whats the best way to come accross a "find"

[kylem4711]

so im 21 and finally have enough money to where i can buy my dream car,  a  68-70 charger.

the thing is, i cant find any deals.

by the time any chargers reach craigslist, auto trader, and of course ebay,   they are not really "finds" anymore.

I go to the local car shows but have had no luck.

Just for a reference, i have about 13, i can maaaaybe get 15,

I would love a 4-speed, but i know how rare they are,

any suggestions?

i know probably not either,  but anyone know of any chargers?   anything?     

I live in california and would definitely ship.





I just want a Charger!!

thanks guys

[RD]

go here: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/board,7.0.html

or here: http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3815186&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1&nt=5

or here: http://1970chargerregistry.com/

or here: http://www.1969chargerregistry.com/

[kylem4711]

thanks.


the second two registry sites dont get very many chargers for sale though...

thanks tho

[Chad L. Magee]

The best bet to finding the cars you are looking for is to check as many sources as you can: internet, magazines, classifieds, car shows and plain looking around the area.  Each of these sources have yielded me cars for my collection.  The deals are out there, but you must look for them and don't expect them to find you (especially with the internet and B-J).  I found alot of my cars through word of mouth by flat asking people if they knew any cars like them in the area.  Very few Chargers that you find out in the wild will be for sale, so remember to not get your hopes too high up if you just happen to find one.  Sometimes you have to wait years for the right one to come up for sale.  I have been waiting a decade (and will wait a few more) for a certain Daytona to finally go on the market........

[kylem4711]

The best bet to finding the cars you are looking for is to check as many sources as you can: internet, magazines, classifieds, car shows and plain looking around the area.  Each of these sources have yielded me cars for my collection.  The deals are out there, but you must look for them and don't expect them to find you (especially with the internet and B-J).  I found alot of my cars through word of mouth by flat asking people if they knew any cars like them in the area.  Very few Chargers that you find out in the wild will be for sale, so remember to not get your hopes too high up if you just happen to find one.  Sometimes you have to wait years for the right one to come up for sale.  I have been waiting a decade (and will wait a few more) for a certain Daytona to finally go on the market........

i hate waiting, unfortunately though,  there is no other choice tho.

p.s. ill let you know if i ever find a daytona.  those are a bit out of my league

[CaptMarvel]

Since my 68 R/T was a "field find" Ill chime in....I think you've got to be able and willing to devote time just driving around in areas you may not normally. Those dirt roads and even depressed parts of town usually prone to the Olds & Chevys (yep, thats where I found her- just sitting under a tarp at a vacant house.) The owner was selling the house and didnt really want to haul the charger along, he just didnt want to let the charger go for peanuts, so 3K later, I drove a factory 68 R/T home, and that was only about 3 yrs ago. Point is, those mythical unicorns may be few and far between, but they are out there, just keep driving around and scoping out those alleys, pastures and rural areas. Also, offer green cash and fast and dont think you'll pick one up for 1982 prices, be realisitic. Jump on it if it even seems like the least bit do-able. Chance are, there are several others driving around looking for them too. I've never had much sympathy for those that hesitate and go home to think about it and then grumble cause they didnt get it...

[kylem4711]

interesting stuff,   and im not gonna lie.  i have hesitated a couple times and ive been pretty mad after.   i have learned my lesson though.   also,  i live in the city, so i wont be finding a barn find,   but i do drive different ways home, just to see if i see anything.  im not expecting to find anything for nothing either.  i just want a good deal/good project that i can keep for many many years

thats a great find that you had too. good job!

thanks for the hints too

[41husk]

Keep your eyes and ears open, theres still deals out there.  Let people know what you are interested in.  I have had people come up and say" You a mopar guy? I know a guy that has an old Dodge for sale" Just because I had a mopar shirt on.  Often kids at school will come and tell me of a car for sale, because they see me brieng my cars to school during nice weather.  Run down all leads and keep saving your money, the closer you can get to turn key the better off you are    And good luck!

