Hi All/help appreciated

[challenger_affair]

Hello Fellow enthusiasts,

I've read lots of great posts here and have benefitted from everyones extensive knowlege so I decided to join up!  At the moment I have a situation and I'm hoping folk might have some suggestions.   

I briefly owned a 1970 383 RT several years ago but had to sell it before moving off to college.  Needless to say I've been kicking myself ever since...  Meanwhile I recently made contact with the buyer who still has the car and doesn't use it much anymore, and is open to selling.  He had a fair amount of work completed including rebuilding the engine, trans, paint, and some interior.  Apparently the body shop lost the fender tag with all the option codes etc...  Luckily, I just found a piece of paper with all the code information that I must have documented way back when; although, I have yet to confirm the engine block and trans have matching #s with the vin.  I don't know if the original broadcast sheet is still present anywhere.

I see the significant value in the fender tag for these cars.  But I have a feeling the current owner is likely to give me a better deal than I might get elsewhere because of our history and based on what I can see being offered elsewhere, its probably my best chance financially at getting back into a quality 1970 Challenger. 

So I have 3 questions: Do folks think this care is still a good investment without a fender tag? how much might I be able to leverage it in price negotiation?  similar questions in the event the block and/or trans don't have matching #s

Thanks so much for any suggestions! Cheers

[72cudamaan]

Without the fender tag and documentation, the car is not an investment. It is only worth
what someone is willing to pay for it.

[torredcuda]

The original fender tag helps value but the car is not worthless as an investment without it.If you can find a broadcast sheet or have all the info for the codes a repro tag can be easily made.

[ViperMan]

It seems to me from this story that the sentimental value might be worth more than the monetary "investment."  If I had the chance of getting my dad's old car back I really wouldn't care less about having a tag or not.  That stuff didn't matter to me when I drove it - why should it matter now?

That's just my two-cents.  I say if it's worth it to YOU, then screw what it might be worth later to someone else.

Best of luck getting back your old car!

[challenger_affair]

Thanks for your opinions on this. 

ViperMan- You're right the sentimental value is a lot of what motivated me to find the car again in the first place.  I'm trying to be objective about its value if for no other reason than so I know what I'm getting myself into...  But it would be a great story if I can get it back!  Thanks again, cheers.  I'll try to update with a pic if the deal goes through

[ViperMan]

Thanks for your opinions on this. 

ViperMan- You're right the sentimental value is a lot of what motivated me to find the car again in the first place.  I'm trying to be objective about its value if for no other reason than so I know what I'm getting myself into...  But it would be a great story if I can get it back!  Thanks again, cheers.  I'll try to update with a pic if the deal goes through

Well, remember what Jay Leno said: If you restore a car, and do it right, and make money off of it, you did something wrong.

Secondly, do you plan on selling it again?  It would seem that if you've done the work to get it back, you wouldn't dare consider selling it AGAIN.

Now lastly, I made the reference about getting my Dad's old '72 340 back...  If I had the chance to buy it back, I probably WOULDN'T, especially if it's condition hasn't improved since when he sold it in 1998.  It would have needed a TON of money to "restore," knowing what I know now.  So yes, that has to be taken into consideration - is the sentimental value worth the monetary COST.

I knew a guy who spent (can't call it "invested") over $80,000 restoring a 1972 Ford LTD Convertible because it had been in his family for generations.  To him, it was worth it.  To the market, it's worth less than 5 grand... 

Good luck - let us know what you end up doing!

[ChallengerHK]

IMO, it's rare that a car can be considered a good investment. I would buy it if you want it, to drive or just to own, but not count on any large monetary gain.

[challenger_affair]

I am not doing this with a plan to sell, I want to keep the car as long as I can.  Although, it is an investment in the sense it will cost a moderate amount of money so I'm just trying to get a feel for what its generally worth...  There is a limit to what I can spend to buy it back...  Afterall, there's taking a loss, and then there's taking an LTD loss.  Brutal. 

Thanks again for the thoughts, I do appreciate the discussion!

[Super Blue 72]

Hi challenger_affair,  welcome! 

   Get it back for the sentimetal value.  You can't put a pricetag on that.

As far as the fender tag goes, if it's gone, can't do anything about it.  I doubt that the missing fender tag is going to prevent you from getting the car back.  If it does, the car probably isn't worth that much to you sentimentally.

I think that the story behind the car once belonging to your dad and then you getting it back is worth more than having the fender tag.  Like the others said, it's not an investment, just call it a cost of the hobby.  An investment is only worth something if it goes up in value or you plan to cash in for monatary value.

Would be good to post some pics if you want some people to chime in as to it's approximate value.

[challenger_affair]

Super Blue 72- thanks for your thoughts.  Its true that its very difficult to put a price on sentimental value.  That said, it would be great to get some feedback on value as you suggested.  I'm attaching a few photos, not sure how helpful they are... 

In a post in the vin/tag thread I've now confirmed I know the original tag info despite it having been lost by the current owner. 

So I guess it would help me to have a better feel for the price range of a rust-free 70 original RT 383 might go for if its in good working order but needs some work on the dash and gauges, has numbers matching on the body, but may no longer have original block.  What is a good upper limit?  $15k?    Again, any thoughts are appreciated. 

[71cudabadfish]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and this is the first post I've looked at.  I'm with the others on sentimental value.  My input is...when, in your lifetime, would you ever have to opportunity to buy back a family car, especially the one you mentioned?  If the owner sells it off to someone else, I wouldn't count on ever getting it back again.  And also, sounds like time is of the essence?  If your truly concerned about that vin tag, here's what I would do.  Get a signed letter from the body shop (how does a reputable body shop of ANY kind, LOOSE and fender tag?  That sounds like the most irresponsible thing a body shop can do) stating that they have lost the original fender tag.  With your documentation, there has to be a reproduction fender tag you can get.  Your paperwork ties everything together, so the next potential buyer should have no problem with a fender tag that is not original metal.  Why would they care?  I'd keep the car and pass it on through my family if you don't plan on keeping it forever.  Hope this helps.  Sorry, on it's value, could be anything.  I'd eventually have it appraised if it is of utter concern.

[ChallengerHK]

I think what he's saying (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that he'd really like to have it for the sentimental value, but he wants to try to make that that, should he have to sell it again, that he doesn't spend so much to get it back that he'll take a bath.

[challenger_affair]

Hi All, I want to say thanks for all the advice and insight here, it really helped me make an educated decision and I wound up getting the Challenger over the weekend!  I'm really impressed with all the knowlege and willing help on this site so, thanks and cheers! 

[ViperMan]

AWESOME!!  As someone who'll probably never see his Dad's old Cuda again, it makes me happy to see someone reconnect with their old car.  Really glad to hear this.  Enjoy it, and KEEP IT THIS TIME!!!