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[456lbft]

I may have mentioned it before ? but the project I reall want to do is a Chevette hatchback with a 3.0 V6 engine and manual box.
Its been done before and was a bit of a missile apparently.
Running gear would be pretty cheap, but a half decent Chevette shell is an expensive rarity these days, so it probably aint gonna happen.

Any Chevette shells tend to be snapped up by the rally boys. It would be nice and light, and the engine bay is probably wide enough as it had the slant 4 in there originally. A booted one would be cheaper, and maybe better balanced.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Yep, a good Chevette shell is a nice basis for historic rallying, hence the price of them. The HS with the heavy old slant four was 1016 kilos, if my memory serves so that kind of weight with approx. 215bhp and the torque of a V6 would be a lot of fun.
Personally I dont fancy the idea of a saloon at all. Probably because the hatch would in a way be the replacement for the HS I had when I was a youngster, but could never afford to have as a toy or ornament now. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Talking of Riley Elf's this looks like a lot of fun! 

[dave the builder]

Talking of Riley Elf's this looks like a lot of fun! 

you'd think the seller would at least slosh a bit of paint over the rust in the boot for that money 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Here you go Albs, here's your Chevette! 

[Raeturbo]

My mate has just had one he’s putting a redtop with throttle bodies cams and standalone engine management. Will be good for around 240 bhp that’s what you want not a heavy V6 lump

[dave the builder]

Here you go Albs, here's your Chevette! 

Blimey, didn't realise a chevette wheel nut was worth so much money 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Here you go Albs, here's your Chevette! 

The last picture had me drooling. Full group 4 works spec shell by the look of it. 

[456lbft]

My mate has just had one he’s putting a redtop with throttle bodies cams and standalone engine management. Will be good for around 240 bhp that’s what you want not a heavy V6 lump

Redtops aren't that light either. But more suited to a Chevette.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I like the thought of a big torquey lump rather than a screamer. The slant 4 wasnt exactly light or a screamer, which made the car want to understeer, but had a fair lump of torque, so I like the thought of those characteristics in a Chevette.
Running gear would also be a lot cheaper and easier to replace if it went bang.
Far from perfect Im sure, but my dream project is a budget car. Which would work ok apart from the rarity and expense of the bodyshell, which is a pretty important component. 

[Raeturbo]

Fair enough and more fun I should say

[456lbft]

Ironically it was the torque that made them competitive against the Escorts back in the day.  Nowadays, apparently in historic rallying the tyres have been made to suit the high revving BDA engined Escorts, and the torquey Chevettes just chew through rear tyres and can't compete.  I much prefer the look of the HSR with the blister arches, or a Manta 400 of course.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

The HSR did look nicer, but my project car wouldnt have any extensions to the arches. It would be a sleeper. If my memory serves that would limit tyre size to 205/ 60/13 which could be interesting. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Now this is a thing of beauty! 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Far canal. I dont think people were stupid enough to pay that for one when they were brand new !