[Old Moparz]

The one thing you really have to have aside from the cash, is patience. If you don't have it, you might end up buying the first, overpriced, POS you see. Just because you have a certain amount set aside, don't plan on spending every penny of it, & definitely don't let the seller know how much you're spending. Also make sure you look at more than one car in the same price range to compare. It's no different than getting several estimates on something before buying to know who's too high, who's too low, or who's offering the most for the dollar.

I've had good luck on ebay & Moparts with the last 4 cars I bought, but I went to see them in person to make sure it was what I expected. This includes planning an overnight stay as well, but I've made them into a weekend trips with the family. My wife & 8 year old daughter aren't gearheads, but enjoy getting away to a hotel & a pool once in a while. It does run the total price of the car higher in the end, but not as high as being ripped off & there won't be any disappointments delivered in the darkness of night.

Do a search on this site for "hlpag" from Illinois to see how bad it can be, & make sure to stay away from them no matter how good something they have appears. If you don't, go put all your hand down the garbage disposal up to your wrist, it'll be less painful.   

Here's an example of comparisons I did was with buying my Road Runner. I wanted a 4 speed 1970 GTX at first, but the difference in price led me to look at Belvederes, Satellites, & Road Runners. I looked seriously at about 8 different cars over a 6 month stretch with prices from $8000 to $23,000 each. The big price difference was because some were Satellites & Belvederes, while others were big block cars. Getting emails with decent photos eliminated half of them, & one member on here also looked at a car for me on the west coast.

The 2 I liked the most were, a burnt orange, 440 GTX with a 4 speed for $23,000 in CT, & the lime, 440 Road Runner with a 4 speed that I bought for $16,000 in NJ. (I'm in NY & drove 90 minutes to see the GTX & 2 hours to see the RR.) The GTX was very nice, but was missing some key things & had too many minor flaws. The Road Runner was a nicer car, & had more going for it like a fresh 440, an air grabber hood, & a brand new interior. It would have taken $5000 to get the GTX to where I wanted it, but only $1500 for the RR.

For me, I was more interested in having the 1970 Plymouth body more than having a GTX. It was kind of like settling for a Charger RT that was in better shape than a Charger RT/SE that needed work.

[justin1987]

Just keep asking around. The only reason I found mine was because my dad was talking to his friend about Chargers and a guy walked in the door and said, "I know where a 69 Charger is." I was thinking the whole time that it would probably be a 74 model or something like that. I was really surprised at how good the body was on it. It had been garage kept most of its life which cut down on most of the rust. We caught the guy in a middle of a divorce, a job change, and a move. We got it for an very very low price. I could have flipped it the next day on E-bay for about three times the amount we paid for it. Deals and finds are still out there. Just keep talking to people and keep asking if anybody knows where one is at.

[PocketThunder]

Kyle you dont like your barracuda?  I can see wanting a 68~70 Charger (well, mabye not a 70 ) but your barracuda must be fun to drive.  Get that sucker on craigslist and then put your cash together and you can get a nice driver Charger for almost $20k. 

[TripleBlackGator]

I just snagged this DEAL from a co-worker. I see a lot of cars just driving around. They just aren't always for sale.....YET! Look in backyards and in garages when the doors are open. I just spied what looks like a nice red 1970 Cuda inside a garage. They ARE out there. Just hiding.

[dukeboy_318]

They are out there man, i was hunting on this site for over three years and driving around looking before i finally found my charger back in April of this year.  Its a 74 but its the only charger i found that i could afford,  I actually picked it up for only 800 bucks, running and driving.  With that money, you should be able to find one, itll just take time.  My dad pulled a 71 RT non running 440 just a fewmonths ago out from a wooded area behind a coworkers house for only 500 dollars, complete car too, not bad rust was, not good either.  He had it for about a week and one day while he was working on it, a guy stopped by and bought it for 5100, so just ask people.  kepp your head up, you'll find one

[chargerman68]

i think u said u live in cali if u can get 2 fall fling in van nuys,ca on nov 10 there are some cars there

[Charger_Fan]

I can see wanting a 68~70 Charger (well, mabye not a 70 )

[bordin34]

I have "found"
-1971 Challenger R/T 340 4-Speed
-2 /6 Dusters
-E-Body Barracuda
-1968 Charger
-2 3rd Gens
But none of them have been for sale. The best way to find something is go out into the country and try to get lost.

