What is MY Superbird worth today?

[70Sbird]

OK guys, I need some realistic opinions on what my car is actually worth today if I were to sell it. No, this is not a classified ad, but I'm doing some financial planning and am curious what it's actually worth. It looks like a wingless, nose-less, engine-less V code project is worth about $60,000 and a nice restored car is around $125K - $140K based on recent posts. I was offered six figures for the car back in 2007, but I'm guessing that today the car is probably in the $75 - $80K range?
My Superbird would probably be classified as a low-end or entry level car. Condition wise it's a decent driver.
It was born a B5 Blue 440 4V bench seat column auto car. Over the years the original drivetrain has been replaced with an Aluminum headed 500 CID 440, 18 spline console 4-speed and 3.54 Dana rear. The body sheet metal is all original (except for the trunk floor and trans hump). The dash VIN, door VIN sticker, fender tag, core support and trunk rail stampings all match. The front and back seats have been replaced with Bucket seats from a Charger. I have owned this car since 2001 and have owner history back into the 1980's, but I have no build sheet. The Car really is a nice driver with a few rust bubbles starting to show up around the edges of the rear quarters. Other than the that the car is pretty much rust free and well sorted out. I drove it to Talladega last fall and ran almost 2,000 miles with no mechanical issues and only had to add a quart of oil when I got back. It could use a new dash pad and Power Steering cooler to make it "finished" for me.
A few of you have ridden in my car and even more have seen it so please let me know if this isn't an honest description, or if any additional details are relevant.
Here are a few pics for those of you that haven't seen it.
Thanks for your opinions,
Scott

[birdsandbees]

100K US all day long on Ebay... especially with the 4 gear.

[Aero426]

"Gee, what I really aspire to is a U code Superbird with a bench seat and a column automatic."      Said no one ever.

That said, I do not think your modifications really hurt the value of the car a great deal.   You've built the car to drive and in an attractive combination.     Considering the effort you've put into it, it's pretty well sorted out.      While lack of certain attributes will turn off the "numbers" buyer,  your car is ready to hit the road and have fun.    It's definitely worth money to be able to say to a buyer,  "You can get in this car and drive it home today".    It looks good and it's got the man's transmission.    It is the perfect point of entry to the wing car world.    The next owner can always move it on to someone else looking to get in the game.

I think that your guess of $75-80k might have been close in 2010, but is way low today.     Even at a 100k real sale price today, that would be a fairly easy sell through word of mouth.     The question in setting a value is,  what else is out there that is comparable?  

[Hemi Runner]

Sooooooo...... what you're really saying is that you'd take a non-original lime green hemi roadunner plus $30K cash in trade for it? 

[Dave Kanofsky]

I think that your guess of $75-80k might have been close in 2010, but is way low today.     Even at a 100k real sale price today, that would be a fairly easy sell through word of mouth.     

I agree with Doug here.

I haven't been following the price of SuperBirds too closely, but my feel is that your car shows well and runs well, AND it made the front page of the newspaper in Alex City, AL!

Obviously you know all of the imperfections of your car, and the "challenges" it has previously given you.  Now see it through the eyes of someone looking to point out the attributes. 

With that said, I know a guy who would trade a black on black 6 speed Hellcat Chally right now for it!

[hemi68charger]

That sucker is a nice car......    100K all day long......

[moparstuart]

75 k where do I send the check

[Aero426]

75 k where do I send the check

I'll take two.

[Mopar John]

Scott,
I am also in the 100K area on your Superbird!
You spoke of a six figure offer years ago.
Getting the most out of your car is finding someone that likes the color and the mods that have been done.
That may take some time other wise a quick sale will bring your price down.
MJ

[Hemi Runner]

If any of you ever plan on selling, I'd get out while you can get good money. The base of people with an interest in these cars is shrinking daily. Combine that fact with jobs going overseas and to Mexico and the list of people with the financial means is shrinking as well. Once the socialists get ahold of this country and plunge it into financial ruins, these birds won't be worth squat. I'm sure most of you will laugh this off, but it is happening and alot of you will even live to see it. 

[odcics2]

If any of you ever plan on selling, I'd get out while you can get good money. The base of people with an interest in these cars is shrinking daily. Combine that fact with jobs going overseas and to Mexico and the list of people with the financial means is shrinking as well. Once the socialists get ahold of this country and plunge it into financial ruins, these birds won't be worth squat. I'm sure most of you will laugh this off, but it is happening and alot of you will even live to see it. 

