Dustin-I like the idea. I was thinking also that your theme would include early rally cars-basically stock vehicles with a roll cage, snow tires (or tyres, depending on your part of the world...), heavy duty shocks and springs and enough candle power to melt lead....
Unfortunatly, I don't have enough of a stash of auto kits/parts to do any kit bashing. However, I do have the Dick Landy Dodge Dart (drag racer), Penske Corvette (interesting story on the history of that vehicle-picked up at the factory in the dead of winter and driven to the race shop-with no heater!) & the 240z South Africian safari rally car that might fit in, depending on the rules.
You could always post the proposal-with a broad topic like you've suggested, there may be enough interest to get one going.
Anyway, here are some pics of the Corvette
I need to touch up some of the black but overall I'm happy with the results. Not perfect, but I'm content.