Donor car blues

[firechicken]

:( I just spent the donor car money on a 1981 Fiat spider. WTF! So here's the story. About a year ago I had just gotten back from my third trip to the lovely middle east and my wife was mobilized to Ft. Belvoir Va. I decided to buy her a better vehicle than her beat up Honda Civic that she had owned since before we were married. I found a great deal on a barely used Volvo xc90. This thing is a tank. Super reliable, airbags everywhere, a very safe and sound car.
Fast forward to the present day and she has been back from her mobilization for 6 months, I have managed to injure my way out of any near future deployments and she has finally found some gainful employment. The Volvo is apparently unacceptable as a commuter car. Burns to much gas, hard to fit in a compact spot, etc. She refuses to drive the 73 firebird we have because it scares her and she is afraid of dinging it up. She knows I love that car.
I figure the Fiat build will be complete and reliable for under 3G's We got it for a handshake and after a tune up its just about good to go, just needs a new top and paint. 3 grand was about what I had planned to spend on the donor. I am still looking but it seems like every time I find one that has some performance parts for cheap, its sold or the owner is a flake or some wierd reason comes up so the deal wont go through.

I plan on buying the base kit and keeping the extreme mods to the minimum. I want to have a car with a comfortable interior and a reliable parts. I welcome any ideas about how to source parts for cheap without compromising the integrity of the build. This car is intended to be a daily driver, not a show winner. I am in love with the lines of the coupe and I want it to perform well, but I dont need it to be the fastest most insane car on the road. FUN! is what I am after, as well as comfort and functionality.

So, onions wanted :) whats the best way to go about getting all the parts on the cheap? Pallet? keep searching craigslist? I am a patient man, but I do want to get started. I plan on ordering the kit around a year from now. Thats pretty solid from what I have planned out in our budget. thanks in advance for any ideas or advice you would care to share.

[Hankl]

Well,

Being the "Keeper Of the Sign", I think we need to make an exception to the award of the "Revered Coupe Jacket". He's my thinking, since you have been bitten by the "Coupe Bug", you now fall into the "Insane Coupe Group", and you need to be restrained accordingly. This will also keep you from writing checks that should not be written, and restrain you from using the keyboard to buy parts that you don't need, so here goes!

Raise your right hand and say after me,

"I (State your name), do swear/affirm, that upon acceptance of this "Revered Coupe Jacket", I willingly subject myself to all manner of frustration and abrasion that my FFR Type 65 will provide. I further pledge that any and all fellow Coupe builders will have free reign in using the cash available in my wallet as they see fit to improve my build plan. I will not look down upon our fellow Roadster builders, but rather take pity on those not talented enough to build a race car with a roof, So Help Me God!"



It is my pleasure to present you with the "Revered Coupe Jacket", Here's your sign!!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w284/hankl_album/straight_jacket_backFS-1.jpg

After you have your wife help you with the jacket, use your nose to type out that you have it on, and the minds here will start with the suggestions.

"WARNING" do not let your wife take advantage of you while the jacket is on!!

I know it sounds tough, but you've been trained to resist in the Military, so don't let her distract you from your mission, Good Luck, let the fun begin!!

Hank :cool:

[John Dol]

Search Craigslist daily and look at the classifieds on this and the other forum. It's amazing what you can find if you are patient. I'm in the same boat as far as trying to keep the budget down (below $30K).

John

[Shawnski]

You don't need a donor...I have nothing from a donor Mustang. Granted I am using a motor and trans I put together for a project car in 2007. Still with careful planning and a DIY mentality you can have fresh and stronger parts cost effectively. My car is on track to come in under $30k.

[Russ Thompson]

You can find some great deals on Mustang donors, look for one that has some speed goddies on it. Some say nay to the donor build but I think it can be a great way to go on a budget. The parts you use are all bullit proof the design works great as a daily driver. I've see good donors go for as little as $800 so keep looking.