  Don't be so paranoid!

[birdsandbees]

Not the first one to mention similar. When the resto shop owner was picking up my 'Bee back in January I told him I had no emotional attachment to my 'Bird and he said "then sell it now. Guys like us will be gone within the next 5 years and the market will be gone, just like the generation behind us that liked Model A's". And he had a good point... 

He's been at it for over 35 years, did numerous Model A's, old trucks and such because "that was my first car". Next came the muscle cars and now he's taking in Ferrari after Ferrari and the "rice burners" are next! 

[Aero426]

Most "collectible" items will go up and down.   Our grandparents collected Hummel figures.   Now you can't give them away.   The buyer pool will eventually shrink for all muscle in general.   There are too many cars for the next generation to absorb.   There is a lot of inventory still in hoards waiting for owners to get off them, build them, or assume room temperature.  

That said, the wing cars have the weird factor working for them.   The higher end muscle like 6 pack and Hemi cars will always have buyers.   High impact cars will always have a home.   What was special then, is special now.   You might have something that was rare then, but it's still not special.   What will a 440 Superbird sell for in twenty years?   I don't know.   But I think we have seen the last big price spike.  

The other positive argument for muscle in general is that they are quite usable.   Parts are readily available.    You can buy a pretty decent Model A pickup for $12k today.   It cruises at 45 mph.   Not bad, but you can't take it on the interstate.   You probably would not want to drive it all day like you can your Road Runner with an overdrive.

I do believe that if you have an large collection of anything from "our time", be it Red Line Hot Wheels,  unbuilt 60's plastic models, Indy 500 pit badges,  full size cars - whatever; and you want a decent return on them, the time is approaching to make a plan to slim down and and quietly move some of it towards the exit.    Each generation tends to collect what they grew up with.   As we age out, there will be an increasing amount of stuff dumped on the market.    I just don't see a next generation for a lot of it.  

On the other hand, if this stuff gives you pleasure and you don't care what you get back out of it,  keep on enjoying it and let the chips fall where they may.     If we had a crystal ball, it would be so easy.  

[Hemi Runner]

If any of you ever plan on selling, I'd get out while you can get good money. The base of people with an interest in these cars is shrinking daily. Combine that fact with jobs going overseas and to Mexico and the list of people with the financial means is shrinking as well. Once the socialists get ahold of this country and plunge it into financial ruins, these birds won't be worth squat. I'm sure most of you will laugh this off, but it is happening and alot of you will even live to see it. 

  Don't be so paranoid!

I'm not paranoid, I see it daily in my job. I call on all segments of every industry. It's coming and it'll make the last few "recessions" look like a walk in the park.

[Davtona]

Guys like us will be gone within the next 5 years and the market will be gone, just like the generation behind us that liked Model A's". And he had a good point

On the other hand, if this stuff gives you pleasure and you don't care what you get back out of it,  keep on enjoying it and let the chips fall where they may.  

Don't turn out the lights yet I plan on being around more than 5 more years.   The first step to going is saying your going. The Model A generation was my wife's grandpa that passed away in 2012 at 103. Doomsday comparison on that one.  We got a while before we reach that point.  Model A's had very little going for them in comparison to the muscle cars. The muscle cars were the apex of automobiles in my opinion. It will never happen again like that. Yes stuff will drop at some point but if you got into it because you loved the cars you will turn out all right because you bought them right. I agree with Doug enjoy the stuff.

[rob-dirt]

75 k where do I send the check

... 75 ..... Im in at 80 k

[62 Max]

75 k where do I send the check

... 75 ..... Im in at 80 k

Rob,how about I throw this in and you are only an hour away !!!!!!

[Aero426]

Don't turn out the lights yet I plan on being around more than 5 more years.   The first step to going is saying your going. The Model A generation was my wife's grandpa that passed away in 2012 at 103. Doomsday comparison on that one.  We got a while before we reach that point.  Model A's had very little going for them in comparison to the muscle cars. The muscle cars were the apex of automobiles in my opinion. It will never happen again like that. Yes stuff will drop at some point but if you got into it because you loved the cars you will turn out all right because you bought them right. I agree with Doug enjoy the stuff.

