Author Topic: kinda lost , owning a 70 cuda and a 74 barracuda ,, not happy need youre opinion (Read 8607 times)

Beekeeper · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2017 - 10:43:26 PM »

Quote from: valerianmagnum on December 28, 2017 - 09:42:47 PM

Wow im speechless , its true that i try to rush everything , i can happy while restoring the 70 cuda of course , but i would love to find a 71 one day , maybe i can fix it and sell it too , it has good options and it can be a beautifull car thats for sure. A 70 cuda small block with documentaion ( and no original engine and tranny ) can surely be worth 50-60k if done right ? Everybody are telling me juste put the front clip of a 71 change the tailight panel on the 74 and call it a day...nah i want my 71 *to be a real one ( one day !!) its true that being 32 im still very young , and my wife is being incredible for me : even if she doesnt understand all this weird passion that we have , she is Still there to support me.

Hope I didn't take all the wind out of your sails. A lot of us rush things...I'm very good at it actually. Sounds like you're in a great place with so many cars to choose from. And when you find a woman who doesn't get upset over time and money going to projects, that's tough to beat. I know so many guys who drool over my cars and could afford one of their own but their wife needs a new Mercedes every three years.

A 70 coda can be worth a lot. I think to get it in the 50-60k range though, it would probably need original power train with a four speed. Maybe not if the replacement one is nice but the car definitely has to be super nice...like show car nice. Of all the Mopars, I'd have to say the 70 Cuda is in the top five in terms of desirability and resale so if it's possible to do that car, you'll have something that will bring big money when you're ready to get the 71. I think most folks would say 71 Cudas are probably number one.

I want one bad and while I'm finally at a point where I could probably swing it, I have a hard time spending that kind of dough on myself when my daughter will be off to college in a couple more years. My plan is to retire at 52, move out of expensive California, then start searching for one. I'd like to have an extra 75k setting in an account when I start looking. I'm guessing someone with a 95k car will want a quick easy cash sale.

captcolour · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2017 - 09:17:22 AM »

Like most have said, I would forget about restoring the 74 and focus on the 70. If the ultimate plan would be to sell the 70 at some point for a 71, then factor that into the restoration. Perhaps shoot for a nice restoration but not an over-the-top one with lots of high priced parts and options. The goal of the 70 for you could be a nice driver while waiting/searching for the 71.

Don't forget that 1/2 the fun is in the hunt. You see some cool cars, meet some nice people, and see things in a car you hadn't thought about before. You've got a great car in the 70. Enjoy it while you are patient and deliberate about finding the right 71 for you.

Beekeeper · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2017 - 09:27:16 AM »

Quote from: captcolour on December 29, 2017 - 09:17:22 AM

Like most have said, I would forget about restoring the 74 and focus on the 70. If the ultimate plan would be to sell the 70 at some point for a 71, then factor that into the restoration. Perhaps shoot for a nice restoration but not an over-the-top one with lots of high priced parts and options. The goal of the 70 for you could be a nice driver while waiting/searching for the 71.

Don't forget that 1/2 the fun is in the hunt. You see some cool cars, meet some nice people, and see things in a car you hadn't thought about before. You've got a great car in the 70. Enjoy it while you are patient and deliberate about finding the right 71 for you.

I couldn't agree more about the fun of the hunt. When you are not ready, cars are falling out of trees. It can be really frustrating so I try not to tempt myself with cars I'm not ready for. On the other hand, it can be so much fun when you are ready to pull the trigger with the right amount of cash in hand. It gives you the confidence to walk away when something's not quite right. And if you are buying a finished car for a big wad of dough, you get the luxury of patience. In general, the higher the price, the more control you gain. You can't afford to delay on a good deal 20k car but at 60-70k, it can be the best deal in the world but there's still a very small group of people with that kind of money who are willing to part with it. That gives you a ton of control in the dealing process or at the least, time to thoroughly check things out and sleep on the decision. Those cars don't change hands every day.

valerianmagnum · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2017 - 10:47:14 PM »

I think my best bet would be to sell my other cars and restore the 70 cuda , i still hope finding my dream 71 cuda one day , but its true that taking a step back and taking my time will be helpfull , im trying too much and i truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

7212Mopar · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2017 - 12:17:27 PM »

If I am in your shoes.
1. Keep the HEMI and sell all the projects to recoup the money.
2. Get the house.
3. Pay the $23k for the 71 340 the guy is asking. Not too far out of line for a SB 4 speed 71.
4. Build your dream car over time and live happily after.

Don't over think it too much. Make a decision and then just get it done. Life is too short to live with regrets.

'Cuda Hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2017 - 12:42:11 PM »

superlark82 just purchased two cuda's. both for 1500 each. YOu might throw him some thousands above what he paid and get a decent 71 for a decent price. And make him happy with the extra cash to fix the other one. That's over on febo. You might pm the guy.

Just saying. Thrill of the chase!

valerianmagnum · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2017 - 01:58:08 PM »

Trying to contact superlark82 but i cant find him on febo...theres a 71 in the 2 cars he bought ??

