Might be able to get ethanol free gas at one station in the area, but forgetting that for now, what cars would SF recommend looking at as fun, head turning, smile making classic cars? Ability to run on current generally available gas options are favored, so figuring 1971 and later.

Not looking for Plymouth Superbirds and the like. Something reasonable to hope and plan for.

Fox body Mustangs. Tons of after market go-fast parts for them. I miss my '88 Mustang GT 5.0 to this day.

Dodge Viper Gets the looks and fun to drive. Mine is a 1997 red GTS
If you look around they are reasonably priced for what they are.

A well kitted Ford Bronco.

How much cash do I have to spend?

What state do you live in and is this a nice weather only car?

Corvette. Fox body Mustang. And a vintage pickup might be a fun project.

I had a '66 Chevy Impala two door with a 289 / 2 speed auto trans. Nothing special, but that thing would really move! It handled like a sports car. Probably my favorite car of all I owned. I drove it well into the '80s and it ran like a top on unleaded ethanol gas. I don't know how many heads it turned, but people said that when I drove up in my black Chevy, it looked like Mad Max had arrived.

Another one that may be a real sleeper:
I drove a Plymouth Valiant with the 225 Slant Six for a while in the early '70s. That car would really fly, unbelievable for a straight six. Again, I don't know if those clunky looking Valiants would turn many heads, but the upside is you could probably find one that was mainly driven by little old ladies.

If you really want something flashy, you may want to look for a vintage Buick Riviera if you can find one at an affordable price.

Are you looking for a convertible or coupe? Automatic or manual? 2 seater or more? I'd also tend to say a fox body mustang or a corvette. Better chances of finding a corvette that hasn't been beaten to hell though. The Trans Am's and Camaro's from 1993-late 90's with the LT1's were fast and fun cars too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jimmy123x,

as a sleeper my buddy's dad had unknowlingly bought a real hot rod:

new in 1958, Chev wagon 283/4 barrel/3 speed/OD/4.10 rear end/POSI-traction rear axle.

He wiped the smirk off the face of many hot rodders in our town with that 'lumbering beast'.

Looked nice too.

I am working on a lead for ethanol free gas for my 355 in Tucson

there are a lot of off-roaders in the area - just need to make the right connection

Something with a small block V8 and without a ton of power.

A number of earlier year cars have had heart transplants. i.e. replacement of worn out/broken engines with later models that are engineered to run on unleaded gas. They are not as expensive as all original cars and are better for daily drivers.

Many types of Fords and Chevys to choose from.

ethanol and lead are two different problems. (it may vary by State) but both are easily solved in most of the places I've gone racing. Your nearest racetrack, race shop, drag strip, or airport probably has an appropriate gas for anything. Unless you are doing a zillion miles in which case cost might be an issue. But it doesn't take much to deal with either in normal production engines in terms of either fuel lines or additives.
Me I'd be mostly partial to early pickups, but the Fox body and Corvette suggestions would be my second choice as the aftermarket is amazing...

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:

This
This
And this.

^^^

Can't really argue with the logic here.

Engine bay the size of Texas and aftermarket options galore.

Here in Oklahoma almost every station sells 100% pure gas, no ethanol. Ethanol is available everywhere, but why buy that crap?

I filled up, a couple days ago, at $2.17 per gallon, pure gas, no ethanol, ConocoPhillips brand, Top Tier fuel.

87 Octane at that price, 89 and 90-something Octane available at the same pump, pure gas, no ethanol.

100% pure gas gives me 10% better mileage per gallon, it runs better, and obviously no ethanol crap.

I detest Ethanol.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Here in Oklahoma almost every station sells 100% pure gas, no ethanol. Ethanol is available everywhere, but why buy that crap?

I filled up, a couple days ago, at $2.17 per gallon, pure gas, no ethanol, ConocoPhillips brand, Top Tier fuel.

87 Octane at that price, 89 and 90-something Octane available at the same pump, pure gas, no ethanol.

100% pure gas gives me 10% better mileage per gallon, it runs better, and obviously no ethanol crap.

I detest Ethanol.

I wish we had that option here in FLorida. Ethanol free 90 octane is the only gas you can get without ethanol at some stations, it's about $1 more per gallon than mid grade gasoline.

Almost every engine designed to run on leaded fuel can be retrofitted to run on unleaded, the problem is that the old vehicles didn't have hardened valve seats, the lead was part of the protectant.

See if the seller has fitted the heads with new valve seats and valves that will handle unleaded fuel, if not a machine shop can do the job easily and for all those viewing the vehicle nobody would ever know since it's internal.

Or, get one with a bad engine and swap in an LS engine, more power, better internals and ready for todays fuels ethanol included, but then it's a resto mod vehicle at that point, which by the way seems to be the hot ticket.

Ethanol free fuel is available, and if not, you can get ethanol killer additives at your local parts stores, keep some in the glove box to add at fill up...