Cuda Advice Needed!

[bolo185]

Looking for a 70 Cuda and I mentioned this car briefly in another post, have more details:
Motor:
1970 340 six pack/+040, steel crank .010x.010, forged pistons/molly rings, mild hyd cam, 70 heads/new valves and springs, mopar breakerless ignition, holly carbs (3) and manifold, new aluminum radiator and elect fan, ceramic coated headers.
Body:
Completely stripped top and bottom, inside and floor painted with por 15, floor top and bottom sealed with lizard skin, entire inside of car covered with sound deadner mat, black base coat with clear coat, powder coated trip pieces and bumpers.
Interior:
Cirillio seats with cuda logos, leather seats front and rear, leather covered tuff steering wheel, rally gauge cluster, new dash, cruise control, kenwood gps-dvd-cd-am/fm-mps system, power front windows.
Transmission:
5 speed tremec tranny, clutch and drive shaft with TKO pistol grip shifter.
Suspension:
4 wheel wildwood disc brakes, wildwood master cylinder and booster, air ride tech suspension, dual air pumps and 5 gal aluminum tank POSI/391-1 rear end.
BF Goodrich ZR rated tires, 17" American salt flat specials rims

Fender tag numbers (Im sure I have a few wrong)
Y05 2G EN1?
L25 M31 M88 N41 N42 R11
TX9 B51 C1G? C55 J45 M21
TX9 HGX9 000 C02 122360
E55?D21 DS23 H0B or D? 203915
Some of the C's might be a G or a D might be a B. I cant decipher these, maybe someone can tell me     

Cant remember if I even looked at the vin at the time to see if it started with BS or B2

Anyway, was listed on ebay twice by a classic car dealer, didnt hit reserve and only got to the low to mid 30's each time. Dealer said he wanted in the $60-$70k range. A friend of mine knew the owner of the car and introduced me, owner says he wants $50k. I test drove it and it's nice but dont know how bad all the mods affect the value of it. I know a car might be worth $20k to one person and $60k to another, it's whatever you want but I dont want to spend $50k on a car that wouldnt get me $35k if I had to sell it later on. 

I tried to attach a pic of it running but too large a file. Hopefully a few pics of the car will come through. I'd like to get a little feedback on the mods and maybe what the car could be worth. Not sure if only reaching $31k on ebay was the result of the mods or if people saw something I didnt. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! 

[bolo185]

heres a few more pics

[bolo185]

heres the suspension air pump and tank setup in the trunk. Also has upgraded wiring harness for the extra loads.

[Jamiez]

Well from your fender tag it was a BS car The last three codes on the bottom row of the tag are the VIN.
In your case it must be: BS23 H0B 203915.  D is not valid for either of the "B"s (first is the car line, second is the plant)

C1G is probably C16 which is the center console code.

[tommyg29]

 
It was originally a cuda (BS) but its so highly modified now it doesnt really matter.

Try photobucket or one of the other photo sites to host your pictures and videos.
Set up an account (its "free")...load your pictures and video, and then just post the image link within your post.
Its what most of us do because the host of this site cant afford to keep large image files. They take up too much space on the server.
That looks like a real nicely done car, but from my experience I wouldnt say its worth $60k. Maybe not even $50k, but whats it worth to you?
If youre not the haggling type, you have a big decision to make. Either become one, or maybe pay too much. But....if you really love the car, and honestly think you will keep this car long term, it may be worth it to you.
Its not hard to say "I really like the car, but cant pay $50. How about $40?" and see where it goes.
No self respecting seller would fault you for trying.

PS
Looking again at the pictures, its obvious someone put a lot of effort into it. It is a great color combo, 340 six pack, 5 speed pistol grip, rally gauges, etc. Very desirable options all. If it runs well overall and pulls strong and smooth, and is rust free and nearly perfect cosmetically, I would say it is probably worth at least $40ish.
Is it your cup of tea? You are right in that many mopar fans would actually deduct value for some of those mods, especially the pumps and gizmos in the trunk.
I found my car on Ebay and cudaworld 4 years ago. I watched it and it had several times not sold on ebay and maxed out at low $30s as well, more than once if I remember. At the time he also had it listed on cudaworld for $50, and then lowered it to $45k.
Anyway, I ended up offering about $1500 more on ebay than the highest bid with less than a minute to go and I actually ended up hitting right on the reserve amount and won, but I had contacted the seller before and told him any bid I put up would be subject to my personal inspection, within a reasonable period of time. Turned out to be a couple weeks later, and the inspection went well and I sealed the deal in person.
That was a very exciting few moments when I placed that bid. I remember my heart racing.

[grimmey71]

I would buy that for $50,000 all day

[tommyg29]

I would buy that for $50,000 all day

I respect that.
But, you might think twice when it comes time to actually plunking down the $50k cash. You might realize there are other cars just as nice or nicer that can be had for less.
In the end its whatever it is worth to you, but only after you do your due diligence, plus, you'll notice the owner said he "wants $50". Kinda begs for an offer if you ask me. Anything above the highest ebay bids will be recognized as serious by the seller.

