A '71 Charger was offered to me, debaiting if it is worth it, thoughts?

[TruckDriver]

I want some thoughts on this car. As it turned out, the one guy I kinda know from my old quad dump job (drove his own truck), is into muscle cars too. He was telling me yesterday that he has a '70 Mach 1 and a '71 Charger he bought 15 years ago to restore, but never got that far. The car has been stored inside his work shop for the whole time. He said he was asking $1,100 for it (might be able to get it for $800.). Well, we got done last night at the same time, so since I had to go to my parents after work, and he lives on the way, I followed him home. Of course, it was the one day I decided to leave my camera home    And my cell phone's small pictures wouldn't of showed much, so I didn't bother with that.

Anyway, it is a base hardtop Charger. It has a bench seat and the basic dash. The car is somewhat a basket case, and does have some rust. But overall, it is a typical Wisconsin car as far as rust. The car was originally Dark Bronze Metallic, but was repainted at one time to a Burgundy Metallic. The vinyl top was removed, but most of the trim is still there on the car yet. The interior was changed from tan to black (except the dash pad), and has S.E. door panels.

Here's the bad;
*He pulled the interior (seats & carpet) and did a home job fabricating, and installed a different home made floor.
*The trunk floor was started, but not finished with a home made floor. Still needs the extensions.
*The rocker panels need to be replaced.
*The rear quarters are rusted away below the lower body line.
*The right front fender is gone, and the left is there, but junk.
*The "A" pillar on the passenger side does have a little rust, might be fixable.
*Missing some trim pieces.
*The chrome on both bumpers is bad.
*Will need drivers door hinges. (sags when open)

The Good;
*He does have new fiberglass front fenders for the car.
*The engine does run.
*The passenger door was taken in, and restored professionally.
*He has a new gas tank for the car.
*The seats look to have been re-covered at one time, and are in good shape.

I'm thinking 3 things for this car...
Parts car.
Fix to a daily driver, but nothing more.
Turn into a street stock drag car (something I always wanted to do).

I do have the fender tag off of it so I could decode it. Here it is;



The VIN decodes as follows:
  VIN Code:                                          WH23G1G179410
  Model Year:                                       1971
  Car Line and Model:                            DODGE - CHARGER HARDTOP
  Price Class:                                       High
  Body Type:                                        2 Door Hardtop
  Engine:                                             318CID 1-2BBL 8CYL
  Assembly Plant:                                St. Louis, MO.
  Sequence Number:                            179410

The FENDER TAG decodes as follows:
  26                                                     26" Diameter Radiator
  END                                                  End of codes
  H51                                                   Air conditioning with front heater
  M21                                                  Drip rail moldings
  M25                                                  Body sill moldings
  M31                                                  Body belt moldings
  M44                                                  Hood rear and fender moldings
  R35                                                  AM/FM Radio - MX Stereo 10 Watt
  V1X                                                  Full vinyl roof - Black
  U                                                      Build to specifications for U.S.A. order
  B41                                                  Front disk brakes with standard 10" rear drum
  B51                                                  Power brakes
  G31                                                  Right hand outside mirror - Manual/Chrome/RAC
  G33                                                  Left hand outside mirror - Remote/Chrome/RAC
  E44                                                  318CID 8CYL  1-2BBL  230HP
  D31                                                  3spd automatic transmission - A904
  217                                                  Production date - 2/17/1971
  GK6                                                 Paint code - Dark Bronze Metallic
  GT8                                                 Upper door frame - Dark Tan
  C2T7                                                Trim Grade - Charger
                                                         Trim Style - Vinyl Bench
                                                          Trim Color - Chestnut

  213897                                             Order Number
  179410                                             Serial Number
  G1G                                                 Engine, Year, Production Site (VIN)
  WH23 - Car Line                                DODGE - CHARGER HARDTOP or
                                                                         CORONET CUSTOM 2 DOOR

[mikesbbody]

pete, 71's are always worth it imo  can you do most (if not all) of the work yourself? do you mind if it becomes a long term project? if your in no rush i say get it if its going to be too much work think twice.

[nakita7]

I'm thinking, for that price, parts car.

[Charger1973]

If you have to pay monthly for storage I would maybe consider parting it out or flipping it (depending on the condition) but it doesnt sound like it would be worth hanging onto if its going to rack up a storage bill. 

[Shakey]

I thought times were tight as in another thread you stated that you didn't even have enough money to buy gas to get to work for the first couple of weeks.  How can you consider buying a project car right now?   

