What type of “Show Car” for casual car show enthusiast?

[poncho]

I would get a pro mod racecar and make it street legal. You would be the talk of every event!

I'm a big fan of things that make people say that's too much I guess its a play on tame the beast.

This is a friend of mines car, he drives to shows all over the place. He raced an Outlaw Pro Mod for a while till he blew a tire at the finish at over 230MPH, walked away from that and decided to return to the street and tune for several race teams, he has a blast with the car.
Also has a sweet tubbed Nova.

 

[bonesfab]

I have to rethink our friendship

He prefers the newer smaller gay cadillacs. They are more his size.

 

[rivrrts429]

He prefers the newer smaller gay cadillacs. They are more his size.

I see what you did there

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Also has a sweet tubbed Nova. View attachment 1411844

Looks similar to Nova Jims green car.

 

[poncho]

Looks similar to Nova Jims green car.


View attachment 1411847

That green works on those cars.

 

[C-Ya]

I am really enjoying this thread…….. Thank You!

Here is just some random stuff that will help steer me in the right direction.

First……. I currently live in a condo. This might change, but as of right now, it is difficult to do anything other than minor repairs. I only own a tool box…… not a shop.

I cannot purchase anything higher than 7’. It won’t fit in my parking garage. No lifted vehicles.

My budget is only limited by my desire, but I am looking for a fun car, not a appreciating investment.

One of the reasons why I like Rat Rods is that they seem easy to clean. LOL I’d rather not spend all my time waxing my car.

You can also park a Rat Rod in questionable places. I am certainly not going to park my 200k appreciating collector car anywhere questionable.

I want something unique. We have an abundance of rich car enthusiasts that will always have a cleaner version of whatever collector car there is. Car collecting seems to be the number one hobby for well off retired people. I am not looking to compete with that crowd.

Id like whatever I buy to be able to take 4 people on a beach cities cruise. However, I don’t really care if the backseat guests are comfortable or not. LOL I am not opposed to having to throw a backseat into the car when I have guests.

I want the car bagged. No other reason than it’s a fun toy to play with.

Earlier in this thread I posted the pics of Jeep Rat Rods. I found them doing a quick image search. After thinking about it, I kinda like the pic of the very first Jeep. It has the headroom, but is still a Rat Rod. It seats 2 comfortably, but could easily get a removable rear seat. It can be open air. It can have just a Bimini top. Or it could also have a hard or soft top. With 2 people and a tonneau cover, it will hold supplies out of site. (Ice chest, chairs, bags, tools) I am not sold on the Jeep, but I would like to find something with similar features.

I am not looking to drag race the car. However, rear wheel drive is a must, so I can take it drifting!

The places that I hang out……. A Rat Rod is more accepted than a very expensive collector car. I hang at biker bars as an example. The Harley crowd doesn’t care for the Ferrari owner crowd if you know what I mean.

I cannot help but wonder how wide a Rat Rod Jeep is with the tires on the outside of the tub? Could be as wide as a Dually. Lol

Based on the above, what would you look at?

 

[Blue Oval]

Grew up going to car shows. Not a fan. I enjoy the one I started for Boyne Thunder weekend. No entry cost, no judging, just fun and BSing with everyone. Started it in 2008. Had no idea it would get so big.

 

[mash on it]

I cannot help but wonder how wide a Rat Rod Jeep is with the tires on the outside of the tub? Could be as wide as a Dually. Lol

A CJ tub is 60" wide (outside to outside)

Ford 9 inch out of a '72 ish Country Squire wagon is 57" drum to drum, inside. And ~65" wms to wms.

Square body Chevy dually is 94" fender to fender.

That rat rod CJ above is probably 84" wide overall. ish.

I've got a few parts.

Dan'l

 

[Howard23]

 

[Not So Fast]

love those, but that 454 was like 230 HP those years.

great looking truck.

This one must have had some work done on the engine, it runs harder that other stockers Ive had in the past Thanks

 

[poncho]

View attachment 1411858

That will always be cool.

