Dirt Muscle Car

[Greg]

This has been on my mind for years, thought I'd put it down in words. Not sure how many of you guys follow David Freiburger and some of the offroady-cars he's built, his cars are a big influence with this idea. What really turned me onto this are some of the cars that have raced in the NORRA 1000, aka the Mexican 1000. There have been a bunch of old school muscle cars built up for offroad racing and I absolutely LOVE the look. Here's a bit of what I'm getting at.... basically a muscle car that has been raised, wheel wells cut to clear bigger tires and some prerunner-type bumpers, offroad lights, roll cage, stripped interior, etc.

And one of the Freiburger's cars, the Challenger.

Basically, I think it would be awesome to have a beater muscle car to build up like these, weld up the rear diff, put some "big" offroad tires on it and a reliable engine & trans and cruise around the dirt roads with it, hanging the rear end out. I could see myself building up a beater GM muscle car like this in the near future. I really love this idea.... but it has to be the right car, a beater that isn't worth much to begin with. ( Just don't suggest I go this route with the '66 El Camino.)

 

[DAA]

First time I ever drove the Pony Express from Vernon to Gold Hill was in a 68 Chevelle on Mickey Thompson Sprint car tires, skyjacker air shocks, 350, powerglide, posi, 4.10s. Dukes of Hazard for 100 miles. Good times! I rallied the SHIT out of that car on dirt all the time. Too much fun!

- DAA

 

[Hickey]

This has been on my mind for years, thought I'd put it down in words. Not sure how many of you guys follow David Freiburger and some of the offroady-cars he's built, his cars are a big influence with this idea. What really turned me onto this are some of the cars that have raced in the NORRA 1000, aka the Mexican 1000. There have been a bunch of old school muscle cars built up for offroad racing and I absolutely LOVE the look. Here's a bit of what I'm getting at.... basically a muscle car that has been raised, wheel wells cut to clear bigger tires and some prerunner-type bumpers, offroad lights, roll cage, stripped interior, etc.

And one of the Freiburger's cars, the Challenger.

Basically, I think it would be awesome to have a beater muscle car to build up like these, weld up the rear diff, put some "big" offroad tires on it and a reliable engine & trans and cruise around the dirt roads with it, hanging the rear end out. I could see myself building up a beater GM muscle car like this in the near future. I really love this idea.... but please don't suggest I go this route with the '66 El Camino.

YES. ALL THE YES.

 

[Greg]

First time I ever drove the Pony Express from Vernon to Gold Hill was in a 68 Chevelle on Mickey Thompson Sprint car tires, skyjacker air shocks, 350, powerglide, posi, 4.10s. Dukes of Hazard for 100 miles. Good times! I rallied the SHIT out of that car on dirt all the time. Too much fun!

- DAA

That sounds like an amazing trip! That's exactly what I have in mind, dirt road, road tripping and just having a blast doing it.

 

[dutchman]

( Just don't suggest I go this route with the '66 El Camino.)

How can we not? The camino would be perfect with a long travel set-up in the bed and baja style spare tire rack.

 

[Greg]

How can we not? The camino would be perfect with a long travel set-up in the bed and baja style spare tire rack.

Because it's a classic and worth a lot of money.

 

[dutchman]

I know, just playing a little Devil's Advocate. I don't think I'll be the only one either

 

[Greg]

I know, just playing a little Devil's Advocate. I don't think I'll be the only one either

View attachment 125049

The El Camino is already on a path to being more of a pro-touring car and it'll be perfect for that. It's not perfect, but not a beater by any means.... and I'd only do this to a beater.

 

[Hickey]

What about applying the method to a fox body Mustang, say maybe a notch-back?

 

[mbryson]

What about applying the method to a fox body Mustang, say maybe a notch-back?

...or Fairmont/Zephyr or TBird/Cougar (available with 5.0L)

 

[Spork]

Saw a crown vic on facebook a while back with 31" tires, for some reason I really liked it.

 

[glockman]

What about applying the method to a fox body Mustang, say maybe a notch-back?
[/QUOTE
I'm thinking 80s IROC. They were shit for racing, maybe they'd be sweet for off road racing. Must have the louvered rear window though. I bet that would be nice and quiet on a long dirt road

 

[Hickey]

...or Fairmont/Zephyr or TBird/Cougar (available with 5.0L)

Fairmont Wagon!

 

[Greg]

IMO, a pre-74 2 door car would ideal.

 

[Noahfecks]

I see a lot of these builds in Gambler 500 events. I look forward to seeing what you come up with

 

[Greg]

I see a lot of these builds in Gambler 500 events. I look forward to seeing what you come up with

It'll be awhile.... too many projects right now.

 

[UNSTUCK]

It'll be awhile.... too many projects right now.

You could win the lottery today, never work again, and still not get all your projects done.

 

[Greg]

You could win the lottery today, never work again, and still not get all your projects done.

I call bullshit, because at that point I'd just pay someone to finish them for me.

 

[UNSTUCK]

 

[DAA]

That sounds like an amazing trip! That's exactly what I have in mind, dirt road, road tripping and just having a blast doing it.

It was a pretty epic trip. My first solo overlanding expedition . Spent the night at Wilson springs. Carton of smokes, can of pork and beans, few Hostess fruit pies, a Zippo lighter, a blanket, a Utah state road map, and a five-can of gas in the trunk and I was good to go for some overlanding .

- DAA