Old School and Other Rotary Old School and Other Rotary Powered Vehicles including performance modifications and technical support

cheapy, old RWD cars (idea thread)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-16-06, 02:57 PM
  #1  
Respecognize!

Thread Starter
 
Whizbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Anchor Bay, CA
Posts: 4,106
Received 71 Likes on 42 Posts
Thumbs up cheapy, old RWD cars (idea thread)

well i have my old wreck GSLSE and that thing is prime for a donor car. And im kinda getting bored with just Rx7's (have a Fc and GSLSE in addition).

up here in ohio finding the usuals (like Starlets) is damn near impossible. So im getting creative.

so far my possibles are a Opel 1600 and an old 2dr Chevette (yes. chevette). Found a celica supra but damn that thing is not light.

what are some other old, rwd (light) cars i should be looking out for?
Old 11-16-06, 03:06 PM
  #2  
What's the point??

iTrader: (6)
 
papiogxl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Convert a CRX to RR by mounting the engine in the hatch
Old 11-16-06, 03:20 PM
  #3  
Rotary Freak

 
Alex-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
4cyl fox mustang.

That would be bad ***.
Old 11-16-06, 04:15 PM
  #4  
The General RE

 
13BT_RX3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 905
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
The 914

Old 11-16-06, 04:44 PM
  #5  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
Moved to CALI particulary Socal where we have almost everythign.
Old 11-16-06, 05:32 PM
  #6  
Thunder from downunder

iTrader: (1)
 
aussiesmg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Convoy, Ohio, USA
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Isuzu Impulse JR turbo, looks like a grocery getter but its RWD, I have one
Old 11-16-06, 05:35 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

 
1LuckyGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lost Angels, CA
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
that 914 is teh sexiest..

i believe an 1977's? honda CVCC
Old 11-16-06, 05:55 PM
  #8  
Junior Member

 
CaseyJones955's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you get bored looking for a place to put that engine, I have an MG midget that I cant find a donor car for. Alternativly you could look around for the Fiat 124, MGB, Midget, British and itilian cars have infinitly more charactor than the starlets and tercels and more often than not they have rag tops. Did I mention light weight?

I have to second the 914, having owned one, they are well built and they HANDLE as well as any car I have ever driven, ever.

Has anyone ever done a rotary into an X-19 Fiat? that would be cool to hear about/see pics.

Old school Datsuns are pretty cool but seem to be in high demand.

I think a VW Carman Ghia would be extra sweet w/a real heater and a rotary.

Tony
Old 11-16-06, 06:07 PM
  #9  
Red Pill Dealer

iTrader: (10)
 
TonyD89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: O Fallon MO
Posts: 2,226
Received 3,723 Likes on 2,547 Posts
Man! I knew where a good condition Fiat X19 was for sale not to long ago. I was thinking the same thing. Put a rotary in it! Sale price was $2200.

I always thought a rotary Fiero would be sweet. How 'bout a Chevette? I see one on the road every now and then. Would be a helluva sleeper!

Edit: Missed the Chevette in the original thread. My apollogies.
Old 11-16-06, 06:46 PM
  #10  
CURVE OF CONSTANT WIDTH

iTrader: (4)
 
RotaryBuddha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
how about an old honda s360 it was precursor to a s2000
Old 11-16-06, 07:48 PM
  #11  
Rupanrx

iTrader: (3)
 
lupin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MASSHOLE
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by papiogxl
Convert a CRX to RR by mounting the engine in the hatch
SCREW THAT

MAKE IT A FR
A rwd crx with a amazing power to weight ratio
Old 11-16-06, 07:53 PM
  #12  
Former FC enthusiast

iTrader: (2)
 
KhanArtisT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 2,841
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Porsche 944? maybe a turbo that needs a timing belt or somthing. Sweet cars, parts are expensive though.
Old 11-16-06, 08:23 PM
  #13  
Top's always down
iTrader: (5)
 
SLOASFK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 4,841
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Alex-7
4cyl fox mustang.

