sassy grass green cuda 50K on ebay

[351c4v71]

Hi guys,
I might go and take a look at that green 71 cuda in Ontario this week-end.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1971-Plymouth-Barracuda-Complete-Frame-Off-Restore_W0QQitemZ290282579145QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item290282579145&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Anybody know this car?
Any advise on what to look for to make sure this car is worth the money (50K).
So far I know it's a BS code, auto, 340, rotisserie, engine redone and tranny too.

Thanks for your help.
JS

[72hemi]

Is it a numbers matching car? It has 71 Challenger seats instead of cuda seats. Other than that looks like a nice car. Would be interesting to see the fender tag and broadcast sheet. I think this is a better car, but that may be because its blue and a factory shaker car

http://www.cudaworld.com/adDetail.php?cat_id=10&sub_id=0&ad_id=1942

[71bigblock]

Was that the one that was here in WI a while back?  There are only so many cars that look like that... 

[351c4v71]

I don't think it's a car from WI, 'cause it's been in resto for the past 5 years.
Apparently it is a tru nut and bolt resto. Engine and tranny rebuilt too.

I agree the shaker option is quite desirable and worth much but that green is the ultimate cuda color in my opnion. And this one has a new paint, 2 color coats and 4 lear coats. That alone must cost at least 10K these days.

Anyone has advice on what to look for to see if this car is a rip-off?
Any tricks (beside the magnet) to make sure this is a good investment?

Thanks! and wish me luck!

JS

[Moparal]

Even if it is exactly what is stated and in perfect shape, it may not be a good choice for an investment purpose.    Be careful

[351c4v71]

Why?
Aren't 71 cuda's a safe investment?

[ragtopdodge]

Wonder what the fender tag reads.  Options are what helps a 340 'Cuda (made >2,000) gain value.  Sassy grass could help, although many folks can get turned off by that color.

You couldn't do a rotisserie resto front to back for less than $50k if you don't do anything yourself.  So it'd be a good deal regardless.

However...interested if the motor is matching #s or not.  Not too big a deal really; as long as it's date-coded, that helps.

[Moparal]

Why?
Aren't 71 cuda's a safe investment?

Not trying to scare you off of something you are leaning towards buying. Yes it is a 71, but it is a small block auto, and big blocks usually take the high dollar command.   Do you plan on trying to make a 50% profit off this like resell @75k?  Or more?   How long were you planning on letting this car set without putting it on the road to keep it in excellent condition and out of the weather and climate?

I dont think it will bring big bucks anytime soon.  Notice a buy now and no buyers?   I'd say think things through.  For what was spent on the car and being able to enjoy it as is, it would be a good deal I guess, but not as a 401k investment. The market is too shakey

[351c4v71]

When I say a good investment. I don't mean to sell it in the near future for a profit.
Al  I mean is that I want to be able to sell it , if needs be, for the same price I paid in say  10 years.

I learned that the engine is NOM and had the intake, carb and cam professionally changed.
I think the tranny is not original either.

But still, a real rottisserie must be worth something.

Thanks for all your input.

[351c4v71]

Hi again everyone,
The car is no longer on ebay but I'm still in contact with the seller.
I went out to Ontario and checked out the car just before Xmas.
The car was really nice but:
-340 auto, not original engine. And color not original color.
- Although a rotisserie was done (pictures to prove it), there were corners under the car with no paint. Why would someone pay for a 30K rotisserie and not completely paint under the car!
- Passenger window wouldn't roll all the way up. Not a big deal, I guess it just needs adjustment.
- Tranmission started to leak a little after starting the engine for 5 minutes in seller's garage.ooops!
- Finally, when you lowered the trunk lid slowly you could easily notice that the left side made contact with trunk an easy 2 inches before the right side! It closed fine when you closed it firmly but still, is this just an adjustment matter or could this be a structural problem???
- Mechanical was  not redone during rotisserie, only paint was done and interior.
These are all the bad stuff but there were  a lot of nice things too.
Engine bay and trunk was nicely detailed. Pics of rotisserie shows it was totallly stripped and painted. Sassy Grass Green color is my favorite and was looking great. Interior seats, carpet were new. No cracks on dash.
SO, the seller is willing to drop his price but I don't know how far.
I'v been looking for a sassy grass green 71 cuda for 4 years now and can't find any (as nice as this one anyways).
I already told him 55K was too much.
Could this car be worth 45K ? I just wanna make sure 10years down the road  I can still sell it about the same price I paid.
Thanks guys.
JS

[HemiOrange70]

Well, why pay big bucks for a rotiserrie job and get the wrong seats, a misaligned trunk and a window that needs work. No way. Too many nicer cars for the same or less money out there as people are hurtin' and need the cash.  You could get a numbers matching big block for that

[351c4v71]

Where!
I've been looking and looking for a long time now.
Just look at cudaworld now, the best deal is the blue 71 cuda at 43K with a 340.
43K is about 50K cad today.  But I'm not negociable on color (I really want sassy grass green) at that price.
Otherwise, anything under 60K USD is a 340. 
Then you get into the 60 to 150K range which is just crazy to me.
I wouldn't wanna drive an 80k car like that down the road. I'd be too scared to scratch it.
Anyways, thanks for the advice. And if you find me a 71 BS cuda sassy grass green that's a better deal (like a matching big block!) under 45K USD, I'll give you a nice commission!
BTW someone told me those seats were an option on the cuda in 71, not challenger seats. But I don't know for sure. 

[73Chally]

You shouldn't have to justify to us why you want to buy it.  If you like it, buy it.  You asked for opinions and based on what you have told us I think to a person we will say it's overpriced.  However, if you are dead set on a 71 in Sassy Grass, and you like this car, then by all means buy it.  Have you tried negotiating to see how far the seller will come down?

[351c4v71]

Well when I went to see it he was asking 55K USD. Which is about 67K  CAD with today's rate.
Then, he e-mailed me saying he was willing to let it go for 55K CAD.
But that was still too much so I said it was still too much and listing my reasons why...
About 2 weeks after that, he's saying my comment were fair and he's asking me how much I'm willing to pay for it.
So I don't know how far he'll go. I was thinking 45K CAD (36 USD) but I'm still hesitating with everyone's comments.
But I know you guys are right about the economy and everything, just haven't seen it really reflect on the muscle car market yet.

[CudaEd]

Well, why pay big bucks for a rotiserrie job and get the wrong seats, a misaligned trunk and a window that needs work. No way. Too many nicer cars for the same or less money out there as people are hurtin' and need the cash.  You could get a numbers matching big block for that

I'm sorry but 2 out of 3 things that you point out are easy fixes. But, to boldly state that a big block, restored, can be acquired for that kind of money? 50k?...List an example...