165900042.html

To hell with the challenge!

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/166080519.html

 

Wade . . . .You run the "internets-G.W.B.", but you cant seem to adhere to simple rules. We are looking for anything BUT a Z.

 

Forget the 710 and go with the 810 in which the l28 is a bolt in affair.........after you relocate the sump.

Or you could find a 1970s RX-2, RX-3, or RX-4 in which I ran many J ported 13Bs and actually made a 11 second car for about 1000 bucks back in 1983.

 

Why, when there's so many that need attention and can be had for so little?! ;p

 

What about an old 510 or one of the old RWD Toyota Corollas (they were damn good looking but hard to find nowadays).

 

get a chevette, my bro did one up for cheap, it could get 2nd gear rubber with 205 wide tires on it, it was fast and cost nothing, it handled so well with those tires on it, it could lift the front wheel around a tight corner