I’m into other cars besides Cougar and always wanted to build a “sleeper” car of some sort. I’ve posted on a Pontiac forum “gasp”(just let it drop), about building a sleeper car. I realize there are probably as many opinions on “sleeper” cars as there are a**holes on this earth but here is what I come up with for a general definition"
A car of stock appearance that runs much faster or stronger than would otherwise be evident based on it make, model and/or stock displacement.
I don’t believe that the GP(general public) knows what a sleeper is. They think all old cars should be fast and loud.
On the other hand, if I pull up to a light in my '67 GT and you in your base model pink '67 and you proceed to hand it to me after the light turns green then you have a sleeper car regardless of it’s engine or HP rating. Capice?
I think the sleeper conversation is a fun one and very open to interpretation. I think the F.A.S.T (factory appearance stock tire) race class has some total sleeper cars. You expect them to be fast. But i can’t believe how quick they get going.
About 15 years ago, back when I used to drive my Black '69 Mach I up to Seattle to the Round Up…I was driving on the freeway somewhere around Olympia, when a ratty-looking '69 Mustang Coupe painted about 4 different colors of primer pulled up alongside me in the fast lane. Thinking I was just so cool in my groovy Cobra Jet Mustang and assuming he was admiring my ride, I goosed it a tiny bit only to have him just romp on his car and he literally left me sucking in his exhaust. He pulled over into the slow lane and let me catch up to him while he laughed…turns out he’d just built a Cleveland stroker and it was obviously very badass and super cool. I had some guy do the same thing in a '70s vintage Camaro alongside my '84 Fox and also had my butt handed to me, but his car wasn’t as much of a sleeper and I kept up a lot better in that round–and my car sounded cooler, even when losing.
In my opinion, a true sleeper is also car model that you would never expect to be remotely quick; something that is generally considered ordinary, dull, or slow. Any older American 2 door coupe can generally be expected to have a V8 and it’s not all that surprising if someone builds a fast one - especially when sportiness was part of the original intention for the car.
I think a true sleeper should surprise the sh*t out of people; it should be the last thing you’d expect.
Which I why I love the idea of stuffing a big V8 into my old Volvo station wagon.
I’ve seen a few different volvo’d with chevs at the track. The problem with making a boring car into a “sleeper” is that a car guy can still usually pick up on the alterations. Compared to say the new mustangs and camaros, classic muscle cars are quite slow. If you can have a classic that looks like a stock restoration but runs 12’s I’d consider it a sleeper
This discussion brings to mind a recent episode (or three) of Engine Power where they are working a Chevy Capisce (see what I did there? ) sedan (bought from an elderly owner as I recall). They call it “Grey Hair, White Knuckle”. Pretty cool and pretty extensive build in a totally stock appearing trim car.
That was my first thought, a Caprice, Crown Vic, Grand Marq, Parisienne, Polara…something big and 4 door…or wagon, even! For that matter, even a beat up old FARM TRUCK!
Is it just me, or has anyone else had trouble keeping up with a (freaking) Prius lately?!?!
OK this just in from my typically reliable nephew who drives a '93 Mustang Cobra. Yesterday a Pious was coming up fast from behind him on an open stretch of freeway. Luke jumped on the throttle well before the Pious blew by. He gave up the chase at 120mph as the Toy boat was still pulling away.
I know it stretches credulity, but Luke swears it happened just as he described.
Had a friend in high school with a sleeper. His biggest problem was keeping the old Plymouth station wagon’s stock looking tires from burning off when giving the 426 Hemi the gas. After riding in that car I’ve also been a huge fan of the sleeper.
My first car was a true sleeper. had a dual exhaust, but only one pipe exiting the rear w/ electric dumpouts. 400m, 222 deg a .050, milled ported and polished 2v heads, nice and quiet complete w/ whitewalls and hubcaps. Car became a completely different animal when you opened up the exhaust. It wasn’t an 11 sec. car, but was MUCH faster than anyone expected, and was even more fun to see the look on the face of the guy next to you when you went from nice and quiet like it was stock, to shaking the ground at the flip of a switch. It was an LTD II two door, pale yellow w/ brown pintsripes. Actually considering the size of the car, it would MOVE.
Just got rid of that car earlier this year. One of my favorite rides, and a LOT of good memories. Wasn’t as bad as a hemi wagon, but definitely embarrassed a lot of 5.0 mustangs, IROCS, and Monte SS’s. Especially in the long haul. Owned it at the same time as my '69 Sporty Satellite (built 440). Would race 'em first in it. If they couldn’t beat it, the Sport Satellite wouldn’t even come out.
we have a Volvo 740 wagon down the road with a worked LS. You can tell it’s not stock by the blower whine but everything else looks like it left the factory
Very cool. I love the idea of a soccer mom car with an ls engine. I’m not a chevy fan, but after driving a few LS cars would have to say that is one damn fine engine. One of the quickest revving stock pushrod engines I’ve run across. I bet that car’s a blast to drive.
I used to drive a 4 door maverick. Had one side of the exhaust tucked up out of sight. And the hole in the hood for the ram air covered for street racing…It surprised many people.
) sedan (bought from an elderly owner as I recall). They call it “Grey Hair, White Knuckle”. Pretty cool and pretty extensive build in a totally stock appearing trim car.