74 Challenger, is it worth it? Need your Advice please!

[ledman]

I am a member on the A body forum, and figured you guys over here would know more about this E body Challenger.
Saw this car locally, they want $21,995, decoding the VIN#JH23G4B212183 it was originally a 318 car with a high price class, 2 door hardtop, restored and upgraded to a 383, and upgraded to power disc brakes.
Link to car:
http://www.pacificmotorcars.com/veh...fbd72/1974+dodge+challenger+2-door+coupe.html
I have not seen the car in person yet, but I was just wondering if the price is in the ballpark, over priced, or just right.
What questions should I be asking them about this car to see if it is worth what they are asking?
Thanks guys

 

[challenger6pak]

It is overpriced. If you look for a while you can find a 70 R/T for that kind of money.

 

[ledman]

It is overpriced. If you look for a while you can find a 70 R/T for that kind of money.

Thank you for that...I am saving my money, and trying to get an idea of prices, what to look for specifically, etc.
In about a year to 18 months I should have enough saved to get a nice car, if not a E body, maybe an A body

 

[challenger6pak]

It is a hobby. You will always have loses. Buy the most valuable car you can buy, in the condition you want one to be in. That way you will minimize any loss if you have to sell it in the future. You are on the right track. Do research. I would get a legal pad or use a Word type program in your computer and record what things are selling for. Record the year of the car. Record trim level as in R/T etc. Record condition and selling price; not asking price or what it bid to. People have friends bid cars up to reserve but not over it. It is not representative of what the car is worth. Compare Ebay to Craigs and all the web boards. You will get the picture of what things are worth in a few months. When you find something post it up for outside opinions. People see things you don't because they don't "want" the car. Good luck in your search.

 

[ledman]

It is a hobby. You will always have loses. Buy the most valuable car you can buy, in the condition you want one to be in. That way you will minimize any loss if you have to sell it in the future. You are on the right track. Do research. I would get a legal pad or use a Word type program in your computer and record what things are selling for. Record the year of the car. Record trim level as in R/T etc. Record condition and selling price; not asking price or what it bid to. People have friends bid cars up to reserve but not over it. It is not representative of what the car is worth. Compare Ebay to Craigs and all the web boards. You will get the picture of what things are worth in a few months. When you find something post it up for outside opinions. People see things you don't because they don't "want" the car. Good luck in your search.

Thank you sir! That is some great, solid advice! I am going to do that, I will keep a log of what I am looking at...I am thinking I can get together about 10K-12K in a year, and I have seen some pretty nice cars around that price, but mostly "A" bodies, (which I really do love the dart, as I used to have a 69 Dart) Darts, Dart sports, Scamps, all the E bodies I have seen for that price are serious project cars. I don't have the space, time and all the knowledge and tools to do a restoration, I need something with the engine and drivetrain done, and the interior too. I can handle small projects, but I need a driver that is almost complete, Body straight, and driver quality paint is OK with me, as I could have it painted at a later time.
Something like this looks pretty awesome to me, I don't need it to be super fast, just fast enough, and sound and look good in the process, I will not be drag racing, just car clubs, local shows, cruise nights, etc.
1966 Dart GT 4spd 318 V8 for 8K OBO seems like a good deal, was originally a 273 car which he has the motor for that needs rebuilt he will include in the sale
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4520954077.html
Thanks again
Mike

 

[challenger6pak]

You are welcome. I don't follow A bodies. I don't know if it is a good deal or not. I'm sure someone will know. The same rules of research will apply to all cars. I can't remember when I last bought a car that was "for sale". I have bought several in the past year. I go to shows and talk to people. You never know what you will find. The Mopar world is a small world. Join a local club and go to the small cruises around town. It is time well invested.

 

[ledman]

Yes, thats a good idea, I actually have been invited to a local MOPAR club meeting on July 7th, small group of about 25 people, mostly A body owners, but I don't have to have a A body to join, as I currently drive a 2013 Charger for my DD.
I figured, if I can join a club and go to some meets, cruises, and make some new friends, you never know what opportunities may pop up

 

[ramenth]

Yes, thats a good idea, I actually have been invited to a local MOPAR club meeting on July 7th, small group of about 25 people, mostly A body owners, but I don't have to have a A body to join, as I currently drive a 2013 Charger for my DD.
I figured, if I can join a club and go to some meets, cruises, and make some new friends, you never know what opportunities may pop up

And that is true. Hell, even here or FABO can be considered a club. I've met some great guys off these sites. As a matter of fact, I bought three B-bodies and an AHB M-body off a buddy of mine I met on FABO. He's a member here, too, and currently rebuilding his '72 340/4 speed 'Cuda.

 

[slantfish]

for that price range, you'll probable be best served by getting a nicely optioned, #s matching A-body or a B-body that is between really good to restored condition. you might get lucky and find an E if you keep a vigilant search on the net and locally, but at that price range it will need mid-major work one way or another. I've seen some good deals occasionally on some well optioned A's in that range that were either restored already, or were at least solid drivers (the rarer optioned A-bodies, but these will always hold value longer over a standard configuration too).

 

[ledman]

Thank you all for your honest opinions, I do appreciate it, as when I do go to buy a car, I need to know what to look for.
Of course, I love most any old car, but am partial to the Dodge Dart, or Dart sport/Duster.
For a Dart, I want one from 66-72, with a 318 or larger. Dart sport or Duster, preferably a 340, doesn't need to be a true H car, but that would be nice too.

I just wanted to keep my options open across the MOPAR spectrum of cars, and I am still learning as I go. I used to have a 69 Dart with a 318 2bbl, I really loved that car, and made a huge mistake selling it, and I regret it to this day.

Seems like most Chargers, especially the 68-71 are really expensive for a decent one, same with Challengers, as I notice the price drops all after 71 on those cars. Cudas are nice too, as is the Coronet/Roadrunner from 68-70, just my personal choice for now.

Overall, I just want a nice cruiser, that will have a little get up and go, sound nice, and be put together well, not some mis-mash frankenstein that will fall apart one me at my first cruise lol, so with all your help I think I can obtain what I am looking for. Again, I am in the research stage, not ready to buy at this point, it's going to be a good 12-16 months before I can seriously start looking.

 

[ramenth]

for that price range, you'll probable be best served by getting a nicely optioned, #s matching A-body or a B-body that is between really good to restored condition. you might get lucky and find an E if you keep a vigilant search on the net and locally, but at that price range it will need mid-major work one way or another. I've seen some good deals occasionally on some well optioned A's in that range that were either restored already, or were at least solid drivers (the rarer optioned A-bodies, but these will always hold value longer over a standard configuration too).

What you're talking about for an A-body in this price range most A-body guys won't touch as being overpriced unless it's a survivor and even then most will just drool and walk away. The only exceptions might be "H" or "M" code cars.

B-bodies, yup. Not too long ago a guy on FBBO was selling a triple black '71-up Charger. 340 car, nicely done, ready to drive for less than $17K

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Heck I have a fully rebuilt 71 Charger 440 4spd , 50 k spent on the resto , running & driving with virtually everything new front to back I will sell you for 22k

 

[ramenth]

Heck I have a fully rebuilt 71 Charger 440 4spd , 50 k spent on the resto , running & driving with virtually everything new front to back I will sell you for 22k

That's a smokin' deal.

 

[ledman]

shoot man, why you gotta tease a man like that?? Give me 18 months and I will have the money lol...seriously
I am saving as much as I can weekly, and selling every little nick knack, electronic device and anything that may be worth anything on ebay. Hats, watches, video games, DVD players, anything I am not using or don't need I am selling to put into my car fund. I want it bad. Very bad, and I am determined to save the money I need to get me a decent old MOPAR

How about a pic of that Charger, just to make me want it more?

 

[Bill]

I suggest you borrow the money. Your local bank has lots of it (lol). Interest rates are ridiculously low now, you will have a few more years of enjoyment out of the car, if you can find a smokin deal the car may be worth more than what you purchased it for if not now maybe in a few years. Also if you can find a "smokin deal" you can almost consider it an investment. With my 73 Rallye Challenger project I'm not letting money get in the way of it getting finished. If I did let money get in the way, the project would never get done. I stay frugal and look for the most cost effective way to get steps done on the project but when it comes to a point to make a big purchase on things like the motor rebuild, ISIS power system or TTI exhaust system and the money is not in my bank account, I borrow it to keep the project going. Just a thought. Good luck!
Bill (Vermont)

shoot man, why you gotta tease a man like that?? Give me 18 months and I will have the money lol...seriously
I am saving as much as I can weekly, and selling every little nick knack, electronic device and anything that may be worth anything on ebay. Hats, watches, video games, DVD players, anything I am not using or don't need I am selling to put into my car fund. I want it bad. Very bad, and I am determined to save the money I need to get me a decent old MOPAR

How about a pic of that Charger, just to make me want it more?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

this is the only picture I can find right now , I have better ones , I will see if I can find them
If you are seriously interested , the car is a 72 , rust free 318 car built into a 71 mostly , no R/T doors , more like the Super Bee but with r/t taillights & hood , 72 grille inserts still though ., GB5 blue paint base clear with epoxy primer . |rebuilt 440 maybe 600 miles on it , M1 singleplane intake Holley Carb , Alum rad , ceramic coated headers into 3" TTI x pipe exhaust , all new poly front bushings & Moog parts , Front & rear sway bars , Cordoba 11.75" brakes in front , New drive shaft , Lakewood blast shield , 11" McLeod clutch new , hyd clutch release , , rebuilt 833 4 spd with OD , very wide ratio , Pistol grip shifter , no console . Rebuilt 8 3/4 diff with new 10" drum brakes , Ralley guage pack with Tach , new dash pad , new carpet , new headliner , 15x7 police wheels , was going to upgrade to 17or 18" wheels & larger brakes , started to build the car for open road racing , never had the $$ the car is fast , it will idle at 75 MPH in OD , top speed theoretically at 6500 was 255 MPH , it would run 125 average speed all day long !!
This is definatly worth more than the asking price with more than x2 spent to get it this far !

 

[Chryco Psycho]

More pix

 

[challenger6pak]

Can you post the pics larger? Did you have any pics on Moparts? CC.com has probably deleted them by now.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Long story , I lost my computer with all the original pix on it , I had to search my emails to find these that I had forwarded out to other people , I am now in Panama & the car is in western Canada , kind of hard to get fresh pix . If you are serious I can try to get new pix from my friend where the car is now stored . I am also happy to disclose any info on the car , I am not trying to rip anyone off but I cannot ship the car to Panama & cannot keep it .
Moparts showed me the door years ago , someone stole my user name there & no matter how many emails I sent no one would explain why I was locked out .

 

[Chryco Psycho]

You are right no pix on CC.
Best I can do right now .