OK, someone's got to be "that guy" and I don't mind being it. To quote the best TV show ever..."Won't someone please think of the children!!!" 
I'm going more modern and high horsepower simply for safety. As cool as those old cars are there is no way on earth I'm putting my kids in one. They will offer all of the crash protection of driving a soda can down the road. No thanks. I could probably be persuaded to go as far back as the 80s for the right car, but mostly I'm going 90s and newer.
Yes, I know...humanity survived in the '20s through '80s. However, since safety has come an insanely long way in the past 30 years, that's where I'm going. And I have owned my share of old cars. Before kids, I had a '39 Dodge D11 5 window coupe street rod, '67 Jag E-Type 2+2 w/302 conversion and ghost flames on the hood. After we had kids, I also had the idea OP did and wanted to buy a car show night cruiser. I picked up a '65 Olds Delta 88 sedan, giant boat. I drove them in it exactly once and it was the most paranoid I've ever been behind the wheel. I sold it immediately...for a profit.
Klayfish said:
OK, someone's got to be "that guy" and I don't mind being it. To quote the best TV show ever..."Won't someone please think of the children!!!" I'm going more modern and high horsepower simply for safety. As cool as those old cars are there is no way on earth I'm putting my kids in one. They will offer all of the crash protection of driving a soda can down the road. No thanks. I could probably be persuaded to go as far back as the 80s for the right car, but mostly I'm going 90s and newer.
Yes, I know...humanity survived in the '20s through '80s. However, since safety has come an insanely long way in the past 30 years, that's where I'm going. And I have owned my share of old cars. Before kids, I had a '39 Dodge D11 5 window coupe street rod, '67 Jag E-Type 2+2 w/302 conversion and ghost flames on the hood. After we had kids, I also had the idea OP did and wanted to buy a car show night cruiser. I picked up a '65 Olds Delta 88 sedan, giant boat. I drove them in it exactly once and it was the most paranoid I've ever been behind the wheel. I sold it immediately...for a profit.
You make an interesting and valid point. However I’m going to offer another view. Life isn’t fair. No matter how concerned about safety we are things can always happen.
Yes with newer cars fatalities on the highway have been reduced, but fatal shootings have increased, so have cases of measles, and kidnappings.
We all need a little fun in our lives and that’s what the OP is seeking. We know for example that children are injured and kill at Amusement parks but we crave those thrills so much we’re willing to pay money and take those risks.
Ever watch a 4th of July parade? See those kids on that float. No it isn’t really safe but it’s done anyway. My grandchildren play on floating toys ( under the watchful eyes of parents and grandparents) but there are risks never the less.
The fun makes the risks worth while.
Cooter
SuperDork
6/6/19 6:54 a.m.
Out of what you posted for choices, the Falcon looks like the only one that isn't either going to be a huge science project, nor near impossible to fit someone into the back seat.
My take?
- The Falcon needs a transmission, and the wiring straightened up at a minimum. The paint looks a bit "thick" The interior would make or break it for me.
- The Slantback looks like it needs everything as far as trim, both inside and outside. Even though that is flat glass, it still isn't free (I have a '40 Ford Tudor that needs all the glass) The MII suspension and Flathead install look tidy, but the Flathead is far from a powerhouse, and is known for running hot. I think you are a long way from cruising this one, both in time and $$$
- The FC looks pretty from the photos provided, and cleanly done. But I wouldn't want to put anyone in the back seat, young or old. Will it stay cool without a mechanical fan?? This would be my Easy Button out of your choices if your parameters were for two people and I wasn't allowed to keep looking.
- 210? If I only looked at it from the outside, I would be seriously intrigued (for the right price). However, the crooked engine, rough firewall, and odd engineering to mount the IC and radiator though the hacked firewall tell me to run. I honestly would be more interested if it was still running the stock drivetrain. (it would be faster, more economical, and likely more reliable than the flathead)
Get an XJR or w210 e55 AMG. Modern and classy cruisers.
If you must have a classic cruiser then get the best w126 you can afford.
frenchyd said:
Klayfish said:
OK, someone's got to be "that guy" and I don't mind being it. To quote the best TV show ever..."Won't someone please think of the children!!!" I'm going more modern and high horsepower simply for safety. As cool as those old cars are there is no way on earth I'm putting my kids in one. They will offer all of the crash protection of driving a soda can down the road. No thanks. I could probably be persuaded to go as far back as the 80s for the right car, but mostly I'm going 90s and newer.
Yes, I know...humanity survived in the '20s through '80s. However, since safety has come an insanely long way in the past 30 years, that's where I'm going. And I have owned my share of old cars. Before kids, I had a '39 Dodge D11 5 window coupe street rod, '67 Jag E-Type 2+2 w/302 conversion and ghost flames on the hood. After we had kids, I also had the idea OP did and wanted to buy a car show night cruiser. I picked up a '65 Olds Delta 88 sedan, giant boat. I drove them in it exactly once and it was the most paranoid I've ever been behind the wheel. I sold it immediately...for a profit.
