1973 cuda help needed

[whitegryphon70]

hi, I am looking at buying a 1973 cuda, and wanted to get some advice, it has a clear title, a fender tag, and the last 8 of the vin stamped on the cowl and radiator support, that match the title and fender tag. but there is no vin tag I was told there was a dash fire and the car was taken to a shop to have it replaced and the shop didn't swapped the vin tag to the new dash, that was 9 years ago and the car has been sitting since then. the owner died while the car was in the shop and the kids picked it up and didn't check it when they got it. I contacted the shop but the original dash is long gone. So my question is how much does that hurt the value of the car? it is a non numbers matching 340 auto car also and what do you think the car is worth.

 

[moparleo]

Welcome to the site. First, I would contact your states DMV and find out what needs to be done to register the vehicle. Second, the 73 Cuda would be the least desirable of all the years and the value would not be affected or if it is , would be nominal.

 

[whitegryphon70]

thank you for the reply, why is the '73 the least desirable? I thought the '72-'74 were very similar.

 

[Ray]

Depends on the state go to local state police barracks, and or DMV.
In who's name is the title. If it's in the deceased persons name in some states that can be another can of worms.

I live in PA. And had a he'll of a time with the DMV trying to sell my dads cars when he passed away.

Offer them three grand if it runs and drives.

 

[moparleo]

In 1973 the government mandated 5 mph bumpers. The 73 and up had the bumpers extended away from the body and had large rubber bumper guards, It looks like the car has the 1972 bumpers and brackets installed. Also the 383, 426, and 440 were no longer available after 1971.

 

[challenger6pak]

Contact www.datatags.com and see if they can help you with your VIN tag. In some states they can. They know the states they can do it in. Does the car have the fender tag?

 

[aussiemark]

In 1973 the government mandated 5 mph bumpers. The 73 and up had the bumpers extended away from the body and had large rubber bumper guards, It looks like the car has the 1972 bumpers and brackets installed. Also the 383, 426, and 440 were no longer available after 1971.

Or the convertible and 1974 was the final year of production and they made the least amount of cars in 1974 so that would make them a little more interesting.

 

[moparleo]

Edsels were kind of interesting. They made less because no body was buying them. Sad but true.

 

[DetMatt1]

Welcome to the site from the Motor City! I would say that the values for the last few years would be similar to each other. Bummer about the vin tag but it would definitely be worthwhile to go about getting one for it as it looks like a nice car. Ma MOPAR should never have applied the tag to the dashpad on these cars.

 

[whitegryphon70]

they were asking $22,000 for the car but have come down to $18,000 but say they wont go any lower, is that a fair price or way too much?

 

[DetMatt1]

Tough call without being able to see it firsthand but I would say it better be damn nice and need almost nothing for that price. I'm not talking concours quality either, I mean for it to be a nice cruiser and cruise-in car

 

[moparleo]

Agreed. For that money, it would need to have the driveline, brake and suspension systems recently restored. I would ask if they would allow a third party inspection of the car on a lift. Also a good under dash inspection. You said the owner died while the car was in the shop and that the kids picked up the car. Was the work completed ? Any part and labor receipts ?

 

[Ray]

Based on the pics it appears to be missing rear trim pieces. Possible dent in drivers fender and no vin. God only knows what else. Like I posted before low ball the he'll out of it. For what their asking that car should be just about perfect with a good vin.

 

[challenger6pak]

The car is no way worth what they are asking. Just wait and watch it. They will have to come down if they want to sell it.

 

[KATSAAR]

it is illegal to reproduce a dash tag.

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

Edsels were kind of interesting. They made less because no body was buying them. Sad but true.

Wow, reference comparison to Cudas and Edsels in the same sentence. Now that is not something I could have ever put together...

Big, ugly and drives like a tank V/S insurance expense causing their decrease in sales not style and performance.

 

[moparleo]

A lot of features on the Edsels were just ahead of their time. But the external styling was hard to take. Insurance was a major reason that they killed performance in 72 and up. Cubic inches down, compression down, cam lift and duration down. Horsepower and torque, down. Big ugly bumper guards. Fewer people wanted the cars that no longer had the performance that they were born with. Look at the production figures each year. At least in California they were supposed to after 25 years, each year drop the smog requirements. They went back to 1973 and changed their minds. That is now the permanent cutoff year for smog. So we are lucky for that at least. Now we can put the performance back that the EPA took away.
How is your Challenger coming by the way ? Going to hit the streets soon ?

 

[DetMatt1]

it is illegal to reproduce a dash tag.

So is speeding.

 

[challenger6pak]

it is illegal to reproduce a dash tag.

Not in some states with proper documentation. Data Tags knows which states. It is what they do for a living.

 

[djais1801]

make sure the vin on tag starts with BS not BH, difference between a 'Cuda and Barracuda