I’ve been announcing at or hosting Optima’s Ultimate Street Car Invitational since its inception. And since the first event, I have said that nobody has actually built the Ultimate Street Car. Even the guys who have won, like Danny Popp, have never actually shown up with the Ultimate Street Car. That’s because everyone attempts to build the Ultimate Street Whatever The Hell It Is They Like. In other words, Mustang guys build Mustangs. Camaro guys build Camaros. Truck folks build trucks. We could go on and on. But you get it.
Even Ken Thwaits, the 2017 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Overall Winner, who has pushed aside his favorite Camaro platforms, and won with an EVO might not have built the Ultimate Street Car. So if make and model were of no concern to you. If the brand you know and love was not a consideration. If any loyalty to country of origin, make, model, etc, was thrown out the window…what do you think is the ultimate platform for the Ultimate Street Car? And don’t let the factory suspension, engine, trans, etc limit you. It is okay to choose something that has great everything, but it is also okay to choose some package and decide what you would stuff into it. Cause that’s what we would do.
So, what make, model, year, etc. do you choose? Pick the one you think would be the best to make the ultimate street car out of.
A Ford Shotgun powered Prius….
1971 Dodge Polara Custom Sedan…..which I happen to have and which I plan on doing when I pull it out of its 20 year slumber. Hotchkis Sport Suspension already wants to help
I would build a LS powered Syclone, a 62 Pontiac Tempest or Olds,Buick twin with C5 or C6 drivetrain including rear transaxle or a Shortbed standard cab fullsize Silverado with Silverado SS or Trailblazer SS LS drivetrain (AWD).
A 240z with a Ford 289, 6 speed paddle shift and Hotchkis underneath. It would corner so hard it would throw you out if no buckled in
’75-80 Monza with an IMSA wide body kit similar to the DeKon Monza.
A Coyote powered early 90s Volvo wagon.
Big block mopar in a 63 Rambler wagon.Wich I have both ,stay tuned
67 Toro or Eldo AWD AWS
An 80s Pantera GT5S with a lot of work done to it. Installing aftermarket abs and traction control. Huge brakes with adequate cooling ducting is a must. It has to still be a regular shifting transmission, but 6 speed with a triple disc clutch. The suspension would be similiar to what the 80s race ones had, but with modern technology. Chamber plates, coil overs, and mag ride is included. A long with it being corner balanced correctly. The chassis would have to be stiffened and upgraded. The car\’s body and paint would be done better than factory with some aircraft paint. A Countach wing is going on there with underbody aero. The electronic system would be completely replaced to run led or hid lighting. The interior would be made nicer than factory. Memory foam racing buckets that heated and cooled. The engines cooling system would be upgraded to a huge aluminum radiator. As far as the engine it needs to be an American V8 with a dry sump and be an aluminum block. A destroked LS7 or stroker Coyote would work. Whichever one last is more durable for the engine. It would be a fun car perfect for that challenge.
I have my dream restomod about 80% done, my MGB. Custom frame and suspension, 4 wheel discs, 500hp SBC, 4-speed, 8.8 Ford rear, new wiring, black leather interior all under stock body. I have run into some financial constraints at this moment, but soon will finish-just needs some details, paint and nicer wheels–has been on the road in this form for over a year and is a CRAZY FUN car to drive!!
I have already chosen it and in a few months you may be able to follow along on pro-touring.com
1969 Charger Daytona hemi.