[69chargeryeehaa]

i posted a wanted add on all the message boards, i got a reply from a add on moparts, and found this for a awesome deal:


it's in my garage now 

i ended up driving it 1200mi home!!!!   The wanted add sure worked out for me.  Best part was that the car was'nt actually posted anywhere for sale, so i did'nt have to worry about loosing the car to someone else.

[GeneralLeeTESH]

Found THIS 1965 Shelby GT350 in a Barn in Renton, WA. in 1994. Got it for $4000.00 from the original owner. The car was advertised in the Little Nickel want ads paper and my WIFE found it!
http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/viewzoom.cgi?image=3254
Check the local paper and nickel ads and HEMMINGS and www.racingjunk.com.
Remember-if you wanna get a Ford or MOPAR cheap-buy it from a guy whose RELIGION is CHEVROLET !!!
not bad-considering the last one sold @ Barrett Jackson for $ 375,000.00  !!!

[pettyfan43]

Sometimes they just show up! My 66 just fell into my lap. My Dad was buying a 49 Ford Coupe from a guy and my 66 was sitting in under the same pole barn, he just asked about it and I got a killer deal on it.

You just never know where a car will turn up.

Uncover every rock and follow every lead, sooner or later you'll hit paydirt.

go to car shows that DON'T specialize in Mopars, but KNOW what you are looking at.

[kylem4711]

Kyle you dont like your barracuda?  I can see wanting a 68~70 Charger (well, mabye not a 70 ) but your barracuda must be fun to drive.  Get that sucker on craigslist and then put your cash together and you can get a nice driver Charger for almost $20k. 

Hey whats up?

i do like my barracuda,   its just been my dream to get a 68 or 70 charger though...
i am considering craigs though.

i dont know if it has to come down to that yet tho

[kylem4711]

The one thing you really have to have aside from the cash, is patience. If you don't have it, you might end up buying the first, overpriced, POS you see. Just because you have a certain amount set aside, don't plan on spending every penny of it, & definitely don't let the seller know how much you're spending. Also make sure you look at more than one car in the same price range to compare. It's no different than getting several estimates on something before buying to know who's too high, who's too low, or who's offering the most for the dollar.

I've had good luck on ebay & Moparts with the last 4 cars I bought, but I went to see them in person to make sure it was what I expected. This includes planning an overnight stay as well, but I've made them into a weekend trips with the family. My wife & 8 year old daughter aren't gearheads, but enjoy getting away to a hotel & a pool once in a while. It does run the total price of the car higher in the end, but not as high as being ripped off & there won't be any disappointments delivered in the darkness of night.

Do a search on this site for "hlpag" from Illinois to see how bad it can be, & make sure to stay away from them no matter how good something they have appears. If you don't, go put all your hand down the garbage disposal up to your wrist, it'll be less painful.   

Here's an example of comparisons I did was with buying my Road Runner. I wanted a 4 speed 1970 GTX at first, but the difference in price led me to look at Belvederes, Satellites, & Road Runners. I looked seriously at about 8 different cars over a 6 month stretch with prices from $8000 to $23,000 each. The big price difference was because some were Satellites & Belvederes, while others were big block cars. Getting emails with decent photos eliminated half of them, & one member on here also looked at a car for me on the west coast.

The 2 I liked the most were, a burnt orange, 440 GTX with a 4 speed for $23,000 in CT, & the lime, 440 Road Runner with a 4 speed that I bought for $16,000 in NJ. (I'm in NY & drove 90 minutes to see the GTX & 2 hours to see the RR.) The GTX was very nice, but was missing some key things & had too many minor flaws. The Road Runner was a nicer car, & had more going for it like a fresh 440, an air grabber hood, & a brand new interior. It would have taken $5000 to get the GTX to where I wanted it, but only $1500 for the RR.

