My previous blog was about autocrossing, which leads directly into building the ultimate autocross car. While muscle cars are fun, they are also getting harder to find—and building a good-handling car is expensive. There are not too many ways around that. So let's think a little outside the Car Craft box here for just a moment. The hot ticket would be an ’85 to ’88 Corvette C4. Think about it—you've got an excellent suspension, and if you buy an ’86-or-later version, you get ABS, which makes maximum braking and driving quick a little easier. Yes, the engines were lame. So dump that wheezy 5.7 TPI and drop in a 420ci small-block (or if you're really talented) a 6.2L Gen III engine that makes between 500 and 600 hp. Bolt a Tremec TKO 600 five-speed behind it and you're biggest problem will be keeping the stock IRS in one piece. Of course, sticky tires are a must—18s would be grippy. You wouldn't even have to go nuts on the brakes since the C4 binders are decent. At somewhere around 3,200 pounds, this would be a budget rocket on rails. I've found several ’86 Corvettes for less than $5,000, and a more thorough search might dig up a salvage title car for much less. I know this isn't typical Car Craft fare, and it's not an original idea, but it's an easy way to build a great-handling car. Where else are you going to find a two-seat sports car with a V-8 and IRS for less than $5,000? That's a steal.