Criteria used for picking car

Dwight Southerland · 02-23-2017, 12:42 PM

You also have to build a car that you will enjoy working on. You can rationalize a good combination, but if you do not really "like" the car, you will not work on it. So, know yourself well.

If you do not feel that you have the desire or ability to be a maverick and go through the research to find good viable combinations that could be competitive but are untried, then by all means review Joe's publications, go to races to observe and watch the class winners at national events. On the other hand, if you are looking for a personal signature and want to follow your own path, be sure to research well what you are doing. There is a wealth of information available, but the answer will be yours.

Finally, be realistic about your time and money. If you are forced to shoestring the effort, your choices are many but limited. If you don't have budget or time, you will be better to attach yourself to a local racer and enjoy being that level of participation. If you have the budget, then you can do what you like about building, buying or having a car built.

The best advice is to figure out how to enjoy. The previous post about building a bracket car that can race classes is a great perspective this day and age. It increases your ability to race successfully at a class race and gives you a much bigger stage to learn to enjoy.

4284spd · 02-23-2017, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

You also have to build a car that you will enjoy working on. You can rationalize a good combination, but if you do not really "like" the car, you will not work on it. So, know yourself well.

If you do not feel that you have the desire or ability to be a maverick and go through the research to find good viable combinations that could be competitive but are untried, then by all means review Joe's publications, go to races to observe and watch the class winners at national events. On the other hand, if you are looking for a personal signature and want to follow your own path, be sure to research well what you are doing. There is a wealth of information available, but the answer will be yours.

Finally, be realistic about your time and money. If you are forced to shoestring the effort, your choices are many but limited. If you don't have budget or time, you will be better to attach yourself to a local racer and enjoy being that level of participation. If you have the budget, then you can do what you like about building, buying or having a car built.

The best advice is to figure out how to enjoy. The previous post about building a bracket car that can race classes is a great perspective this day and age. It increases your ability to race successfully at a class race and gives you a much bigger stage to learn to enjoy.

Perfect. If I could afford to un mini-tub my 68 CJ, I would turn it into a stocker. Its the car I love. Racing a V-6 TBird would do nothing for me!

lewis Becker · 02-25-2017, 04:15 PM

This is one of the very best threads based upon the content i have read since following the class racer web site over 11 years ago.outstanding and accurate replies.regards ,the zinga.

Philip Saran · 02-25-2017, 05:52 PM

Also the cost of buying a car or body to build a race car is not like it was in the
80's. Back then you could and I did buy running Dusters and 67-69 Cuda's for
$100 - 400 and drive them home.

Now people want big money for junk bodies. The 1974 Duster 360 I bought in
2000 for $400 and drove home now goes for $5000- $7000.

Just my $0.02

James L Miller · 02-26-2017, 01:41 PM

I was hoping that Dwight's website had a thing where I could look up a class (L/SA for me) and then see all the possible cars that fit in the class. I think that would be a lot of work, so maybe that is a dream? I wonder how many car/engine combinations are in the classification guide?

Timetraveler · 02-26-2017, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewis Becker

This is one of the very best threads based upon the content i have read since following the class racer web site over 11 years ago.outstanding and accurate replies.regards ,the zinga.

Lew your too young to remember but this website built my U/SA back in 2001 and 2002 and I have a Wallly from the Gators to show for it. Listen to everyone and you will get some great advice.
Bill

Isaac Zane · 02-26-2017, 10:13 PM

We found a nice looking car, decent factoring, and IN OUR PRICE RANGE. And it even came with delivery! Turned out pretty well for us. 2004 NHRA Stock Eliminator National Champion! 73 Buick Apollo, 350 4bbl. From Tommy Pettigrew. There was a well used chat room where some racers gave it thumbs up!
Do a little bit of homework and research. Go with what you like!

oldskool · 02-27-2017, 12:11 AM

Yeah, find something you like, turn key, in your price range. At today's prices it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for most, to buy a body and build from scratch, for what they can buy a decent turn key car for.

