Charger find

[pacegr85]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new member on here but a huge charger fan. I have wanted a 69' or 70' for over 25yrs. I'm in a time in my life where it can actually become a possibility. I've been looking online for the last 4 years or so and I saw this one a few days ago. Please let me know your thoughts if it is worth it or a bad purchase. Seems to be on the low end for a 69' with a 440 and no visible issues. Btw, I live in Austin, TX so I don't know if there are any members that live in this area.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Charger-SE-/262170711630?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3d0a97964e:g:MTwAAOSw5VFWNman&item=262170711630

[VegasCharger]

Hello and welcome aboard

Plenty of Texas DC.com members in here.

As far as WIW, seems a bit high to me but who knows anymore with this crazy buying market on these 2nd gen Chargers

[charge69]

Hello from Spring Tx. and you have come to the right place for advice as there are numerous experts (not me!) here to help guide you to a good deal.
My initial thoughts are that the Charger you linked here is priced too high. A proper paint job will push the car well into the 40K range. Keep in mind that there was no such color as "ice-blue-metallic" in 1969.

[skip68]

Factory a.c. car      I think it's a great car that still needs money put into it to be done.      $35k is high in my opinion.  
Can you block sand and paint?
Right there can be very costly.  
I'd say a nice paint job would be around $5k-$8k.  
Most decent shops won't do it unless they prep it and use their own paint.   Been there, done that.
Welcome to the site.    

[pacegr85]

Thanks everyone and so glad to meet all of you. I'm curious what a restored 440 non matching numbers charger goes for? I've been looking for the last few years and they always seem to be in the 40-60k range.  I am a pure mopar fan with the 69-70 being my dream so I would be looking for one to keep. I don't care about resell value or the matching numbers.

On a side note, Mecum will be here in Austin this Friday and Saturday. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I walk in there.

[Kern Dog]

Welcome to the site.
I wonder why people take the time to paint the hidden parts of the car but leave the outer body in primer. The lack of exterior paint devalues the car by several thousand dollars even though they include the paint. The ad reads that 2 gallons of Nason paint is included. I'd dump that stuff or let the seller keep it. Nason is cheap "Paint to sell" quality stuff that runs like a Kenyan in a marathon and chips like a bag of Doritos.
This may be a good buy regardless. The painted areas would need to be properly masked off for the exterior paint application. Overspray goes everywhere! The car would need to be masked to the floor too to keep the paint mist from going under the car and into the engine bay that way.

[skip68]

Ask for pictures of the body in bare metal.   Most guys usually take pictures as they build.   Could be lots of bondo under there.   Do you know what to look for?   

[pacegr85]

I have no idea what to look for. I'm very thankful for the input from you veterans...

[1974dodgecharger]

way to high...just way to high....

[pacegr85]

Thanks for all the help everyone. What do you estimate the value to be? Maybe I can put the sales hat on and negotiate down...

[Dino]

That's a lot of dough for a work in progress.  Be aware that primer is like a sponge; you can't just primer a car and leave it like that for too long or you can remove it all and start over.  Nason's is good for door jambs but not for the exterior imo.  Do you want it to be blue?  If not, there's more work for you.  It's advertised as an SE but has the stock dash and seats.  Then on top of it all is the big question: how well was this "restoration" done?  

There's better cars out there I think.

Welcome to the club!  

[pacegr85]

Thanks! I will pass on this one and keep an eye out for the next great charger. Hopefully, I can be part of this forum 100% rather than on the sidelines 

[skip68]

If it's solid (not a ton of bondo) I'd be in at around the low to mid 20's.
$22,500-$25,000.      
I believe that's a 318 car if I remember correctly and not a factory 440.  That doesn't effect the value much though.  
Find someone to go with you that knows classics.  
Since the trunk had to be replaced I'd be looking for signs of rust underneath.   If it was a vinyl top car check for bondo with a magnet.
Get inside the trunk on your back and look up with a flashlight everywhere for signs of rust.  

[Kern Dog]

That's a lot of dough for a work in progress.  Be aware that primer is like a sponge; you can't just primer a car and leave it like that for too long or you can remove it all and start over.

Excellent point, I should have mentioned it as well.
Dino is 100% right about primer. No matter the brand or type, the purpose of primer is to be receptive to a topcoat while protecting the metal. Trouble is, after just a  little time exposed to the air, it begins to absorb and trap contaminants. These may not be so easy to remove and will result in defects in the paint. Primer also hides serious flaws in bodywork partially because the dull finish makes ripples hard to see.
I have done some real crimes with Body filler, stuff that actually looked good after sanding, primer, more sanding, primer...Sometimes you do what your buddy wants when they can't afford a new fender or quarter panel!
I do my best to work the metal on my own cars. Thick layers of Bondo and primer may last a few years but eventually they will crack.

[RallyeMike]

I think the price is a little high for a non-numbers small block SE, but if the the solid sheet metal is factual, that is a big bonus. Missing AC stuff will not be fun to find. Primer hides lots of flaws and the body lines on a 68-70 take quite a bit of work to massage to perfection. "Restored" is a little bit of a stretch considering the upgrade to big block power, aluminum radiator, etc.

The one red flag for me is the statement "Odometer reading shows under 11K miles and may not be actual mileage". Of course it isn't actual. What other things perhaps are not quite accurately represented? I would approach with a little skepticism.

[tan top]

few pictures from the ad

[tan top]

 

[tan top]

 

[tan top]

 

[Bronzedodge]

So that's the new paint over rust in the right door inner corner?     Looks like they went right over the pits.  That and a bunch of other spots to be redone might give room to get the price down if no one bites.

[Ghoste]

Keep in mind that there was no such color as "ice-blue-metallic" in 1969.

There was however B3, a "Light Blue" which some might mistakenly call Ice Blue. 

[Homerr]

I see you are passing on this one, wise.  Shots down quarters and fenders look like they sanded the crease line right out of it, or just painted over old paint thickness?

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Judging by the glued on passenger's door weatherstrip, blue paint on the top edge of the right side kick panel & painted cam bolts in the engine compartment, I'd say it's a hack job.

[pacegr85]

Thanks for everything, that would have been a tragic mistake. I will be on the lookout for the next 69-70 charger and will be sure to consult the board before pulling the trigger

[skip68]

We have the classified section for "cars wanted"   
You should post a wanted ad there.      
Put what exactly your looking for year, price and condition.   
Don't worry about small missing parts as we have plenty of guys here that sell parts all the time.