Get a FB RX-7, the mid 80's one take out the rotary and put in a Ford 302ci. Light car with a fairly large engine. You can pick up a cheap fb for < 1K (non-running) a 302 and the T-4 tranny for $350-500. Engine mounting kit is about $100. Then what ever else you do to the engine.
The only reason I know so much about this is because my friend is doing the exact same thing, but he picked his car up for $100+$40 to tow it.
__________________
|