At some point, cashing out would seem to be the smart thing to do.  I think we have another ten good years.  Maybe a little more.    There is still a crap load of money flowing into the collector car market.   Some of it is new money for exotics.   Ferrari 308's are now over 100k.   They were 40k a couple years ago.    Tim Wellborn said he has seen some interest and "new money" coming into the hobby.  But he has cars that someone will always want.  

The point I was trying to make,  if you have way too much stuff on your hands,  it's going to be hard to dump it all when the whip comes down.    Look at the average age of the people at the next swap meet, toy show or cruise night.   We are all old.     If you're 35-40 years old now, you stand to have a good chance of getting into the game later on.    

   

[Daytona R/T SE]

75 k where do I send the check

Forget the check.     

I'll bring the CASH ! 

[Dave Kanofsky]

...waiting for owners to...assume room temperature.   

This cracked me up probably more than it should have!  Well put Doug.

[farm966]

If any of you ever plan on selling, I'd get out while you can get good money. The base of people with an interest in these cars is shrinking daily. Combine that fact with jobs going overseas and to Mexico and the list of people with the financial means is shrinking as well. Once the socialists get ahold of this country and plunge it into financial ruins, these birds won't be worth squat. I'm sure most of you will laugh this off, but it is happening and alot of you will even live to see it. 

Hemi Runner, I have to agree with you. Our country is crumbling around us. Nearly half of the country does not pay federal income tax, more and more people receive some type of payment from the government. Socialism does not work, yet people will vote for it because they believe they will receive something for free.

[Aero426]

If any of you ever plan on selling, I'd get out while you can get good money. The base of people with an interest in these cars is shrinking daily. Combine that fact with jobs going overseas and to Mexico and the list of people with the financial means is shrinking as well. Once the socialists get ahold of this country and plunge it into financial ruins, these birds won't be worth squat. I'm sure most of you will laugh this off, but it is happening and alot of you will even live to see it. 

Hemi Runner, I have to agree with you. Our country is crumbling around us. Nearly half of the country does not pay federal income tax, more and more people receive some type of payment from the government. Socialism does not work, yet people will vote for it because they believe they will receive something for free.

On the other hand,  aside from a nuclear scenario,  it's hard to believe there would not be 350 people in the world who have the means and desire to own a Charger Daytona.   There is still a lot of money out there.   

I don't think we will ever see restored Superbirds for $50,000 in our lifetime.   I can see that prices will flatten or soften.    The car market is riding pretty high right now.    Probably higher than it was before the last big correction. 

On any given day, we are told that the sky is falling.    "Buy gold & silver.    Buy ammo and MRE's".    I do not dismiss that we could be in for real trouble.   But it is hard to sort out the noise from the signal.       

[Homerr]

I'd say you have a strong condition #3 example.

https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1970-Plymouth-Superbird?id=40036

[rob-dirt]

I'd say you have a strong condition #3 example.

https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1970-Plymouth-Superbird?id=40036

i think that inflated pricing . I just looked up my Hemi Cuda it a #1 or a 2 for shure but closer to a 1 but none the less    .It says #1 365k  # 2 317k  and i cant seam to get a #4 price  it all worth what someone will pay a price is nothing more then 2 people can agree on

[Arnie Cunningham]

Your car will bring 100K+ in today's market.  It is very similar in condition and configuration to mine.  There are very few cars that will return the cost of restoration.  Most Superbirds will.

[70Sbird]

Thanks to everyone and their opinions!
This helps. I had dropped the level of insurance I was carrying on the car a bit in about 2010, I may need to revisit that decision, but it is nice to know that the values are up. I've had a tough time explaining to my wife that I was offered $100,000 for the car at one point, I have since put about $15,000 into it and it was only worth around $80K! That math wasn't working for her....
As I said I don't have any current plans to sell, but I need to make some decisions by this summer and the value of the Supeturd was one of the things in play.
Thanks
Scott

[wingcarenvy]

80K for a good honest Superbird is a steal today. The market as a whole is swelling in price. I am 42 years old and most of my friends are in this age range too. WE all grew up in the 80's riding BMX bikes and watched the cool kids in school strut their stuff in muscle cars from the 60s. There is still a lot of people in my age group that covet the muscle cars from the 60's. The muscle car market will continue to be strong for decades in the future. But thats just my perspective.

