Flood of unfinished project Chargers on Ebay lately

[Charger440RDN]

There has been an absolute flood of unfinished project Chargers on ebay lately, how much are these unfinished projects even worth now? In the current economy does it really matter if it's an R/T or not? Doesn't seem like it. I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it"  

[69bronzeT5]

I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it"  

I just don't have the money to restore mine right now

[Troy]

I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it" 

I just don't have the money to restore mine right now

I bought mine that way - probably will be selling them that way. To do it right really does take a lot of time and money. I currently have 5 running vehicles and just keeping up with the maintenance on those keeps me from working on the projects. If I had kids, two jobs, or lots of hobbies there's no way I'd ever get anything done on the cars.

Troy

[Charger440RDN]

I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it"  

I just don't have the money to restore mine right now

That's fine though, your'e not trying to sell yours.   But why do people strip a Charger down to the bone, lose parts and then basically give up on it, put it on Ebay and think it's still worth $10,000 as is?  

[PocketThunder]

I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it"  

I just don't have the money to restore mine right now

That's fine though, your'e not trying to sell yours.   But why do people strip a Charger down to the bone, lose parts and then basically give up on it, put it on Ebay and think it's still worth $10,000 as is?  

Because thats the vision they had when they bought it.

[moparstuart]

I hate when a car is in pieces in somebody's garage and in the add they say "it's all there I just don't have the time to restore it"  

I just don't have the money to restore mine right now

I bought mine that way - probably will be selling them that way. To do it right really does take a lot of time and money. I currently have 5 running vehicles and just keeping up with the maintenance on those keeps me from working on the projects. If I had kids, two jobs, or lots of hobbies there's no way I'd ever get anything done on the cars.

Troy

yes adding the kids and wife to the mix mulitiplys the time . I have gotten two restored in 20 years  8 more to go   

[Charger440RDN]

I think it's funny when the seller says " It's a solid start to a project, all it needs is both rear quarters, floor pans, rear frame rails and a roof "!! No interior included and no title!! $7,500 FIRM

[TUFCAT]

Buying a car in pieces is just asking for trouble and headaches.  

I won't buy anything that was taken apart by someone other than me.....unless the project came with a complete inventory of EVERYTHING - and I mean EVERYTHING!!  

Even then, it's still a nightmare.  

Don't mean to pee in the pool here....but I've been there and done that before. I had two 1973 Roadrunners in the garage at once (both in different stages of disassembly). I would've had to buy a third car - a complete one -  just to put all the parts and pieces back together in the right spot. 

It would have killed the project to buy the third car so I gave up. These projects are not for the faint of heart.

[Charger440RDN]

Buying a car in pieces is just asking for trouble and headaches.  

I won't buy anything that was taken apart by someone other than me.....unless the project came with a complete inventory of EVERYTHING - and I mean EVERYTHING!!  

Even then, it's still a nightmare.  

Don't mean to pee in the pool here....but I've been there and done that before. I had two 1973 Roadrunners in the garage at once (both in different stages of disassembly). I would've had to by a third car - a complete one -  just to put all the parts and pieces back together in the right spot.

I would have killed the project to buy the third car so I gave up. These projects are not for the faint of heart.

I always have wondered how difficult it is to put a basketcase together, it probably takes years even if you have a service manual. That's probably why those cars are always for sale, the owner gets overwhelmed trying to find parts.

[motorcitydak]

Thats how I bought my car. It was bought by a kid a few years ago completely assembled for $3500. I just did not have the center console or correct front seats I was told. He stripped it completely and put everythinhg in labeled boxes. It was sitting at the blasters with a quote of $1200. It was a '68 and after the new dukes movie, he wanted a GL. He sold the car to me for $3000. I came there twice to get the car. First with a 14x6 enclosed trailer to bring home all the parts. Believe me, that thing was full. Then 2 weeks later I came back with a car hauler and brought the shell home.

I am not worried about piecing everything together, that is where you guys come in. It also helps that there will not be that many of the little parts going back in. Mine will be more of a SCCA race/street car with a bare bones interior and custom everything else. Basically all I need from the stock car is the body. While a '68 is my all time favorite car, there are still some things about it that I am not a huge fan of. Its my car and I will be building it exactly how I want

[Mike DC]

I once read a figure (this was like 10 or 15 years ago).  It was estimated that 3/4ths of all the cars that get totally torn down will not get put back together by the same person.  And 2/3rds of them will never go back together at all.  




The half-finished projects can sometimes be a great deal.  

But that's only *IF* they're sold very cheap.  And *IF* the car comes with a ton of parts.  And *IF* you already know these cars backwards & forwards so well that the disassembled starting condition won't wreck your ability to reassemble it.

