A guy offered me an MG midget in trade for a Suzuki I have on craigslist. I couldn't commit to a project of that intensity, but it got me itching for a fun car that I could buy my dad as a 60th birthday present, and then help him fix/build, and borrow it for dates with the wife I also think it would be pretty cool for my daughter (19 months) to have pics with her Grandpa in his "hot rod" later in life. I don't really have (m)any requirements for such a build, other than it must be reasonably cheap, and generally a DIY project. My dad and I are handy, but not technical. Anything we purchase would be in running/driving condition. I have toyed with everything from a full-on kit car (hard to find pricing, as virtually none sell engines with the kit), to something like a super-beetle, to a resto-mod 60's mustang. So go ahead an rattle off some suggestions for cars that will: - make people smile and wave - at least make a lot of engine noise, if not accelerate quickly - be cheap(ish) to purchase - reasonably easy to work on and find parts for. If the car can be "fast," or handle decent, that's great too, but it's not a requirement. Also, my dad is every bit of 6'1. He has shot-down my attempts to buy him a miata, claiming his feet are too big. (I would drive it in socks, but this is a guy who sold his first bike after a year and decided it 'just wasn't for him.')
I was going say a Locost (home-built Lotus 7 replica) would fit perfect, assuming you bought a near-finished project but the footwells (and car in general) is cramped.
MGs are easy to fix, cheap(ish) parts are available and fun. What is he asking cash wise? Any rust? Any engine knock?
http://exomotive.com/exocet/ You can see mine in my avatar. Very easy build and the company is very helpful with any questions.
I had my bike up for $1800, and would have taken $1300, so not too much. It actually looked okay, but I couldn't see myself driving it much (certainly no more than the street bike) and it takes up a lot of garage space. If i'm going to do that, I either want to be in love with the car, or have a second garage (which is in the works as we house-hunt).
I was looking at 914's the other day. Decent ones can be found in the $4500 range. I had an Alfa, 914 should be a piece of cake!
That Exomotive DBR1 kit looks pretty sweet. A Miata underpinning with Aston Martin looks. What would a build run, maybe 20-25k? That is a tempting goal. A Ferrari Daytona kit would be pretty sweet too.
I have a MKII midget. I'm 6'0 and 182lbs. Size 12 should and I can't switch the high beam without challenge with my foot. Once in the car it's comfy. Getting in and out is a deferent story. Fender wells rust out along with floor pan and side apron. Parts are super cheap through moss motors. Front rotors and pads were 45$ Both sides! What about a fox body 5.0 notchback. I always wanted to build one of these with a 32v cobra motor
Zcars Classic mini conversion. MID engined RWD Hayabusa or Honda powered. $15K + mini cooper http://www.zcarsuk.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=33
Always wanted to build a cobra clone with mustang running gear but that isn't going to be cheap. http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/mk4-roadster/289-roadster/what-you-get/
This summer I bought an 2002 Audi TT-R Quattro convertible with a 6 speed manual trans. 120,000 miles with great service records. Paid $6,500. This car is fun and cheap. And I've had the top down every day and enjoy the heck out of it. It may not be a true classic but it is a neo-classic for sure. Seems like there's plenty of leg room. And it is the most fun car I've ever owned. Not a motorcycle but as close as you can get with 4 wheels. Zippy and slices through traffic well. Maybe this will fit the ticket for your old man