Any Advice ??

[redmt]

Wow1 I don't check in for a day and I'm overwhelmed with answers!! I'll give a brief description of what I think I want

1. I don't want to have to join an "in crowd" or have to drink the Kool-Aid to get along. (Jim Jones reference).
2. I'm sure that I want a small block in the 400 hp range. I considered a 4.6 but I know nothing about them. I know the Windsor. I'd like to inject it or possibly Webers. I like the look. Carburetor is a last resort if I can't do the $$ for the other.
3. IRS would be great but ,,,,,the dollar thing again. I like that Hurricane can be upgraded.
4.I would like to do as much as possible building it outside of electrical and body/paint.
5. I won't be racing it. Possible for a Sunday auto cross just to play a little but not a race car. Daily driver. We live in a very remote area with really lousy roads and I don't intend to trailer it in and out of here. I'm going to drive it so I'm going to wear out suspension parts. A typical set of tires for my truck last about 12k and for wife's Explorer about 15k. Tough country.
6. now some of the goodies. I'd like a convertible/removable top, I think. I'd probably like a 5 speed. I'd like heat and air. I'd like to take it on drives without using ear plugs. I'd like reasonably good mileage and I'm going to run it on regular old pump gas.
7. I have all the time in the world to work on it, but I'm not going to spend my time chasing down used parts. I can rebuild anything, tranny, engine, 3rd member suspension etc. not an issue. I'm a good to great mechanic and an excellent welder fabricator. I've been keeping heavy equipment and worn out cars and trucks in top shape all my life. I've built trucks and bulldozers from piles of parts for years.

I know there are so many individual touches that can be built into and out of these cars. It will not be an exact replica. I hope it to be what I want. The more I learn and the more I see and hear, It looks like the Hurricane is going to be my choice unless something better pops up between now and the actual time I finish putting my $$ together. I've never seen one. Is there anyone who has one withing say 200 miles of the SF Bay Area?

I certainly thank all you guys for all the responses. Your making the really steep learning curve a little more tolerable.

John