New to Mopar and looking for some guidance on a Cuda find

[WeAreTrue]

Hello All,

I'm new to the Mopar world as an enthusiast, but I've always been a fan of the late '60's and early '70s Mopar muscle car look and style. I'm looking for some expert feedback and opinion on a price point for a recent 1974 Cuda find I've come across, currently owned by a gentleman who's had it for 22 years. It's originally a 318 engine that the owner has pulled out and says he is planning at some pointing on replacing with a 440. The owner owns an auto repair shop and apparently already has the 440 block and has been tinkering with it for some time. The car from all appearance is in very good shape structurally and mechanically. It has mainly surface rust, and when walking around it and looking under it, appears to have no major structural rust. The interior is also in good shape, other than having the dash and shift linkage torn apart. The interior is original, but the seats and panels are not torn, ripped and don't appear to have much wear, other than normal. It appears to have been stored inside for most of its life. The body itself does have a couple of pretty good dents, one on the front left corner the rear left quarter panel. Apparently it was backed into a couple of times?

I'm attaching some photos for everyone to look at. I'm looking for opinions on what the experts would think this car is worth sitting as is. I'm also interested in opinions on whether to stay with the 318 versus dropping the 440 in. I'm not looking for a monster horsepower machine, and I'm also not necessarily planning on restoring this to it's original form. I'd likely do a resto mod with a lot of original look but a more tough stance and look.

I'm also interested in any other guidance on things to look out for.

Thanks...

[4Cruizn]

Well if there is no frame rail damage or rust . . . And the floors and trunk are solid . . . Could be a good project!  Now if I was to guess on what it is worth . . . . No engine or trans . . . 5 to 6K.   If he is going to include the 440 he is working on . . . Maybe 7k.  This is just my opinion.   

[HP_Cuda]

Looks like you have some quarter work do to on that Cuda and if it were me I would replace it.

The other item already stated is the amount of rust, so climb under the car and check the frame rails and the pans (seat, trunk).

If it were me I would offer like 1-2k and see if he bit because this will take more money than you originally think.

Don't ask me how I know....
 

[dutch]

welcome to cc 

double check for rust.  Triple check the vinyl top for bubbles.   Trunk floor, trunk floor drop off`s, rear frame rails,  firewall ,cowl, inner fenders, lower windshield corners ect..... you get the idea huh.... 
pics are a bit small to work for me.    Get a picture of the fendertag ( if there)  Looks like a nicely optioned car. 

[HP2]

Unless he has changed them, odds are the headers and transmission are for the 318. Those won't work with the 440, so there is another $1-2 grand worth of stuff you'll need to buy if you go 440. Paint in the engine bay sucks. Makes me wonder how well anything else was prepped.  Needs quarter reairs, there's more money. Surface rust may need more repairs. Vinyl top could be suspect for rust. how long has it been sitting? Definetly comb it over for rust. As a 74, its value is lower than 70/71s.  A great price would be a couple grand. A decent price would be $3-4k. I'd walk away from it if its more than $5k, but I tend to be a cheap skate.

[73restomod]

Well I only paid 6 k for my 73 chally.  However, that was in Dec 2005 when the muscle car boom was full swing, so I know i paid 2K more than I should have. Today's prices and that Cars condition, I wouldn't go higher than 3.5k if I could help it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[71gogreen]

Thats going to be a bigger project than you think.Whats your total budget? How much is he asking for it? Does it have a fender tag to see what its about?Don,t committe till you confer with te board.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Another expense, most likely suspension. Old worn components from a small block and now a 440. Time to upgrade.

[WeAreTrue]

Thanks to everyone for all of the good feedback and comments so far. You all are confirming a lot of what I'm thinking, and the concerns I have. I would likely not upgrade the car to the 440 for the reasons you're mentioning. Too much cost in alterations beyond just the motor itself. I'm not necessarily looking for huge power, and I think if I took the project on, that I could get enough power out of a toughened up 318. To answer some of the questions you all have asked:

* The owner isn't looking to sell. I found the car and called him to ask if he'd be interested in selling. He said he's always interested for the right price. I got the feeling from him, during our conversation, that he holds a lot higher opinion of the car that I/we all do based on what we see, so he'll probably not part with it for a bargain price. But we'll see.
* I haven't firmed up a budget at this point and I've got acccess to the necessary funds. However, I also don't want to get sucked into a huge money pit either. All in I'd probably like to keep the project around a $15k-$20k total investment. I'll do a lot of the work myself.

* I haven't had an opportunity to get under the car yet as its sitting behind the guy's shop as I didn't want to waste my or the guy's time until I at least had some kind of feel on what all I should hone in on, and on a reasonable price range assuming the car is a good find and good platform to start off of, based on the research.

* He hasn't had the 440 in the car yet, but I'd expect to redo just about everything on the car, engine, drive train, suspension, etc., anyhow. I'm not looking to just get it into drivable condition, I'd like to build a nice combo driver and show car.

[jimynick]

Firstly, welcome to the site and secondly, the prior advice about rust is the best you'll get. These cars were notorious for rot, so take a good floor jack and a set of safety stands and look over the underside of this thing with a fine tooth comb. For everything you see, figure another 50% that you don't and cost it accordingly. Since you're not lusting for power, stay with a small block and a 340 or 360 will give you all the fun you'll likely desire. Maybe if you tell the owner that you're not really interested in the 440, he'll come down from the clouds of clone muscle car land on price; who knows. Do your due diligence and see where it takes you. Good luck in your hunt! 

[brads70]

Welcome first off! 
You mentioned you have a 15-20 K to spend? For that kind of money I think you will be further ahead buying a nice driver, then upgrading as time/money allows? You will spend more than the 15-20 fixing that one up! 
Buy the most rust free, compleate car you can find/afford, you will be further ahead in the long run.

[HP2]

You mentioned you have a 15-20 K to spend? For that kind of money I think you will be further ahead buying a nice driver, then upgrading as time/money allows? You will spend more than the 15-20 fixing that one up! 
Buy the most rust free, compleate car you can find/afford, you will be further ahead in the long run.

I agree. For that amount of coin, you can probably find a more complete, running car that will allow you to spend money on fun things instead of basic repairs.

[moparman82]

I think these guys are hitting the nail on the head, I bought my 73 challenger a year ago, it's a 100% rust free and complete driver with a hopped up 340, and u paid $5,000 for it, I wouldn't pay more than 2 for thaT cuda

[anlauto]

100% agree ... Buy yourself a turn key driver. Lots to choose from in the $15K -$20K range 

[chaps70rt]

After spending 4.5 years on my restoration and searching for everything on numerous site, I think it is safe to say that it is way less expensive to buy a driver and take it to the next level.   I have been 50 to 100 dollars to death.   Now over $40K in restoration and not quite ready for the road.   I was warned of this 5 years ago and wished that I had paid more attention.   There are literally hundreds of parts you will need, then you have to have them shipped.  I can safely say that I have spent well over $1,000 in shipping costs alone.

Back to you for your decision .... its not a cheap hobby when starting from scratch.

All the best .... CHAPS