Rare 71 Cuda

[Bearcuda]

Ok guys and gals, I mentioned this car before, but I don't think anyone responded about the car directly. I want to see what you think this car is worth. A friend of mine has a 71 Cuda 383 that is a highly optioned, two data plate car. It is an original, numbers matching, 383, curious yellow, front and rear spoilers, billboard, shaker car. This car has all the best options, but for some reason the original owner ordered it in a column shift. Go figure.
Anyway, this car is currently a rolling chassis with all the body work done. All the parts are in this guys basement. I know you're gonna say I'm nuts and you're probably right, but I kind of had a chance to buy this car as is for $25k. He was on the fence about selling it, but I think he would. I don't have the facilities to restore a car at the moment and restoration shops were telling me it would be a 2 to 3 year wait to get it in and then possibly another couple of years to finish it. I wanted something to drive right away and opted to get the Cuda you see below. Now, he's been in no rush to finish this car and I could probably still pick it up in the future when I have the means. What do you think the current value is of this beast if it was fully restored?
It's crazy, he picked this car up about 8 years ago for $2,000 bucks.    It was sitting by the side of a back road. He still has the for sale sign that was in the window for $2,500. This guy is a plethora of information on rare cars, especially mopars. He knows where all kinds of great cars are just sitting, but owners won't sell. Anyway, just wanted to see what you thought this car is worth. Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

I hate guessing about worth , it is worth exactly what 2 people are willing to bid against each other on any given day
sounds too high to me , by the time it si restored you will have at least another 30K in it & that is assuming everything is there to build it & you do a lot of the work , so it seems high to me especially when a documented 6 pack 4 spd car barely breaks 100k can or 85K us , but in the 3-5 years it takes to build it it could look like a bargain if prices take off again , I clearly remeber in both in the late 80s & late 90s when  magazine wrote articles saying how prices had peaked
 other than $$$ do you really want the car ? even if it never is worth what you have into it , this is a more important ? in my mind , , I flat out love these cars if they are worth $5 or $5 million

[Chryco Psycho]

this really belongs in WIW thread but I will leave it here for a couple days

[HemiOrange70]

The fact it is a 383 shaker car is reare, but that is it. Done maybe 55k tops.25k now is too much if it needs restoring. Prices are not going up. Gas is hurting the prices and everyone who wanted one for big $ has one. My 

[n9671x2]

Any more details on the condition of the car originally and the condition of the parts?   That is a big determining factor.   NICE original door panels, NICE rally dash etc.. or is everything ragged out?   Grill nice, shaker stuff nice?

[Carlwalski]

I'd buy it for $25K, that is a good price. Do some searchers, the car below is a 383 #'s car and that was $25K.
Completely untouched non shaker car. If you don't want it mate I'll take it, original BS car too.

I'd restore and store the 383 drop my Hemi in and away I'd go. Do you have any photos? This isn't the car that's on Cuda-world is it? Grille on top of the car? He was asking $25K for that. His names Danny Allen?

Honestly, if you don't see the need for it please let me know. I'm in the market and hungry.

[Bullitt-]

I think the key here that some may be missing' is "with all the body work done" which I interpret as ready to paint.
 IF you were to hire out the "body work" on most of these cars you could spend a good chunk of the 25K right there..  

[72hemi]

For 71's 440-6 cars are pulling over 200k, I would not be surprised that this particular beingas rare as it is and that it is a factory shaker car finished be worth 80k or more. 318 and slant 6 cars needing restoration are pulling almost 20k. If you can get that car for 25k jump on it, especially if the bodywork is done.

[Bearcuda]

I was thinking $25k was a good deal too. He said he used body panels from three other cudas to get the body where it is now. The underside is already painted in curious with new brake lines and front and rear suspension parts put in. All of the interior parts and shaker stuff that I saw in his basement looked pretty good. He hasn't rebuilt the motor yet.
No, it's not the one on Cudaworld. This guy isn't actively trying to sell the car. Like I said, he might and he might not. He's on the fence about it. I don't have the means to buy it at the moment after buying my Cuda, but it's still in my sights. The wife and I are looking to buy some property that I can put outbuildings on then I will be ready to go after this car again. I just wish it was a factory console shift car. Who the heck ordered column shift with these, especially some of the column shift hemis that are out there.
Around $80k was what I was thinking as well for the current market value. I wanted to see if others agreed with that.

He's got a pretty nice air grabber, purple, 70 roadrunner in his garage too that he isn't doing anything with right now. He doesn't want to sell it at the moment though. He picked that one up for some rediculously low price too.

[ragtopdodge]

build sheet?

Can't add too much to the value if it's not documented as folks have been repopping fender tags.

Still, having a shaker hood/components adds value in its own right.

[triggerfish]

I paid $32K for a B5/B5 U Code70 CUda,highly optioned, rubber bumper w/ armrest & column shift, a few yrs ago when prices were increasing. Car was a totally rust free CA car & that made the difference. I got lucky,in that its the 2nd lowest production # Galen has & has an unusual story behind its identity. 
You mentioned the "body work" was done, but the value of a "fixed" once rusty car will never equal a rust free one.  Where was the car originally from & what part of the country did it spend most of its life in?  Rust issues & panel replacement would be my biggest concern.  I'd also check for factory spot welds around all the VIN stamped panels & any hint of metal work.  383 Shaker's are rare & if every part is there, might be a good investment.  You could always bring cash & show him a wad of $15K & go from there.   Don't forget, you could easily spend $30-$75K on a quality resto.  Best of Luck.

[Bearcuda]

No, it's the real deal. This guy is a mopar guru. He spits off facts and stuff that boggle my mind. He showed me pictures of it when he bought it. I have no reason to believe it's not the real thing. It had rear quarters, rocker panels, trunk, and rear window to trunk piece all replaced. I think it's easily still an $80k+ when it's done.

[Carlwalski]

So, are you going to look into it further? Would he consider selling to someone else?

[Bearcuda]

So, are you going to look into it further? Would he consider selling to someone else?

Sorry NZ, this car is top secret for now. I definitely want it.  I just have to get the right work facility for it.  I think I'll finish it myself if I can do that.

[Carlwalski]

No worries mate, if he does decided to sell outside and you don't want it, I do believe I put my hand up first.
Best of luck with it, hope it works out for you and you eventually get the car.