How to increase value of your Cuda / Challenger

[tommyg29]

it may not increase much in value, but the good news is it probably wont decrease either, especially since we spend so much time and money keeping them up.

[Road_Runner]

I actually get what you're trying to do as I kind of lean the same way, sweating the details wanting everything to be 'right' for the car.  But for me its purely because that's my vision of what I want for the car.  Resale value isn't even a consideration for me, there's no way I'm going to get my money back from intalling the 'right' intake, the 'right' exhaust manifolds, etc. etc.  I've got a vision for the car and anything that doesn't fit sticks out like a sore thumb to me.  Most would probably never see the need to make the changes I want to make, and for many potential buyers the same is probably true.  It's going to be a rare buyer that sees all your changes as valuable as you do and is willing to pay the difference for those changes.

Later, Jim

[mopar12372]

VALUE is only determined by what a person or persons is willing to buy something for .

[351c4v71]

VALUE is only determined by what a person or persons is willing to buy something for .

Of course but still... Professional evaluators will tell you what is worth more and what is not. I think everyone advised me well by saying that the 71 dash will not bring the value to my clone, nor will a 1k$ + rimblow steering wheel. Getting this confirmation by all here helped me concentrate on the "important" stuff.
I'll check the tranny and fix the rust in the trunk. Probably move the battery back in front cause it's a rather low cost change (battery tray at 50$). I'll get a recent radio at best buy with usb port because a 500$ original will not be worth it. Keep the rad. Keep the distributor ...for now.
Does anyone ever ran or new of someone who ran a tri-power (HEI) performance distributor on a 440 or other mopar engine?

[GranCuda1970]

Well the way to get out of losses is buy the stock parts cheap, (people are dumping them all over the place, craigslist, ebay,etc!!) reinstall them and pull your high dollar parts and sell it for close to what you paid for it.
Unless you are selling to a friend.

[Tonefiend]

The best way to add $10k in value to your car is to spend $20k.

[GranCuda1970]

This is true!!   

[Grec]

One more thing... you mention the rimblow...

If you have the cash, I for one wouldn't think twice about putting one of those in the car. It prob will not add the $1,000 value to the car BUT it will definitely make your interior look waaaay better. I put one in mine and the difference was night and day. To me it's worth it because it's such a major part of the driving experience. It's just so cool looking / feeling.

You can always put the old steering wheel back on and sell the rimblow separate if you ever get rid of the car. You'd get your money back out of it. ;-)

[GranCuda1970]

I dont know about your rimblow but the origional little rounded nuts that secure it were a biotch to find. I probably could have ground some down.

[MizzouRT]

The best way to add $10k in value to your car is to spend $20k.

LOL, so true!!!

[72hemi]

Beautiful car, looks like the one I built a few years ago. As for changes to add value, the best money spent would be on a shaker hood. Also I have seen they now have reproduction rimblow's on ebay new for $400. I would leave the 72 rallye gauges, move the battery back to the front and replace the GM distributor. Any pictures of the interior and engine compartment?

[tommyg29]

after a little more thought, you could always invest in a time capsule, and bury it for 50 years. Probably worth a lot more then 

[AARuFAST]

It is the small things that stand out that are neglected.
Is the trim around the windows polished or dull, Grill and rear  tail panel trim. Ur bumpers look new or rechromed.
Paint.
What condition is the weather seals around the windows, felt on quarter windows, window sweeps.
What does the interior look like. Dull vinyl seat, panels, woodgrain??
What does the engine compartment look like. ANY PICTURES.
Is the firewall clean, mastercyl, wiper motor, ALTERNATOR is an eye sore if weathered.  .Motor clean.
Suspension clean.

Those things improve the value.   My

[challengermaniac]

I'll get a recent radio at best buy with usb port because a 500$ original will not be worth it.

I recommend you pick up an original radio off eBay for $100 and mount it in the dash and then install a new radio with remote up behind the original, connected to speakers front and rear.  I did this after gutting the interior, so I also installed FatMat and new insullation and feel like I am in a concert hall now when listing to the tunes!  I could not be happier with the stock radio look and the sound performance of the new equipment. 

[mopar12372]

after a little more thought, you could always invest in a time capsule, and bury it for 50 years. Probably worth a lot more then 

they leak!!!!