[mally69]

i bought my 68 in peices but i knew what to look for before hand plus the body is in good shape

[BrianShaughnessy]

If Sinnamon wasn't my old car I wouldn't have paid the cash.  $7K firm... solid project my azz!    Well, the frame rails are good.

So.. what happens is it's now fall and some well meaning people are bailing out on projects they'll never complete for whatever reason.   Happens every year.   People get in over their heads and they're just trying to get their money back out of what they put in...  but it doesn't work that way to prospective buyers.


           

[41husk]

I bought mine that way - probably will be selling them that way. To do it right really does take a lot of time and money. I currently have 5 running vehicles and just keeping up with the maintenance on those keeps me from working on the projects. If I had kids, two jobs, or lots of hobbies there's no way I'd ever get anything done on the cars.

Troy

I agree, and it still amazes me.  People will spend 7-10k on a project that will cost 15-20k, if they do all the work themselves, and take years to finish.  Rather than buying something finished for 25-35 that they can drive, show and enjoy today.  I know I have done it myself.  The two cars I am selling now will never realize the money invested.  The projects need to get done but my advice would be to buy your dream car as close to turn key as you can.  It will save you money in the long run and you will never get back the years you could have been enjoying the car.

[Troy]

The flip side of course is buying a "polished turd" or "lipstick on a pig". I'm still undecided as to whether I want a car that's apart so I know everything that went into it or a "finished" car where I have no idea what's underneath. I've seen many instances where someone overpayed for a "restored" car only to redo most of it. The upside is you can usually drive it while fixing the little stuff but bad body work means it's all coming back apart. Most of us here (and probably a large majority overall) can't afford to purchase a true "correct" nut-and-bolt restoration with documentation or from a reputable shop. I have/had 3 "driver" quality cars and all will take as much (or more) to do right than my projects - but I can enjoy them "as is" if I want. I say this because most of the trim, interior, chrome, etc on a driver looks bad once you get the paint finished so assume you're going to replace all of it any way. If you want to drive one that is "presentable" but not a show car then, I agree, buy a driver in the first place.

Troy

[Blown70]

I did that a couple years back bought a solid project, but needed, motor, tranny, sheet metal, not frames, but Wow start to run up that tab.

Sold that one, got out what i had in it, and bought a running driving car.... which while needs a few things could be driven.

Great example is a car like Allen's (41husk).  I mean for $20K... you could fire it up and drive it tomorrow.... yet some idiot is going to spend 7,000 on  a project and spend another 20,000 MINIMUM to get it to where his essentially is now.....

[bull]

I don't know what to say about unfinished project cars on Ebay but I've gotta say it's not too encouraging to read this thread with my car torn completely apart right now.

[Blown70]

I don't know what to say about unfinished project cars on Ebay but I've gotta say it's not too encouraging to read this thread with my car torn completely apart right now.

But your not listing it on ebay in not fixed state either bud.  Some of those things on there will need A LOT of help and some one obviously tore them apart 3-5 years ago and now wants/needs money.......

Not the same as you.

[terrible one]

I bought my car on Ebay in that condition in 2004 or so I think. It's definitely a LOT further along but is still in pieces so to speak and doesn't do anything but sit. Also, it seems the longer I go without finishing it, the less  I work on it now. I guess it's this time of year that everyone gets the winter blues and tries to cash in.

[bull]

I don't know what to say about unfinished project cars on Ebay but I've gotta say it's not too encouraging to read this thread with my car torn completely apart right now.

But your not listing it on ebay in not fixed state either bud.  Some of those things on there will need A LOT of help and some one obviously tore them apart 3-5 years ago and now wants/needs money.......

Not the same as you.

No, it's not. But I am somewhat guilty of not organizing my parts as well as I should have. Most of it is bagged and tagged but if I were to do it all over again I think I'd make myself a pigeon hole cabinet and organize it all that way with labels rather than boxes and bags. Oh well, live and learn.

[Charger440RDN]

So the consensus is that buying one like this is a  

[john.v]

I think it's funny when the seller says " It's a solid start to a project, all it needs is both rear quarters, floor pans, rear frame rails and a roof "!! No interior included and no title!! $7,500 FIRM

sounds like my charger, but i got it for $1000.

[nakita7]

After many, many project cars myself, I did finally catch on. A project car is the biggest waste of both time and money you could ever buy. I got tired of seeing too many guys put $40K into cars that are only worth $20K done. It's not only the money lost, but the time, both on the car and time lost with family and loved ones.

Think about it this way: If a person loses time and money...money can be made back, time will NEVER be made back. Life is simply too short (for those of you who haven't figured it out yet  ). 

