30k + $500 finder fee

[mcemond]

Thanks guys for all the input. Sorry if I asked some questions that I could have easily looked up in other posts. You've helped me put what I'm looking for in a better perspective. Part of me can't believe 30k wont buy a 40 year old car all my other antique rides have been way under 10k (before restoration). It helps to know you guys here are willing to let me know when a car is no good too. That gold one looks ok but I'm still digesting all this info. Before I ask any more questions I'm gonna try and research the threads here. Keep sending in tips though and hopefully I'll fill that pesky garage space soon! I love looking at all the links you're sending!
Thanks so much!
Mike

[Tonefiend]

You could find a nice straight 318 driver barracuda for around $10-$15K then drop a crate hemi in there for $15k then figure a few more $k to get it rolling.  Now you have a driver hemi for $30k and you can work on the conversion details as the $$$ comes in and as you burn the tires off it. 

Last I saw, a real numbers matching hemi hardtop was north of $175k  Clones done up right are $70-90k

$30 k doesnt' get you much, but with some sweat equity and not caring about matching ##s you can get a nice car.

[mcemond]

Thats not a bad idea. I'll check around and see what's out there in 318's. Thanks for those cost estimates as I'm in a whole new game here (the last replacement block I bought was $500).
Thanks
Mike

[Tonefiend]

If you look hard enough you might even find a "project" around $30k with a hemi already in it.  I believe a few months ago there was a Cuda clone project under that price for sale on craigs list.

[mcemond]

Found one!  Put a deposit on it yesterday. I vetted the owner and safe to say he's not some scammer. Negotiations went a lot quicker than I expected but 32k delivered gets me a '71 340 real cuda bs23 b5 with the original paint and factory air dash but not the original motor. Needs a total restoration but the rust is minimal. It will also need some missing body parts like the hood and front grill but the basics are there. From my limited knowledge (mostly gained here) I'm pretty sure I got a good deal. Very excited to get it home! You'll be hearing more from me!
Thanks
Mike

[72hemi]

Congrats. B5 blue is my favorite Mopar color. Now we need pictures.

 

[mcemond]

Hi. Thanks. Once I take some I'll post them here!

[Super Blue 72]

Cool!  GLad you found one!  I got to this thread late (Sorry!)  I got my Challenger from up in NW back on 2003, I think it was Suncook or something like that?  North of Goffstown?

Love to se pics of what you picked up!

[Tonefiend]

Congrats!

[Cuda Cody]

B5 is one of the best colors!  Congratulation.

[RT Dude]

Well done  . B5 is a cool colour and a 340 is better still. 
Is it Auto or Manual?

[Topcat]

Congrats. Can't wait to see pics of your new ride.

[n9671x2]

Found one!  Put a deposit on it yesterday. I vetted the owner and safe to say he's not some scammer. Negotiations went a lot quicker than I expected but 32k delivered gets me a '71 340 real cuda bs23 b5 with the original paint and factory air dash but not the original motor. Needs a total restoration but the rust is minimal. It will also need some missing body parts like the hood and front grill but the basics are there. From my limited knowledge (mostly gained here) I'm pretty sure I got a good deal. Very excited to get it home! You'll be hearing more from me!
Thanks
Mike

Sorry to be Danny Downer, but if you paid that for what your describing, the seller is A LOT happier than you are 

[challengermaniac]

Mike,

I too (like Danny Downer) have some reservations about the described elements (non matching numbers) and condition (needing a full restoration) of the car in relation to the $32k layout.  We will help you with any advice and restoration information needed to get the car finished to the degree desired (great year and model).  We hope to see some pictures soon.

[Choppintime]

Sorry to be Danny Downer, but if you paid that for what your describing, the seller is A LOT happier than you are 

I do agree with this statement above. In this market I think you could have found something priced better and in decent shape. Not to dog pile on the rabbit so to speak but at the markets height I purchased my 71 340/4speed Cuda for less than 30K. Super solid car that has a crazy paint job, but the paint is VERY nice. Only reason I didn't paint it was because the paint is so nice and it was done back in the late 70's early 80's. My car came 90% complete missing only knick knack stuff (that did add up) but all the high dollar stuff was with the car and all in great condition. I spent some money restoring/detailing the components but had zero body/paint issues. The addition of the Hemi probably wasn't a smart move after the fact, but what the hell.......you only live once.

Ultimately if your happy with what you bought that is all that matters. Good luck with the restoration.