Getting started: What will you build?

 One of the first mistakes that new hotrodders make is using what you have. Here is an example: Your mom needs a new car so she gave you her old 92 cavalier for free so your going to fix it up. Or your Grandpa said you could have the 77 olds 98 parked in the shed so thats what you will build. Big mistake. The same applies to motors: The olds has a 307 so why not rebuild it for more power? I'm not saying you shouldn't accept these vehicles but use them for what they are. Sell them or part them out to get the parts or vehicle that is worth building. Or drive the cavalier untill the wheels fall off.  Another common mistake is to start modifying and hopping up the car that you need to drive everyday all year long. I want my daily driver to be very quiet, easy on fuel and reliable. Stock daily drivers should be left that way. I once swapped a 350 into an 80 malibu with a used 600 holley, a comp 292 cam and a very loud exhaust system. It was my only car and i needed it to get to work. That car just about drove me off the deep end. It broke parts all the time, wouldn't stay running in the winter, drank fuel and caused my neighbor to give me heck for frightening his cows with the loud pipes. That car just about ended my high performance career! The last newbie mistake I want to mention today is the misconception that you need an old muscle car to have fun and go fast. There are plenty of cheap cars out there that can be built to be quick that are cheap and don't need a full on restoration. My favorites include 79-93 mustang, 94 and up mustangs, 78-87 GM g-bodies (malibu, cutlass, monte, lemans, regal, grand prix etc..),  and I have a soft spot for 2WD lowered trucks as well of all makes. Finding the perfect car is half the fun, check out kijiji, the bargain hunter, ebay, or ask other racers. you'll soon find something. 
BTW - if your looking for any used parts or want pricing on new parts feel free to email using the link in my profile.