 

[adam909]

Whats that one hot rod that you always thought was cool when you where young or that thought of when I get rich i want to own this? Thats what I would go after. Everyone has different tastes or dreams when it comes to whats cool.

I remeber being a little kid at car shows with my dad and covering my ears to a 41 willeys pro streeted out and just obnoxiously loud. I always thought that would be a dream car and pictured me making other people cover there ears. Hopefully one day ill own a 41 willeys.

 

[rivermobster]

Lol!!!!

I'd like to solve the puzzle, Alex. The retired fat guy in the beemer.

It's a Super easy puzzle to solve!

Check the mirror for starters, you'll figure it out in no time.

 

[rivermobster]

He prefers the newer smaller gay cadillacs. They are more his size.

I prefer Anything that Doesn't have a GM label on it.

After thinking about it...

A Nice Superformace build might be fun for @C-Ya to start with.

 

[C-Ya]

Here is a partial list of cars I have owned. I say partial, because I have owned so many, that I am sure I will have forgotten a few.

1969 Firebird
Datsun Pickup
Super modified Karman Ghia - Mine was badass
82 Ford Bronco - Eddie Bauer Edition - Custom painted to match my 19’ Jet Boat
Kawasaki 600 Ninja - Some thief stole it.
82 BMW 323i - Baur Convertible - This was a full race German grey market vehicle. I sold it at Barrett Jackson Auction
Jeep CJ 5 - Mine was super modified for off road adventures. Some thief stole it too.
VW Bus - Bug - Rabbit - Jetta - Sirocco - I forget order of each, so I lumped them together
Honda Accord
Chevy Trailblazer
2 Ford Excursions - one diesel, one v10 gas
Mercedes Benz CL 55 - I called this my Corvette Killer!
3 Infinity’s - I forget the model names
I almost forgot……. I owned a super customized FJ Cruiser. It had every modification. I purchased it that way.
My current vehicle is my tricked out golf cart. It’s the 10th or more, golf carts I have owned.
I also own a 2013 GMC Terrain. I purchased it new in 2013. Here I am 11 years later with a whopping 54,000 miles on it. However, In the last 4 years, I have been averaging 3000 miles per year on it.

This has been a good mental exercise. lol

Does this count? In the early 90’s I owned a Dually that had been in an accident and had no truck bed. Its front had a snarl, due to the accident. It ran fine. I kept it at my river house and used it to put my toys in the water. I don’t think I ever even registered it. I can’t remember what happened to it.

I think I was the very first person in Arizona to own a SxS? All I know is that I didn’t see another Yamaha Rhino for almost 5 months after buying mine. People kept asking where I got the custom golf cart? lol

 

[clarence]

Id like whatever I buy to be able to take 4 people on a beach cities cruise.

https://www.caranddriver.com/ineos/grenadier-quartermaster

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a61143531/2025-ineos-grenadier-quartermaster-drive/

https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/ Quartermaster

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

You’re in Florida. You need to do the Miami Vice thing!

I’d take one of the modern Cameros converted to a Pontiac Trans Am Firebird. Some pretty nice examples out there.

A company in Florida called Trans Am Worldwide can do you a restomod or a new one.

 

[rivermobster]

Where I live, there are multiple Car Shows every weekend. Most are casual events. The cars can be all over the range. Some are trailered to these events, while others are driven.

As I get older, I find myself wanting to get involved in this fun hobby. What keeps me from doing it, is that I don’t want to be constantly wrenching and working on whatever I buy. I want it turn key and reliable. Does this exist with this type of hobby?

I just want to be a casual participant with a cool ride that I drove to event. When I am not taking it to car shows, I am cruising the beach cities with it.

I really like Rat Rods, but they sound like you need to be a master mechanic to own one.

What would you suggest that I purchase? Ideas?

A Superformace or Factory 5 car, with a well built 427, EFI and a Tremic, would be a pretty much trouble free car. And something you could sell Easily when you're bored with it.

