Need Direction, Which New (used) Car Project?, NPC - Project Fast Character Options

[DBCooper]

No Porsche content, but I need some car advice. I have a Volvo S80 work car used to pick people up at the airport, visit customers, that sort of thing. It's nice enough, turbo, a good freeway car, but not much character. I'm retired now and can drive whatever the hell I want, so I'm thinking something with a lot more character, and since I have Triple A with towing I don't need to err on the side of staid and dependable, can walk on the wild side. You'd think that would open things a lot, but I'm having trouble choosing a direction to go, so would appreciate some new ideas. What I most want:

1. Cheap (the reason I came here for advice). I'm retired, need to conserve those savings.
2. Some character. Usually that means an older car with good lines.
3. An athletic car, meaning a lot of power and excellent handling. This is the hard one in older cars.
4. Smog exempt, which in California means a gasoline car 1975 or older, or a diesel. This
   makes it easier to do an engine conversion.
5. Hopefully the strength and space to add in a GM LSx motor (that "power" part). Drivetrains
   have evolved a lot over the years, that's a fine engine to mate with a T56.
6. A four seater. Already have the 914 for thrills so don't need another 2 seater.
7. Reasonably dependable. The LSx motor/transmission helps, but can't be so exotic
   that no spares are available. Think Alfa, Peugeot.

The "athletic" part pretty much excludes the 50's and 60's American hotrods. I'm aware of ProTouring and like the idea of a Nomad wagon with and LSx and IRS rear conversion, but I can't (or don't want to) afford that. Of course taste is subjective, so to give you a feel for what my taste is, these are cars I've considered and why I rejected:

• MGB GT with a small block Ford conversion. Nice lines but 2 seater, too much like my 914/WRX.
• Datsun 2x0Z with a SBC/LSx conversion. Easy V8 but ditto too much like the 914, plus styling is
  Japanese gauche.
• 65-66 Mustang 2+2. Shelby style is overdone, they still don't handle and too expensive.
• All other 50's, 60's, 70's American cars. Not golden years for handling.
• Alfa GTV6 - I like the style, but no V8, transaxle's in the rear and they break a lot.
• BMW 2002 - Nice car, but would need a newer more powerful engine, and I've already heard
  enough squealing from concours folks. Those Bimmer nuts would be worse..
• BMW CS3.0 - Ditto 2002 comments. Even nicer car but not affordable.
• Maverick - Actually pretty nice lines, cheap Mustang performance parts, and could be nice low with
  Recaros, but still a Maverick.
• Mercedes 80-90's diesels, especially wagons. but they're heavy and US V8's still don't fit easily.
• Mercedes W123's (late 70's through the mid-80's) Family had these, good cars but heavy, and
  just never liked the style.
• Peugeot 505 wagon. Had two of these and loved them, but no parts any more so not viable.

Cars that all look good and I'm looking seriously at:

• Mercedes coupes from the 60's/70's. I like the style, but very difficult to fit a U.S. V8
  and almost no aftermarket suspension performance parts available.
• Mercedes W124 300TE diesel wagons. Diesel is smog exempt, but still difficult to fit that U.S. V8.
• Jaguar Mk2 and 1st gen XJ6 sedans. Great looking, easy engine conversions (lots already done), cheap,
  handle well, lots of parts available. Unfortunately English, and Lucas electrics.
• Jaguar XJ6/12 Coupes, 1976-77. Unfortunately with the U.S. crash stuff these are 500 lbs
  heavier than the earlier cars. Plus they're in the smog years, but I really like the style.

That "possible" list is way short and I need more ideas, so any suggestions? The hard part is taste, of course, everyone's is different, which is why I included that "excluded" list with comments, to give you a feel for mine. Any ideas appreciated.

[r_towle]

Early unibody camaro?

Full frame bolt on upgrade.
Whatever LS motor you want will fit.
New technology can make it handle like a new car.
People fit in the back.