For me, I was more interested in having the 1970 Plymouth body more than having a GTX. It was kind of like settling for a Charger RT that was in better shape than a Charger RT/SE that needed work.

very helpful.  thanks a lot

[kylem4711]

Found THIS 1965 Shelby GT350 in a Barn in Renton, WA. in 1994. Got it for $4000.00 from the original owner. The car was advertised in the Little Nickel want ads paper and my WIFE found it!
http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/viewzoom.cgi?image=3254
Check the local paper and nickel ads and HEMMINGS and www.racingjunk.com.
Remember-if you wanna get a Ford or MOPAR cheap-buy it from a guy whose RELIGION is CHEVROLET !!!
not bad-considering the last one sold @ Barrett Jackson for $ 375,000.00  !!!

well thats just ridiculous!!!!

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I've found hundreds of different cars in barns and garages, fields, etc...

You just have to drive around.  Ask people if they know of any, heard of any, etc.... That is what will give you a direction.
Take a look at the links in my sig line below to give you an idea of what you can find.

I found these just in the past 4 months!

A 68 Charger J-code.
69 Charger R/T SE 440
69 Charger R/T 440
70 Charger R/T 440
72 Cuda
69 Road Runner last week
55 Chevy Sedan Delivery
69 AMX

Most of those came from hearing a story, and following up on it.  That's how I got all of my cars.

Example :


Ryan

[bill440rt]

 

Chances are if it's in MCG, B-J, Hemmings, e-Bay, or even thru a "classic car dealer," chances are it's not gonna be a "deal." Best place is thru simple word of mouth & friends.
I found my '69 thru a friend, who spotted it one day just sitting front of a guy's house. My buddy had the time to scope out old Mopars, & knew I was looking for a project.
Granted, the car was R-U-F-F, but it was located only 15 minutes from my home (really!), & I scored a super cheap deal on a decent project car. Right place, right time, the guy had to sell right away.
On the flip side, I had to travel to Spokane, WA on the opposite side of the country for me for my '70! Yikes!

[kylem4711]

Chances are if it's in MCG, B-J, Hemmings, e-Bay, or even thru a "classic car dealer," chances are it's not gonna be a "deal." Best place is thru simple word of mouth & friends.
I found my '69 thru a friend, who spotted it one day just sitting front of a guy's house. My buddy had the time to scope out old Mopars, & knew I was looking for a project.
Granted, the car was R-U-F-F, but it was located only 15 minutes from my home (really!), & I scored a super cheap deal on a decent project car. Right place, right time, the guy had to sell right away.
On the flip side, I had to travel to Spokane, WA on the opposite side of the country for me for my '70! Yikes!

did you travel to spokane recently?

i remember there being one for sale, but the guy never picked up

[nakita7]

I hear you, been looking for a 69 Charger RT for almost a year now. Because I'm good with my money, I don't overpay on my Mopars. There simply are not a lot of deals left out there. For every 100 cars you look at, 1 will be a deal, thanks to B-J, Hemmings and good old fashioned greed. It's going to take time, a long time. Thanks to the Internet, everybody can find out what these cars are 'worth', and flip accordingly. All the sugesstions so far are good. When asking around, talk to body shops, garages, junkyards and auto parts stores. Most of the time you will talk to guys who are knowledgable about cars, but won't 'scoop' you on the Mopar. Car shows and car clubs are OK too, but they are usually looking for the same cars. Another suggestion, is a door to door flyers. Ads in newspapers are seen by everyone, you have to find the cars first. Yes, you have dreamers and idiots phoning you, but there are goods deals to be found, trust me.

