Sleepers

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Originally Posted By: RamFan
For some reason I've always been a fan of old Skylarks. I'd love to get a '68 or similar body style Skylark and gut it. Put in the newest technology without changing anything to the exterior to make the ultimate sleeper.


My first car was a '69 Buick Skylark - it's a wonder I'm still alive.
 
I'm with DuckRyder on the definition of a sleeper here.

Sorry but M cars from BMW and S cars from Audi are not sleepers, nor are AMG Mercs...
 
In college (1990) one guy had a beat looking '70's Nova. Dropped in a full driveline from a brand new Corvette. Tuned port 350, well muffled. Only clue was nicer rims to handle the wider tires. REAL SWEET sound when he got on it and fast.

3 years ago at scavenger hunt road rally I was at. '90's Volvo sedan with a motor swap. Only clue was the 5.0 on fender and "police interceptor" on bottom of trunk. Also well muffled but had cutouts for when he wanted to show off. That thing hauled butt!
 
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I have to tell you this counts as a sleeper. (this is mine)
img1276l.jpg

Mid 13 second 1/4's miles. The look on people faces when they got beat by a Buick is priceless.
While mid 13's are not fast, it respectable for a 4 door family hauler.
 
A friend of mine used to auto-x a seriously modded E36 M3. Just for giggles he removed the ///M3 badge and replaced it with a German 316i badge. Several months later European Car published a letter from some poor fool asking where he could buy a 316i like the one he saw that set FTD at a local SCCA event...
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
This gave me an idea on making this a fair contest. 2 categories:
1. Cars that left the factory as a sleeper.
2. Cars that someone modified to make a sleeper.
3. Some sort of combo of the 2.


Agree. You can get a factory sleeper.

The mid to late 80's Buick Regal T-Types with the GN's turbo 3.8L were as plain Jane as they come but look out if you took one on. Definitely a factory sleeper. I almost bought one. I really wanted a GN but the costw as too high. Instead I looked into a Regal T-Type and would have saved thousands and had the same performance. Of course no Darth Vader look which was a lot of the appeal.

If you pulled up next to one of these you knew you had a fight on your hands...


If you pulled up next to one of these you had to look for the little hood bulge to know it was a Turbo model( this one isn't just illustrating a point )...


Here is a T-Type and other than the hood bulge not much to let you know it was a beast waiting to eat you alive...


Don't pay attention and all you see is taillights in the distance. IMO these turbo regals were definitely factory sleepers!
 
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Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
...

The mid to late 80's Buick Regal T-Types with the GN's turbo 3.8L were as plain Jane as they come but look out if you took one on. Definitely a factory sleeper. I almost bought one. I really wanted a GN but the costw as too high. Instead I looked into a Regal T-Type and would have saved thousands and had the same performance. Of course no Darth Vader look which was a lot of the appeal.

......


Don't pay attention and all you see is taillights in the distance. IMO these turbo regals were definitely factory sleepers!


They were about as close to a factory sleeper as I can think of, but a sleeper is about appearing to be something it isn't. Every fast factory car I can think of has some sort of distinguishing feature; emblems. colors, wheels, something.

Count me as you can't buy a factory built "true sleeper".

I worked for a Buick when T-Types and Grand Nationals were new (and turbo pace car TransAms and Cyclones too)

I'd love to have a nice T-Type they were every bit a grand national under the skin and were "sleeperish" (understated is a better word in my opinion) but anyone who was not an imbecile knew what it was...
 
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Another common one is people who take out LS1 Corvette drivetrains and stuff them in ratty S-10's. There seem to be a fair number of those out here, although the exhaust might be a giveaway.
 
The Honda Accord V6 6 speed is a total sleeper. I had a 2007 with the J30, it looked plain on the outside but pulled like a freight train and could chirp the tires in 3rd gear. The new V6 6 speed coupe with the J35 is even more beastly.
 
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For category 2 - modified sleepers

1984 Buick Century dyno test - 326hp, 387 ft*lbs at the wheels


0-85


better look at car



He has a few other videos of this car on his channel.
 
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Mike, that thing behind it is definitely a sleeper.
smile.gif

Spilled my coffee on the keyboard :)

I don't know my Buicks. What year/model is that car? I definitely did not know they were that fast! If it came from the factory that way, then you win the prize for the best sleeper car.
 
Originally Posted By: cchase
I'm with DuckRyder on the definition of a sleeper here.

Sorry but M cars from BMW and S cars from Audi are not sleepers, nor are AMG Mercs...


+2
 
Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
Saw this video about sleeper cars (Ford Taurus SHO, etc) and wanted to share.

What do you all think of what is presented?


Not sure how smart this guy is if he's racing on public roads. What a numbnut.

I thought my parents neighbor had a GN but he said it is a black 87 T-type. No two-tone colored seats or t-tops. He bought it new back in the day and the dealer was having a hard time getting rid of it back then. Mint condition and only see's nice weather.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Mike, that thing behind it is definitely a sleeper.
smile.gif

Spilled my coffee on the keyboard :)

I don't know my Buicks. What year/model is that car? I definitely did not know they were that fast! If it came from the factory that way, then you win the prize for the best sleeper car.


I laughed at it too!

Car is a 98 Regal GS. Came with a supercharged 3800 from the factory. Ran right around 14.70 to 14.80 stock. With the 700 dollars of mods I have now it runs 13.50s to 13.70s all day long.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Mike, that thing behind it is definitely a sleeper.
smile.gif


Awesome. I have a bigger one now.
 
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