These cars left the factory with so much potential just waiting to be unlocked.
10.) DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean looked cool as hell from stock, but that was all it had going for it. You need to do what Matt Farah did and have it rebuilt by the new DeLorean Motor Company. Then your DMC-12 can become the car it always deserved to be.
Suggested By: Kate's Dirty Sister, Photo Credit: Ian Weddell
9.) Porsche 914
A great mid-engined chassis in need of more horsepower and grip. In stock form, it's a race car waiting to happen.
Suggested By: Patrick Frawley, Photo Credit: Nathan Bittenger
8.) Pontiac Fiero
GM killed the Fiero before it ever achieved greatness, but thankfully today there's the aftermarket fix that. When done right, it can make a hell of a track car.
Suggested By: dr861, Photo Credit: Grant.C
7.) Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo is a fine city car, but there's a lot of potential in this tiny rear-engined RWD chassis. Modifications can be as simple as putting in wider tires, or as crazy as swapping in a Hayabusa engine.
Suggested By: Arch Duke Makyenko, SHAZAM!, Photo Credit: Norio Nakayama
6.) Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon
Let's face facts – you're not going to blow anyone's doors off with a stock Eclipse. But with capable AWD potential and lots of room for EVO parts, all you need to do is add power to live out your Fast and Furious fantasies.
Suggested By: nermal, Photo Credit: Wiros
5.) AC Ace
Ah, the car that defined the trend of "just swap a V8 in it! That'll fix all your problems." The diminutive British Ace was gorgeous, but needed the help of Carol Shelby to make it the legend that it is.
Suggested By: Spacegrass, Photo Credit: Nathan Bittinger
4.) Jeep Wrangler
Wrangler's are fine stock, but the real fun starts when you lift them and put them on some bigger tires. Then you can take them off the street.
Suggested By: High Road, Photo Credit: Jason Weaver
3.) Toyota AE86
From the factory, the AE86 was by no means the Initial D drift machine you imagined it to be. It just needs a little help to go sideways.
Suggested By: burglar can't heart click anything, Photo Credit: James Willamor
2.) Any Malaise Era V8 American Car
Any 1970s American car with an emissions-saddled V8 is just one LS swap from greatness.
Suggested By: McSeanerson, Photo Credit: order_242
1.) Nissan 240SX
There's a good reason why there isn't a single stock 240SX left in the world. It's got a nice rear-wheel drive chassis, but the engine simply doesn't do it justice. It's dying for an engine swap.
Suggested By: foxbody, Photo Credit: Alex V
Welcome back to Answers of the Day - our daily Jalopnik feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day's Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It's by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!
Top Photo Credit: Matt Conaghan