How to increase value of your Cuda / Challenger

[willhaven]

If it's not a numbers matching collectible car, don't worry about the value. Just drive it and enjoy it.

[burdar]

The only thing I will say is that what ever you do to the car, make sure you take your time and do it right.  Any value you add with "improvements" will be lost if you do a sloppy job.  Sloppy work sticks out like a soar thumb.

[joelson6]

burdar's right. if your gonna do the changes, do them right.

rallye dash.........318 car......... i'm guessing it came with the standard dash and not the rallye. note, wiring harnesses were different for standard and rallye dashes.
is your harness botched up to make it fit? look for stuff like this.

IMO, you buy a clone cause you like the car and not for resale value. with that, you should understand that most everything your gonna do to the car,
"most likely" your not getting your money back. if you feel compelled to do the changes, do them for you, cause you want to. but don't sink a ton of money
into it expecting to get it all back.

my '74 challenger, 318 auto car, no history, i'm building it the way i want it, not for resale value.


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=78147.0

[351c4v71]

Wow, lot's of feedback guys.Thanks!
I guess you are all right.
I'm not looking to sell it, actually just bought it this summer. Went all the way to Arizona from Montreal, Canada to get it after a 5 year search for what I wanted and could afford. The only option missing in my opinion is the shaker hood. It's not perfect but still a joy to stare at in my garage, finally. My dream car it is.
Winter is already here in Montreal so I'm thinking of what I could do on it during these long winter months :-(
I know the tranny hasn't been restored in a while so I was planning on taking it out and checking it or having it looked at by a pro, learning a lot in the process.
But I was considering doing other things, that's why I asked you guys' opinion.
After reading all the responses, I guess I shouldn't change to much. The HEI distributor bugged me but the one in it now retails at 300$ (tri power distributor from performance distributors). So I hesitate to change it. Some friends told me, if it works why change it...
Same for battery location. But aren't we all looking for something new to do on our cars just for the fun of it!

[Super Blue 72]

   Wow!  Not much to add to that car!  Looks great! 

Yeah, on a great looking car like that I can see why you would want to make it "correct" looking.  Like Grec said, do the stuff that anyone with a bit of knowledge of Mopars would point a finger at. 

It's such a nice looking car that people will be pointing out obvious flaws. 

You running rich?  Your rear valance has some exhaust staining from the pic... 

A shaker hood set up would look killer, IMO, on your car and make it stand out more.... 

[SMS]

Really great looking car!

[351c4v71]

Thanks,
Super Blue 72, I had the carbs rebuilt by a pro and I still need to find someone to adjust them so the engine runs well. Still have some backfires at time. Those 440-6 are hard to adjust. I think the "stains" were already there. Not sure if I'm still running rich or not. I don't know enough on the subject.....yet! But that' an entire other thread ;-)

Pictures are nice, but up close, I sometimes only see what's not. Gotta take a step back and appreciate what we have, like in everything else right!

Some surface rust in the trunk too that I should fix this winter btw. Gotta learn how to fix that.

[GranCuda1970]

Yeah, she looks fantastic!!

[joelson6]

that looks great.

swapping the battery location definitely will help the value.

those HEI dist. for the BB's i herd were pretty good, and not cheap. i used the petronix in my '70 newport.
i didn't want that ugly box in the engine compartment where it didn't belong. other than the second wire
coming out of the dist. it looks bone stock, and is still electronic ignition.

good luck 

[mojavered]

Sweet Car!  Very large crowds out there for all types; clones, original, etc...  Do what makes you happy....Drive it and enjoy it!

[tommyg29]

Beautiful car, and just like mine....a 318 auto cloned into a manual 440-6.
Definitely move the battery and clean up the trunk area. That will cost very little. I agree with everyone saying not to try to buy "original" everything. Just fix all the little things, and make sure everything works, and especially runs well.

[loco340cuda]

Great looking car!  I would just drive and enjoy it.  You can always fix up the little things as time and money permit, but do it because you want to correct those things due to they bug you not because it will bring value to the car.   

[cj]

That is one sweet car.  I'm with the majority here, do what you want.  Interior upgrades can be inexpensive and make a difference.  A Shaker hood would be awesome on that car.  We all have different tastes.  Pick the things you think are important for you. 

I don't look at our cars for profit.  I know there are execptions, but generally the only money to be made is by 'flippers', a little bondo and new paint.  To do these cars right cost money, no way around it.  If you can do quality work yourself you have a better chance.   

[Matt70]

Great looking Cuda! Check out member "Jamiez" thread on his Challenger. He's doing all sorts of little improvements that make good winter projects.

[challengermaniac]

Consider installing a sound deadner such as FatMat and you will be further delighted.  As noted, the reality is you have a "hobby classic car"and no amount of work is likely to increase the value above the cost. Your car is there for enjoyment = Priceless.