70 Challenger R/T AC 440 U code # matching Convertible project

[Top Banana]

I've had my Top Banana Challenger for sale for quite some time w/o any success in selling it.  Not a single offer.  I am considering parting it out since it is mostly dissembled anyway.  What would just the body and drivetrain be worth? What would just the body w/ VIN tag and fender tag be worth?  The body is straight with floor rust and cowl rust, but I  would include most of the needed sheet metal.  What would just the drivetrain be worth?  It is a dissembled 440 with automatic and limited slip rear end.  It was painted blue back in the 1970s.

I don't want to go this route, but I have had no luck selling it as a unit.  Thanks!

[Jesus H Chrysler]

I'm shocked you haven't gotten any offers.  I get offers on mine almost every time I take it out, and it's not even a real 'vert or numbers matching!  How have you been marketing it?  A real matching convertible especially if you have the 'vert only pieces is worth money even as a parts car nevermind a complete project.  I'm thinking you gotta spread the net a little wider.  Hemmings, MCG, flyers at local shows etc.  That is in addition to ebay and Craigslist.  Pictures are your best friend. 

After saying all that, if you do decide to part it out I may be interested in some of the vert only pieces...

[Challenger6pak]

I haven't been through the listing and have not seen the car.  What are you asking for it?  I would think it might be worth less parted.  If you want to sell it, bolt it back together first.  People are scared of what they can't see...together.

[Top Banana]

I'm shocked you haven't gotten any offers.  I get offers on mine almost every time I take it out, and it's not even a real 'vert or numbers matching!  How have you been marketing it?  A real matching convertible especially if you have the 'vert only pieces is worth money even as a parts car nevermind a complete project.  I'm thinking you gotta spread the net a little wider.  Hemmings, MCG, flyers at local shows etc.  That is in addition to ebay and Craigslist.  Pictures are your best friend. 

After saying all that, if you do decide to part it out I may be interested in some of the vert only pieces...

Being in a thousand pieces, I don't get it out much.  I've advertised it on here, Moparts, and Old Rides.  I thought those would be the best markets.

[Top Banana]

I haven't been through the listing and have not seen the car.  What are you asking for it?  I would think it might be worth less parted.  If you want to sell it, bolt it back together first.  People are scared of what they can't see...together.

I paid $35K for it running 6 years ago.  I turned down $40K then when I decided to restore it.  I dissembled it, and I've acquired another $15K worth of parts for it.  I have asked $50K OBO.  No offers.  I would like a reasonable return on my investment.  "....,bolt it back together, first." would not be an option at this point; plus it would be counterproductive in the restoration of the car?!?!? With it apart, there is nothing hidden.   I believe it can be better evaluated in its present condition?!?!? 

http://www.oldride.com/classic_cars/505537.html

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Ah I think I see the problem.  $35k Running and driving car, minus dismantling it, plus $15k in parts does not equal $50k.  For that money I can get a running and driving car all done!  From a buyers standpoint it needs to be a "holy grail" project like the last Hemi car or something.  I know a "U" code car is nothing to sneeze at, but you have to look at it from a buyers perspective.  $50k for a pallet of parts.  Plus repairs, reassembly, paint etc. now you're in the $80-100k range. Any profit for a restorer is gone.  If you want to sell it and get cash in your pocket, you have to sell it at "project car price".  Unfortunately that usually means a loss.  For maximum profit, you're best off finishing the car to the best of your ability.  I realize you think it's better to allow the next owner the opportunity to restore it to their level, but those people are few and far between.  The majority of tire kickers I've seen either want something they can drive home, or a smokin deal on a project.  Like I said earlier cast a wide net, saturate as many Mopar eyeballs as you can so you just may get that one guy who NEEDS this car.  but be realistic about what you're selling so you don't put off potential buyers.  Just my 2 cents.  I'm sure others have opinions on the matter as well.  All in all I wish you good luck.  It's a big block drop top E body you can't go wrong there!

