How to increase value of your Cuda / Challenger

[351c4v71]

Hi guys,
I bought a 71 440-6 manual 4 speed clone (originally 318 auto).
I'm wondering what changes I should make to increase it's value.
Who wants to put 2k + in a car and not see it's value go up one dollar.
Here'w the deal in my case that is not , in my opinion, helping value: 72+ rallye gauges, battery located in trunk, no radio, no speakers, HEI (GM type) distributor, not coorect cuda radiator and some other minor things that are not really "cuda" authentic.
Is getting a 1500$ 71 dash worth it?
Should I leave it as is?
Opinions are welcome.
Thanks
JS

[74challenger03]

just wondering the difference in the 71 and 72 dash? $1500 is alot for a dash i think.put some pics up

[351c4v71]

The dash is just an example I was giving that I'm considering by the way.
To answer your question, 70-71 dashes had the 8k tach and the reser buttons were in the woodgrain instead of the clear lenses. Not much but to a true cuda guy, who knows. 72-74 dashes are a lot cheaper.
Rim blow wheels are over a grand as well. Don't have one of those either in my car!
JS

[Jamiez]

In my opinion once you get away from matching engine/trans, there is no real value in going original, because it will be virtually impossible for anyone to restore the car to stock.

Once you're in the non-original territory, I think your best dollar value would be to clone a more popular model (T/A AAR) or to load the car with the options everyone wants (manual trans, Hemi, Billboards, high impact color).

I don't think you'll get the $1.5K back from the dash swap, you'll probably increase the value some, but I suspect you'd get more bang from adding a more popular option.

[brads70]

I'd just build it how YOU like and not worry about the value as much. If it's not a #'s car or rare....have at it, build YOUR dream! 

[mopar12372]

the only way youll have a car of value is if you come accross a car tha has been restored purfectlyand buy it for less than its worth.
the auctions lately have been pretty intresting i was saying as a car was sold you cant build the car for that price !!

[loco340cuda]

Adding a 426 (or larger) HEMI is the best way to increase value.  But it is also a very expensive way to do.  Fixing all the little things you mention will make the car more marketable if you go to sell it but I'm not sure it will increase the value much if at all.   

[jimynick]

JS- you've got a car that the average guy would sell a testes for, even if it IS a clone. It'll never actually be a #'s car to the cognosenti, so do what YOU want to and leave the paint daubs and date coded alternators to that crowd, and DRIVE it. Let us know if changing the battery location increases your fun, let alone the value of your car. Enjoy 

[MizzouRT]

I'd just build it how YOU like and not worry about the value as much. If it's not a #'s car or rare....have at it, build YOUR dream! 

I agree with what others are saying: it's not a numbers matching car, so you will always be way underwater on changes like the dash swap for the correct year. 

[Super Blue 72]

   Everyone has said some really good info.  Yeah, the correct dash would be nice but for $1500 to make it look right in the eyes of a Cuda guy?  I dunno.  Not to make you feel bad, if it was a real Cuda guy, his eyes might go to the VIN # first.

I say from what you have already, your car has a lot of bang for the buck as is.  It sounds like a really nice car!    Like Jaimez mentioned, does it have billboards?  I always thought those were such a cool Cuda only option.  You already have the right engine/tranny combo! 

If you're not going to sell it any time soon, it really doesn't matter.  One nice thing about cars that have already been modded is that you sorta have a blank slate to work with to make the car any way that pleases you.  I would toss a radio/speakers in there and enjoy it for what it is...   

[aris_unlimited]

I'd say either clone it, or improve the options. You already have a 440+6 so the only real upgrade you could make engine-wise would be a hemi and I don't know if that would be worth the cost. Plus you already have a manual, big bonus for some guys. I'd think maybe put in a dana 60 rear end if it doesn't already have one. Adjust the suspension and tires to give it a real nice stance (assuming it doesn't have one). A decent boost could be adding air conditioning, once again assuming you don't already have it.

[Jamiez]

Adding a newer manual (6 speed, OD, or similar) is usually a plus if you wanted to go that route.  So are gilled fenders in a 71 if you do not already have them.

A repop interior might be worth it as well depending on the condition of the original's carpet/seats/panels.  You might not end up underwater on the interior swap as some of those options are pretty cheap and they do make the car a lot more enjoyable as a driver.

[torredcuda]

Adding a 426 (or larger) HEMI is the best way to increase value.  But it is also a very expensive way to do.  Fixing all the little things you mention will make the car more marketable if you go to sell it but I'm not sure it will increase the value much if at all.   

  Well said.

[Cooter]

Too many worried bout resale value these days. Go ahead and try to up the value, but come time for someone to pay for all your "Upgrades" you will find out very quickly, the days of BJ prices are long gone. No more getting rich quickly off these cars. So, with that said, build it the way you want and to hell with what it's worth, cause I can almost guarantee it will only be worth what you think it is to YOU.

Everybody has already made the majority of the big money on these cars and I for one am glad it's all over.
That "318" car is at least worth double what it was as the 318 car now with BB. I'd say you have increased it's value.

[Grec]

My 2 cents...

Don't worry about the dash. Instead, start changing the big outright-wrong stuff back to factory. Battery, GM distributor, etc

At this point with non-original engine, getting things perfect (ie a $1500 dash with only minor differences) isn't worth the cost, but the big stuff that anyone with even a passing knowledge of Mopars could look at and say "that's not right!" would prob be worth fixing.

Really... 71 gills, billboards, go wing, louvers, shaker... really iconic E-Body / 'Cuda stuff... if you're looking for things to increase value to the average prospective buyer, that would prob be it.