[TruckDriver]

I thought times were tight as in another thread you stated that you didn't even have enough money to buy gas to get to work for the first couple of weeks.  How can you consider buying a project car right now?   

I never said I was going to buy it. I just said it was offered to me. I been tossing the idea of it around though. I should get my stimulus check in a few weeks. In fact I already told him that I probably was going to pass unless he has it in another 2 months. He said he probably would as he hasn't even listed it anywhere. And he knows my situation, and said he will work with me if I would want it. In two months, I'll be fine money wise again.

Don't judge a book by it's cover

[konigcharger]

If you have to pay monthly for storage I would maybe consider parting it out or flipping it (depending on the condition) but it doesnt sound like it would be worth hanging onto if its going to rack up a storage bill. 

as a parts car
remember its a base charger; that means standard dash, flat hood, bench seat, standard grilles, 318 2bbl, 904trans, its even an a/c car, it really has little going for it (plus you said its rusty) these go with flipping it too
daily driver
its an idea but dude you live in wisconsin, ive seen the packers play your winters are rough do want to do that to a charger

[Daytona R/T SE]

I wouldn't aggravate myself with it.  Your financial situation is improving (new job) but a lot of people's aren't.

Many people are selling their old cars/boats/motorcycles to get by.

Prices are starting to come down.

Hold out for an affordable 68/69 (What you REALLY want)

Work on it over time.

Keep it forever.

[evil1]

I wouldn't aggravate myself with it.  Your financial situation is improving (new job) but a lot of people's aren't.

Many people are selling their old cars/boats/motorcycles to get by.

Prices are starting to come down.

Hold out for an affordable 68/69 (What you REALLY want)

Work on it over time.

Keep it forever.

I agree( except with the 68/69 part) and with gas prices continually going up, an old car is probably going to be more of a lawn ornament anyway....so you might as well get one that's nice to look at.

[xs29l8b]

any pics?

[Drache]

any pics?

Of course, it was the one day I decided to leave my camera home    And my cell phone's small pictures wouldn't of showed much, so I didn't bother with that.

[kab69440]

Isn't that fender tag stamped the wrong way and on the wrong side? The numbers seem to be concave stamped as opposed to convexly embossed  and the tag looks like it's upside down. Is the pic or lighting just screwing with my perception?

[BMOTOXSTAR]

I think it is the scan..... Of the Tag....
Buy the Charger. Drive The Charger, Doooo not flip the Charger......

[CHRGR SE]

Pass. Good for parts but the body work will kill ya. I have $3700 in sheetmetal parts (no labor yet) for my '73 and the shop hasn't started purchasing qtr panel/rear window patches or fitting the new fenders, hood, trunk, and rear valance.

[NHCharger]

PASS.
By the time your done with it the bad list will be 3 times longer. Your going to spend 10+k to fix up a car that will only be worth half that. Been there, done that. Save your pennies and buy a nice 318 driver for 3 or 4k. With the economy the way it is the deals are out there.

Parts car. What are you going to do with the parts, and where will you store them? It took me quite a while to disassemble my 72 parts car.I still have to finish cutting up the body. I sold a few parts but kept the rest just in case I needed something for one of my Chargers.

Drag car= $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Nacho-RT74]

I would say, is not the money to spend, is more the headaches to get the parts and then make the job. For the way you talks, just the top half of car is in good conditions. If all floorboards and lower quarter areas has been attemped to be replaced or need to be replaced, will need to take care about the frame rails.

dunno... I would pass. Being a millionaire maybe worth the effor to make a custom job not to restore into original specs, but with tight budget, I would pass.

[General_01]

Definately a pass. It is going to be a while before you could do anything with the car. I am sure as a driver you get quite a bit of overtime. Save your money and look for something this Fall. You will be better off financially and you can decide then. In the mean tiime, keep your eyes open during the summer and you might just fall across a better deal. And if this guy isn't advertising, you can probably get it in the fall and save yourself 5-6 months of storage fees if you still want the car.

Just my 

[ACUDANUT]

Can't find a 71 Charger in any condition that cheap here in the KC area.

[xs29l8b]

Id pass.

[694spdRT]

I'd have to say pass on it as well. It sounds like much more of a project than the '72 you recently sold. Since your finances are improving I would say keep an eye out for a nicer car you can use and enjoy right away.

[Old Moparz]

Can't find a 71 Charger in any condition that cheap here in the KC area.

That might be true, also around here too, but it sounds like too much work to bother with. People tend to forget that there will ALWAYS BE cars for sale.