build your daily driver Charger (version II)

[6bblgt]

everybody seems to have some extra time on their hands these days
 - this thread was started & ended up in FANTASY land, of course everyone would be driving a HEMI R/T SE Charger or a hemi'cuda convertible but lets be honest ......
   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,137762.0.html

everyone's on a budget and don't forget to double your insurance rates and keep 2X or 3X gas money in your pocket
take your current daily driver * find its M.S.R.P. * divide by 8 (for 1970 money) & forget about the destination charge * now go shopping - but don't exceed your budget
https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/library.shtml has "salesman's pocket price guides" - if you want to be accurate

daily driver:
2007 Ram 1500 4x4 M.S.R.P. $32,715 - go back and spend $4,089
2017 Charger R/T SCAT PACK M.S.R.P. $45,770 - go back and spend $5,721 (if you truly drive this car daily in all weather conditions - you get a HEMI car, good luck!)
2020 Jeep Cherokee M.S.R.P. $33,040 - go back and spend $4,130

I daily drive an Oldsmobile, remember those, that didn't sticker for $24K - I'd have to stay in the "Used Car" section, anyone have a good used HEMI car for around $3K?  

I stayed below the '07 RAM price - I think I'd eliminate the "console" to get: undercoating, a rear speaker & a RH mirror  

[Kern Dog]

You forgot air conditioning.  Who is willing to skip A/C on a daily driver ?

[Mike DC]

  
People buy a modern daily driver and expect it to be usable for 150,000+ miles.  In the 1960s that was two whole new car purchases.    

[6bblgt]

You forgot air conditioning.  Who is willing to skip A/C on a daily driver ?

excellent point!       & I'm currently living in Las Vegas, NV - A/C would be mandatory     .....     but look what it cost me to stay on budget  

the 4BBL, the 4-speed, the disc brakes, the vinyl top, the tachometer, the sure-grip, the 70-series tires & then some     also "burgundy metallic" is too dark for the desert & a "white" interior would help  

[DAY CLONA]

You forgot air conditioning.  Who is willing to skip A/C on a daily driver ?

Back in the days when my 70 Charger and 71 Cuda were my daily drivers, they had AC the day I purchased them, Ac's sets up were removed as day 1/2 modifications...even to this day I don't use AC on my DD's even if equipped

[6bblgt]

I wouldn't think anyone removed A/C on a new or nearly new car & called it a "day two" modification 
more like a modification in the early '80s when the musclecars were nearly valueless      the A/C did NOT work and fixing it was cost prohibitive

[6bblgt]

so ....... back on fantasy island
the dealership called & the above '68 Charger has arrived
but ...... to tell the truth, I've been sick to my stomach over the concessions I had to make to afford the A/C - do I still want the Charger?  

on the lot is this Super Bee:
yes, it's a coupe with a bench seat - but it has a 383HP, 4-speed, the "big" power drum brakes & A/C - all under the same working budget as the Charger
the owner of the dealership said his wife liked the Charger, so she's going to drive it & they will move my $25 deposit to the Super Bee  

the Super Bee has an 8-track stereo and the salesman threw-in this new Rolling Stones 8-track the 3rd track is pretty good  
now off to cruise Spring Mountain & see if I can find a fancy new "flat hood" '68 Corvette to pick a fight with  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUt0dZXPFoU

[69bronzeT5]

My 2017 Ram 1500 Rebel was $67,000 CAD brand new in 2017. Converted to U.S, that's approximately $47,500 USD. Divided by 8 leaves me at $5,936.37. I'm sure there are some mistakes but taking into account fuel costs and insurance costs as well as comfort.....


1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee:
$3,271.00 MSRP

E55 340-4bbl engine: $45.90
D34 Torqueflite automatic: $237.50

Bucket seats (black vinyl): $105.95

A01 Light Group: $25.90
A04 Radio Group: $204.75
A09 Concealed Headlamps: $65.60
A36 Performance Axle Package: $81.80
A45 Spoiler Package: $59.40
B41 Front disc brakes: $24.45
B51 Power brakes: $45.15
C16 Console: $57.65
C62 Six-Way Seat: $35.00
F25 70 amp Battery (Canada LOL): $14.80
G11 Tinted Glass: $43.40
G36 Dual Racing Mirrors: $28.00
GY3 Citron Yella Hi-Impact: $15.05
H31 Rear Defogger: $31.45
J24 Headlamp Washers: $29.30
J41 Pedal Dress Up: $5.85
J45 Hood Pins: $16.55
J55 Undercoating & Hood Pad: $22.60
M51 Sunroof: $484.65
N25 Engine Block Heater: $15.55
N85 Tachometer: $52.70
N96 Ramcharger: $68.90
N42 Exhaust Tips: $21.90
P31 Power Windows: $121.75
S83 Rim Blow Steering Wheel: $20.10
W21 Rallye Wheels: $58.95
U86 G60x15" Tires: $94.30

=$5,405.85

[6bblgt]

with $2100+ in OPTIONS on a Super Bee - you'd have to change your user name to "KING BEE"    what a looker!!  

with the money you left on the table - you could upgrade the AM radio to AM/FM stereo w/cassette    

[XH29N0G]

Here is one that was ordered and bought as a daily driver for a family of five

• E63 = 383 cid 4bbl
  
• D13 = 3 Speed Manual Transmission - Floor Shift
  
• XH29 = Base Charger
  
• EF8 = Dark Green Metallic and Dark Green Metallic Paint (roof color) (chosen)
  
• H51 = Air Conditioning (chosen Fla roots)
  
• 26 = 26 inch radiator (wonder if linked to engine/suspension/or chosen)
  

Also
some things not on the tag that were conscious decisions.

• no radio
  
• trailer hitch (added shortly thereafter)
  
• g78 x 14 tires  (do not know if that was part of some other option) (also mentioned as orderd that way in same breath as bigger tires increase mileage (!!)
  
• HD suspension and 323 sure grip like a towing package but I think part of some other option - something dad specifically menitioned as ordered that way)
  
• spare set of Rallye rims (had different 1970 date code form others) for snow tires with metal studs (lived in the the north)
  

Others on there that I assume were atuomatic (body belt moulding and drip rail moulding and 3 spd wipers)  Charcoal & Black Vinyl Bench (bc xh ad that was economical)
Black (Upper door frame color) (bc xh and that was economical)


I still would like a 69 500 - but realistically, would have probably done what my dad did and bought something like the one I presently have.  This one replaced a red 1960 plymouth valliant with a hole in the package tray that let the kid (me) reach into the trunk to get stuff.

[Homerr]

Daily driver was $28,884 - so divided by 8 gets $3,610.50.  I require a decent V8, 4-speed, and tachometer.  All decent Charger combos exceed this budget.

However, in 1970 I could get a very nice 'cuda.  Otherwise it was off to look at Fords.

[Homerr]

The real thing is what would I pay today for the right car?  I'd happily pay $41,752.80 for this 1970 Charger R/T:

[6bblgt]

thanks for playing!  I don't think anyone would complain having to drive the 'cuda 

on your "flip-side" - I don't think it works that way, likely 2X the $41K to find close to that (with fewer OPTIONS) in excellent condition today
the N97 noise reduction is required in CA, so is N95 emissions - that'll cost you a few bucks

but I can save you ~$1500 

[RallyeMike]

Daily driver was $28,884 - so divided by 8 gets $3,610.50.  I require a decent V8, 4-speed, and tachometer.  All decent Charger combos exceed this budget.

However, in 1970 I could get a very nice 'cuda.  Otherwise it was off to look at Fords.

Same budget problem here since I drive a Ram single cab contractor's truck

The Chargers were higher priced cars, but you could still get a 383 4-speed Roadrunner with a couple of basic options in that price range. I might shoot for a yellow or orange 70 RR with limited options except for PDB. You really don't need AC here in Western WA, just a good rear defogger! 

[Homerr]

...
but I can save you ~$1500  

Nice!  I missed that one.  And I would ditch the N97 then.

As for 2x$41k?  Thinking the Hellcat is akin to the E74 then I've picked one notch down in the above example.  A Challenger widebody blah-blah to my liking is $50,425.  If I did go Challenger widebody Hellcat it would be $73,180.  But really new Chargers (auto trans only?   )  and even the Challengers don't really excite me that much, certainly not enough to pay $50-73k for.


Mike, I was trying to fit in AC as well even here in the NW.  It helps with the defogging too... and my low tolerance to heat on those sultry 75+ degree days!