It's an absolute shame what this business (er...I mean 'hobby') has become. Another price correction on Mopars like we had in the late 80's, early 90's, is definately needed. Unfortunately, that won't happen while the economy is good, so if you want a really good deal, wait till the economy drops. If you can't wait, search harder. There were lots of 69's produced, just finding one for sale is hard, then finding one that's a good deal is even harder....hope you find exactly what you're looking for!

[kylem4711]

thanks.



im searching right now because the economy is not too good right now.  i dont know if its going to get worse, and thats the bad thing. there is no way to know

[69Charger_440]

I think someone already mentioned it, but have you thought about placing an ad in your paper or one that is from a big city that is near you?  I found one of my '69 Charger R/T SE's that way in 2005 for 6K.  Wouldn't hurt to try it. 

[kylem4711]

wow, thats a great find. good job man.


and yeah, constantly put ads in craigslist. other states too.

[PocketThunder]

   I think this guy might be reaching a little to far  http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/431255572.html

  Here is a General Lee, more reasonably priced http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/445647033.html

BAM!  Here it is!  (even though its a 70 )  http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/419539120.html

[SnoPro440]

quote]

I have been over to that guys house a few times now.  The only thing wrong with it is the drivers quarter is munched and will have to be replaced.  Otherwise, it's in outstanding condition.  The grill is perfect, the dash is already restored and the front end has been rebuilt.  He has a lot of extra parts for it too.

[kylem4711]

those all seem a little expensive?? and how come people dont like 70's?

[The70RT]

Lot's of people like 70's. They had the high impact colors and 6-packs...........68 or 69 didn't. I guess some don't like the loop bumper,other than that???

[justin1987]

Lot's of people like 70's. They had the high impact colors and 6-packs...........68 or 69 didn't. I guess some don't like the loop bumper,other than that???

I'm just not a huge fan of the loop bumper.

[PocketThunder]

those all seem a little expensive?? and how come people dont like 70's?

I just know that Charger_Fan will be reading this and i like to give him a little jab in the ribs about owning a 70 Charger.   

If i was in your shoes i would certainly consider this 70 Charger.  4-speed car and it looks like it has a sunroof, hell ya.  Were sun roofs very rare for 70?  any 70 experts out there?

[Charger_Fan]

those all seem a little expensive?? and how come people dont like 70's?

I just know that Charger_Fan will be reading this and i like to give him a little jab in the ribs about owning a 70 Charger.   

If i was in your shoes i would certainly consider this 70 Charger.  4-speed car and it looks like it has a sunroof, hell ya.  Were sun roofs very rare for 70?  any 70 experts out there?

Nope, no '70 experts out there...70's are just a big mystery to all of us.

That's odd that there's no mention of the sunroof in his ad. Yes they're rare & that would be a major selling point usually...which makes me think it's an aftermarket one, maybe.
This merits more investigation.

[SnoPro440]

If i was in your shoes i would certainly consider this 70 Charger.  4-speed car and it looks like it has a sunroof, hell ya.  Were sun roofs very rare for 70?  any 70 experts out there?

The car is not an original sunroof car.  It does come with a donor roof though.

[The70RT]

If i was in your shoes i would certainly consider this 70 Charger.  4-speed car and it looks like it has a sunroof, hell ya.  Were sun roofs very rare for 70?  any 70 experts out there?

The car is not an original sunroof car.  It does come with a donor roof though.

Any pics?

[SnoPro440]

I have a few, but they are on my home laptop.  I will post them tonight.

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I bought my 69 Charger R/T SE out of a garage for $2500, the 71 Chally R/T for $3000, the three 70 and one 71 barracudas for $2500 and numerous darts, dusters, valiants for next to nothing.

Challenger


Charger


Cudas


72 Swinger


Those are just a few I've found and bought, none of them costing me more then $3000.

Ryan

[69bronzeT5]

Since my 68 R/T was a "field find"

My 69 was a field find too

[kylem4711]

I bought my 69 Charger R/T SE out of a garage for $2500, the 71 Chally R/T for $3000, the three 70 and one 71 barracudas for $2500 and numerous darts, dusters, valiants for next to nothing.

