The Skyline 'box is an option because I have a couple of them laying around as a €/£/$0 (plus an adapter plate) option, also a Holinger dog box with an R33 transfer case but I want to keep everything as civilized as possible.

If I compromise with the engine and go with a 2.3l Ecoboost or 2.5/2.6l Esslinger Ecoboost stroker for that matter; the power and torque curves as well as response with an EFR, twin independent VCT and direct injection is nothing short of impressive, MT-82 4x4 transmission is more or less bolt-on. Along with a slight headache how to arrange front diff and driveshaft setup and have front and rear driveshafts made for it.

The more I think about this the more I'm leaning towards trying to find a nice, early Sierra Ghia 3dr and sourcing everything else separately. Too bad that there aren't many around anymore and finding Cossie suspension components might prove difficult unless I use aftermarket, billet/custom parts. As if the projected parts+labour budget didn't look ridiculous enough already, regardless of how much of the work I'm prepared to do myself.

Ouch.