Right, a few serious options, thinking about weight and chassis strength here....

Capri (too many cossie Escorts)

or

Peugeot 206, Ford Puma, Focus, Renault Clio etc.

only, not real ones of the above.....

http://www.nationalhotrod.com/

all fibreglass over spaceframe, RWD, think the full kit is a couple of grand, just need a donor car and comes ready to plonk a screaming pinto in - ideal for a cossie lump....

Though I am also liking the idea of a RWD or 4x4 Escort MK VI GTi - Estate