Author Topic: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone? (Read 4904 times)

focal 7 · « **on:** October 03, 2005 - 10:56:45 PM »

After purchasing my 1974 cuda tooling car, my 27 year old son walks around it and says, "Dad I gotta have one of these!" I've been looking for 2 months and came across a 73 tonight. I need advice...... thanks in advance! The car we're looking at is in it's original paint and side stripes, it is unmolested in every way except for 2 holes cut in the door panels for speakers. It is a 340 car with a non-numbers engine in the car and the numbers matching motor sitting in the garage in need of a rebuild. 8 3/4 rear end. Numbers matching 727 auto. with slapstik & console. Ralley gauges, Crager wheels, power disc brakes, broadcast sheet and lots of documentation including owners back to 1978. Chrome is nice but not perfect. Was driven by current owner 3000 miles since 1991. He finally parked it last fall and has not driven since, battery is shot. Owner says 'shouldn't take much to get her going' but should be considered non-running. Glass is perfect, front seats have been re-covered and are near perfect with back seat about the same. Needs carpet (faded) and headliner, new comes with the car. Dash is nice, no cracks. Now for the rust. Trunk is surface and little at that. Does not need replaced, same with the floor pans. Doors near perfect, don't droop and shut solid as tho new, seems line up perfect. Rear fenders rusted around wheel wells, behind rear tire there is a tennis ball sized hole on one side only. Frame rails and undercarriage seem solid, minimal work required there. Engine compartment has 2"x3"rusted area near hoodspring and 1"x3" near fender tag. Original paint is still very nice, with a good buffing it would come back. The same can not be said for the passenger side stripe which has about 20 % peeled off. This car is complete, nothing missing, no bolts, no nuts everything is there!. Grill has been painted to match body color but is not broken. Valences show no dings or dents. Back one is notched for dual exhaust which car does not currently have. I wish I had pictures but I don't. Owner is asking me to make an offer. He feels that totally restored, the car is worth 20k. I agreed. What else shold I look at? Anyone care to give me an appraisal........Anyone?

The boy wants a cuda! Thanks!

4Cruizn · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2005 - 11:15:45 PM »

Restored� . . . 18 to 20 maybe . . .no more than that I would think.� Well with no pics, I would have to say around 10K.� The car is not put together and its gonna be work.� I still ahve yet to see very many round taillight cuda's go for more to 20K.� I've been watching??� �

360 'CUDA · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2005 - 11:23:06 PM »

Offer him 3 grand.. insert goofy smiley here

I don't know what it is "worth" but you have to begin with a starting price somewhere.
Also, when the rust is all around the hood hinges it is elsewhere...

n9671x2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005 - 05:38:53 AM »

Didn't see color combination mentioned? I would say anything under 10k would be a good buy. As far as finished value, you never really see a 72-74 restored nicely/correctly for sale so it is hard to judge real finished value.

torredcuda · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2005 - 05:43:13 AM »

Sounds like a great fairly solid project but will still need lots of work.Surface rust can become holes after sandblasting so figure on replacing-at least partial trunk floor,quarters,trunk extensions,patching drivers floor and hood hinge areas and �more.A complete matching numbers `73 like that I would think 8-10k.

miketyler · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2005 - 05:58:34 AM »

Quote

Also, when the rust is all around the hood hinges it is elsewhere...

The above are true words of wisdom. If you have rust around the hinges, check your firewall cowl VERY close. Look up under the dash or take a water hose and run water down the cowl trough and ck for leaks inside. This type damage will be hard and co$tly to repair.

From your description it sounds like the car has a lot going for it. Realistically however with the rust, unverified engine, transmission, and driveability functions I would lean towards around $6K-$8K. With engine running and driving I would think maybe as much around $10K or so?

focal 7 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2005 - 07:44:46 AM »

73' Cuda is golden haze metallic according to documentation, also has track pack, clock, dual horns, painted rear view mirrors (door). 2 yellow fog lights behind grill, probably aftermarket. (grill has not been molested). I work at a welding shop, and have done lots of rust repair on anything from Pierce Arrows to Austin Healys. I have done lots of it and try not to underestimate it's severity. I do realize that, rust Is ALWAYS worse than it first appears. I forgot to mention the owner has new patch panels for the rear fenders going from the first seem down and back to the rear valance. These are not full quarters but would cover all the rust and they are included with the car. I take it from the posts so far, that 6-8K would be a good buy and if we could get it back on the road in a weekend we would have really made a great buy. Sound right? Thanks Mark

Street_Challenged73 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2005 - 04:03:55 PM »

I'd say the $6,000-$8,000.00 mark wouldn't be too far off what it should go for. Good luck!

matt63 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2005 - 09:15:58 PM »

Lots of good comments here. I recently acquired a '73 340 4 speed Cuda project (impulse purchase). It is surprising that the prices are so low on the '72-74s considering the prices of the 70/71s and everything else Mopar. Perhaps this won't last long. In my neck of the woods you can't find a nicely restored Mopar (good amateur restoration) for under $20K. That said, it sounds like this car needs a full resto, which will probably be at least $10-12K to do the body and everything else and possiibly alot more depending who does the work and how far you want to take it. I would assume that the engine and tranny need work and there is alot more rust than you can see right now too. If you get it for $8K that means you will be into it for $20K plus. If the budget permits, buying a finished car shouldn't be any more expensive. Even buying something in much better condition i.e. no rust may work out cheaper in the end. I've redone a few rusty Mopars and learned the lessons. I spent $1600 alone on replacement metal on the last Demon I did.

Wanted:cuda · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2005 - 04:28:16 PM »

$8000-$12000 is my bet. Sounds like a nice car.

gomangoRT/SE · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2005 - 07:28:14 PM »

Not the hottest color combo, but what you have in your favor is that you can weld and therefore do much of the work. Sometimes a project like this between father and son is something he will remember for the rest of his life.... Something him and his dad did together. What better time can you spend with a son who is growing up. After all you can no longer rock him on your knee. That being said, the 73s are not hot like the older models 70 and 71. However in 5 or more years the values of these cars will increase at greater increments. But then again how much money is there to be made in the stock market these days. Muscle cars are a good way to park money. Tax free usually when you sell.........you dig!!

Author Topic: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone? (Read 4904 times)

focal 7

73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

4Cruizn

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

360 'CUDA

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

n9671x2

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

torredcuda

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

miketyler

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

focal 7

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

Street_Challenged73

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

matt63

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

Wanted:cuda

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?

gomangoRT/SE

Re: 73' Cuda. I don't have a picture, but need an appraisal. Anyone?