Looking for any and all thoughts and input of WIW, 1971 Cuda 383 auto

[AARTA340]

I was looking at this car very seriously a few months back, but after a detailed inspection, decided to step back and re-group. The owner called a couple weeks ago and wondered if I am still interested. Told him yes, but the car needs way too much or is lacking things to be a top of the line car that he thinks it is worth. It has about a 10 year old restoration.

Here is what I observed:

All/most wire harnesses have been spliced or have open copper showing.

Interior panels are original, nice, but have cracks, missing small pieces and most of the screw that hold them on are missing.

Seats were redone, but now has missing buttons on both front seats

Non matching numbers motor, transmission and radiator. Has a 68 motor with incorrect exhaust manifolds. No provisions for the stove pipe.

It has had some metal repair, trunk for sure and possibly the extensions and lower or full quarters.

The paint shows real nice, but does have some nicks and so on that you would expect for a 10 year old resto. The billboards have some nicks as well.

It has two tags with almost every option available, but no build sheet. The tags look real, but the repos are getting better all the time.

Motor does run very good.

So if any of you are inclined to throw a value on this would be appreciated. I can add more info if that will help with a better guesstimate. I will try and post a picture of it again.

I probably have missed some info to share so let me know what will assist on to help establish a value of this. I am thinking I am too attached to be neutral.

thanks again



Below is a link to the post of the picture. Still trying to get it attached to this thread. It is on the first page, down about 1/2 way.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=105908.msg1039652#msg1039652

[turbo224]

The original Craigslist ad has expired, so there aren't any additional pictures. Just judging by your description and the one image, it looks like it would make a really nice driver. Is is a real Cuda? What motor did it come with?

[roadman5312]

       That color    

[AARTA340]

It is a real Cuda, BS23N1B_________. I have the number somewhere and will look for it.  I have always leaned toward high option vehicles and that is my main interest in it. It has PW's, AC, 6Way seat, no cruise control. The wing and the billboards are coded on the tags. Have those numbers as well and will find them and share. My biggest concern is the missing BC sheet. Owner thinks he has it, but have not seen it. It has the wrong radio, and is coded for AM/FM. Missing the AC duct for the driver side as well. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice car but I don't think it is near worth the 50k he is wanting. Unfortunately he bought at the peak of the market.

[anlauto]

I was going to say $40K -$45K....

[whitewatersky]

       That color   

i agree    

[RzeroB]

The fact that the owner contacted you to see if you are still interested after all this time is a good thing. With no takers on his inflated sales price maybe he has finally come to the realization that he needs to temper his expectations of what he thinks he can get for the car. Maybe the wife finally wore him down - IIRC she was on him to sell the car. He may now be more amiable to actually listening to offers then he was before when he still had those sky high expectations. The time could be right to throw him an offer in the range that you were thinking about back in the spring and see if he bites. Yeah, the car needs a bunch of things and a lot of time to make it right, but it is a loaded two tag GA4 car and that unto itself is a big plus - at least to me it is 'cause I love GA4! Good luck Grant, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[AARTA340]

Thanks for the opinions so far.

Alan: Your  $40k-$45k is right about where I was at. I was thinking of making an offer of $42,500.

Tom: It does need quite a bit to make it where I would like to have it, but most of the stuff is just plug in or bolt on, I did a quick estimate of cost and it is about $15k of parts and stuff. He does keep saying his "wife wants it gone"  LOL

One other obstacle is that he did not register it in his state, still has Texas paper work.

There was another 71 that if memory serves me correct, a member her bought it. It is blue, and for whatever reason I am not a b5 fan. And the car sold for like 35k as well, just wrong color for me. One other thing, will the non matching numbers have much impact at some later date ir/when I was to sell it.

thanks again guys

[anlauto]

I'll say it again...IN MY OPINION.....For a 383 auto 71 Cuda to hit big numbers like $70K-$80K, it has to be a fresh, correct restoration of a well documented numbers matching car. No radial tires and Delco batteries, no added options or colour changes...
People see cars like these sell for big dollars and think every 71 Cuda is worth big dollars...it doesn't work like that.

Yes, non matching numbers will hold you back a bit.

[AARTA340]

I have seen your (Alan) other comments on 71 383 cars and value your opinion immensely. You see and deal with similar vehicles on a regular basis and have a good pulse on the market at hand. Not sure why all the hype with 340 cars, but I know they are in more demand. I would prefer a BB over a small block. The 383 will provide the similar roar of a 440, but more economical on fuel. I have had em all, 340's, 440's 440's 6 packs, so it is not infatuation for multi carb or anything, just looking for a nice ride with a dependable power plant.

I am still hesitant about the deal, as NMN will make buyers later on as cautious as I am. I am possibly going to look at it again in the next week or so, so if any of you can think of any thing else I should look for would be appreciated.

thanks again

[crocha617]

If it needs $15,000 worth of parts I couldn't see it being worth any more than $40k I'm thinking more like $35,000.

I like this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plymouth-Barracuda-Cuda-/151731127205?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2353e143a5&item=151731127205

[mofish]

Hi Grant, I'm not trying to step on anyones toes here but....I was in conversation about this yesterday and was told to be cautious on cars from Texas. IMO...if it were me...I would at least consider having him register the car in his state. Just a thought. Good luck my friend.

[AARTA340]

Hi Grant, I'm not trying to step on anyones toes here but....I was in conversation about this yesterday and was told to be cautious on cars from Texas. IMO...if it were me...I would at least consider having him register the car in his state. Just a thought. Good luck my friend.

Good to hear from you Darcy!! Thanks for the input on title transfer and that is some more good advice. I would even entertain criticism as it is all perspective.

[AARTA340]

If it needs $15,000 worth of parts I couldn't see it being worth any more than $40k I'm thinking more like $35,000.

I like this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plymouth-Barracuda-Cuda-/151731127205?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2353e143a5&item=151731127205

I have to agree, that is a keeper!!! and it passes the color test. LOL, not B5 Blue!

[roadman5312]

I have to agree, that is a keeper!!! and it passes the color test. LOL, not B5 Blue!

                                   Or Purple.        That color is awesome.