[A12 Superbee]

80K for a good honest Superbird is a steal today. The market as a whole is swelling in price. I am 42 years old and most of my friends are in this age range too. WE all grew up in the 80's riding BMX bikes and watched the cool kids in school strut their stuff in muscle cars from the 60s. There is still a lot of people in my age group that covet the muscle cars from the 60's. The muscle car market will continue to be strong for decades in the future. But thats just my perspective.

Spot on! I'm 47 and in Australia, no US muscle cars out here when I was a kid, just movies (Bullit, Vanishing Point etc) and kids like me dreamed of owning a US muscle car. There are plenty of 'Aussie muscle cars' but they are all small blocks and over-priced and the average punter will never be able to afford one, so clones are big here and US muscle is bigger! I cannot begin to tell you how much US Muscle is out here now and I have little kids and old men clawing over my car (A12 Superbee) every show it goes to, it pulls more people than local 'muscle cars'.

There's going to be a day when the market dries up for sure, but there's 20-30 years left in it. A good tip would if you are in your sixties and holding on to a few exotic muscle cars, sell up soon and keep the one that makes you happy, and if your'e around 30 years old then just buy your dream car from the get go and never worry about what it might be worth when you are 60, if the market dries up then you're stuck with a car that you'd likely never part with anyway, not to mention all the joy its bought you.

[smithenhiven]

80K for a good honest Superbird is a steal today. The market as a whole is swelling in price. I am 42 years old and most of my friends are in this age range too. WE all grew up in the 80's riding BMX bikes and watched the cool kids in school strut their stuff in muscle cars from the 60s. There is still a lot of people in my age group that covet the muscle cars from the 60's. The muscle car market will continue to be strong for decades in the future. But thats just my perspective.

Spot on! I'm 47 and in Australia, no US muscle cars out here when I was a kid, just movies (Bullit, Vanishing Point etc) and kids like me dreamed of owning a US muscle car. There are plenty of 'Aussie muscle cars' but they are all small blocks and over-priced and the average punter will never be able to afford one, so clones are big here and US muscle is bigger! I cannot begin to tell you how much US Muscle is out here now and I have little kids and old men clawing over my car (A12 Superbee) every show it goes to, it pulls more people than local 'muscle cars'.

There's going to be a day when the market dries up for sure, but there's 20-30 years left in it. A good tip would if you are in your sixties and holding on to a few exotic muscle cars, sell up soon and keep the one that makes you happy, and if your'e around 30 years old then just buy your dream car from the get go and never worry about what it might be worth when you are 60, if the market dries up then you're stuck with a car that you'd likely never part with anyway, not to mention all the joy its bought you.

Exactly!  Im 33, I've wanted a 70 Charger for as long as I can remember.  I was finally able to make that dream happen recently.  Granted its not a wing car and its value is only a fraction of one, but I bought it not caring what its value will be in the future.  When I die, it will left to my kids, and if they dont want it, they can sell it for what ever its worth at that time.

[boss429kiwi]

80K for a good honest Superbird is a steal today. The market as a whole is swelling in price. I am 42 years old and most of my friends are in this age range too. WE all grew up in the 80's riding BMX bikes and watched the cool kids in school strut their stuff in muscle cars from the 60s. There is still a lot of people in my age group that covet the muscle cars from the 60's. The muscle car market will continue to be strong for decades in the future. But thats just my perspective.

Spot on! I'm 47 and in Australia, no US muscle cars out here when I was a kid, just movies (Bullit, Vanishing Point etc) and kids like me dreamed of owning a US muscle car. There are plenty of 'Aussie muscle cars' but they are all small blocks and over-priced and the average punter will never be able to afford one, so clones are big here and US muscle is bigger! I cannot begin to tell you how much US Muscle is out here now and I have little kids and old men clawing over my car (A12 Superbee) every show it goes to, it pulls more people than local 'muscle cars'.

There's going to be a day when the market dries up for sure, but there's 20-30 years left in it. A good tip would if you are in your sixties and holding on to a few exotic muscle cars, sell up soon and keep the one that makes you happy, and if your'e around 30 years old then just buy your dream car from the get go and never worry about what it might be worth when you are 60, if the market dries up then you're stuck with a car that you'd likely never part with anyway, not to mention all the joy its bought you.

