If I was [Jay] Leno, I'd buy one of these land barges and update it with a modern 5.0, LS-series or Hemi and matching drive train. The look on someone face when they are blown into the weeds would be priceless.
Wow, those were cars! Enough metal for 2 mustangs, with some left over for a barbecue grill. It would be interesting to see what one could do with not only an engine/drive train update, but a suspension update too.
I gave a quick look and didn't find anyone thats tried this.
That's why it would be so cool to do. The trick would be to make the upgrades stealthy. Shocks, sway bars and springs would be easy but bigger brakes would be tougher (because the wheel constraints).
Patrick
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we used to call those type of cars "sleds" back in the 80's
but what a nice ride if the shocks are worn out, just floats down the road.....
you can see some of the car action ( boat like ) in the old TV shows in the late 70's,
Those old land barges didn't have a ton of engine room, width & length?
Yeah, I was wonderign that as well. You could stuff a new 5.0 in there and put luggage on either side. Remeber that people could sit 3 and 4 across in those things.
Many of those listed came with 400+ cube (big block) motors. I know the modern 5.0 is big headed, but dimensionally they should be close, no?
That always a tough decision, but, IMO, made easier with this era of cars because their power plants were so inefficient and underpowered, and the vehicle themselves unlikely to ever be worth much of anything. So I say, why not?
Patrick
The ford overhead cam engines are as wider or wider than old ford big block.
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Except where the wheels are. Here's a '78 Lincoln:
The cars are emissions exempt in many states now it's not like an engine that fits without hacking can't solve that the problem now.
The idea of ruining the ride quality of the car with stuff that can fit seems silly... that's what those cars are about.
Well, damn! I'm surprised at the clearance or lack of. And wow, what a sweet ride that would be!
My brother has a '76 Eldo rag top with parade boot. It's a sweet ride! All (most?) of the missing factory options have been added by him. The car is now loaded, number's matching, but not exactly "original". He's invited to all the parades in St. Paul and Mpls. Nice work if you can get it... Even if you don't get paid. Ha ha.
The 78 Lincoln Mark V is a standout.
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