Heavy Heart, I may have to sell my 69 need your input

[cool440]

Well, it has been awhile since I have visited this board.  Last year the company I worked for, for 16 years was bought and folded.  My wife and I started our own business and well profits haven't come as readily as one would hope for.  If it doesn't change soon i will have to sell my charger to weather it out.  This business will succeed but in time.

My charger as some of you know is my baby and a true garage resto.  It is a '69 Charger original 318 but cloned R/T.  440 (60 over bore) original 69 casting with steel crank also from 69, recently rebuilt with nothing but the best components.  Edelbrock performer RPM manifold and heads, balanced and equipped with too many options, over 500hp conservatively.  We guess about 550hp.

New front suspension, sway bar, "be cool" radiator and dual fans, new drive train, 727 rebuilt tranny reverse valve train manual shift 1,2,3 pattern with a 2500 stall (INCREDIBLE!), new 3.55 Posi rear. This thing goes like a bat out of ....  A drive you won't forget!

Rewired with "Painless" kit, and Autometer Phantom gauges in a laser cut powder coated aluminum dash complete with 8 track (preamped into a hideaway cd unit).

Engine has 800 miles and the tranny about 1800 miles.

If I have to part with it what do you think she is worth?  The interior needs to be redone but not in bad shape, new panels and dash are in with new carpet, just upholstery needs to be done.  Rust slightly in usual spots like rear window area and one spot under passenger door.  Body is straight otherwise.

Hope I don't have to resort to this but if NEED be then one must.

Thanks and hope for the best!

Michael

[Blown70]

WOW, well I will say from selling one myself.  If the car means anything to you do not sell it.  I know that is tough when you need the dough, but I would never sell mine if I had to do over.  EVER.

What is it worth.  Well truth is that is what I would buy.  however from a collector car value to be honest your car is still a NON-R/T, so while it is running an driving. It is not going to have as much value technically as a rare combo/R/T car.

Tom

[plum500]

Beautiful car and congrats on starting a business.

How long til you figure you can reach that success mark? If the time is managable and you are confident in success and things are going that way -- possible to get a loan for the about you are short on? Especially if you don't need it all (the cash) at once, maybe a line of credit -- especially if you could get it under the business - benefits there... plus if the selling your car would be for quick cash -- you might be tempted to take less than it's worth as well as selling it.... and if you are just thinking to weather it out, rather than clear off a debt with quick cash, I'd say look for other options...

Especially if you have a good business case going ... financing should be easier to grow it.

I'm no business person or accountant... just my 2 cents

[cool440]

WOW, well I will say from selling one myself.  If the car means anything to you do not sell it.  I know that is tough when you need the dough, but I would never sell mine if I had to do over.  EVER.

What is it worth.  Well truth is that is what I would buy.  however from a collector car value to be honest your car is still a NON-R/T, so while it is running an driving. It is not going to have as much value technically as a rare combo/R/T car.

Tom

Tom,

I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!  I am doing everything to avoid this.  Even my wife knows what this car means to me, it is part of me and a true member of the family. My Blood, sweat and tears has gone into it and IF this happens no money will be enough!  I rewired,rebuilt the suspension, helped with the rebuild, and painted it myself! This care has nearly maimed me but has rewarded me with the best rides of my life.

But, the day I hold a car for the  sake of my families welfare is a sad day.

Not all thing are a done deal yet. We are doing all that we can with financing.  We should be out of the woods in 3-4 months.  I have invested nearly $120,000 in this business venture and am sure of its certain success.  But like all things profits take time.

Thanks for the input
Pics is before new fan and cooling set up !


Michael

[Blown70]

Sell plasma, your first born (OK I am kidding), I would say if you can weather the storm  Try to do so.  Heck, there has to be something other than selling.  But that is your call.  I do feel for your situation.  I too own my own business.   I know how that can be.

Best of luck

Tom

[41husk]

If as you have said, it is your baby, you will never get financialy what the car is worth emotionaly,  If you are forced to sell, yopu will have many regrets.

[blackcharger]

if it's only 3-4 months till you're out of the woods, then don't sell. I sold a one owner '69 road runner, needed paint and interior, but solod body. still had bills. sold the '68 Charger R/T I had for 18 years, still have bills. I'm not saying put the car ahead of your family, but a few months will pass quickley. And believe me, I know the payday to payday bit by heart. IF you have to sell, do you have a friend/ family member that would by the car, then sell it back when things get better? A ar buddy mentioned this AFTER I sold my road runner. Course, I never thought of it.

Dave

[Smoke20]

IF you have to sell, do you have a friend/ family member that would by the car, then sell it back when things get better?
Dave

I know guys who've done that as well. Think of it not as selling her, but more of an extended lease or rental....

All kidding aside, I too know what you mean. I'd sell extra parts or other crap on ebay before I sold the car.

[Dave22443]

Whats the bussiness?  Do you sell things?  Maybe we could buy something from you to help your bussiness and let you keep the Charger?

[adauto]

Hang in there man. New business ventures are always tuff! My first couple years the employees made more than I did. But it was worth the wait! 

[PocketThunder]

Car is probably worth 18k.  maybe more, but dont take less than 18 for it.  My reasoning is:  I just spent 1-1/2 years on a 68 318 field car and i will have spent 18k on it.  and i did the same to it as you did, 440, new wiring, guages, int, R/T clone etc...

good luck man.

[cool440]

Whats the bussiness?  Do you sell things?  Maybe we could buy something from you to help your bussiness and let you keep the Charger?

You guys are great! 

It's great to talk to others with the same passion for this as I do.  You may think I am crazy for the type of business I opened but it is a "Wild Bird Center", we sell bird houses, seed and feed, and feeders as well as gifts www.wildbirdcenter.com/fresno .  This is another hobby I have grown to love, birding.  We are the only store of its kind catering to over one million in population, in a state that spends nearly 2 billion dollars in feeding backyard birds.  Staggering isn't it?

Heck in time you think the IRS would catch on if I rode off the restoration of a Superbird or a Road Runner?

Anyway the idea of temporary sale is a good one.

I really appreciate your resolve.

Thanks

Michael

[Brock Samson]

well like the other folks, I say,.. dont sell her,..
i was in a couple tight cercumstances myself over the past three years and as recently as last Sept. I was pretty worried yet I still held off selling, truth is we have alot more invested in these old Mopars then the sum of their parts and their real to us as owners value is hard to determine.
I was activly advertising my car three years ago with posts on the web and a sign in the window at car shows,.. alot of effort that didn't net a buyer after two mos of B.S.
at that time i was optimisticly asking $20,000 but hoping for $15. at that time and last year when i was extremly close to being laid-off, If someone had shown me the $15 k she would'a been....
     
..gone...
 
As you probably well know, Chargers have appreciated tremendously over the last three years and I'm sure glad i didn't "let her go". It's hard to get a good return on these cars as investment when your rushed or deperate.  If nothing else it's an appreciating investment you can really enjoy and it is functional as transport.
So now, with Gods' grace i find myself in a position where i have been able to actualy add to my stable and i still have my baby.  
  Knowing how hard it is to replace these classics i'd work a second job or "something" to keep mine. or, if you MUST SELL try to take your time and maximise your return.  
so Michael, keep the faith, and I sincerly hope things improve soon.
Dave.

[blackcharger]

nothing wrong w/ the birds. Dad and I collec Lionel Trains. a local train shop he deals with started carrying pidgeons as a side. less than a year later, he dropped the trains and went full bore with the birds. He did over a MILLON in sale on the pidgeons, supplies, ships world wide. whoda thought!

[Brock Samson]

Ya commin to the mopar alley show this sunday?..

[cool440]

Ya commin to the mopar alley show this sunday?..

Would love to, it's been awhile since I went to a show.  Many haven't even seen my rebuild yet.  But this weekend I will be at a 'Bird Mart' selling my wares.

But have fun as I am sure you will.

Take care

Michael

[venom94558]

Your car sounds great!  I would be interested in it, however my savings is now going to pay for a wedding...  I read your story and as a small business owner as well, I know how tough it can be at times. I tried to purhaps purchase something from your store, however you do not have an online store that I could find.  I am in Chicago and would like to support your store, but I'm not sure how I can do that from here.  The fiance was looking for a "barn" birdhouse... Anyway, best of luck with the business!

[19Charger68]

Man, I hate to see you have to sell your baby!  I sold a 68 and a pristine 66 some years ago when money was tight.  I took a real beating on those deals, and looking back, I see that I could have made it through the hard time and still retained the vehicles.  Later, my wife and I also started a business.  It went well and that is when we bought the two cars we have now.  The one thing we did do, which you might want to consider, is we titled them under our business (promotional items to meet people at car shows etc).  There are tax advantages if you can do that which might help.  The only downside is that if you ever "sell" them back to yourself, you may have to pay taxes on the increased value.  Anyway, if you have a good accountant, you might talk to them about having the business buy them.  Don't know if that will help you or not - just hate to see you part with your Charger if you don't have to.  Oh, great looking Charger by the way.  Good luck!

Bruce

[472 R/T SE]

I tried to purhaps purchase something from your store, however you do not have an online store that I could find.  I am in Chicago and would like to support your store, but I'm not sure how I can do that from here.  The fiance was looking for a "barn" birdhouse... Anyway, best of luck with the business!

Yeah, me too.  How are we suppose to help a brother out? 




This car can always be a stepping stone to get into something else.  With me, I get a car done and get bored with it so letting them go doesn't hurt nearly as bad.  Your business will be successful eventually, maybe then you could get into another project to be proud of.    Good luck.

[cool440]

I tried to purhaps purchase something from your store, however you do not have an online store that I could find.  I am in Chicago and would like to support your store, but I'm not sure how I can do that from here.  The fiance was looking for a "barn" birdhouse... Anyway, best of luck with the business!

Yeah, me too.  How are we suppose to help a brother out? 




This car can always be a stepping stone to get into something else.  With me, I get a car done and get bored with it so letting them go doesn't hurt nearly as bad.  Your business will be successful eventually, maybe then you could get into another project to be proud of.    Good luck.

I do appreciate it you guys.  I unfortunately can't sell via the internet, part of my franchise agreement.

As for the car, It hurts typing up ads for it.   I am giving first dibs to all of you through the forum (currently posted) and also to my local mopar club in our next newsletter.  They know my car almost as well as I do because of all the articles I have put in the newsletter. This will not go to the general public until middle of next month.

I don't expect to be driving her late next month.   I am afraid the guy/gal who buys it will have to pry the keys from my hand.

I will buy another as soon as I am able, NO DOUBT!

Michael

[dodge freak]

You could pull that engine and trans and drop a e-bay one in it. You say it has a little rust so its not perfect, but very nice. I don't think it would hurt the value much, most people don't pay alot more for a built engine and any 440 with a 727 trans would be ok to sell. Then all you would need  is a nice clean car to put the motor and trans in it. Thats what I would do, chargers are going for good money right now, maybe they will keep going up but maybe not. There will always be a nice car to buy if you have the money and time to look for it. The best of luck to you.

[tan top]

not easy selling your mopar after spending a lot of time & money restoring it.  thinking  i am never going to sell this. just an idea how about sell the engine &  trans  only, because the way prices of chargers are going ,who knows what they will be selling for when you are in a position to by another. plus you know your current 69 , and all it will require is engine & trans , as a posed to buying an unknown car. properly needing some work somewere . just my  Good Luck with what ever you decide

[MoparMotel]

I live in Fresno, have never seen your car around or your buisness......where abouts is it located

[Arigmaster]

I feel your pain... I am faced with a similar decision.. Good luck to you

AL