Disagree!
My first car was a Ford Cortina, it did not mean I was going to have Cortinas for the rest of my life.
My second car at 18 was a Ford Falcon XAGT coupe, it did not mean I was going to only be interested in Fords for the rest of my life. etc
The youth will drive what they can afford now/today.
I believe the current new muscle cars (05-2016) will be very popular to the younger generation, and lets be honest, if they are going to own a 2010 GT500, they will want a 1968 GT500 once they can afford it etc etc.

The movie makers today, know what their market is. For example, the Fast and Furious franchise are marketing to the 12-25 year old males and females, and look what the leading cars are, in all their movies, old school muscle.
Gone in 60 seconds, did not use a Nissan Skyline etc
Transformers, did not use a Mazda 1974 RX4

They know what they are doing, and they know their market.

As long as natural still makes testosterone, there will be muscle cars

[Hemi Runner]

As long as natural still makes testosterone, there will be muscle cars

If you look at the current crop of sissy men and what's in the media right now, I would expect to see the end of Muscle Cars real soon!

[boss429kiwi]

80K for a good honest Superbird is a steal today. The market as a whole is swelling in price. I am 42 years old and most of my friends are in this age range too. WE all grew up in the 80's riding BMX bikes and watched the cool kids in school strut their stuff in muscle cars from the 60s. There is still a lot of people in my age group that covet the muscle cars from the 60's. The muscle car market will continue to be strong for decades in the future. But thats just my perspective.

Spot on! I'm 47 and in Australia, no US muscle cars out here when I was a kid, just movies (Bullit, Vanishing Point etc) and kids like me dreamed of owning a US muscle car. There are plenty of 'Aussie muscle cars' but they are all small blocks and over-priced and the average punter will never be able to afford one, so clones are big here and US muscle is bigger! I cannot begin to tell you how much US Muscle is out here now and I have little kids and old men clawing over my car (A12 Superbee) every show it goes to, it pulls more people than local 'muscle cars'.

There's going to be a day when the market dries up for sure, but there's 20-30 years left in it. A good tip would if you are in your sixties and holding on to a few exotic muscle cars, sell up soon and keep the one that makes you happy, and if your'e around 30 years old then just buy your dream car from the get go and never worry about what it might be worth when you are 60, if the market dries up then you're stuck with a car that you'd likely never part with anyway, not to mention all the joy its bought you.

Disagree!
My first car was a Ford Cortina, it did not mean I was going to have Cortinas for the rest of my life.
My second car at 18 was a Ford Falcon XAGT coupe, it did not mean I was going to only be interested in Fords for the rest of my life. etc
The youth will drive what they can afford now/today.
I believe the current new muscle cars (05-2016) will be very popular to the younger generation, and lets be honest, if they are going to own a 2010 GT500, they will want a 1968 GT500 once they can afford it etc etc.

The movie makers today, know what their market is. For example, the Fast and Furious franchise are marketing to the 12-25 year old males and females, and look what the leading cars are, in all their movies, old school muscle.
Gone in 60 seconds, did not use a Nissan Skyline etc
Transformers, did not use a Mazda 1974 RX4

They know what they are doing, and they know their market.

As long as nature still makes testosterone, there will be muscle cars

Hmm, good point 

[winged69]

Thinking of this what wingcars are worth.People have said Model T's and Model A's were history but up here in Canada young folk love these things and their values are still up or going up. They will not be made again and as we know the attrition rates have happened and many are now in scrap metal yards or already made into new sewer parts.
The good part for us musclecar lovers is that our cars are way over what they sold for originally new . We did not buy a new truck worth $90,000 and then have it depreciate as soon as you drive off the lot. We have weathered the drop  in values a few years ago and I think the market has finally hit a correction. Most did not buy just to have the value appreciate, we bought because we wanted one, liked the looks or just wanted something no one else had. Enjoy your car , keep it and as they say use it. We all have a life expectancy and when we are gone maybe the car will still go to someone who will enjoy the car the same. Or it will be melted down. I have full plans of taking my Daytona with me, maybe buried in it. This causes a lot of horror from fellow car collectors.
This not a rant, but enjoy your car. If you decide to sell remember the depreciation on new vehicles and a bit of a loss will not hurt so bad. But also for buyers, remember the seller owns the car and may not have or want to sell.

[Aero426]

Model A's and T's are not necessarily going up in value.   But they are not going down either.    There are buyers for them and certain body style are in demand.    I have friends who bought a nice driver restored pickup for about 12k.    It was a very good deal.   They use it to "go to town" to run errands and are having a lot of fun with it.