[tman]

You see restomods all the time now at Barrett Jackson and Mecum auctions.  They are in a class in themselves and get pretty penny for the cars.  Since it was totally gone over, modern suspension, trans, and brakes; there is a lot of money in there.  You can probably offer $45 and see what happens.  Can't really compare to a stock Ebody to restomod.  It will be dependable and drive it harder then you normally would with a stocker.  Have to ask yourself is this the car you want?  Does it fit YOUR spec.  If it does, then go for it or not.  For me, no sense asking other if you know what you want and how deep your pockets are.  You are in a range to get a good turnkey car.  I think cars are at the low price point now, but it is going up.  Or keep saving for the nice one you really want.  I mean, if it turns your CRANK, then get it.  You really can't worry about what happens when you decide to sell it.  If you do, then its not a long term relationship you are looking for. 

[Road_Runner]

By the time I finish with my Barracuda, I figure I'll have at least $25K in it and maybe a lot more depending on what direction I finally go with the car.  That's a beautiful car about the same price as a new SRT8 Challenger.  The car you're looking at will only go up in value, not so with the SRT8 at least not for many years.  I agree with offering him $42-45k.  He may need to sell it and accept.

Later, Jim

[DoNotChallengeHer]

You need to run that VIN at the Hamtramck-historical.com in the found section. I received info that the original car is long gone .

[tman]

Hmm good call on the VIN.  See if this link works for the info.  If true, its obviously not a good thing, but it has been registered.  If so, you can get that car at a much better price or don't touch it.  No matter, someone will buy it and enjoy it either way.  If the moderator has the specific info to prove that the vin was illegally sold on ebay, the seller would have a harder time to sell it. Not sure if anyone of authority will do anything about it.  I would make sure the person has a Title for it.   

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/foundBlackFlag70.shtml

[bolo185]

Hmm good call on the VIN.  See if this link works for the info.  If true, its obviously not a good thing, but it has been registered.  If so, you can get that car at a much better price or don't touch it.  No matter, someone will buy it and enjoy it either way.  If the moderator has the specific info to prove that the vin was illegally sold on ebay, the seller would have a harder time to sell it. Not sure if anyone of authority will do anything about it.  I would make sure the person has a Title for it.   

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/foundBlackFlag70.shtml

Good info on the VIN. I have a closeup pic of of the fender tag and it shows to be BS23HOB203915 which does show parted out on the link you sent. Only letter I might be off on is the B in the middle of the Vin, kinda blurred and could be an L or a D if that is possible? Could that make a difference? Guy showed me a piece of metal cut out from the firewall with the stamped numbers he says was rust repaired and he kept it to show the numbers. Possibly from another car? Where are all the places on a Cuda besides the dash and firewall where numbers will be stamped or attached?

It is a beautiful car, it's currently registered in CA and he has the pink slip. He says an insurance rep inspected it for insurance purposes but I dont know how deep they dig for fraud. Guy has paperwork for everything put into the car, over $80k. But the VIN thing is interesting. All your help is really appreciated!     

[Jamiez]

No that letter is the plant of manufacture. Only choices are B or E for barracudas/challengers

[tman]

You will find partial vin stamping locations in this forum.  Suppose to be a vin stamping on radiator support.  You can email Barry Washington and ask for what info he has to corroborate the info. Ask the current owner how they came about this car.  Show them a copy of what you saw and mention that it could be a vin switch on this car.  Sounds like you really like it.  This could be a bargaining chip to reduce price if the seller thinks it "could" be a fraud car and that buyers may stay away from it.  Ask if the seller bought the vin tag from ebay.  You should have no problem registering it if it was already registered in Cali.  There are people that would not touch that car and others will not mind owning it.  Just that if you know there is a possible issue about it and you sell it, don't misrepresent it.  That is the question if the seller has this knowledge. 
Now that this issue is brought up, others could black ball the sale of this car in the future.  Just a matter if the buyer does not care.  Basically its buyer beware.  The metal that was cut out of the firewall; was it welded into the current firewall?  or is it a piece that the seller has laying around?  If its a cutout, then that sounds suspicious, however, on the Registry it does not say that "body" numbers were sold too.   

[bolo185]

You will find partial vin stamping locations in this forum.  Suppose to be a vin stamping on radiator support.  You can email Barry Washington and ask for what info he has to corroborate the info. Ask the current owner how they came about this car.  Show them a copy of what you saw and mention that it could be a vin switch on this car.  Sounds like you really like it.  This could be a bargaining chip to reduce price if the seller thinks it "could" be a fraud car and that buyers may stay away from it.  Ask if the seller bought the vin tag from ebay.  You should have no problem registering it if it was already registered in Cali.  There are people that would not touch that car and others will not mind owning it.  Just that if you know there is a possible issue about it and you sell it, don't misrepresent it.  That is the question if the seller has this knowledge. 
Now that this issue is brought up, others could black ball the sale of this car in the future.  Just a matter if the buyer does not care.  Basically its buyer beware.  The metal that was cut out of the firewall; was it welded into the current firewall?  or is it a piece that the seller has laying around?  If its a cutout, then that sounds suspicious, however, on the Registry it does not say that "body" numbers were sold too.

Cutout is not welded back on, it's in the packet with all the documentation. I'm in CA so it wouldnt be a problem with the reg. I'm going to call the guy today and try to get more info.