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What's the cheapest V8 sportscar?
Gergely - 7/8/06 at 02:47 PM

Hi, I thought of this the other day... I hope it has not been discussed yet here...

I'm just wondering what the cheapest way of getting a burbling V8 car would be (I'm not willing to fit a V8 in a Locost, but still... that sound...). I have a few criteria though:

- Has to be a sportscar (coupe or roadster, but no truck or saloon, etc please)
- It has to be in a reasonable state (restoration projects could be cheap, but no thanks... when comparing cars, let's assume a daily driver state with everything working fine, maybe cosmetically not 100%, but structurally OK)
- It has to have a nice V8 noise (a la TVR Griffith for example... mmmm...

What do you recon would be the cheapest car that fulfills the criteria and is a nice car as well? I am thinking MGB V8 maybe? Triumph Stag? Any ideas?

Gergely


gingerprince - 7/8/06 at 03:02 PM

I'm currently selling my TVR Griffith if you're interested

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/52874.htm

Not the cheapest way to get a V8 sportscar, but the best

[Edited on 7/8/06 by gingerprince]


ned - 7/8/06 at 03:19 PM

tr7/8, scimitar perhaps? older tvr (350?) or early lotus esprit v8?

bit more modern, how about a lexux/toyota soarer, 4.3ltr v8 can be had quite cheaply and could be used as a daily driver (any v8 will drink like a fish though)

Ned.


donut - 7/8/06 at 03:19 PM

I have just got myself a Rover P6 with a V8 and it does sound awesome! The P6 is not quite everyones cup of tea but i need 4 seats and i wanted a classic. Other sports cars are:

TR8
Stag
TVR
Cobra replica
NGV8 (kit car)
MGBV8 and Roadster with conversion (there were a few on ebay last week)
Morgan Plus 8

Probably a few others that i can't remember


ned - 7/8/06 at 03:26 PM

which porker had a v8 in it? one of the front engine ones, 928 or 968 was it?

Ned.


Howlor - 7/8/06 at 03:28 PM

I would have said a TVR 'wedge'.


ceebmoj - 7/8/06 at 03:31 PM

hi,

I recently got my self a Marcos Mantula v8 fun for a very low price. I use it as an evry day car. smiles per pound spent is a very good ratio.

not nesaseraly evry ones cup of tea to look at but it is fun.

blake


MikeR - 7/8/06 at 03:38 PM

mates misses has just warped the head on one bank of his v8 stag auto (with added rear seat belts). He hasn't the time to fix it so is looking at selling if you're interested.

Doesn't know how bad it is yet - but is expecting a skim will be enough as its only just gone. If youre interested let me know and i'll put the two of you in touch.


robertst - 7/8/06 at 03:47 PM

first thing that passed through my head was the mustang...

so dont call me a w*nker, i already told myself that


nick205 - 7/8/06 at 04:05 PM

quote:

which porker had a v8 in it? one of the front engine ones, 928 or 968 was it?



Porky 928 is V8 front engined and IMO a very good car. If cared for will last for a very long time, but if abused will cost ££££££££ to sort out. Very quick and comfortable - hey I'm alsmost talking myself into it here Rescued attachment porky v8.jpg
Rescued attachment porky v8.jpg


Simon - 7/8/06 at 07:00 PM

Why don't you want to stick a V8 in a Locost.

Perfectly sensible idea if you ask me

ATB

Simon


Dusty - 7/8/06 at 07:48 PM

Daimler Dart if you want something totaly wierd.


Simon - 7/8/06 at 11:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Dusty
Daimler Dart if you want something totaly wierd.


Yeah, fell out of the ugly tree hitting every branch on the way down sorta weird

ATB

Simon


bimbleuk - 8/8/06 at 08:00 AM

How about a cheap LHD Mazda mx5, a V8 conversion kit from the US and a 5.0L ford V8 donk.

Relatively cheap V8 poke in a modern light weight sports car.


smart51 - 8/8/06 at 09:36 AM

1 x locost = £250. 1x scrap V8 = £200. sundries = £50. Total £500. Cheapest V8 ever?


Syd Bridge - 8/8/06 at 11:54 AM

Second hand Corvette or Mustang, dime a dozen in the 'states.

Cheers,
Syd.


Gergely - 9/8/06 at 08:04 AM

Thanks guys for the ideas. Up to now the winner - for me - is the Mantula. That car looks awesome! Not sure if they ever made LHD ones as well, and probably those cost more, but will look around. Anyway, first I need to invest in my Locost...

Thanks for the ideas. That Daimler looks very weird...


ned - 9/8/06 at 12:35 PM

did anyone say sunbeam alpine tiger yet?


donut - 9/8/06 at 01:00 PM

Now you're talking Ned!!


David Jenkins - 9/8/06 at 01:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Gergely
That Daimler looks very weird...


It was an ugly car when seen in the flesh - I always thought that it looked like Penelope Pitstop's car.

It did have an astonishingly strong engine though. Not very powerful in the original car, but tuners took it to ridiculous outputs - I believe that one dragster builder took it to 1000BHP! Don't if it's still in one piece though...

David


Simon - 9/8/06 at 08:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ned
did anyone say sunbeam alpine tiger yet?


Ned, do you mean the Alpine, or the Tiger

One had a weasey 4 banger, the other used to have so much torque, it would go sideways at full throttle - not from slipping tyres, but twisting axle

But yeah, cool car. Will see a few, I don't doubt, on 9th September at Brighton Speed Trials

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 9/8/06 by Simon]


ned - 10/8/06 at 07:47 AM

to clarify, the tiger


Simon - 10/8/06 at 10:54 PM

Wise choice

ATB

Simon