And I'm not talkin about the dime rockets, but a popular body style and engine you like.

For example: Since I'm a long time Pontiac guy, I'd prefer a Pontiac powered Bird or A-body, or even an X-body.

If I had the $$, I'd buy this '77 Bird tomorrow.

http://www.racingjunk.com/Stock-Supe...la-K-M-SA.html

I'd also like to have the Don Turk Grand Am.

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=64941

02-23-2017, 12:42 PM	#1
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 64 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car You also have to build a car that you will enjoy working on. You can rationalize a good combination, but if you do not really "like" the car, you will not work on it. So, know yourself well. If you do not feel that you have the desire or ability to be a maverick and go through the research to find good viable combinations that could be competitive but are untried, then by all means review Joe's publications, go to races to observe and watch the class winners at national events. On the other hand, if you are looking for a personal signature and want to follow your own path, be sure to research well what you are doing. There is a wealth of information available, but the answer will be yours. Finally, be realistic about your time and money. If you are forced to shoestring the effort, your choices are many but limited. If you don't have budget or time, you will be better to attach yourself to a local racer and enjoy being that level of participation. If you have the budget, then you can do what you like about building, buying or having a car built. The best advice is to figure out how to enjoy. The previous post about building a bracket car that can race classes is a great perspective this day and age. It increases your ability to race successfully at a class race and gives you a much bigger stage to learn to enjoy. __________________

02-25-2017, 04:15 PM	#3
lewis Becker Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 33 Likes: 114 Liked 15 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car This is one of the very best threads based upon the content i have read since following the class racer web site over 11 years ago.outstanding and accurate replies.regards ,the zinga.

02-25-2017, 05:52 PM	#4
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 165 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car Also the cost of buying a car or body to build a race car is not like it was in the 80's. Back then you could and I did buy running Dusters and 67-69 Cuda's for $100 - 400 and drive them home. Now people want big money for junk bodies. The 1974 Duster 360 I bought in 2000 for $400 and drove home now goes for $5000- $7000. Just my $0.02 __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

02-26-2017, 01:41 PM	#5
James L Miller Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 494 Likes: 6 Liked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car I was hoping that Dwight's website had a thing where I could look up a class (L/SA for me) and then see all the possible cars that fit in the class. I think that would be a lot of work, so maybe that is a dream? I wonder how many car/engine combinations are in the classification guide? __________________ Mopar 2 Ya!

02-26-2017, 10:13 PM	#7
Isaac Zane Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 361 Likes: 391 Liked 50 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car We found a nice looking car, decent factoring, and IN OUR PRICE RANGE. And it even came with delivery! Turned out pretty well for us. 2004 NHRA Stock Eliminator National Champion! 73 Buick Apollo, 350 4bbl. From Tommy Pettigrew. There was a well used chat room where some racers gave it thumbs up! Do a little bit of homework and research. Go with what you like! __________________ Isaac Zane STK 1237 J/SA Buick Apollo Patriot Guard Rider DOOF 43

02-27-2017, 12:11 AM	#8
oldskool VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Land of Bayous, Boudin & Crawfish Posts: 1,668 Likes: 223 Liked 747 Times in 362 Posts	Re: Criteria used for picking car Yeah, find something you like, turn key, in your price range. At today's prices it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for most, to buy a body and build from scratch, for what they can buy a decent turn key car for. And I'm not talkin about the dime rockets, but a popular body style and engine you like. For example: Since I'm a long time Pontiac guy, I'd prefer a Pontiac powered Bird or A-body, or even an X-body. If I had the $$, I'd buy this '77 Bird tomorrow. http://www.racingjunk.com/Stock-Supe...la-K-M-SA.html I'd also like to have the Don Turk Grand Am. http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=64941 Last edited by oldskool; 02-27-2017 at 12:27 AM.