[firechicken]

I State my name, do swear/affirm, that upon acceptance of this "Revered Coupe Jacket", I willingly subject myself to all manner of frustration and abrasion that my FFR Type 65 will provide. I further pledge that any and all fellow Coupe builders will have free reign in using the cash available in my wallet as they see fit to improve my build plan. I will not look down upon our fellow Roadster builders, but rather take pity on those not talented enough to build a race car with a roof, So Help Me God! :D

Yeah the bug has definately bitten me and bitten me good. I'm trying to keep it sensible and to make sure that my timeline and budget is reasonable and doable. Craigslist is being perused on a daily basis and the house we are buying had garage space as a major criteria as far as weather or not it was acceptable. I'm allready thinking about building another garage to house our other projects as the wife seems to have developed an infatuation with Triumph bikes and her fiat probably should be kept inside here in our lovely Washington state weather.
Sigh, will keep looking. plenty of time but I want to get rolling on this so bad :) I watched the Mecum Autions episode where one of the origionals sold fo an insane amount, I was looking for differences and could not spot to many. It's just an amazing machine that ffr is selling. Soon......

[crossle45f33cf]

FireChicken
Welcome to the madness.
I sent you a PM.
Please check your inbox...

[Richard Oben]

If budget is part of the equation, donor almost has to be. JMHO, about 100 cars through the shop, donor is always less money. Richard.

[riptide motorsport]

Welcome!!

[firechicken]

inbox checked and thanks :) I'm kinda on hold with the donor search but am still keeping an eye out. That fiat turned into a bit of a mini build, but its almost ready for paint and then it will be done, and well under budget. Only problem is..... with all the rain and cold now she doesnt want to drive it! lol, its ok, I'm bombing around in it slamming through the gears and pretending its going fast :D

[Gale K]

Fire, where are you at in Washington? With your reference to rain I'd guess somewhere on the west side?

[firechicken]

We just bought a home in Tacoma. Lots of work to do on the house, Its amazing how these things can provide unexpected expenses.

[firechicken]

ok guys and gals, tell me whats not going to work with this. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2764991676.html

[Timb]

Nothing I can think of I'm using an 02. That car never had a DOHC engine so he either transplanted it and gave up on the project or is mistaken and it's a SOHC. Others will be able to confirm but I think the trans from that year was slightly longer but I could be wrong

[FFinisher]

ok guys and gals, tell me whats not going to work with this. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2764991676.html

Everything will work. You won't hear it run unless he finds the key, or a ford dealer can make a key with the VIN(good Luck) or you spend $ 300-$400 to bypass the pats with a chip from Art at Wirediet.

Trans will work, rearend will work but it is wide and you will only be able to use 9 inch wheels inless they are custom made. You will need +24MM offset front and rear which are readily available in all styles.


1998 was before PI heads. Not good, the motor is a dog, will run forever and be reliable, but I would not consider before 1999 unless it is a DOHC which is doubtful. 1998 GT's did not have DOHC.

I doubt it is a DOHC.

High mileage but low price, if it runs it will likely run forever... but is not the most desireable donor.

In my humble opinion.

Good Luck!

[firechicken]

thanks, thinking I will pass. sounds like most of the parts will need upgraded and if the parts there are not in great shape.... the search continues

[Avalanche325]

I think it is interesting when people balk at donor builds. What, too many miles on the gas tank? Is the rear end housing going to wear out? I even saw someone review pictures and say "It looks good for a donor build". What donor parts could he see exactly? If you buy a Ford Racing crate motor that has a "seasoned" block......guess what......donor. If you go to the parts store, the parts are "remanufactured".....so donor.

I mean, yeah, you might be a little crazy to use 140,000 mile tie rod ends.
My roadster is going to be a donor build and I will replace or rebuild parts as needed, just like you do on any car.

[MuddyRoverRob]

I had been following the 818 development very closely but have since fallen in love with the look (and the idea) of the coupe.

I have already started keeping my eyes open for a decent donor... I saw a fox mustang today that definitely had a stout engine in it...
They are out there, I'll definitely go the donor route.

At least in the first iteration the power will be 'stock' (unless the donor has a hot engine)

I'll go with a more 'civilized' interior (somewhat like Ron in Nova Scotia, but much less concerned about period correctness)

Rob