What Classic Car Would You Turn Into A Track Toy?

I do admit I am an Alfa Romeo fanatic and the Giulia Coupe is my greatest love, but frankly, I really respect and love all the cars listed here. The more populated the track is with a variety of toys, the better the quality of the competition. And the sweeter the sights and sounds! so, YOU decide what you want! 😀

I was always impressed by how Lotus cars seemed to “punch above their weight”, lapping faster than many larger cars. Finally in 2001, I found a 1967 Elan that had some “race prep”.
After 4 years of weekends/evenings, this was the result. First picture is at the 2016 Clifton hill climb, where we placed 1st in Vintage.Second is at Inde Motorsports Ranch in Wilcox, AZ

I would take a porsche 924/944, and drop in an f20c or k24 Honda engine. Maybe not the fastest combination, but a lot of fun I think.

My dream is to get a classic Mini and go all out: b series Honda motor swap, disc brakes all around, slightly lowered and stiffer spring suspension swap, widened stance a bit, etc. This would be my forever car.

If I still owned it, my ’77 Triumph Spitfire 1500. All the people saying Mustang, or, 911 have no imagination. Where’s the challenge in taking an already fast car, installing a roll cage, and, calling it a “track toy”? The fun is starting with nothing, and, making it something, through your own blood, sweat, and, tears!

Considering what do I have in my garage or in my backyard now. I want to do a track oriented build with a 84′ mk2 vw scirocco or a 76′ mini 1000. But I’m more drawn to scirocco as the parts to service this car are more obtainable at local parts stores. And car had a minor fender bender in the back and it was bodged togeher so it would fit the racing style

Maybe not necessarily vintage, but I always wanted to modify a Saab 900. Just because it’s basically never been done before… At least not to the extend I’d like to take it!

When I decide to tear into my billions, I think it would be interesting to take a pre-war Rolls-Royce to Dallara. Money is no object, and I want a sub 8 minute Ring time.

Without doubt, one of the best cars for vintage racing is the Alfa Romeo 105 Giulia GT. very successful track cars in their day and very tuneable. Parts availability through specialist such as Classic Alfa, Alfaholics and Paul Spruell is very good with loads of performance options to chose from.

Definitely an Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 : Lancia Delta 4WD plus a sweet 4 cylinders turbo. What do you need more?

If I could get it back, my ’82 GTV6. It already handled like a dream, and, that 2.5 had lots of untapped potential!

Pretty hard to beat the wary 105 Alfa Coupes or Pre 73 911 Porsche, but heading down a more affordable path my choice would be the lightweight good HP options that provide scope for plenty of development :
1. MGB GT V8
2. Datsun 240Z
3. Alfa GTV6

A Fiat 124 Spider, set up likes the works rally cars from the 70s.

To many to choose from,
My old 3.8 jag sedan
55 tf1500
1966 charger ,would be cool beefed up for the occasion!
All these cars are gone now.

First choice: 69 Mustang
Second: GTA Alfa
Third: E Type Jag

A Mustang or 911

I like all the emphasis on Alfa’s. I can justify taking any relatively high production, slightly rusted favorite (no SS or Zagato) and focusing the restoration on track fun rather than show quality. As long as you save all the original parts and try to maximize bolted-on instead of welded-in modifications, you are bringing the car out of the rusty ravages of neglect and enjoying it mightily. Keep those old parts for the next restoration, in case you ever get too old for the track.

Here is my suggestion.

I always fancy a DeTomaso Pantera Group 5 replica. Maybe put a modern Roush engine and updated KW Suspension.

But my dream is to create a Super Saloon style replica. Maybe Aston Vantage with wide arches, extreme aerodynamic like Marsh Plant Aston Martin and V12 twin supercharged from newer Vantage 600.

I guess an Alfa 105 is too easy an answer. How about a track-prepped Jag XK140?

An Air-cooled 911, please…

Mazda RX4 74′ Coupe…

Mini.

Here’s a nice Falcon.

My ’55 Bel Air post stripped out with an Art Morrison chassis riding on Goodyear Eagle Billboards and Cobra knock-off wheels. Something about throwing a shoebox Chevy around a track – aerodynamics be damned – is so appealing to me.

Class A Sedan Ford Falcon Spint as seen in SCCA club racing in the late sixties would be my choice.

Second choice would be any Alfa Romeo especially a Tubolare Zagato.

While my immediate response was an Alfa Romeo GTA, I feel like that would take away from that car’s ability to be a joy both on and off the track.
I’d probably go with a Lotus, especially a 7.

1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm. Seems to be theme here.

Or a classic Mini!

Hypothetical builds stuck in your heads drawing board or not – get them down on paper, then find it, and then get that down payment down on paper!

Me? I’m keeping it somewhat cheap and simple and going for the cheapest type of rusted out 105series Alfa and building what others build on the coupes!

This would do 🙂 My 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce!