Keith wrote: I'm planning to make the LS1-powered MGB GT into, well, into a GT. Lots of heat and sound insulation, and with the T56 transmission it'll cruise at around 2000 rpm at 75 mph. The suspension's going to be based on what I learned with the rally car, enough travel to make it comfortable without sacrificing performance. Exotic(ish) looks, lots of performance - should be a good option. As 924guy said, some assembly required.
I am still considering a Ford 4.2L V6 with a T5
Already have a '99 BMW M Coupe.
It is a bit pricey, but arguably one of the best values for a grassroots GT. It's relatively exotic, so you get the pure playboy flash of a more expensive car. Plus, it holds its value very well, so will cost you less than another car.
In the build it yourself category: late '80's/early '90's XJS Jaguar with a SBC or SBF swap. It has to be a manual box swap though, no slushboxes. Also the Euro headlight conversion must be performed.
In the classic category: Jensen Interceptor. 440 Chrysler in a handmade British GT, 'nuff said, I'll even forgive the 'never available with a manual tranny' bit. Also the Jensen GT, not nearly as many made (510) but a great performer. Those were available only with a 5 speed tranny, a point in its favor.
Affordable Everyman category: 280Z or ZX 2+2 (hardtop only), yeah I know they aren't as pretty as the 2 seater but you gotta give up something, right? Or the 300Z/ZX.
The "new" Pontiac GTO springs immediately to mind.
The Lexus SC family does too.
Osterkraut wrote: The "new" Pontiac GTO springs immediately to mind. The Lexus SC family does too.
Oh if only I could afford a new GTO. Unfortunately, I can't even afford the tires on one.
Lexus SC400s seem to be attainable at reasonable prices, though...
Fox body mustangs don't have much for suspension design or refinement...but nice examples are just that.
I'm very tempted by a no-motor '83 Capri right now...
I know its got too many doors, but is it wrong to want a 2006 or so Lincoln LS with an RB26DET swapped in and dropped a few inches, with the moldings shaved and sitting on some decent BBK meshies? Can I call that a GT even though its a sedan? what about G8...damnit why werent coupes more available
JFX001 wrote: For cheap luxury/touring...I'd go with a Lincoln MkVII / MkVIII LSC.
X2
Throw a chip on the MK8 and you have a luxo barge that will run 155mph and cradle your butt in luxury.They can be had all day long for Challenge money.
Howabout........Mustang...uh..GT? 
The late models are plenty cushy, plenty fast, and have all the creature comforts, but have back seats that only amputees can use. The trunk's not too bad.
'Course, since it says GT on the fender, it might not qualify.
I'd vote for the MN12 T-Bird/Cougar, but I'm partial. My first (and only) new car was a '95 T-Bird.
The Mk VIII is also a good choice. I really wanted one of those but couldn't afford it right out of college.
i always wanted a MK VIII, my buddy had one for sale, slammed on the ground for like $2,000. My mom wouldnt let me buy because she thought Insurance would rape me...
Salanis wrote: Already have a '99 BMW M Coupe. It is a bit pricey, but arguably one of the best values for a grassroots GT. It's relatively exotic, so you get the pure playboy flash of a more expensive car. Plus, it holds its value very well, so will cost you less than another car.
Do we have to take sex appeal into consideration with a GT? Because, while guys love the M Coupe (myself included), I'm not sure the first generation has the same effect on the ladies.
That slammed Lincoln looks like a car from THE FUTURE! So sleek.
I've never been a 2door lover. Too impractical for the daily slog for me.
If I was to build a cross country, triple digit cruiser.... I think it would be a 94 Caprice wagon, complete suspension build, on 255/50R17's wrapped around some TT2's, 4.8L truck engine, FAST intake, large T/B, GMPP Hot Cam, long tubes, borla's, T-56 and custome interior/seating.... That way you could sleep in the back while your co-driver is outrunning the cops.
Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: i always wanted a MK VIII, my buddy had one for sale, slammed on the ground for like $2,000. My mom wouldnt let me buy because she thought Insurance would rape me...
I have always loved these. One poped up locally and I took a look at it. It was sharp, but had a wierd electrical issue so I passed.
That's a great looking Mark, though I personally prefer the 93-96 models with the slimmer grille. The Mark 8 is pretty much the same as the T-Bird but with air suspension and a 280-290 hp 4.6 DOHC. The downside to them is that they all came with an auto transmission and an open rear end with electronic traction control instead of posi. Still, it's a cool GT car on a budget.
Will wrote: That's a great looking Mark, though I personally prefer the 93-96 models with the slimmer grille. The Mark 8 is pretty much the same as the T-Bird but with air suspension and a 280-290 hp 4.6 DOHC. The downside to them is that they all came with an auto transmission and an open rear end with electronic traction control instead of posi. Still, it's a cool GT car on a budget.
All of that is "fixed" with a call to "Super Coupes", LSD, Lowered suspention, CPU reflash, New shift points for the Auto, frame stiffaners, anti-sway bars, all you are left to do is add lightness to the heavy body.
I am looking for one right now, locally there is one, but the ownere knows it is in really good shape and is not budging on the asking price...... I just may give her the asking price...
Keith wrote: Do we have to take sex appeal into consideration with a GT? Because, while guys love the M Coupe (myself included), I'm not sure the first generation has the same effect on the ladies.
Not true. The M Coupe attracts much female attention. Having a roundel badge helps with that, I'm sure. But I have actually had women refer to it as "cute". It attracts women in different ways than it attracts men, but it does attract women.
I mean... smooth flowing lines, eye-catching style, small=cute, cushy interior, high-dollar marquee, and practical trunk.
Its not terribly grassroots but I think the citroen sm would be a fun car for a cross country trip. I wouldnt want to have to work on one though. Otherwise the cars that i would think of would be:
280zx
944
SVX
560sec
I've got to go with 928 and 560sec on this one. I've got my eye on a mid 80s 928 right now and have always wanted a 560SEC.
Jensenman wrote: In the build it yourself category: late '80's/early '90's XJS Jaguar with a SBC or SBF swap. It has to be a manual box swap though, no slushboxes. Also the Euro headlight conversion must be performed.
Good call, but I always hated those Euro lights on that car.
Salanis wrote:Keith wrote: Do we have to take sex appeal into consideration with a GT? Because, while guys love the M Coupe (myself included), I'm not sure the first generation has the same effect on the ladies.Not true. The M Coupe attracts much female attention. Having a roundel badge helps with that, I'm sure. But I have actually had women refer to it as "cute". It attracts women in different ways than it attracts men, but it does attract women. I mean... smooth flowing lines, eye-catching style, small=cute, cushy interior, high-dollar marquee, and practical trunk.
I was basing my comment primarily on a sample size of one: my wife. This is the woman who is forcing me to build the MG and who has started hounding me for an E39 M5 (although she's recently said she'll settle for a E46 M3). The M Coupe does nothing for her. Well, nothing good.
"Smooth flowing lines" isn't a description I would have come up with. "Looks like an athletic shoe", maybe 
I'm going to continue to work on Janel about accepting the M Coupe. Hopefully I'll be able to change her mind.
I'd second the vote for Mustangs. In stock form, they're great cruisers - anything from a 87 fox body on up to the current generation. Stock suspensions aren't ideal in terms of handling, but they're very comfortable!
The luxury optioned turbo Daytonas and the high end Lasers were more toward the GT end of the spectrum than the later models that were stuck with the 3.0 V6 as the only option. The '87-92 Lebaron GTC would be a nod in the GT direction too.
Yea, the '87 Daytona Pacifica I'm putting together isn't going to be as much of a GT (I'm loosing some of the power options as it goes back together) as something with euro influences.
For the GM camp I have to agree on the '80's performance model G-bodies. Not so much the Gran National or T-Type Regals since they have more of a performance following. Maybe a nicly optioned Limited though. The 442 or Hurst Olds, Monty SS, or a carefully ordered Gran Prix would all be something nice to drive cross country. I don't think I'd want to take the same trip in an IROC Camaro. Maybe a Trans Am GTA.
Going more vintage, I'd love a Jensen Interceptor (a true GT), especially the convertible, but I can't see that happening anytime soon.
I guess the build plan for our '73 Challenger would be a GT theme. Stroker small block built for lots of low RPM torque not high RPM horses. Automatic, A/C, sound deadener and a "sport" suspension. No pro touring, no big gears, deep mellow exhaust. Something to jump in and head to a show in another state or even Canada without thinking twice.
I need to get away from this keyboard and spend more time in the garage building these cars instead of typing about them.
-Rob
Woody wrote:Jensenman wrote: In the build it yourself category: late '80's/early '90's XJS Jaguar with a SBC or SBF swap. It has to be a manual box swap though, no slushboxes. Also the Euro headlight conversion must be performed.Good call, but I always hated those Euro lights on that car.
I know it's a subjective thing, but to me it just cleans up the front lines so nicely.
EricM wrote:Will wrote: That's a great looking Mark, though I personally prefer the 93-96 models with the slimmer grille. The Mark 8 is pretty much the same as the T-Bird but with air suspension and a 280-290 hp 4.6 DOHC. The downside to them is that they all came with an auto transmission and an open rear end with electronic traction control instead of posi. Still, it's a cool GT car on a budget.All of that is "fixed" with a call to "Super Coupes", LSD, Lowered suspention, CPU reflash, New shift points for the Auto, frame stiffaners, anti-sway bars, all you are left to do is add lightness to the heavy body. I am looking for one right now, locally there is one, but the ownere knows it is in really good shape and is not budging on the asking price...... I just may give her the asking price...
Unfortunately lightening the Mark 8 is harder than lightening the T-bird on the same platform. The Mark already has an aluminum block, aluminum radiator, aluminum driveshaft, aluminum diff housing and aluminum lower rear control arms. There are also no fiberglass hoods available for the Mark. I believe the front calipers are iron, so dual piston SN95 GT aluminum calipers and T-bird rotors might drop a couple pounds.
Don't get me wrong--I like the Mark 8 a lot--but there just aren't a lot of areas from which to trim weight without sacrificing on its luxury, and since it's a Lincoln it's just naturally heavier than a Ford or Mercury on the same platform.
Keith wrote: I was basing my comment primarily on a sample size of one: my wife. This is the woman who is forcing me to build the MG and who has started hounding me for an E39 M5 (although she's recently said she'll settle for a E46 M3). The M Coupe does nothing for her. Well, nothing good. "Smooth flowing lines" isn't a description I would have come up with. "Looks like an athletic shoe", maybe
Hehehe. Well, the lines are smooth, and do flow... they just don't flow the way you'd expect them to. It's a love it or hate it car. And I don't think that has anything to do with gender.
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