If you go with something with a quick first gear I think you'll like it better. Alot of the advantage of newer cars is the gearing that they get away with because of 5th and 6th speed overdrive. First gear is in the mid 3s:1 and differential is often in the mid to high 4s in these little engined sports cars. You dont need that much torque when youve got all that mechanical advantage on your side.

You think a 225 hp 300 ft lb of torque 302 would have propelled a late 60s Mustang to mid 14s like the 5.0s of the 80s?

3.35 first gear helps those cars alot.