Hello from Indiana...and of course a question!

[70HoosierCuda]

HI all...I'm Jeff from southern Indiana.
New here and sorta' new to Mopar but not new to classics.

I currently own a '78 Trans Am and a '70 Camaro that are both "under construction" projects and I've owned several musclecars over the years (back when they were plentiful and inexpensive )
My first car was a beautiful one-owner low-mile '68 Dodge Charger (bought for $650...that should clue you to my age lol).



I have been looking for some time to locate an "affordable" "Cuda or Challenger project. Looking for affordable has pretty much ruled out a 'Cuda
I have found a few Challenger projects (all require lengthy drives since I haven't found what I want locally) that are within the realm of "affordable" and here is where the questions start


A)
One I found is a '70 (originally a 6 cylinder...now has a 340/auto)

B)
Another is a '73 with "maybe original" 318/auto

C)
And finally a '70 R/T w/383/auto.

The first two are rougher than the R/T but all of them need a complete restoration (which I plan to do).

1)
I'm guessing I know the answer but are '70's more desirable at resale time (this would be a long way off as I'm doing this for the passion of the hobby and not as a flipper) than a '73?
(just looking at this from somewhat of a long-term investment standpoint)

2)
Again, I think I know but...
Would the '70 R/T (originally Plum Crazy) be a better investment than the other '70 (former 6 cylinder car...originally yellow...maybe Lemon Twist?)
These two projects are approximately $4000. apart on asking price.

Unfortunately I have only seen limited pictures of these 3 online and have not viewed any of them in person yet.
Of course the R/T is the FURTHEST away and the most $$... (and the '73 is the least expensive and the closest).


Hope this doesn't come off to "newb" but getting my feet wet on Mopars when I'm used to GM is gonna' require lots of research I've found

Thanks in advance for the help

[soundcontrol]

Welcome Jeff,
I would go for the R/T of course, then I probably would go stock resto, but the -70 6-cyl would be a cool car to build a more modern Challenger on.
I always had e-bodys, but cheated with a couple of Camaros on the side in the late 80's

[JayBee]

To answer your questions (1 & 2), you ARE right on both accounts
Oh, and welcome.

[OUTLAW]

to get a closer estimate on the value I would go to  http://nada.com  they have a classic car value area that you can punch in different combinations and get a value for your zip code. It is pretty close to actual values according to local auctions  go to consumer then classic cars

[70HoosierCuda]

Thank you for the advise, guys...still thinking on this so keep it coming

[ToxicWolf]

Definate yes on one and two. Do you want to restore a car close to original or go resto-mod?

[70HoosierCuda]

Do you want to restore a car close to original or go resto-mod?

I'm an original/stock kind of guy when it comes to cars

[70HoosierCuda]

Thanks again for the help and the friendly welcome!

After communicating and getting more info from the seller, I'm leaning towards the '70 R/T.
Numbers matching drivetrain and lots of new sheetmetal included...and of course, highest price. Maybe I can negotiate a little bit

[ToxicWolf]

Thanks again for the help and the friendly welcome!

After communicating and getting more info from the seller, I'm leaning towards the '70 R/T.
Numbers matching drivetrain and lots of new sheetmetal included...and of course, highest price. Maybe I can negotiate a little bit

Sounds good.  I've always thought the best way is to start with the car in the best condition and work from there.    

[jimynick]

If you're going to sink a bunch of dough into one of these things, you may as well go for one that'll be the more desirable and that's the 70 big block car, for sure. Look EVERYWHERE, especially underneath when you're inspecting the car and I'd make a point of asking the seller what it's deficiencies are and why he's selling it. Some guys may actually tell you the truth and it's up to you, then. PS- Welcome to the site from 

[dfrazz]

Welcome from CO!  As stated, yes on 1 and 2.  What is your skill level mechanically, fabrication, body, and paint?  Set a budget, then double it and you might be close to the total cost.  Depending on your answers to these questions, go for the R/T.

[70HoosierCuda]

I have pretty much decided the '70 RT is the one to go for...a little nervous about it as I have never spent this much on a project car before. But in the end, I think it would be the one to yield the best profit (maybe I'll consider it a retirement investment...after I have enjoyed it a bit  )

I'm planning to make the LOOOONG drive to go look it over, try to get the price down some, and hopefully bring it home this coming weekend. I'll keep you all posted one way or the other.
I know it's still going to have a large budget but luckily there is a lot of new sheetmetal included with the sale and the car appears to be pretty complete overall.

As for skill level, learning Mopar (since I'm used to GM products) will be new for me but I have been through this a few times before.
I had my own small restoration shop a few years ago but ended up closing down and moving on to other things. I miss it but I still have a couple of projects of my own to try and find time for.
I come from an automotive background but pretty much taught myself the restoration side of things.

Here's a few pix (sorry, it's a Pontiac ) of a project I did for a client in Michigan. Among all the tedious details, I replaced or repaired nearly every panel on this '76.

Before (at seller's home in Wisconsin):


Somewhat during:


One of my favorite shots:


After (finished product): (sorry for the watermark)


Being loaded on to trailer for it's trip home:



The plan (when work and wife allows ) is to finish my '78 Trans Am (it's on the rotisserie now), then do the Challenger, and finally the Camaro. Hopefully some other good projects will pop up along the way



Thank you all again for the warm welcome and help with the decision.   

[70HoosierCuda]

Hopefully showing some of work doesn't come off arrogant...sorry if it did.

The only thing I have ever learned for sure doing this kind of work is that I always have more to learn ....

[blown motor]

Looks like you did a great job on it. 77/78 Trans Ams are my favorite non-Mopar.

[ToxicWolf]

Looks like you did a great job on it. 77/78 Trans Ams are my favorite non-Mopar.

I liked the 76 because you could get a 455 in it.