Just a bad, nostalgia-filled idea, really.

No A/C unless it's been retro-fitted, as the original set-up will be shot.
No rear defogger.
No ABS, so you will **** yourself in the rain or snow when the car in front of you stops short.
No handling, unless it's been extensively upgraded.
Vapor lock in the summer will leave you stranded.
Your garage will always smell like gasoline.
No power locks/windows/fob/etc that you take for granted now.
Check the emissions laws where you live. Some states are making it tougher, even for "historic" cars.

 

When I was 13, my parents bought a 1969 Mustang coupe for me. My Dad's plan for this car was to tear it apart and teach me all about fixing my own cars. Thats exactly what we did. When we first picked it up it had a few problems, I learned how to fix them and the car turned out to be a great daily driver through part of high school. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it was a great car and never left me stranded.

Soon after that I tore the car apart again. It had some rust on various parts of the body and I also wanted to build the engine. Some things happened in my life and now the car sits in the garage half torn apart. I'm in college now and have a b5 s4 as a DD. I miss the simplicity of the classic mustang. The 302 small block was a breeze to work on compared to the 2.7tt in the s4.

You should be fine with a muscle car as a DD. You don't have to be a master mechanic to own one of these. You can pick things up as you go along. As others have pointed out you won't get the luxuries that newer cars have. If you can do without those, then I say go for it.

 

Can you get there with a bigger budget (mid-$40k)? Looking to do the same eventually with a late 60s Mustang or Camaro, resto-modded.

Example (inclusive of labor):

Donor - $5k
Bodywork including paint - $15k
Drivetrain - $10k
Wheels and suspension - $10k
Interior - $5k

I'm thinking the above is a generous estimate if you can source some parts used (Eg., drivetrain, suspension bits).

Ideally, the underpinnings would be close to the Terminator's (especially if a complete one can be sourced) - blown 4.6 with forged internals, T-56, IRS; probably would be easier and cheaper to start with a mild 302 / T-45 build though.

Still, should be reliable enough with EFI, AC, defroster, and other creature comforts.

And easy to work on.

Thoughts?

 

you're gonna shoot your eye out...

Seriously....in IL....no can do. I have an 89 EFI Mustang and I don't even rock it in the winter

 

i have also thought about getting a 60's 70's muscle car also but not as a DD... more as an irregular driver... and yet i don't know how to do anything more than change the oil. my father didn't work on cars and so i never learned... i envy you guys that can.

looking at ads on the internet there's a lot of choices (too many), so many lovely old cars that have been brought back to good or great condition... but i think i would expect to spend a lot on repairs and parts so i haven't gone that way... and it isn't a porsche that's another tough one, handling? can't imagine the handling...

 

Well daily driver ex-winter.....

 

i dont daily drive mine but i could easily. but i also have way more money then 15k into mine with the ls2, turbo, 4l80e etcetc

dont mind the blue hoses they are now black

 

^^That looks like a lot more than 15k worth of work!!

 

it was but i have seen some older novas with a 5.3 ls motor in them for 15-20k it would be a good daily driver then. it wont look the best but it would have a reliable motor in it for that price.

 

Now THAT is a Bad Chariot!! My user name came from the 1967 Chevelle I had in college so I have an affection for them.

Can you post some more pics of the car's interior and the drivetrain specs. GORGEOUS ride!