Hooniverse Asks: What Old Race Car Would You Totally Rock on the Street?

IMGP4546-1
Do you remember the old manufacturer mantra of win on Sunday, sell on Monday? That of course is related to the halo effect it’s thought racing affords to sales. Yeah, well what about race on Sunday and drive to work on Monday… in the very-same car! Yeah man, that’s what Im talking about.
Of course, attempting to drive a modern race car on the road presents challenges, not the least of which is ground clearance, as most of them have none. That’s less of an issue with vintage hardware as for a long time the differentiation between racer and road car was less than obvious. Considering all the vintage racing iron out there – Porsche 917s, Formula Fords, Birdcage Maseratis – do you think any of them could pass for a weekly car pool contender? Yeah, you might have to make multiple trips, but seeing as you’re driving a freaking race car, why would you mind?
Your car pool buddies might put up a fuss however, so maybe it’s time to go lone wolf on that work drive. If you’re good with that, what would be the vintage racer that you’d most like to make your ride on your daily commute?
Image: MyRideIsMe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

79 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What Old Race Car Would You Totally Rock on the Street?”

    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Sadly I can only click the like button on this once.

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Classic case of “see more”-itis. On the phone, I don’t always click on it. So it seems I posted the exact same photo once more later on…I curse you, Disqus!

  1. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    For warm sunny days a Lister Corvette.
    https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2732/4089596575_69d7c13739_b.jpg
    For cooler cloudy days, a nice English Ford.
    http://www.oocities.org/motorcity/downs/1403/gt40.jpg

  2. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    Because I don’t believe there was ever an official W126 race car.

    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      Kam hier für Die Rote Sau. Verlassen glücklich.

    2. Tomsk Avatar
      Tomsk

      AMG actually did do a couple of Group A SECs and ran them at the Spa 24 Hours one year. Converted to 5-speeds, too.
      http://hq-wall.net/i/med_thumb/01/12/amg_500sec_race_car_236.jpg

      1. Kiefmo Avatar
        Kiefmo

        Yar, but t’isn’t a sedan. I needs it to be a sedan because 3 younguns.

        1. P161911 Avatar
          P161911

          Grandpa preferred a coupe for youguns. Put them in the back seat and you didn’t have to worry about them opening a door and falling out. This was in the 1950s though.

  3. Brendan A. MacWade Avatar
    Brendan A. MacWade

    If you only get one pick, aim high

  4. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    Because as Potbelly Joe pointed out, I’d need a family vehicle, too!
    I have an absurd fantasy that revolves around building my Ody into the ultimate sleeper with the go-fast bits of the One Lap Odyssey (~500whp, 6speed manual, suspension goodies) and none of the appearance ones, and having the most badass dadmobile on the planet.

    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      I’m more of an SUV guy for the family vehicle.
      http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Dakar_2006_Hummer_Gordon.jpg

        1. Kiefmo Avatar
          Kiefmo

          Wal-Mart? Ain’t nobody got time to get all gussied up for that high-class shopping!
          Real ‘Murricans go to Target! Because we like the name — it reminds us of guns!
          Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!

          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            Shopping at Dollar Palace won’t bring you worldwide fame and ridicule via peopleofWalmart.com, therefore, there is no need to dress up.

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Man, and here I thought only McDonald’s required me to wear my tuxedo.

  5. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    I had a chance to do it back when this was still affordable. I suppose I’m glad I didn’t do it.
    http://www.historictransam.com/images/History/SamPosey170.jpg

  6. Cameron Vanderhorst Avatar
    Cameron Vanderhorst

    What about that guy in Japan that drives a 962?

    Of course, you could asle get a Dauer 962 as well, if you wanted something a little more civilized.

      1. Cameron Vanderhorst Avatar
        Cameron Vanderhorst

        …and a Dauer 962. One of each, please.
        http://www.skyhdwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Dauer-962-LM-1994.jpg

  7. kogashiwa Avatar
    kogashiwa

    Practical, reliable, good fuel economy.

  8. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Since I live on gravel, and need to haul my boys to day-care, I’d better pick something sensible – like a Walker Evans trophy truck
    http://ramchargercentral.com/open-discussions/rod-hall's-utiline-macho-155862/?action=dlattach;attach=67409;image

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Most outlandish use of “sensible” I’ve seen today. Good work!

  9. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Technically, it is old and it is a racecar, though it is rather new as a racecar.
    http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/33-Spirit-of-LeMons-Racing-Cessna-Race-626×426.jpg

  10. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    Bit of cheat perhaps, but Ginetta G40R, unlike most manufacturers where the R stands for racing, Ginetta is a race car manufacturer who make a small number of road cars, so the R desigination stands for Road, as in road legal. Mazda/ford duratec engine and MX5 gearbox means it will be relatively trouble free as a daily too. It’s the thinking mans Lotus Elise.
    http://www.ginetta.com/images/cars/g40r_new/g40r_banner01.jpg

  11. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    Does it count if it’s a Death Race?
    http://www.imcdb.org/i362834.jpg

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I saw that movie – and I don’t remember anything. The original though…can’t forget.

    1. Jimmy Smith Avatar
      Jimmy Smith

      I prefer this one 🙂

  12. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    This also could fill the bill
    http://www.topcarrating.com/ford/1986-ford-rs200-evolution.jpg

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      A thousand times “yes.”

  13. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Lamborghini Jota, anyone?

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      ToJota or not ToJota, that is the question…

  14. Tanshanomi Avatar

    I am not the first guy to think that a Formula Vee would be a blast and a half on the street.
    http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/477008.jpg

    1. Cameron Vanderhorst Avatar
      Cameron Vanderhorst

      I very nearly purchased a Kellison Crusader Formula Vee a couple years back. The intent was to participate in vintage racing events and Formula Vee racing, while being competitive in neither.

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Why stick with a Formula Vee when you can drive a Formula 1?

  15. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    And for weekend trips into the wilderness with the family.

  16. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    A little spiced Mk1 is on the list too
    http://www.dmmultimedia.com/escort_mk1/MK1_Escort_RS2000_in_garage.jpg

  17. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    And of course the Batmobile is very high on my list

    View post on imgur.com

  18. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I’m going to go with mid-70’s era NASCAR. Full sized, stock body, 200 mph top end, ridiculous.
    Paint it brown, add some chrome trim and a landau top and you’ve got one confusing vehicle.
    http://images.athlonsports.com/d/34285-1/Pearson-71a.jpg

    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      For maximum WTF, go with an early 1980s Imperial.
      http://www.imperialclub.com/~imperialclub/Yr/1981/Buddy/82imp67.jpg

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Or do it in Petty’s Superbird.
        https://vds.rightster.com/v/01yze8pkx2qrnl

    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Instant chesthair explosion behind that wheel…

  19. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    IMSA 90 GTO (tribute car in the pic)

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Or a proven winter winner:

      1. nanoop Avatar
        nanoop

        But currently, you’re in front.

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          I was driving the 96.

          1. nanoop Avatar
            nanoop

            But… isn’t that confusing?

          2. mdharrell Avatar

            No more so than usual.

  20. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    While it’s tempting to just say all of them, I think I found a winning formula.
    http://content.worldcarfans.co/2009/1/medium/street-legal-reynard-91f_2.jpg

  21. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Someone in Edmonton has a street legal MC12 Corsa… I’d personally go for something older, but you have to admire him. He took the track version of a road car and turned it into a road car.

    http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_01411.jpg

    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      I think for Georgia it would need windshield wipers, maybe a muffler, otherwise you are good to go.

      1. hubba Avatar
        hubba

        DeKon Monzas had wipers.

  22. FastPatrick Avatar

    Works for Jerry Seinfeld, would work for me.

  23. hubba Avatar
    hubba

    Just out cruisin’ with my best fella.

    1. nanoop Avatar
      nanoop

      Excellent choice, the Golf 1 really should have had more success in motorsports!

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        On the other hand, the NSU TT did quite well!
        (I’m not sure about the Hanomag Henschel/Mercedes though)

  24. Vavon Avatar
    Vavon

    A Works BMC Mini Cooper or a Group-B Peugeot 205 Turbo 16.

  25. XRSevin Avatar
    XRSevin

    Dan Gurney’s TransAm Cougar.

  26. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    I’ve always like the SuperTouring era touring cars. I’d probably go with the Camry, because second to the 850 Wagon, it’s got the highest WTF factor.
    http://www.supertouringregister.com/image/1338.jpg

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      “So what’s in your driveway, dude?”
      “A Camry and old Volvo wagon.”
      “C’mon, you claim to be a car guy, grandpa?”

    2. theskitter Avatar

      Misidentified that as a Subaru at least 3 times.

  27. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    The one thing I don’t like about Robert asking these questions … he always picks at least one of my answers to use as an example. In this case, two – 917 and Birdcage. Fine … I’ll take a D Type thankyouverymuch. http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfeatures/624_351/images/live/p0/1b/zb/p01bzbsx.jpg

  28. Manxman Avatar

    300SLR…Sir Stirling approves this choice and claims it is easy to drive on public roads, And it is street legal already.

  29. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    http://www.corksport.com/images/add_content/Mazda%202/CorkSport-Mazda-2-B-Spec-Majors.jpg
    Just a reminder that nearly anything can be a race car! I mean, with the right connections, I could get the kit to convert even my little car! What could go wrong?
    *Southern Ontario’s terrible roads are what could go wrong, on lowered suspension

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      The concept of “race everything” is something that everybody here could get behind, I’d assume. Just for reference:
      http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww29/peebeep/Revllations/JagermeisterTrabant_zps8a785bef.jpg