You make an interesting and valid point. However I’m going to offer another view. Life isn’t fair. No matter how concerned about safety we are things can always happen.
Yes with newer cars fatalities on the highway have been reduced, but fatal shootings have increased, so have cases of measles, and kidnappings.
We all need a little fun in our lives and that’s what the OP is seeking. We know for example that children are injured and kill at Amusement parks but we crave those thrills so much we’re willing to pay money and take those risks.
Ever watch a 4th of July parade? See those kids on that float. No it isn’t really safe but it’s done anyway. My grandchildren play on floating toys ( under the watchful eyes of parents and grandparents) but there are risks never the less.
The fun makes the risks worth while.
Agreed with all of your points. It's a matter of risk assessment. You're right, kids can get hurt riding a parade float. My kids all play lacrosse...girls don't even wear a stinkin' helmet, which I think is phenomenally stupid. E36 M3, I'm dumb enough to strap into a...cough, cough...$500 race car and get out on track with 100 other fools I don't know. However, nobody has yet to die in a LeMons race from a crash, kids generally don't die or get seriously injured falling from a float (yes, rare exceptions happen). For me, the odds that my kids would have been killed or badly injured in a moderate to high speed (i.e. 30mph+) collision in an old car simply aren't worth the fun those old cars offer. We can have fun in newer cars. If money were ever to allow, I could go buy a Mustang and bring it to car shows. Nothing happens there, right? 
So yes, you're 100% spot on and I couldn't agree more. I'm very much a live life to its' fullest person. But just my own personal taste is that old cars were more of a risk to my children than I was willing to take.
I always find it interesting when these risk assessment topics come up. If you want to minimize risk, don't drive a car. Period.
The chances of dying on a 1 mile walk are almost infinitely less than on a 10 mile drive.
To word that risk assessment differently, a 5 mile cruise with your kids in a 1960 Ford Soda Can once a month is a lot less likely to hurt them than carting them around 20 miles per day in a 2019 Honda MiniVault.
There are a lot of things to consider, like how much time and money are you able to invest in it after the initial sale, what are your strengths and weaknesses as far as diy are concerned. Do you enjoy tinkering on the car or would you rather have something you can just hit the key and go? But the most importantly, which car gets you excited? Because if youre not in love with a project it will almost always end up spending its life in project car purgatory.
In reply to ProDarwin :
Sure, and don't leave your house because you could get hit by blue ice dropped from an airplane. Better yet, hide in the basement because that blue ice could crash through the roof and hit you while you stand in your kitchen. But nobody is advocating those extremes, so I think the comment about not driving a car period is a bit silly. Old cars aren't safe, plain and simple. Fun, absolutely, but have a far higher risk factor than a new car. Again, it's all about what you're willing to risk. I know I'd love a motorcycle, but I will never own or ride one. Not worth the risk IMO. I'll strap into a LeMons car any day and hit the track, but simply won't get on a motorcycle. This is truly YMMV.
If you think you're safer on a 5 mile cruise in a 1960 Ford than a 20 mile commute in a new Oddity, you're welcome to think that. You can debate the odds of being involved in an accident on a short drive vs. long, but there's no debate that if it happens...which car are you safer in?
ProDarwin said:
I always find it interesting when these risk assessment topics come up. If you want to minimize risk, don't drive a car. Period.
The chances of dying on a 1 mile walk are almost infinitely less than on a 10 mile drive.
To word that risk assessment differently, a 5 mile cruise with your kids in a 1960 Ford Soda Can once a month is a lot less likely to hurt them than carting them around 20 miles per day in a 2019 Honda MiniVault.
This is really conflating two separate issues to me.
Of course, being in the car 1000 miles per month you have a greater chance of being in an accident, than being the car maybe 25-30 miles on Sunday drive. Simply because there are more opportunities.
The point remains, in the same accident (whatever scenario you want to come up), you are still MUCH more likely to be hurt in the For Soda Can, than a brand new Honda Minivan.
In reply to Klayfish :
Yes this is a valid point. But I am not sure its much worse than the mr2 she rides in now, my head is at a Camry's belt line..... But yes its always a risk.
Cooter said:
Out of what you posted for choices, the Falcon looks like the only one that isn't either going to be a huge science project, nor near impossible to fit someone into the back seat.
My take?
- The Falcon needs a transmission, and the wiring straightened up at a minimum. The paint looks a bit "thick" The interior would make or break it for me.
- The Slantback looks like it needs everything as far as trim, both inside and outside. Even though that is flat glass, it still isn't free (I have a '40 Ford Tudor that needs all the glass) The MII suspension and Flathead install look tidy, but the Flathead is far from a powerhouse, and is known for running hot. I think you are a long way from cruising this one, both in time and $$$
- The FC looks pretty from the photos provided, and cleanly done. But I wouldn't want to put anyone in the back seat, young or old. Will it stay cool without a mechanical fan?? This would be my Easy Button out of your choices if your parameters were for two people and I wasn't allowed to keep looking.
