Mad Max inspired GRM Challenge car?

[rebelgtp]

Hey guys I think I remember seeing a car styled after the MFP pursuit cars in the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge awhile back and was wondering if it was someone on the board here?

My girl friend has green lit me doing a project car for the challenge and I am thinking of doing something inspired by one of the movie cars. Either the MFP Pursuit cars, the interceptor or the car the Nightrider stole. Of course I'm in the US so finding old Aussie muscle is out of the question and buying more expensive old American muscle that best relates to the Aussie cars is more than likely out as well. At the challenge the budget for buying the car and building it is the dollar amount that corresponds to the year the event is held. So like this years event the budget would be $2010. There is a little bit of wiggle room with being able to sell off parts and the like but that is limited.

So anyone have any suggestions on cars that might fit the bill for this event? I would love to represent the Mad Max community at the challenge even better if there are others to join in with other cars.

[aussie muscle]

see what's around within your budget. maybe an 80s camaro?

[rebelgtp]

I have of course thought of those as they are fairly plentiful around here I was just trying to think of something older that could fit the bill. Also I was trying to think of a Ford because my girl friend prefers those and she is helping with the build. I already have a Mopar and GM in the garage so I thought it was about time to build something from a line she liked. Torino would of course the closest (though bigger and slightly different lines) but they tend to be more expensive. I did think about a last gen American Falcon (70 1/2), there is also the Maverick Grabber but I believe that is smaller than a Falcon. I kind of wanted to stay away from the squared off '80s cars (there are tons of them that show up for the challenge).

[zykotec]

May I suggest a Mercury Merkur Xr4ti?
It's really a German Ford Sierra, with a turbocharged 2.3 Lima/pinto. LIghtweight and handles OK'ish (better than most Muscle cars) Allready has the nose, the dual rear spoilers and matte black lower half. V8's will easily fit under the hood too Downside is it's an 80's car, most spare parts are in Europe, and they are getting rare.

[rebelgtp]

That is another car I have thought of and there is actually a parts supplier for them here in Oregon somewhere. One of those with a 302 V8 under the hood and a 5 spd sure would be an interesting little rig. My biggest problem is again it is a rather squared off looking rig. I know there have been several of these at the challenge both with the turbo 4 and with V8 swaps.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Engine & trans on the Xr4ti are the same as the SVO Mustang and are a dime a dozen.
Suspension & Brakes I THINK are the same but I could easily be wrong.

Fox chassis Mustangs can be bought & modded pretty cheap and have a VERY good aftermarket support as well as a lot of Upgrades that can be found at the salvage yard.

[rebelgtp]

Oh wow I had forgotten about the SVO Mustang completely. I didn't know they used the same engine as the XR4TI I thought it was different for some reason.

Only problem with a Mustang would be convincing the girl friend on one, her brother died in one so that kinda of put a black mark on them for her.

I think one could make a reasonable more modern version of the car and there are tons of them around with a great aftermarket support as mentioned. Hmmm Didn't the SVO have a scoop and twin spoilers? Maybe get those and stick them on a V8 model.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Didn't the SVO have a scoop and twin spoilers?

And a different front bumper/fascia
There are aftermarket SVO Styled hoods that will fit on the 87-93 mustangs, but not sure if anyone has one for the earlier ones.
I'd planned to put the Mach-1 styled hood on mine plus a shaker for the actual air intake duties.

Maybe get those and stick them on a V8 model.

The SVO Fanatics will chase you with rope and scout along the way for a nice high tree to throw it over if you put an actual SVO nose on your V-8 Stang or if you put a V-8 into an SVO

The Fiberglass SVO hood for GT & LX Mustangs would be far cheaper and far FAR easier to find anyway.
They're a bit easier going on the spoilers for some reason.
Plus, there are a number of companies that make performance parts for the SVO's Turbo-Four.

Wouldn't mind an SVO Myself, actually, the things handle better than the V-8's are darned near as fast (In stock form) and have much better range on a tankful.

[rebelgtp]

Did the SVO handle better just because of the lighter engine upfront or was the suspension setup different?

Alright so far a 3rd gen Camaro or Fox body Mustang are the easiest mentioned rigs to get that can be made similar. Any other older rigs that have a more similar look? What about 4 door Maverick or Nova as one of the yellow MFP pursuit cars?

for the MFP badges on the side of the car should I use vinyls or get magnetic ones? My biggest worry about having permanent ones on there is that they might draw attention of cops thinking someone is trying to make their car look like a cop car know what I'm saying? My worry on the magnetic ones is them blowing off while driving and people stealing them.

I want to get them for my Cutlass as well as it is being built in a "Mad Maxesque" fashion as well.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Did the SVO handle better just because of the lighter engine upfront or was the suspension setup different?

It does have a lot less weight up front but it's also set up a little different.