Challenger


Charger


Cudas


72 Swinger


Those are just a few I've found and bought, none of them costing me more then $3000.

Ryan

let me ge tone of those!!!!     

[41husk]

I paid $4,500 for my 68 but that included a 68 roller that I sold for 2k.  I paid $2000 for my 70 Challenger convertible (that was in 1982) I actually paid more fore my third gen than all the rest at 7k.  There are bargains out there!

[71ChallengeHer]

Deals are still out there. I heard of 2 this week. A guy I know just bought a Hemi Roadrunner for $8000. It was a original owner car, garage kept. The guy died and his wife sold it. Guess she had no idea what it was.   And a friend of mine works in parts at a Dodge dealership. He said this little old lady rolled in, Driving a 73 Chally 340 , 4 sp. Asked him if he was the gentlemen she talked to about buying her old car. She was the original owner and it had 40, 000 miles on it. I told him , I would have said yes it was me. One of the mechanics bought it. But won't say what they paid. I'm guessing it wasn't much.

[The70RT]

Deals are still out there. I heard of 2 this week. A guy I know just bought a Hemi Roadrunner for $8000. It was a original owner car, garage kept. The guy died and his wife sold it. Guess she had no idea what it was.   And a friend of mine works in parts at a Dodge dealership. He said this little old lady rolled in, Driving a 73 Chally 340 , 4 sp. Asked him if he was the gentlemen she talked to about buying her old car. She was the original owner and it had 40, 000 miles on it. I told him , I would have said yes it was me. One of the mechanics bought it. But won't say what they paid. I'm guessing it wasn't much.

[71ChallengeHer]

Deals are still out there. I heard of 2 this week. A guy I know just bought a Hemi Roadrunner for $8000. It was a original owner car, garage kept. The guy died and his wife sold it. Guess she had no idea what it was.   And a friend of mine works in parts at a Dodge dealership. He said this little old lady rolled in, Driving a 73 Chally 340 , 4 sp. Asked him if he was the gentlemen she talked to about buying her old car. She was the original owner and it had 40, 000 miles on it. I told him , I would have said yes it was me. One of the mechanics bought it. But won't say what they paid. I'm guessing it wasn't much.

Yep,and the Hemi was 20 minutes from my house.

[kylem4711]

wow, that story is crazy.


and i can not find any barn finds because there are no barns in southern california!!!!.

Please let me know if you know anything. I want a charger i will be happy with for a loooong time

[SnoPro440]

Here are the pic's of the 70 mentioned earlier.  I have more somewhere, but I can't find them.

[Charger-Bodie]

the best way ive seen lately to locate a "find" is to follow harlow around!!

[kylem4711]

who is that?  where is he from?

[Charger-Bodie]

who is that?  where is he from?

he is a member here , he lives in AZ

[The70RT]

I keep asking kids at school.....but an old car to them is a 87 Impala . The last few old cars I have found has been from workers or students I was told about a 70 Challenger about a month ago but nobodys home when I check on it. I drove by at 5:30 this morning on the way to work and someone was there. Maybe this weekend someone will be home.

[kylem4711]

I keep asking kids at school.....but an old car to them is a 87 Impala . The last few old cars I have found has been from workers or students I was told about a 70 Challenger about a month ago but nobodys home when I check on it. I drove by at 5:30 this morning on the way to work and someone was there. Maybe this weekend someone will be home.

ha nice, good luck with it. 

and i do ask people.  its kinda weird tho.

"hey, you know of any 68-70 chargers?"

people usually just say huh

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I usually go into car part places, ask, "Hey there, I'm wondering if you guys know of any old muscle cars in the area, Chargers, Cudas, Chevelles, etc...."  They usually say yes or know.  Then ask if they know anyone that could point me in a direction.  Usually they will know someone that will know of something.

My cars aren't for sale, but here are the two 69 and 70 CHarger R/T's I found in the past few months.





There is hope
Ryan

[69bronzeT5]

Heres the 68 Ive been watching for years....its gone now