- 210? If I only looked at it from the outside, I would be seriously intrigued (for the right price). However, the crooked engine, rough firewall, and odd engineering to mount the IC and radiator though the hacked firewall tell me to run. I honestly would be more interested if it was still running the stock drivetrain. (it would be faster, more economical, and likely more reliable than the flathead)
Falcon definitely could be the easiest. I hate rust, had one bad experience chasing rust on a Datsun PU.... Falcon "should' have much thicker sheet metal, which may make it a little easier. The "thick" paint makes me think there is bondo hiding all over.
Ford is a big project, flathead would need to go eventually. But also I could probably make is a runner and sell it for more $$ if I dont like it. But I am not in love with that body.... Makes me think no.....
FC does look nicely done. Listing is gone now.... But I have zero personal experience with the back seat. It does look useless.
210 intrigues me as I can see that being 300hp and a ball of fun pretty easily. Photos may not do it justice..... But I am worried about trying to pick up someone else's project half way thru. Hes asking 4k
In reply to yupididit :
Older AMG Mercs scare me..... Hard ot work on and $$. I have not driven one either tho..... Maybe worth a look. And no XJR, I just dont like them.
In reply to gearheadmb :
Definitely a good point. I enjoy a tinker and build, but at the same time my time is somewhat limited. All these I have posted get me somewhat excited. I am falling out of favor with the Ford, as I just dont love the body style. I can weld, have painted, mechanical I can follow directions etc. Body work is not my strong point, but I am sure I can learn.
In reply to java230 :
The e55 is just a naturally aspirated v8. They're easy to work on.
The w126 is absolutely easy to work on and parts aren't expensive.
java230
UltraDork
6/6/19 10:20 a.m.
In reply to yupididit :
Good to know, maybe I need to drive one. They are not cheap around here it seems! W126 body style I dont care for.
yupididit said:
Get an XJR or w210 e55 AMG. Modern and classy cruisers.
If you must have a classic cruiser then get the best w126 you can afford.
I can't argue with this. I've been playing with the idea of an XJR for a year now. I used to have a W210 E300TD and LOVED it.
An X308 or X350 jag from the Ford years is a solid bet. The XJR gets you the Mercedes transmission which is far more reliable than the Jatco in the non-supercharged versions.
java230
UltraDork
6/6/19 10:40 a.m.
Hmmmm if this was just a crew cab.....
In reply to java230 :
Yes. I will say the aftermarket has made getting a Chevy to sit that low way easier. But the initial buy in on a Dodge is usually cheaper and it's way cooler.
Cooter
SuperDork
6/6/19 12:34 p.m.
java230 said:
Hmmmm if this was just a crew cab.....
I would suggest a Ramcharger, but getting into the back of that can be fairly hateful for grownups, as well. Although a 2wd is much easier. My '89 as an example.
My '78 D2Crew is in line for a little bit of a drop, but nothing that drastic-
Anything as low as the white truck in your photos won't be cheap or easy to deal with, whether GM, Ford or MoPar. My was around it will be a Crown Vic front swap on my other Ramcharger, a '78 4wd that will be a few inches taller than the white truck, but won't have the camber issues, either. Dropping the rear of a MoPar is no more difficult than a GM, as they are both live axle, spring over, parallel leaf setups. For the front, lowering spindles, springs, and LCAs are readily available for the MoPar trucks.
I would have a hard time choosing between falcon and the datsun. I guess it would be a question of is my priority a relaxing cruise or hoonery.
In reply to gearheadmb :
That's my issue I think, I can't really pick between the two. The Falcon with 600 horsepower or so would be fun
In reply to java230 :
The chassis is basically the same as my 65 mustang so i can say for sure that 600 horsepower would be terrifying. If it ever hooked up it would twist the body up so bad the left front tire wouldn't reach the ground anymore. Mine had probably 250-300 and you had to have your E36 M3 together if you tried to use all of them.
In reply to java230 :
Well good luck finding a W126 wagon in the US.
In reply to Daylan C :
Oh I know. Just not my thing.
Butttt I emailed a guy with a Silverado SS today. Had a dead trans, but fresh motor rebuild with a good parts list (if he can find the reciept) that would be a good turbo build.
Oh and there is a Saab 9-7x aero (ugly trailblazer SS) with a dead engine. Not sure what's dead with the engine tho..... Common issues on the l76?
java230
UltraDork
6/11/19 10:42 a.m.
Been talking with the SS guy. Hes stuck at 6k. Looks clean, he did find receipts for everything but the pistons. Eagle forged rods and crank, new valve springs and 44lb injectors. 92mm TB. Add a couple thousand in turbo bits ala sloppy, replace trans, have rocket ship? Or find older cooler cruiser car..... Wife thinks big truck is silly. I half agree with her.
