70 challenger se value???

[sixpack340]

Gents, I have been our of the game for a while. Well now the time is upon me and the little boy to take on my long wanted father/son car. I found a challenger local to me for $2800. It's a 70se with its original 318 (blah...needs something cooler). It's in very rough shape. But it's what I can afford at the moment and still have some dough to buy parts to get started. It needs trunk, quarters, rear frame rail, fenders and floor patch. I'm wondering if you all think I can get a little better deal or should I jump on this like a fat kid on a cupcake? I can't get the ad to attach. It's on harrisburg, pa craigslist. Sorry

[rUNCHARGER]

Hard to say without more info/pictures but if it's complete it should be worth $2800. I urge you though to save some more $$$ and buy a better car it will save you a lot of money in the end. Everything you do to a project car will cost you double what you think it will.

Sheldon

[sixpack340]

It's not complete. No interior what so ever. All glass is gone. It's damn near a bare shell, just with a crap motor sitting in it. I know it'll cost more in the long run. But this isn't going to be a quick restoration either. I want us to tackle every part of the work ourselves. As a learning experience and something he can be proud of one day. To say that we did it all and it looks awesome.

[sixpack340]

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/5044161060.html


Here's the link. Finally figured out how to post it

[TelisSE440]

I wouldn't buy it if I were you, just the sheet metal will get you over 2k (rough estimate). The parts 'cost will be a nightmare. Just the glass would cost you 1k unless you find used. I would wait a couple years to save more money and find a better,  more complete deal, I know it's hard but you'll see it's better then. And FWIW I wouldn't have  paid more than 1k for this car...

[Fern]

There has got to be better projects for 2,800.

[Jamie]

I sold my 71 last year for $3500 needing everything replaced , it could have been this cars twin! For what it's worth my buddy is about to list his 73. It's a complete car that he stopped driving 15 years ago. It's a 318 , a/c , rally dash . White with black interior. Needs usual trunk and floor pans but is a solid complete car to do. Just throwing it out there and we are in Delaware.not sure on price yet, but reasonable.

[sixpack340]

Damn...I really want a 70 or 71 car. To be honest, I'm really more interested in a cuda. But challengers hold a special place in my heart from my memories as a child riding in my dad's u-code 70. I loved that car. My true ideal car would be a 71 cuda ( isn't that everyones?!). But finding one in my budget is like finding atlantis. I guess I'll stay away from this one. I thought it was a good price for a 70. I'm glad I asked first.

[Mpdlawdog]

Hard to say without more info/pictures but if it's complete it should be worth $2800. I urge you though to save some more $$$ and buy a better car it will save you a lot of money in the end. Everything you do to a project car will cost you double what you think it will.

Sheldon

   I started my car two years ago and i still haven't driven it...also takes a ton of time...as much as I have in mine I could have bought a decent one

[sixpack340]

I do agree that saving for a few years longer and buying a more complete or better condition car may be ideal. Trouble I see in that logic though, is that if not me, then who will bring this car back? I'm not trying to say I'm some restoration god or hero. All I'm saying is, it seems in today's market, you either find a basket case or a car that is worth more than my house. I've owned a few cudas before and have paid a lot more for a car that turned out to be in the same condition, just with a lot of bondo over the ugly stuff. I do agree completely with a lot of what you guys are saying and I do appreciate it very much. I just wonder though, if we're losing so many of these cars to sitting somewhere to rot or cut up to repair a different car. There's so much available for body panels and such nowadays. I just can't help but obsess over the idea of bringing a beautiful car back from the dead and having the pride in knowing I did it right (with much guidance of course). I dunno....I'm torn a bit on this one gents.

[roadman5312]

It looks very rough, but hey, very cheap. And its a Challenger, and you have years to build it, and you have help, your son. And we are always here to offer guidance, suggestions, etc. We looked at a car recently that was much worse rust wise, and twice as much money because of options and color combo.  Maybe a low offer, meet in the middle.     Good luck what ever way you go.   

[AARTA340]

I looked at the pictures of the car, and if i were in your shoes, I would look for a different one. If the front fender has that much rust and the trunk is that far gone, rest assured an Eastern Car with that much rust showing has more than that in hiding. Frame rails would be of great concern. Don't pull the trigger too soon. For every car I have bought, it has never failed I found a better one after the fact. If you were not so far away, I have five that will be on the for sale status soon.

Take the advice of the guys above as they know what they are talking about. I am afraid the one you have found may be too far gone for not being a high profile car.

Good luck on the search!

[sixpack340]

Just out of morbid curiosity,  where are you located aarta340?

[AARTA340]

Just out of morbid curiosity,  where are you located aarta340?

I overlooked that, Eastern Washington State. Long way from PA. Years ago I bought a car from the Michigan area, went and picked it up, brought it home and after evaluating the amount of rust in it, I sold it for what I paid for it. The rails were riddled with holes and that was long before they had the replacement metal they have today. It was not a rare car, one of 400, RT/SE 4 speed 383 numbers matching. In 20/20 hindsight, I should have kept it, but that is a whole new story. LOL

[sixpack340]

Damn. Just a few hours away. Haha. Cars around me are few and far between that have less rust or more complete it seems. The east coast is hard on these old cars.