"Modified classic" might be a way to go. The idea is to keep to the original concept but improve everything. So, how about an Alfa-Romeo twin-cam, Toyota W55-series 5-speed, disc brakes, better-located axles, etc.? I'm not sure how one would handle wheels and tyres, though, 17" radials on widened stock steelies?
Beautiful car. Too bad it won't get out of it's own way. If I were you, I'd fix that engineering problem. Doesn't matter because your hubcaps don't match...so it's not stock now anyway.
2.0 Zetec with T5. Of course, now it will need rear end, brakes and MII front end, but you will have a stock look with late model power and even A/C.
I love hot rod Anglias, but if it was mine, I wouldn't "cut it up", but I would look for a drive train that would make the least "impact" on it, and give it enough power to safely drive. Why not look into some modern 4's like a quad 4? They can look like an offy if dressed right, and might fit in there pretty well, and they go like stink! Then set the stock stuff aside, in case you or someone else decides they want to go back. BTW, that's a very nice car.
Nine out if ten people wish they had a "better" car to start thier hot rod project with, you've got that, now build it, hell you're going to make it a better car thats nicer/safer to drive, let the restorer guys find thier own.
I'm with Zman on this one. Those turbo Ford 4cyl can run great with little mods. 25 years ago, friend of mine put one in a 69 datsun p/u. It ran high 13's with few mods and a little more boost. If you can do a fabbed bolt on disc front and rear axle on it, everthing is reversable back to stock. You get the stock looking Anglia w/some balls that can be changed back to stock and it's not like most modded Anglia's out there. Juz my $.02. Sounds to me like you want it stock looking while being able to retain the ability to go back to stock. Good luck with either way you go...
God, you guys are great! The posts are exatly what I was looking for and too funny, some of them. Right now, (now this could change by winter when I plan to start), my heart is with using the original side valve, put in the hi comp pistons and head, the bigger cam and twin SU's. I sort of feel that's true to it's roots and probably exactly what someone would have done in '51. But, the v8 60 is such a beautiful motor. Remember what guys did with the Chevy 235 back in the early fifties? A tweaked 235 would blow the doors off a stock coupe, but it looked as plain as dad's car. It was what was available in '50, '51. Then, I can still take it to the ABFMs and not get sneered at.
Here is some info on Aquaplane parts. http://www.1950sspecials.com/aquaplane1.htm I think a lot of this stuff is still being made ( or made again ) Or you could put a vintage Shorrock supercharger on it...
I would Hot Rod. Of course, If I ran across an all original '32 Ford roadster in some barn I could care less what the purists would say, I'd be building me a badass roadster.
Wow that's an awesome car! I'd say go the flathead route or hot up the standard motor,then drive the nuts off it. After all how many people rattle to work in a car that's more than half a century old?!
Trad gasser. It'll look way cooler, go way faster (flathead) , draw more attention (ladies), and you'll have alot more fun.
A nice hot rod Pop, can't beat it. If you really think it's 'too nice'. sell it and get one you can. the Lime Eorks have a cool Prefect gasser project up for grabs....
WOW, what a friggin' thread! Dude, sure sounds to ME (2 cents) as if a ton of HAMBers have weighed in with superb concepts. YOU are -- very obviously -- a discrimiating car lover and rodder. LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A COOL (FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING) WINTER PROJECT AHEAD OF YOU !!!! Sheesh! Gotta love the HAMB AND HAMBers !!! Now, THIS has to be the best group on the internet. Sure glad I found you all. Holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cut the thing up,chopp it,widen the guards. We have heaps of them over here,if ya run out ,we will just send another container full over ,like we have done in the pass lol, we take your American cars, we send the pommy stuff back ,fair deal I say........Now go CUT it up,make us proud.....
Im on my second one . First was a 48 pretty healthy 350 / 350 with a cut down 9 inch. Lotta fun . Now I have the one in my avitar Pinto 4 banger/auto / Escort rear. It was built in England even still right hand drive . If ya want to go fast buld a gasser style ,If ya want something that gets lots of attention,EASY on gas and still gets down the road pretty good ,just update the drive train to something with a little more power and drive the whgeels off.
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