[cruzinTLT]

Dittos on what Brian said!!! I have had several old cars in the past, and I can tell you that the E-bay route is a excellent suggestion if your daughter wants something to drive sooner rather than later. First of all, if the car is in running condition, it makes it easier to "tweak" things to complete the restoration. I have had cars that I bought with "good intentions" that never got done simply because the time wasn't there to do the many hours of work. Only recently did I purchase a restoration project (and I mean project--1964 Corvair, not running), but I went into it with my eyes (and my wife's) wide open realizing that it won't be on the road anytime soon. It is a hobby, and I've learned good ways over the years to wait for parts that cost very little or can be found free (I recently was given a parts car with engine and other good parts!). What I'm trying to say is this: unless you are just doing this as a hobby, or you have tons of money for a resto shop to do the work for you, please go for something that needs little work and is street safe for your little girl

[66BelAir]

A "real" 396/350hp would be a sweet deal if you can't score a 409, which is still the best lookin' motor when it's dressed. You're lucky it's a hardtop as all the aftermarket resto suppliers have great stuff for that model. This site also has some great info for '65's and '66's....like the disc brake consversion piece that was in here a while ago......if you caught the "Overhaulin" episode where Foose did a '65 SS 409, it was just "Spot On"!!! Understated and the chrome dressed 409 with the multicarb setup was tasty....check it out for some good ideas....I know I'm going to use some of the tips on my '66 Bel Air 2-door post....just wish there was more interior stuff for this "orphan"!