Pretty much the perfect starter car show car, for your requirements.

 

[rivermobster]

Unique eh?

How about a rat early bronco with a 427 EFI and 4 speed automatic?

Straight axle up front, like a gasser!

 

[oldboatsrule]

1963 ford galaxy 500 for sale by owner - Simi Valley, CA - craigslist

1963 1/2 GALAXY 500 FASTBACK. BIG BLOCK 390 MOTOR, 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING, NASCAR REAR END, RUNS AND DRIVES EXCELLENT. Best year Galaxy to own and collect...

losangeles.craigslist.org

Something like this would be dive bar approved.

 

[gottaminute?]

60s, 7

Where I live, there are multiple Car Shows every weekend. Most are casual events. The cars can be all over the range. Some are trailered to these events, while others are driven.

As I get older, I find myself wanting to get involved in this fun hobby. What keeps me from doing it, is that I don’t want to be constantly wrenching and working on whatever I buy. I want it turn key and reliable. Does this exist with this type of hobby?

I just want to be a casual participant with a cool ride that I drove to event. When I am not taking it to car shows, I am cruising the beach cities with it.

I really like Rat Rods, but they sound like you need to be a master mechanic to own one.

What would you suggest that I purchase? Ideas

60s, 70s, 80s elcamino/station wagon hybrid with imsa style 1/4 panel for either dually or FAT tire treatment. essential a crew cab dually elco.

option 2

50s/60s jeep wagon. 2wd. ls or ecotec. mustang 2 or C4 suspension. bags. a/c. etc and maybe a sliding ragtop for the beach cruises.


just my 2x(.01 of a dolla)

 

[C-Ya]

I found this video of a Manx Resorter.

It is not a Rat Rod.

However, my wife really likes it. It looks like it checks a lot of boxes.

Too bad the video is 2 years old.

What do you think of this beach cruiser?

 

[sonicss31]

 

[Fabhouse]

A manx is awesome- But a Thing gets crazy attention. Also, it's an easy to maintain VW. I built one for my dad, the mostly stock one that I have no current pics of, and then I built a tube chassis car for my self. Sold the off road car only because it was a bit to fast for the kids at the time. The next build will be a K5-IFS 4wd. First pic is the restored Thing-that we still have. Wheels have been changed to period correct Fuchs. The next 2 were it's restoration. The following pics were the off road one (since sold).

 

[brgrcru]

Lowered obs dually
I cruise on weekends
Use to have a resto mod 1965 mustang gt 350
But I enjoy the truck more
I don’t get into trouble with the dually

 

[TimeBandit]

I found this video of a Manx Resorter.

It is not a Rat Rod.

However, my wife really likes it. It looks like it checks a lot of boxes.

Too bad the video is 2 years old.

What do you think of this beach cruiser?

Acme Car Company

New Cumberland, PA

acmecarco.com

My first off-road trip was Pismo in the early seventies in a metallic blue Manx my uncle owned I always wanted one.

 

[77charger]

Other cars I really like are the 80s era 911 turbos. Couple months back k saw two of them together actually both randoms who happened to get next to each other because of traffic.

Just likes the style of the wife fenders and the rear turbo wing tail

 

[Sharp Shooter]

wife really likes it....

What do you think of this beach cruiser?

IMHO, this really should be about what YOU like based on your taste. It will be YOUR car not ours. I guess having the wife like it isn't a bad thing, but for me that would play very little - like zero into my choice (unless she's paying for it).

My buddy Steve had a pretty cool Manx a while back.

 

[C-Ya]

IMHO, this really should be about what YOU like based on your taste. It will be YOUR car not ours. I guess having the wife like it isn't a bad thing, but for me that would play very little - like zero into my choice (unless she's paying for it).

My buddy Steve had a pretty cool Manx a while back.

View attachment 1411984 View attachment 1411983 View attachment 1411985

I’ve gone down the Manx rabbit hole today. Lol

I only like a very specific Manx……. The Resorter

Here are some examples of the Resorter. As you can see, it is easier to get into than a standard dune buggy. Also, the backseat passengers don’t have to climb into back.

 

[TimeBandit]

I’ve gone down the Manx rabbit hole today. Lol

I only like a very specific Manx……. The Resorter

Here are some examples of the Resorter. As you can see, it is easier to get into than a standard dune buggy. Also, the backseat passengers don’t have to climb into back.

View attachment 1411986 View attachment 1411987
View attachment 1411989 View attachment 1411990 View attachment 1411991

That looks like the fantasy Island package. Get one Tesla powered and it checks all your boxes no need for a golf cart!

 

[Willie B]

I had those same hubcaps in my 63 Karman Ghia when I was a kid!

What color was your car originally? It looks brown? Or copper?

… The car was originally white… The guy I got it from put a cheap brown paint job on it and cheap brown upholstery… I took it as partial trade for my live aboard yacht/boat… 1948 Hunter…34’ twin screw fly bridge sedan cruiser…
.

 

[TimeBandit]

Meyers Manx Introduces the Resorter NEV: A Modern Take on a Beloved Classic

Meyers Manx, the iconic brand behind the original fiberglass dune buggy, proudly unveiled its latest innovation, the Resorter Neighborhood Electric Ve

www.businesswire.com

 

[clarence]

Other cars I really like are the 80s era 911 turbos.

Slant nose!

 

[sirbob]

… The car was originally white… The guy I got it from put a cheap brown paint job on it and cheap brown upholstery… I took it as partial trade for my live aboard yacht/boat… 1948 Hunter…34’ twin screw fly bridge sedan cruiser…
.

I love that story!

 

[Fabhouse]

My new obsession is this-

 

[77charger]

Slant nose!

View attachment 1412017

Those were cool. But I liked the looks of the regular

 

[brgrcru]

My new obsession is this- View attachment 1412019 View attachment 1412022 View attachment 1412020 View attachment 1412021

Beautiful !!!

 

[JJ McClure]

turbo

 

[Nosocks]

Actually, now that I've mocked car show boomers, wondering if anyone in the RDP hive mind knows where this thing is?

Was featured in Hot VW in May 2002. Article titled "Millennium Ghia"

I'd be interested in buying it if anyone knows the owner

 

[propcheck]

Ok just a thought how about an old 1950’s Rv or travel trailer it is different will get some looks. I always have to check them out at shows when they pop up I think they are fun I am thinking something like an old Dodge camper van yank the motor Hellcat swap then customize the Cab with new dodge Hellcat seats,wheel,dash go heavy with the hellcat branding and name it Litterbox the name is funny and correlates with the hellCat build.

And this folks is why I should never be rich.this is the type of sh!t that runs through my head.

 

[J&k beer can]

Depends on type of car you want. I say nothing over the top and not a jalopy. Have taken a best of show and a couple class trophies. View attachment 1411640 View attachment 1411642

I got a few shows in the year and like the cruise nights too. Cars on air bags and some day I’ll put a set of 5 spoke am wheels 16 or 17 inch.

I have seen this car a bunch.. im sure we have meet..
Im best friends with PPG Ray..

 

[poncho]

Slant nose!

View attachment 1412017

I lived in Pacific Beach (San Diego) in the late 70's and I would see a lot of these on the weekends, I think the Banzai Runner thing was going on then.
Always thought they were a cool car.

 

[rivermobster]

I’ve gone down the Manx rabbit hole today. Lol

I only like a very specific Manx……. The Resorter

Here are some examples of the Resorter. As you can see, it is easier to get into than a standard dune buggy. Also, the backseat passengers don’t have to climb into back.

View attachment 1411986 View attachment 1411987
View attachment 1411989 View attachment 1411990 View attachment 1411991

So have you decided?

One of these on a lifted Jeep on 37's would be pretty sweet!

 

[77charger]

I have seen this car a bunch.. im sure we have meet..
Im best friends with PPG Ray..

