My money pit was a '65 Austin Healey Sprite Mark III. Spoked and chromed wheels, with 1275CC Cooper engine and Scott Blower. Flat drop forged Pistons, large valves, double strength valve springs, blueprinted crankshaft. I put in a stroker crank, but needed to strengthen the crank assembly with four bolt mains. straight through exhaust with extractors. Then i needed to to put extra heavy duty sway bars on the thing to make it a bit safe going around corners. Needed to put in a power booster and oversized brake discs (Mk IIIs had front discs at least). It needed a new, oversize radiator and a water pump to improve cooling. From memory i ran it at 5-6 lbs boost
Acelaration was pretty good, at about 0 to 60mph in about 6.8 seconds. Top speed was initially disappointing,, but them I put in the fifth gear overdrive kit, which did improve things a little. I think i mamanged to get 103mph on a straight level section of the highway once or twice. Most Sprites are only good to cruise at around 6-65 mph, but mine could comfortably cruise at 75mph all day with the strengthened lower engine.
I bought the thing in 1985, spent $15K and many hours doing it up, crashed it, rebuilt it, another 7K. It rusted the floor, put a new floor pan kit in, new harness, and carpet kit. Went on a 2500 trip to Perth and back....not comfortable. Used it as my daily drive until 1998, got married, had my son, no room for three in a two place car. sold it for $22000 and still miss it.