Help with car values

[challengerwannabe57]

I am in the market for a 70-74 Challenger.  My biggest concern is paying too much for a vehicle by not knowing it's true value.  I am less concerned with a "numbers matching" car mainly because I'm sure I can't afford one of those.  Once you get away from a numbers matching car, the value varies so much, I'm not sure what is considered a fair price.  Anyone have a source or a rule to go by on what is fair to pay for a car?

Thanks,

BV

[tommyg29]

Homework, homework homework. Thats an awful broad range of cars you're looking at, and depending on the model/year/condition etc the numbers will be all over.
Just start immersing yourself in all the online sites, ebay, cudaworld, craigslist, oldrides, trader, hemmings, etc and spend the time, not to mention this site and others to learn what to look for.
It'll take a while, but you'll eventually get to the point where you'll recognize a deal when you see it.

Good luck

[73Chally]

These are some rough numbers, bit from what I've seen, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8K to $20K for a decent driver quality small block (318, 360, 340) car, with the earlier years and 340 being at the top of that range.  A nice restored car will run you easily from $20K up to $60K-$80K, with the big blocks at the higher range.  Vrts still command big bucks.  Your best value will probably be a 72-74 Challenger driver with a small block and automatic.  Sticks typically add about 15%.  Like was said above, if you find a car you are interested in, research the crap out of it, and by all means look at it or have a 3rd party look at it before buying.

[challengerwannabe57]

Thanks for the input.  I've been looking on ebay.  I've seen a few that I like the looks of.  One of them has a 15K pricetag on it.  74 R/T clone.  360 replacement engine.  Looks pretty good inside and out.  However, since it has been pieced together, I don't know if that is a decent price or if it is too high.  See the pic and tell me what you all think.

[tommyg29]

the wing is backwards! just looking at the picture 5 seconds thats not a good sign. For ebay deals you should post the link, but I'll see if I can find it there and get back.

[tommyg29]

heres the link:
http://vanguardmotorsales.com/cardetails.asp?VIN=JH23G3B451037
interesting car. framerails look a little suspect, but I'll defer to others that know more than I do.

[Bullitt-]

Looks like a quick paint job thrown on a car that needs a resto..But GOOD body & Paint could run 15K 

Where are you located... Something local for you look at would help a lot

Ck this.. looks better from the few pics.

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/1360819081.html

[Moparal]

I have a friend in Montgomery Alabama. He has 2 challengers. A 73 and 74.  The 74 used to be mine. I built the 440 in it and it has under 1000 miles on it. No rust in the trunk or floors or frame rails. I had lower patches put around the rear wheel wells because it was a vynil top car that was bad.  If you want a number , pm me. I think 7 for the 73 rally, and 12 for the 74. Both cars run and drive, my ole 74 would drive to your house. Had new 15 inch ralley rims and t/a radials all the way around. Never overheated either.  The 73 comes with many new parts like interior in the box and other stuff
PM me if you want his number.

[challengerwannabe57]

Tommy; The wing is on backwards???  How so?  I guess I haven't seen enough of the Challengers with the rear wing to know better.  Bullitt;  I live in Indiana.  Not a lot of retro cars around.  Haven't seen an old Challenger in years locally.  Moparal;  Do you or your friend have any pics of the two cars you are referring to?  It'd be nice to see them.  Thanks, all.   

[73Chally]

I would stay away from that car.  The engine back looks like it has a ton of rattle can black, and the shot of the fender tag does not look good.  At that price it is most likely a cheapo job just to get it out the door.

[Bullitt-]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/1383485930.html

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1387446193.html

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1363482452.html

http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/cto/1342126306.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1366687108.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1356849843.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1358825331.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1348748576.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1366687108.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/1356849843.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/1367462574.html

Used Gary IN as the center for this search.... change to your Zip code to be more accurate
http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?Region=na&catname=all+sale%2Fwanted&citySelect=zip&zip=46401&maxDist=500&crossBorder=&showeb=&showaz=&search_string=CHALLENGER+DODGE&search_string_neg=&keytype=all&category=8&subcat1=ccc&subcat2=eee&subcat3=ggg&subcat4=hhh&subcat5=jjj&subcat6=ppp&subcat7=res&subcat8=sss&subcat9=bbb&minAsk4=min&maxAsk4=max&bedrooms=&minAsk6=min&maxAsk6=max&minAsk8=5000&maxAsk8=25000&doa=

[challengerwannabe57]

Challenger experts:  I've been in contact with a fellow who wants to get rid of his 74 Challenger.  I have seen detailed pictures of the exterior and interior of the car.  All looks good.  The car was an original 360ci engine but has been changed out to a 440ci with a 727 tranny 3.55 posi 83/4 rear end.  (I have no idea what I just said)  Anyhow, he is asking 10K for this car.  NADA is the only place I've seen with a classic car value guide.  It has the car being worth around 20K.  Does all this sound right?  Will I be getting a good deal getting this car.

[Bullitt-]

Sounds great... IF the body is solid... If not still not a bad deal.  Just expect that any little issue will be 10X what you expect it to be.   

[challengerwannabe57]

Does the fact that the motor and trans. were changed out affect the car value, good or bad?  I also know nothing about car numbers and what else may have been changed on the car other than the motor and trans.  What should I ask from a numbers standpoint?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

All sounds incredibly good, but...

How good is the paint? Frame rails? I wouldn't worry about it not being numbers matching. Actually, with a 440 in it, I don't think that hurts the value at all. It might make it worth more. I just wonder if the engine has been rebuilt. If so, did they get radical with it, or keep it close to stock? As for the 727 tranny, you need that for a big block. The 3:55 gears are a compromise between hiway and drag strip driving. They are desireable, but I do 90% of my driving hiway, so I have 3:23's. If this guy is letting it go for 10K, there must be some work needing to be done somewhere.   


  Mike