So, me and a couple of my friends have been bitten by the rally bug, and we're seriously considering putting a team together sometime in the next 3-5 years. Right now we're just kinda talking about what type of car and class to run in. Several people recommended that we start with what looked like an early-80's Datsun because of it's durability and cheapness, but it looked vaguely like a dart and got me thinking about early A-bodies.

I'll be among the first to admit that I don't know early A-bodies that well, but the look has really been growing on me, and I'm wondering about the feasibility of running one as a Rally car (mainly because I'd like to run a slant, and think I could sell the others on the idea). I really don't have too many driveline concerns, but I'm curious as to whether the front suspension will hold up to the kind of beating we'll be talking about here. Beyond ball joints (those can be upgraded to beefier units fairly easily), I'm more concerned with torsion bars. Are they as durable as a coil spring setup, or will I be looking at completely redesigning the front suspension? The thought of jumping it 2-3 feet off the ground and then landing makes me worry about breaking them.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion

I'd think that no, they're not up to the task, but mainly due to the fact that I like them early a's (and ostly all the a's) and I think that this is very near the nonsense abuse of a car (that said, I've done my rally pilot thing, I have my license for that and I were just about start running, just took a couple of races in the passg seat and I couldn't tolerate the massive abuse that the car takes during the race, it's just for the love of breaking cars appart!

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

It's been done. Read up on Scott Harvey's site:

http://www.autohobbydigest.com/harvey.html

Here are some photos from that site:

http://www.autohobbydigest.com/image.php?shp12.jpg

http://www.autohobbydigest.com/image.php?shp10.jpg

http://www.autohobbydigest.com/image.php?shp09.jpg

http://www.autohobbydigest.com/image.php?shp06.jpg

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Rally is very hard on cars. I'd like to see an early A run again, but it would almost certainly be outclassed by the newer iron. Class rules will determine how much you can do, but the newer cars have some advantages. Less metal fatigue, more efficient and lighter engines, etc.

You're talking about beating on a 40-year-old unibody. Watch some reruns of "Dukes of Hazard" jumps, in slow motion. See what happens to the front end? Granted, typical rally jumps are less spectactular, but you get the drift. (Drift? Now there's a whole 'nother can of worms!)

Adding subframe connectors and a cage would help, as would beefing all the suspension points. Early-A fenders, quarter panels, and roofs don't grow on trees any more, so any "offs" are going to be expensive.

I don't know of any reason the torsion bar would be more susceptible to breakage than a coil or leaf spring. Yes, it twists. So do coil springs. Maybe it gets hit by more rocks.

I think I'd look for something with good salvage parts availability in your area, and have fun with it!

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Ahhhh Yes! When I was a boy in junior high school there was an auto event in Canada called the Shell 4000 Rally. You raced from sea to shining sea. It was a big deal. Some of the heavy hitters were Barracudas (Formula S) .

The theme of my Valaint has been the Shell 4000 "look" ....sway bars , stripe, etc etc

Check this pic and site:

http://www.shell-4000-rally.org/1967/19 ... 114-04.htm
http://www.shell-4000-rally.org/1967/19 ... 153-01.jpg[/img]

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Got the bungee cord hood and trunk tie-downs yet?

Now, where can I get that external odometer drive?

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Good link, Sandy!

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

This is the very same car that raced at Monte Carlo Rally 1967 and again 2004:

http://www.historicrace.fi/g0434.jpg
http://www.trianglemotor.com/kuvat/barr ... acuda1.jpg
http://www.trianglemotor.com/kuvat/barr ... acuda5.jpg
http://www.trianglemotor.com/kuvat/barr ... acuda7.jpg
http://www.trianglemotor.com/kuvat/barr ... acuda8.jpg

They also raced 1966 2D Valiant V100 Commando 4-speed at 1966 Monte Carlo. They had 3 Barracudas and 3 Valiants at that time. I couldn´t find any pictures of these

If I remember correctly the old "Mopar Bible" (a huge, 4" thick compilation of Mopar performance information, put together by Chrysler) had a section on A-Body rally modifications.

Sounds like the general consensus is that it would be sacrilege. Hm... well I'll keep thinking about it; the purchase should be at least several years out. Another idea we're throwing around is buying a pre-built car initially (probably a datsun or subaru, depending on budget) and then building one the second go-round.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion

I would say go ahead and do it! There are PLENTY of early A-bodies around that are too rusty or undesirable for people to restore, but perfect for racecars, especially 4 doors.

I tried to sell a rust free, ran perfect 1963 Dart for about a year before I found someone to give me $1000 for it. My friend who owned it previously was going to junk it...

I would LOVE to build/run a rally Valiant, but I have too much on my plate! Let me know how I might help.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

That's not the read I get. Yeah, I posted some of the debate I had in my head. I like seeing cars I have racing, and I like rally. If you can come up with the requisite resources, go for it! Whatever you do, POST PHOTOS!

I'd rather see one risked in a race than crashed in a movie, crushed by a monster truck, or scrapped.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

amen, brother.

I think that's a little bit too "on the edge" for a 40 years old unibody, but if you do it right, I don't see why not. Also there's diffrent types of "rally" races, the canadian one is way less destructive than some euro races.

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

This thread is making me wish there was at least a rallycross within striking distance. I've never done it, but it looks like a blast.

Maybe I should fix my steering first, huh?

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Yeah... the rally bug has bit me hard. Being in the midwest, there are several events w/in striking distance (for spectating/working), so I'll probably make it up to Michigan in January, as well as hitting the local one here in feb. Who knows what the rest of the year will hold.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion