71 Cuda: To OE Resto or to not OE resto?

[72bluNblu]

It's definitely worth 5K.  When I look at cars as soon as I see non-numbers matching, I move on to the next car.  I know several people who are the same.  Not having the numbers will reduce potential buyers if you ever have to sell the car.  The engine doesn't have to be in the car, but having it around for the next guy is a strong selling point.

I really don't think it is.

You're right, there are people out there that WON'T BUY non-numbers matching cars. So, you will lose some potential buyers. But, and this is the real questions, are any of those buyers going to pay more than $5k over what someone else will pay for the exact same car with a date code correct engine? Keep in mind we aren't talking about a matching numbers hemi car here, this is a 340 3 speed car.

I personally think they won't much more than that over someone that will still buy the car with a date code correct engine, unless you've got some kind of bidding war or you find a buyer that just need to have THAT car and it HAS to be numbers matching. Then of course there's the question of whether its worth $5k and the headache of dealing with the jerk that has the engine.

And honestly, I'm not sure how many buyers you're losing. I look for cars that AREN'T numbers matching, and wouldn't pay dime one more for one that was. Unless you're planning on parking it in a museum and using it for investment purposes, its a useless addition to the car. They drive just the same (or BETTER!) with another engine as they do with the matching numbers engine, and can be even more fun because you can actually use them without worrying about screwing up the value. God forbid you have some fun and accidently toss a rod out the side of your perfect numbers matching block.

[CudaMaxx]

I've tried to trade blocks, even with some money.  He won't go for it.  He says he's "helping me to not have to search for the rest of the engine parts", yeah right.  My plan was to put it back to factory and sell it, use the profit to buy more rare cars at great deals, restore them, and make a killing.  Is that a plan or a dream?  I don't know, either way that's what I want to do with it.  I have most everything for the car except drive train.  I want to use this car to get into the business (or serious hobby) of classic car restorations.  He knew the engine came out of the car, I bought it from his brother-in-law, who bought it from him.  My block is actually better than the original, or so I was told.  High compression, cam, crank and other goodies.  6.5k could buy a crate Hemi, and make a Hemi clone.  But with the few like mine, I'd hate to do that.  That's why I want to go factory correct, not that many made, even if they arent as sought after as a Hemi or 440-6.  Just hate to make it a wanna-be.  I'd do that with a Barracuda or something, just can't seem to stop thinking about buying it, even though it really pisses me off.  I may offer him 5 at the most and let him smolder over it.  I appreciate all the replies to this, it does give me a better idea of what to do.

[CudaMaxx]

Yes, Ill get pics of the car and post them.  I was planning on posting the entire restoration.  My avatar is what it will look like when finished except, Curious Yellow, I was told 71 was the only year that paint was done available.

[torredcuda]

Kudos for wanting to keep it a real 340 car instead of another Hemi clone.  If you think you can still make a profit then it might be worth $5k but the seller knows it is only worth that because of the matching numbers to your car.

[4 speed fish]

99.9 percent of people will judge a car on how clean it is,paint,interior,wheels,and and all the little details.Less than 1 percent will ask someone if the car has the matching numbers drivetrain.At shows I see a lot people walk right past a numbers matching car because the car does not show well.They don't give out trophies to cars for having the correct block.Unless you have a 71 sixpack  or hemi, imo  I would not get caught up in it.5k could do the interior to show quality.

[CudaMaxx]

The money isn't really the issue, it's the principal of the matter.  Probably not going to be a show car, just doing it for resale purposes.  Though I do want it to look like a show car when its finished.  In a way, I'd almost rather loose out on 20k than let him take me for a ride.  At the same time, it pains me to not restore it as fully as possible when I know I can.  Any idea what that car, fully restored, nuts and bolts, might bring with the #'s matching engine? without the #'s matching engine?

[TinCuda]

I too am looking forward to pictures.  As far as the matching numbers things goes, I really don't have much to add that has not already been said.  It would be real easy to put 30-50 thousand into a car that is worth 30-50 thousand.  No much profit there to support a business.  That is not to say that it can't be done because people do it.  I can understand getting the matching numbers engine back now, particularly if you plan on selling the car.  If you sell the car, the next guy will have a much harder time tracking down the original motor in the future.  The way I see it, people restore these cars for two reasons.  1) love of the cars/hobby.  2) for profit.  If you are doing it for profit, you will need to start with a lot of money and rare car. 


.,

[challengermaniac]

I've tried to trade blocks, even with some money.  He won't go for it.  He says he's "helping me to not have to search for the rest of the engine parts", yeah right.  My plan was to put it back to factory and sell it, use the profit to buy more rare cars at great deals, restore them, and make a killing.  Is that a plan or a dream?  I don't know, either way that's what I want to do with it. 

Ah, trying to figure out why everyone is making the block seller out to be a bad guy here as he clearly wants to sell it for the best price he can get if you want to pony up, otherwise he is happy to use it for another venture.  I mean, you oboviously want to put the car together to "make a killing", so why on earth should the block seller not get his full load for making that possible?

[Topcat]

6.5k could buy a crate Hemi, and make a Hemi clone.

Let me know where you can buy a Hemi for that ready to run.

[CudaMaxx]

http://www.jegs.com/i/Mopar%20Performance/312/P5155437/10002/-1?CT=999

[CudaMaxx]

It's not a 426, but it's a Hemi.

[72bluNblu]

It's not a 426, but it's a Hemi.

Maybe so, but I'm with Mike on this one.  You'll have another 5k into it on top of that before its even close to running. Engine management system, engine swap mounts, engine swap headers, all the conversion parts to run an earlier transmission, wire harness, linkages, etc, etc, etc.

[72cudamaan]

Ah, trying to figure out why everyone is making the block seller out to be a bad guy here as he clearly wants to sell it for the best price he can get if you want to pony up, otherwise he is happy to use it for another venture.  I mean, you oboviously want to put the car together to "make a killing", so why on earth should the block seller not get his full load for making that possible?

 

[72cudamaan]

I was on your side until you mentioned " make a killing". If you really want to make a killing
off of these cars, you should have to pay a boatload to try to do it. Some people just have a
desire to own these great cars and people like you keep that from them. Some supposed
"mopar guys" think their parts are worth a small fortune and that's just wrong. Just keep
in mind that you will never get rich in this business and you may burn alot of bridges trying to.
Off my high horsey now.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would try to work a trade
I got screwed the same way , the original block was 3' from my car & I could not by or trade for it.
 I did call him up 30 years later to ask where it was & what he did with it !! He didn't have a clue of course