Tag: Sleeper
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Rare Sleeper: Big Block, Four-Speed Mercury Montego
First, we admit a 1960s mid-sized sedan isn’t the sleeper it once was; but it’s true that most sedans in this class were built with mild powertrains. Not this one, however, as it sports a 390 and four-speed manual! This example is essentially stock, but does wear headers and custom exhaust, as well as a…
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1978 Mustang II Sleeper
The poor, pinto-based Mustang II is the butt of many jokes inside and outside the Mustang community, given its radical departure from the late 60s/early 70s muscle Mustang formula, but it was right for its time, which is to say the Mustang was a victim of the Malaise Era. Interest in a few of the…
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V8 Datsun 521
Yes, a 521 is a tiny pickup and, yes, this one has the power- and drivetrain from a 1990 Mustang GT. The seller has documented the build at the Ratsun forum site and the attention to detail and mechanical aptitude are strong here! One could not come close to building for the asking price if paying…
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NUMMI-licious Chevyota Nova Twin Cam
In the 80s, the Domestics resurrected some names which were thought to be lost in the 70s. Plymouth briefly brought back the Duster name, as documented in Jalopnik’s excellent coverage of the resultant Cocaine Factory ad. Chevrolet also brought back the Nova name and put it on a version of the Toyota built at…
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Late Model Buick Sleeper
While the supercharged Pontiac Grand Prix was fairly well known and wore plenty of badges, strakes and cladding over the years, its near-twin the Regal GS more subtly offered the same supercharged 3800 engine with 240HP and plenty of torque. While I can’t speak to the handling differences (kind of a big deal!), I always…
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Sleeper from Hell, Volume 3.0
We’ve featured some interesting sleeper before, but this might take the cake in plainness. How about a 1981 Ford Fairmont – arguably among the most boring cars ever made – with a turbocharged 5.3 liter GM LS-series V8? This car needs some tuning, but it’s currently cheap and has no reserve – could be interesting……
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Much of the GTO Experience for Le$$
There are plenty of examples of the Pontiac LeMans out there, but many are stripped of options or have been turned into fake GTOs. Hopefully, this cool example won’t suffer that fate. This one is well optioned, including a 350, four-speed manual and air conditioning. Sure, it doesn’t have the GTO’s 400 or 455 engine,…
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Rock you like a Typhoon
Today, GM faces a PR disaster brewing from pre-bankruptcy cost-conscious decision-making. But in the early ’90s, they were obsessed with natural disasters. Before Saleen modified Explorers, there was the Typhoon and its Syclone stablemate. Transformed from the GMC Jimmy/Sonoma, these turbo V6 trucks were the modern evolution of the Buick Grand National concept. Aided by AWD, a…
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Cool Sleeper: 1970 Plymouth Valiant
While it’s not a big-block car, we think this car has massive sleeper potential. The 318/3-speed combo likely provides pretty good fun already, but could easily be modified while maintaining the stealth factor. Given this is a sedan, you can also rest assured it will never be particularly collectible, meaning you’re not modifying something that…
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Biturbo con quattro porte
Do you want four doors to go with your fire hazard? If so, this car is just the ticket! This is essentially a Biturbo with four doors, but the 430 was the ultimate evolution of each, which means maximum output and various improvements over the years that reduced the fire risk usually associated with the…