JoeGrapes · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2017 - 05:18:39 PM »

You are just where I was 20 years ago. I had two cars. A 74 318 Barracuda and a 70 big block Gran Coupe. The 74 was in much better shape than the 70 but was missing a lot of parts. Back then all anybody wanted was a 70 or 71. You hardly couldn�t give away a 72-74 car. I took all the parts from the 70, drive train, interior, doors, left front fender, grill and tail panel and put them on the 74 since the frame on that car was solid. I never had the dash from the 74 so the only vin I had was the 70. The car came out beautiful and won lots of awards. In the years I�ve had it it�s now a restomod since I modified pretty much everything. I�m happy with it and always tell people exactly what I did. When people ask if it�s all original I tell them �all the parts are originally off some car� It�s still an E body. These cars have become so expensive to build now I feel bad for new people trying to get into the hobby. You have to do what makes you sleep nights. I�ve never looked at it as an investment that way I can have fun and not constantly worrying about the money I have into it. Also I did all the work myself so that alone saves tons of money. If you paid someone to do all the work you should forget about any return on your investment.

challengermaniac · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2018 - 01:25:47 AM »

I have a ton more experience with 70 Challengers and I can tell you for a fact it's simple to sell a priced correctly 70 Challenger and very difficult (even today) to get real money out of a 72, 73 and 74. And any of those that have been cloned into a 70 do even worse in comparison to cost.

That is why I agree with 7212Mopar's recommendation you sell off everything and buy the old man's 71 and get to work while doing your absolute best to keep in great terms with the wife.

HP2 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2018 - 12:14:33 PM »

Quote from: Beekeeper on December 28, 2017 - 05:27:54 PM

That's the car you should be getting fixed up. If it isn't all smashed up or rusted out, that car is worth something finished even if the original power train is gone. Use the parts from the 74 and sell off the 74 as a rolling shell project car. The 70 is an awesome car. It's a very close second to the 71 dream car.

You're only 32. You're talking to a lot of guys in their 40s, 50s, 60s who are still trying to realize their dream cars. Sounds to me like you need to take a big step back and focus on what you really want and make a realistic plan to get there. My wife is wonderful and tolerates my obsessive car hobby. I have three cars and no complaints from her. I want to stay married so I'm not gonna find out where her breaking point is by collecting more projects. A divorce means zero projects for years.

Don't take this the wrong way but a young man newly married preparing to buy a new house probably doesn't need a mega expensive super duper dream car just yet. Plenty of time to make it happen if you plan it out and make good decisions. Get situated in your new marriage so it lasts. Pick your favorite project (I'd go with the 70 Cuda) and get it on the road, ditch the rest of the projects so you're not distracted. Just seems like you over reaching a bit.

Good deals do come along and the people who are prepared to act immediately usually get them. For that, you need to keep a big stack of cash hidden in an account some place. That "desperate" guy with the trashed car for 23k is trying to get absolute top buck which doesn't sound desperate to me. I'd flash him 15k and tell him to call you when he gets serious. The car might be worth more but the number of people with cash like that are few and far between. If you have that cash now, you could try to get the 71. if you do get it, you should dump all the others.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Agreement here as well.

You have brought it up enough times that I am comfortable saying you should not convert any of your existing cars to a '71. It will only eat at you that they are not what they should be and you will never be happy with them. Unload what you have or focus on the '70. Then prepare/look/save for the '71 over time.

YellowThumper · « **Reply #25 on:** April 09, 2018 - 02:55:31 PM »

As many have already noted. Reading between the lines you will never mentally accept a 74/71 clone. Every time for the rest of your ownership when someone is discussing it. You will have to ask yourself do I tell them or do I not.
My2c is to complete the basics on the 74. Sell it. Probably also sell the A body as well. This will allow you to focus on the 70. Start its restoration all the while keeping an eye out for a 71. If the right deal does not come thru for the 71. You are still making progress towards the end goal of the 70. Enjoy it as a completed project or sell it for serious down on your dream 71.

valerianmagnum · « **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2018 - 11:21:39 PM »

Dreams do come true...

valerianmagnum · « **Reply #27 on:** October 14, 2018 - 11:25:05 PM »

Happy pic !!

jimynick · « **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2018 - 03:45:23 PM »

Good for you! The smile on your face says a lot. I was going to say that, with your youth, I'd hang on for a few more years, as I'm seeing the market for these cars softening as the guys who knew them in their youth are now old farts like me and there's fewer of us that want them and will pay the huge prices that these cars used to command.

4Cruizn · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2018 - 11:31:35 AM »

Quote from: valerianmagnum on October 14, 2018 - 11:21:39 PM

Dreams do come true...

I just read this whole thread and WOW that is awesome! A lot of great advise was given by all the members that posted here! Mopar guys are the best!

Author Topic: kinda lost , owning a 70 cuda and a 74 barracuda ,, not happy need youre opinion (Read 8607 times)

Beekeeper

Re: kinda lost , owning a 70 cuda and a 74 barracuda ,, not happy need youre opinion

captcolour

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Beekeeper

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valerianmagnum

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7212Mopar

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'Cuda Hunter

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valerianmagnum

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JoeGrapes

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challengermaniac

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HP2

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YellowThumper

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valerianmagnum

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valerianmagnum

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jimynick

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4Cruizn

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