Possible I haven been taking it out with my uncles in groupe this year. just did day on the bay earlier this month

 

[Not So Fast]

Whats that one hot rod that you always thought was cool when you where young or that thought of when I get rich i want to own this? Thats what I would go after. Everyone has different tastes or dreams when it comes to whats cool.

I remeber being a little kid at car shows with my dad and covering my ears to a 41 willeys pro streeted out and just obnoxiously loud. I always thought that would be a dream car and pictured me making other people cover there ears. Hopefully one day ill own a 41 willeys.

I bought this in 1963 as soon as I got out of the Navy because a friend had one and I was amazed at how it ran at San Gabreils Drag Strip one Staurday nite so I bought one. Never lost a street race either but got my butt handed to me at some of the drags strips It ran a very respectable 112MpH in 12.50 et and in those years that was strong, of course I got like 12 tickets from exibition of speed to drag racing also, so it went bye by lol! Wish to hell I had it back now
NSF

PS it was a 426 tuned by Bob Boggio at Foothill Speed Center in Monrovia Ca, Art Carr did the Tranny ect.

 

[Orange Juice]

Based on the above, what would you look at?

Self driving Uber.

 

[coolchange]

I am really enjoying this thread…….. Thank You!

Here is just some random stuff that will help steer me in the right direction.

First……. I currently live in a condo. This might change, but as of right now, it is difficult to do anything other than minor repairs. I only own a tool box…… not a shop.

I cannot purchase anything higher than 7’. It won’t fit in my parking garage. No lifted vehicles.

My budget is only limited by my desire, but I am looking for a fun car, not a appreciating investment.

One of the reasons why I like Rat Rods is that they seem easy to clean. LOL I’d rather not spend all my time waxing my car.

You can also park a Rat Rod in questionable places. I am certainly not going to park my 200k appreciating collector car anywhere questionable.

I want something unique. We have an abundance of rich car enthusiasts that will always have a cleaner version of whatever collector car there is. Car collecting seems to be the number one hobby for well off retired people. I am not looking to compete with that crowd.

Id like whatever I buy to be able to take 4 people on a beach cities cruise. However, I don’t really care if the backseat guests are comfortable or not. LOL I am not opposed to having to throw a backseat into the car when I have guests.

I want the car bagged. No other reason than it’s a fun toy to play with.

Earlier in this thread I posted the pics of Jeep Rat Rods. I found them doing a quick image search. After thinking about it, I kinda like the pic of the very first Jeep. It has the headroom, but is still a Rat Rod. It seats 2 comfortably, but could easily get a removable rear seat. It can be open air. It can have just a Bimini top. Or it could also have a hard or soft top. With 2 people and a tonneau cover, it will hold supplies out of site. (Ice chest, chairs, bags, tools) I am not sold on the Jeep, but I would like to find something with similar features.

I am not looking to drag race the car. However, rear wheel drive is a must, so I can take it drifting!

The places that I hang out……. A Rat Rod is more accepted than a very expensive collector car. I hang at biker bars as an example. The Harley crowd doesn’t care for the Ferrari owner crowd if you know what I mean.

I cannot help but wonder how wide a Rat Rod Jeep is with the tires on the outside of the tub? Could be as wide as a Dually. Lol

Based on the above, what would you look at?

Considering where you live, and the tiki boat deal, I think this fills the bill. Bag it, put some skulls on it….

 

[Roosky01]

Something like this where you will rarely see another at the show-

 

[Orange Juice]

Meyers Manx Introduces the Resorter NEV: A Modern Take on a Beloved Classic

Meyers Manx, the iconic brand behind the original fiberglass dune buggy, proudly unveiled its latest innovation, the Resorter Neighborhood Electric Ve

www.businesswire.com

Retirement Community…..Florida……second vehicle. Self Driving Is all that’s missing.

 

[FlyByWire]

Just buy my Chevelle and do us both a favor.

It’s a sickness I need cured from