WOW, this is crazy guys!!! I can't believe the support. it's just way more than I expected. I actually just was looking for deals on some parts I might need and WOW have you guys stepped up to the plate!
Sig, I live in Russellville Kentucky just North of Nashville TN, about an hour drive.
I suppose I need to make a check list, I have had offers for so many things, some may be duplicate. I don't want anyone to have to ship large or heavy stuff. I'm trying to find things locally. I was thinking just the small stuff I would need help locating.
Sluggo is doing so much behind the scene, he asked what my plan was, I was going to PM it to him but I'll just post here.
My plan:
As you all probably know, my red car has been an ongoing project for 20 years. I did a little at a time and sometimes just waited as life happened. It's been painted for about two years now and we have enjoyed driving the wheels off of it. I don't street race anymore but still have had the desire to take it to the track, you know "the need for speed". While I built it to be quick, I wanted a reliable touring car so it's not set up to race.
My wife also has watched Pinks and other shows as well as gone to the races with me. She has seen first hand some nice cars hit some oil and plow into a wall or flip. She first worried for my safety but also that I might destroy my dream car. While we are not poor, we don't have the funds to go buy stuff like this. It took almost 20 years to build the first one and she didn't want to see anything take it from me. So I convinced her I could build a "race" car on a budget. A car that would be okay to race. Now I have never raced on a track so I wanted to start mild and get a car that I could take to "test and tune" nights. Once I get comfortable with my skill level we could play with more power, etc.
Obviously a fox body or newer car would be better but I love the classic Stang so if I'm going to do it, it has to be a 67/68. So I had the POS Dave gave me and I thought rather than make a trailer, I'll make a race car from it. But it's too far gone for even that. Then John posted his A code parts car. I PM'd him and we discussed it, then struck a deal. I planned to combine the two. I knew I would be missing stuff and it would need work but I had my base. The objective I had was to collect the parts to assemble the car as cheap as possible but make a solid shell. I figured being on a budget I would try to paint it myself but even it it was just primer at first, that would be okay. I like the rat rods and retro look of gassers, so when Sluggo posted the paint scheme, I loved it.
I wanted to build a SBF since that would be cheaper than a BBF. I knew I would have to spend some money on the engine, trans and rear axle. I have a Traction lock 4.11:1 9" pumpkin for 31 spline so I knew I'd most likely spend a $1000 on a housing and shafts and just use drum brakes on the rear. John from ORP was quick to PM me with offers and links to advise on springs and stuff I could do cheap. A local trans shop said they rebuild the C4 with a shift kit for $400 and a loose converter is ~$150. I got some good heads and a running 351W smog motor. I will need intake, carb, ignition, cam & lifters, etc. My plan was not even rebuild the short block but get it running. I know the engine is sound since I have owned the motorhome for 10 years or more. The car has to have full windows to be legal at the track and doesn't need a cage until I gets real quick. I figured I'd buy one of those $300 4 point cages from Mustang Plus until I need a certified one built.
Like I said, I never expected all the donations nor do I think I deserve them. I am only making a toy here. It has to be on a budget as I have 3 kids and a wife and they still come first. I only wanted this as a selfish old man because "I" want to race! So now you all have come together to help in so many ways. I'm honored you guys even put up with the likes of me here let alone want to help me do something like this. I love the fact that it has turned into one of those group projects. I have had the chance to meet a lot of you in person and feel like I know the rest just as well. It's really like a family, only better! I will be proud to put ORP and Classic Recreations, and most of StangFix on the car. Even a list of all the name on the car somewhere would be cool. It will be fun taking it to the track and posting how it does. I didn't think it would or could happen fast. I figured it would take a couple years. At the pace it's going I don't know what will happen. I hope I don't let you all down if I have a lot of trouble with it or wreck it. Anyway, I'm so excited for all the support.
I'll make a list of what is need and what is been promised.
Thanks all so much
bj