Well I think part of the appeal of these big block E- bodies is that people who drooled over them as kids now have a few bucks in the bank and can buy one. Supply and demand. Part of the reason why some of the very rare cars from the early 20th Century- some much rarer than these cars, don't bring the big bucks like they used to. Not as much demand anymore. The people who remember them as kids are mostly gone now. I think that eventually that will start to happen with these Cudas and Challengers- I just don't know when.
Another way to look at it is: If you inherited $200,000, would you buy a Hemicuda? (Number used just as an example- I don't know whether it would bring that restored). If the answer is no, then it means you prefer to have the $200,000. Or maybe you would rather buy a nice 440 6-pack Cuda and a new 505 horse Z-06 6 speed Corvette! (I am dying for one of those, by the way- but too expensive new- they are getting sticker plus $$$ now).
If you have the Hemicuda, would you sell it for $200,000? If so, then it means exactly the same thing- you prefer to have $200,000 or maybe two cars- a 505 horse Z-06 Corvette and a 6-pack Mopar.
Or to look at an extreme example- If you had title to a perfect matching 71 Hemi Cuda convertible, worth at least a million based on the last few sales, wouldn't most people reading this sell it? I definitely would!! I would much rather have the money.
Anyhow, getting all the rust out and the new paint on seems like the right thing to do- but I don't want to spend six figures on it for a Roger Gibson restoration. $30,000 seems about right.
It's a little scary though and I am selling an old Corvette (not worth nearly as much) to pay for it.
