Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Great looking Japanese/European Project Cars?

I realize looks are subjective, but you can catch my drift. I need some Germans to the list though.

1. Last gen Toyota Supra
2. Last gen Mazda RX-7
3. Last gen Mitsubishi 3000GT
4. Last gen Nissan 300ZX

That is all I can come up with on the top of my head.

VW Corrado AKA best looking VW ever...

It's FWD though, so may not be quite what you are looking for...

Nice pick, there are quite a few of those around here. I thought about it, but I still can't decide if I like the look. Here is a sweet one, but I am not sure if it is the kind of lines I am looking for: http://www.corrado-club.com/cofmonth/2001/0102_a.jpg

Have you seen this pic? http://www.discountpartcenter.com/photos/VW%20Corrado.jpg

that silver Corrado looks perfect. what was the engine name for those, GR6 or something? it wasn't VR6, IIRC.

Actually from 90-91.5 they made the "G60" which was a 1.8liter supercharged engine. From 92-94 they had the "SLC" which was the VR6 12 valve. Stock they ran 6.4 0-60 and a 15.0 1/4. That is my other car I want before I get too old.

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the BMW M3 yet???

I htink that second pic you put up was a photoshop but I can't remember for sure.

The Corrado was a great looking car if done right, the stock spoiler was like the 911's. It would raise at speed, most of the time it just broke though. Same goes for the sunroof. I know alot of people who seem to think the Corrado sort of resembles a Ford Escort, but I fail to see any real similarity aside from the rear glass.

The VR6 SLC was very fast for a 172hp car, out-accelerating an SVT contour to 60 and usually pulling better 1/4 mile times (very close though, within a few tenths). I would expect at least that much though given it's high price tag. The interior is very roomy and even the back seats were quite spacious. Remember though, it is an early 90s VW, meaning the interior looks like something from the late 80s.

If you can find one without the sunroof at lower mileage, it would be a great project car since the upgrades and engine mods available for it are pretty good. In the end it's still FWD though so it will never have the same level of fun-to-drive as a RWD choice. I think if I was going to build a track car, of a streetable racer, I would look towards something RWD. The 1st gen RX7s are light as hell and have alot of engine drop in kits available, but finding one in good shape would be a problem. The last gen are very very pretty cars, but again finding one in the right shape, or one that wasn't somebody else's project would be pretty tough. I wouldn't want to buy a half done project myself.

I suggest looking into the 300ZX above your other choices. They were a fairly reliable car so finding one in decent shape should be easy (relative terms) . They have aftermarket out the wazoo too.

I think, although I fully expect to be flamed here, and I know it's not euro, that you should seriously consider adding the Camaro Z28 to your list. All redneck and mullet jokes aside, they are good handling cars, especially if set up right, and the LT1, and LS1 are bulletproof engines (again, in relative terms, obviously a bagged car will have a shorter lifespan) They are stupid fast and the the engines have a strong aftermarket and are fairly simple when it comes time to repair them. You could do brakes and minor suspension work and have a great track car, both straight line and road course. The interior isn't the best, but I never had a problem with them, they seem as good as the Contour was in any case. The Z28 definetly compares well performance-wise, to the cars on your list. Like I said not euro, but if you are making a track car, it is a nice choice.