Thread: Sport Compact man gone classic

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Hello everyone. Well like the title says, I was a sport compact car person. But I guess the V-8 was just itching to get out of me. LOL. Seriously though I just got sick of dealing with the kids and the bad rep. i'm only 23 myself, but don't act like most my age. My dream car is a 1932 Ford 3 window coupe. i love em. I also like 72 chevelle 454's, Dodge challergers, GTO's, bel airs. the list goes on forever. My question is this. I have never owned a classic car before nor have I ever worked on one. So I would like to know what kind of car is a good starter car for me to work on? I was thinking a Malibu. Any other suggestions or help would be great. I really like the classic and muscle car people, much more freindly than the sport compact and import crowd LOL

I don't have the money right now to spend on that car. They are very expensive

Welcome aboard Joe, and rejoice in your deliverance!!

Now that you've become enlightened don't stop there. If you're dead set on building a rod, even if it's down the road, you need to keep learning what's what. History is full of people who got the dream but missed the clue. That's how garages end up with pieces of cars masquerading as shelves. Building a car is a process, and if you don't really understand it, you set yourself up for failure. That's why I frequently recommend a beginner start with a car that's already together and running, and isn't a POS. That way they can tackle the "little" jobs and increase their knowledge base over time. And that's what it takes, time.

So the Malibu sounds like a good idea to me. As long as you don't go nuts for an original BIG BLOCK BOB, SS, gotta be numbers matching, etc. etc. type car, you can do a very respectable one for around $10k. Then while you enjoy that car, hang around the rod runs, or some of the guys in your area that build these cars, and learn from their experience. Read as many of the rod magazines you can stand, watch the silliness that goes on here, and go to any "Cruise In's" where you live so you can see the various components in use and talk to the owners.

Well i do know some about the cars. and my father and grandfather are excellent mechanics. They would be more than happy to help me. I am definetly looking for something driveable. A buddy of mine got a 79 malibu wagon with a 350 and 4-speed on the floor. only cost him $2500. Are the car ran and looked great already. So I'll be looking for something around there. Thanks for the input again

never invest in something you really
dont want.