recommendations for an 80's/90's dirt road cruiser with rally vibes

[lumpy]

I think it's always timed - it's basically autocross on a loose surface.

Actually, a better answer is, I don't know. There's multiple cars on the track at one point in that video.

[sk_tle]

euro rallycross is definitely multiple cars at the same times in small 4 to 6 laps heats.

[s_curran]

euro rallycross is definitely multiple cars at the same times in small 4 to 6 laps heats.

yeah, this, as well as the X-games was what my impressions were based off. Both seem super fun to me:

[lumpy]

In the US, under SCCA, it is against the clock. I should have been confident - they wouldn't race wheel-to-wheel without rollbars and those cars in the video would be way more banged up.

https://medium.com/@JimRowland/rally...e-35cfd71f9581

[sk_tle]

There was a race serie called global rallycross and then american rallycross that followed the euro rules but it is defunct as of 2019 from lack of interest from both sponsors and public.

[caleb]

I think building and driving a Baja Beatle would be really fun.

[Philster]

Three of our local cyclists were almost killed on a VT dirt road by two idiots playing rally driver. As it was, they sustained very serious injuries. Please don't do this.

[s_curran]

Three of our local cyclists were almost killed on a VT dirt road by two idiots playing rally driver. As it was, they sustained very serious injuries. Please don't do this.

Did you read what I wrote? Obviously thats not my intent. The cars I am talking about are not any faster than a mini van. You can enjoy driving without going fast. It's literally titled "cruiser" with rally "vibes" (which felt awkward, but I wanted to get across that I'm not looking to go fast). I'm definitely not looking to "play rally racer" as you say, unless we're just talking looks alone. But thanks for assuming I have no care for my communities safety.

We were talking about race cars later, but only in connection to doing sanctioned races.

Earlier this summer I found a drunk asshole who rolled his car off onto our property going 50 plus. If you really think someone wanting to drive an old, light, rear wheel drive car down to the swimming hole in the summer is the issue. I don't know what to tell you.

Lastly, I'm really sorry to hear about your friends, part of the reason we moved to Vermont was to get away from the MA assholes on the road, although it's unfortunate to know it happens every where.

[coolberto hipsterdor]

Try to find a 240SX lol...

[Corso]

Many a 944 has tempted me over the years, but my research as well as many conversations with owners, it appears they eventually turn into bottomless money pits.

Rear wheel drive - interesting choice you've made. Can be fun, but not really for mud, winter.

I'd look for a used WRX owned by an adult (vs a young'n).

[sk_tle]

Think gravel bike

[72gmc]

Many a 944 has tempted me over the years, but my research as well as many conversations with owners, it appears they eventually turn into bottomless money pits.

Rear wheel drive - interesting choice you've made. Can be fun, but not really for mud, winter.

I'd look for a used WRX owned by an adult (vs a young'n).

I’d think you could make friends and influence people just by having a rally style 944. And no one would think less of you if it was not very good at actually moving ...

[s_curran]

Well, I just adopted another project, will continue to hunt for what I really want, but wont be in such a rush.

spent a whole 1500 on this thing, which is an absolute blast.

PXL_20210116_164419138.NIGHT.jpg

[j44ke]

Many a 944 has tempted me over the years, but my research as well as many conversations with owners, it appears they eventually turn into bottomless money pits.

Rear wheel drive - interesting choice you've made. Can be fun, but not really for mud, winter.

I'd look for a used WRX owned by an adult (vs a young'n).

Friend who has the aforementioned 944 money pit said that there are actually quite a few 944 rally mods. There's even a kit for replacing the fold down headlight assembly with a fixed position headlight "bar" across the front.

So if it is going to be a money-pit anyway?

[christian]

Volvo 240 / 740 / 940 with an M45 transmission (electronic overdrive disabled) is the answer. You can have lots of fun with a stock 240. The only real mod is needs for low-pace gravel driving is a set of 240 diesel wheels - the multi-spoke diesel wheels are stronger than Virgos.

Now, that said.... Over 200hp, you can swap the transmission to a T5 because you'll start breaking M45s. If you want to get faster, you can get go-fast parts from Stefansson/SAM in Sweden and even custom cast heads from Kent Carlsson for 8v and 16v NA and turbo motors and a Tractive or SADEV sequential gear box and build it to full Swedish Grp. H spec.

I spent 10 years rallying professionally with Mitsubishi and Subaru. But I have never had more fun than rallying in a 240. They make great noises, the rear suspension travel is massive, so they are comfortable, and provided you stay under 200hp, the rear axles and drivelines are very sturdy. The wheelbase is too long at 104" - right around 100" would be better, but then you deal with other issues; for instance, there is a reason every MkII Escort still racing uses Volvo 240 five-bolt hubs...

Now... some pictures....

99MF-163.jpg

2001wildwest0810.jpg

99MF-311.jpg

The blue and silver car is the most advanced 240 ever built... Tractive 5 speed sequential dogbox, Motec M8 ECU, Kent Carlsson Evo head, Omega pistons, Verdi rods, Doug Kiddie crank, Crane Cams, Sellholm Tuning coil-overs, Alcon/AP brakes, etc. etc. etc.

[j44ke]

^This post is great^. That blue & silver Volvo with the rear wheel pushed up nearly into the backseat!

I love the idea of Paul Newman's Volvo with a Ford racing V8 in it.

Here's a photo of the Newman monster.

[colker]

Well, I just adopted another project, will continue to hunt for what I really want, but wont be in such a rush.

spent a whole 1500 on this thing, which is an absolute blast.

PXL_20210116_164419138.NIGHT.jpg

I love single cabins.

[colker]

I think building and driving a Baja Beatle would be really fun.

Beetles are the most uncomfortable, slow, miserable cars ever. They are reliable, i give you that.

[Tom]

I don't know about that. There was a faster Beetle at some point a friend's kid had that was all rusted out to where the front fenders would flap in the wind over about 40 and one time we were headed up I-87 to Lake George and we were pacing next to some guy in a Camaro that looked over and laughed so my friend's kid held up three fingers and smiled. "I'm in third gear." I was really surprised how that thing could get up and go.

[thollandpe]

Beetles were really fun to drive in the snow.

As long as you didn’t have too many people inside to fog the windows.

And only if the precipitation outside was cold and dry enough not to stick to the windshield.

I remember driving mine through snow deep enough that I could hear it and feel it against the floor pan. And see it too, coming through the holes. Braaaaaap!