That would be bad ***.
+1 the old notchback weighs in at ~3000lbs with a very heavy all iron I4 in it. it's not the lightest car, but it'll weigh uder 3k when you're done the swap.
Old 11-16-06, 08:28 PM
  #14  
home of the 64oz

 
eivad1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: riverside
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
how about a honda s600 the old 69-70 the small car model
Old 11-16-06, 08:38 PM
  #15  
Junior Member

 
CaseyJones955's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only problem w/Chevette and especially Fiero are deeply substandard build quality. The Fiero has outpaced the Type I as the kit car donor of choice though.

If you could get rid of the Fiero body and interior it would probably be an excellent place to start. Not sure what kits are readily available but Im sure the range is extensive since I have lest checked.

How about this.... Opel GT or Opel Manta? heres another that would be unique, Saab 99 or Saab Sonett (the ones that house the small anemic Ford V4).
Old 11-16-06, 08:44 PM
  #16  
Full Member

 
Cuthbert_rx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Califonia
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could probably get an old early eighties Mercury Capri fairly cheap. Not sure how they are on weight but you can always rip out the rear seat and make it a roadster. I saw a Opel GT at ecology auto wrecking a few month ago and imediately thought (godd candidate). I already have a projest though. You can alway do what racing-beat did in 71 and stuff it in a VW bug.
Old 11-16-06, 08:55 PM
  #17  
Full Member

 
Cuthbert_rx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Califonia
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Now that I think about it , an 70's model murcury capri would be a lot nicer and the thing about american cars is you can can get damn near anything for them. Dashes, guages, seats, trim. everything.
Old 11-16-06, 09:18 PM
  #18  
Full Member

 
Cuthbert_rx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Califonia
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Got another idea. I'm sure we have all heard the story of the Mazda Roadpacer with the GM Holden body. So how a bout doing what GM traded those bodies for help doing and put the rotary in a Vega. Yes, that's right, for those that don't know most car companies tried to make thier own rotary after Mazda went worldwide with it and GM rotary research was planning to use the Vega as thier rotary car. BRILLIANT.
Old 11-16-06, 09:43 PM
  #19  
Respecognize!

Thread Starter
 
Whizbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Anchor Bay, CA
Posts: 4,106
Received 71 Likes on 42 Posts
aussiemg has pm!
Old 11-16-06, 10:08 PM
  #20  
87 SE WITH S5 T2 SWAP

iTrader: (11)
 
joeylyrech's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: allentown pa
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
1970 Dodge Colt,Lancer,Criket,old school Suzuki samurai,Mazda GLC,12OO Datsun,Toyota Sprinter and the Mitsubshi Champ
Old 11-16-06, 10:20 PM
  #21  
sold the FD...kept the FB

 
FD Racer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There are some nice old corollas and conoras out there that would be cool with a rotary....they are kinda hard to find though.









Old 11-16-06, 11:32 PM
  #22  
Red Pill Dealer

iTrader: (10)
 
TonyD89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: O Fallon MO
Posts: 2,226
Received 3,723 Likes on 2,547 Posts
Vega? With a P-port?
Old 11-17-06, 07:52 AM
  #23  
Resurrecting Gus

iTrader: (4)
 
Glazedham42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Nissan Z car?
Old 11-17-06, 07:58 AM
  #24  
Respecognize!

Thread Starter
 
Whizbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Anchor Bay, CA
Posts: 4,106
Received 71 Likes on 42 Posts
Z's are DAMN heavy, i would rather get that Celica supra.

ive been eyeing around for basically anything older / retro. but up here, they use salt in the winter. meaning, its a hard battle to find something that is either 1) saveable or 2) not rusted through completely.

i someone can tell where to get floor pans for an opel then i might have something.
Old 11-17-06, 08:12 AM
  #25  
Resurrecting Gus

iTrader: (4)
 
Glazedham42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Yeah, forgot about Z's being so heavy. However, this did bring something else to mind. How about the classic 1980 Datsun 200SX? It has a curb weight of 2000 lbs, and is rear wheel drive. The best part is that they came with 100hp 2.0L 4 cyl, so they probably aren't that desirable. Strip it out and you'd have a car that is wayyy lighter than the first gen rx7 even. I will admit that they are kinda ugly, but if you are looking for soemthing different....



Quick Reply: cheapy, old RWD cars (idea thread)



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:50 PM.