[Cuda Cody]

 

Basket cases are worth less.  Harder to ship and taking the car apart + getting to label everything correctly is worth more to the first time guy restoring a car.  Your market of guys that will take on that project is smaller than if it was together.  Also I think the market has gone down, not up in the last 6 years.  Cool car, but not worth 50K IMO.

[n9671x2]

Do you have a list of the 15k in parts purchased?  I think most of us can wrap our heads around a 35k running car needing restored, but 15k should be a large pile of enticing parts to sweeten the deal, but haven't really seen them promoted.

[Jesus H Chrysler]

BTW when asking $50k for a car, pics go a LOOOONG way towards your case.  Drag it out on a sunny day and take pics from every conceivable angle.  Highlight the bad areas and let buyers know that's as bad as it gets.  Show the common problem areas like torsion bar mounts, rear frame, quarters etc.  Not trying to be insulting but the pics Ive seen make it look like a pile of parts dumped into the shell.  It's tough to see what's missing.  I'd be pissed if I bought the car only to find out some of the 'vert only pieces were missing!  Just trying to help!

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Do you have a list of the 15k in parts purchased?  I think most of us can wrap our heads around a 35k running car needing restored, but 15k should be a large pile of enticing parts to sweeten the deal, but haven't really seen them promoted.

 

[73RallyeChallenger]

Your description of the car is not helping, maybe a bit deceiving? When you bought the car in 2008 it did not have the original motor, your description of it today says "# matching". If it does not have the original motor, it can't be numbers matching. Or maybe you found the original motor in the last 4 years?

[Top Banana]

Your description of the car is not helping, maybe a bit deceiving? When you bought the car in 2008 it did not have the original motor, your description of it today says "# matching". If it does not have the original motor, it can't be numbers matching. Or maybe you found the original motor in the last 4 years?

"When you bought the car in 2008 it did not have the original motor, ........". Where did that come from?!!?!?  Your words not mine!
".......your description of it today says "# matching."  Same # on the block, transmission, cowl, VIN tag, radiator frame equals what???

[Top Banana]

Do you have a list of the 15k in parts purchased?  I think most of us can wrap our heads around a 35k running car needing restored, but 15k should be a large pile of enticing parts to sweeten the deal, but haven't really seen them promoted.

I do have a list of the parts, and I submitted them to a SERIOUS buyer along with additional pictures.  He had the knowledge, understood the value (1 of 129 and fewer with AC), and had the means to purchase.  Unfortunately, his family convinced him he was too old (like me) to take on this project.  Thanks for all of your advice on here, but I will move on after having my ass kicked sufficiently on how to market my car. All I wanted was a general idea of the three different values if I decided to part it out.  Be safe and God bless! RB 100% Disabled AMERICAN Veteran

[crocha617]

It would be a tragedy to part this car out especially separating the body from the original drive train. I'm looking for a convertible and would love to own this car. I've seen it many times over the last year or two but the $50k price tag stopped me dead in my tracks. In addition to the value of these cars plummeting in the last few years, most are lucky to get 1/2 of what they've invested in the parts back after initial purchase. Tranport of this car would also be very expensive because of the condition it's in and that will turn off many buyers as well.

If you want a reality check of it's value throw it on ebay after the Holidays with as many good pictures and information as you can put together. Put a high reserve on it and see where it goes. After the auction you will be contacted by the people looking to buy it and can negotiate up from there a little bit. You should prepare yourself a bit though for it's actual value these days. I suspect the price the ebay auction brings for the whole package will start like this " $2x,xxx ". Hopefully it will be on the high end but no guarantees. Good luck.

[73RallyeChallenger]

"When you bought the car in 2008 it did not have the original motor, ........". Where did that come from?!!?!?  Your words not mine!
".......your description of it today says "# matching."  Same # on the block, transmission, cowl, VIN tag, radiator frame equals what???

Your second post on this site states in your words, "It has the original transmission, but has an earlier (August) HP engine in a December built car.  I dream of finding the original (221748) 440 engine to replace the present 122377 one"