[BrianShaughnessy]

So the consensus is that buying one like this is a  

Depends on what the price is.   Cheaper is better.  

You can buy just about anything you need to give or take.   The availability of AMD stuff has given you a price tag that you can spend on bodywork.   If you can't fix a fender for $600 cause it's full of holes and busted, get a new one,  same with a hood, etc.   You're not stuck looking thru swap meets for salvagable parts unless you really need to have "original" for a numbers queen.  

[Ghoste]

And the fact is, there are some people who enjoy the "project" more than the other parts of the hobby.  I know a guy who sells his musclecars almost as soon as he finishes them.  He will drive them for a month or sometimes two but as soon as he is done one, he is definitely looking for the next one.  There are some out there who genuinely enjoy the challenge of putting that mess back together.
Now personally I like the driving best and I'd also add that in 90% of cases people are best advised to get the most car they can possibly afford just so as to prevent their own project burnout.  But I did want to point out that there are a few who welcome a project car.

[Back N Black]

I don't know what to say about unfinished project cars on Ebay but I've gotta say it's not too encouraging to read this thread with my car torn completely apart right now.

No worries bull, My car was totally apart last winter and today i was out smoking the tires off her.

[375instroke]

I'm working on airplanes, and when I'm putting something together that someone else took apart, there are always parts missing.  Such a pain in the ass, and I have access to all the engineering drawings and fasteners.

[Belgium R/T -68]

And the fact is, there are some people who enjoy the "project" more than the other parts of the hobby.  I know a guy who sells his musclecars almost as soon as he finishes them.  He will drive them for a month or sometimes two but as soon as he is done one, he is definitely looking for the next one.  There are some out there who genuinely enjoy the challenge of putting that mess back together.
Now personally I like the driving best and I'd also add that in 90% of cases people are best advised to get the most car they can possibly afford just so as to prevent their own project burnout.  But I did want to point out that there are a few who welcome a project car.

Like me, I'm using my projects to stay away from the bars and other really waste of money activities. I liked driving my cars in the past but now
I switched into projects and I also can garantee that my family is much moore happier now me spending all that time in the garage instead of never
beeing home.

Per

[Charger440RDN]

I think a lot of people got fooled by these TV shows like Overhaulin and think they can tear the car apart and have it done in no time. They don't realize that these people are professionals and do this for a living, not to mention that there are several people working on those cars at the same time.

I just believe that IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO FINISH THE CAR, DON'T RIP IT APART!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It just makes it harder for a future buyer to restore.

[roger440]

Whilst i agree with most that half done projects are a bad idea, it does depend on what you want at the end of it. Buying a running car for $20-25K is great if you will be happy with it. However if you want it just right, then all it is is a more expensive starting point for a project!!

I get a lot of satisfaction from restoring and repairing old stuff, whatever it is, so the time isn't the issue. I want to do this.

[1ol72charger4me]

Wow, this thread should be required reading for any prospective car restorers! There is alot of real truth about this hobbie being shared here. I've done restorations for the last 15 years and have had more than my share of" projects in a box" to do. At one time I thought of listing my job as a professional project finisher!! I think the most important thing that was said here is about there being no replacement for the time you lose with family. IMO the most important thing to remember when buying a torn apart car is that the little missing  parts can cost big money. I always tell people I don't care what shape the fender is in but where are the bolts for the seatbelts, shims for the heater box  ,bracket for this , support for the whatever. It takes alot of little pieces to put a car completely together. Right now on ebay you can get finished cars for about half of what you can do one for. I think its going to be even more of a buyers market as time goes by for about the next year. I personally like the challenge of the build and when I score a much needed part it makes me feel like I scored a touchdown! Now when I can't put in the seats because somebody lost the seatbelt bolts, thats a whole nuther feeling entire.....

[Skinypete]

I understand that projects cost a whole lot more than buying a finished one. I started my project because I didn't have the money to buy a finished one. I can spend a couple hundred here and there.

Now that I have started my project though and have added up how much money I already spent on it...I realized that if i was more patient and could have waited another year, I could have picked up a nice driver.  Live and learn tho

On the thing about missing time with the family, I feel that I am blessed here because I live at home and my Dad takes great interest in Mopars! This makes it possible for me to spend more time with him!

This is all just my    tho and I wouldn't change what I did, I can't replace these memories.

[The70RT]

A lot of people set around after they get off of work anyway and don't do much so why not build a car? I think it is all about how car crazy you are. I think some people have had there cars for a long time and buying one done or better doesn't make sense to them. Sometimes sentimental comes in to play. You never know completely what you bought till you tear it down. I think it is great to go to a show and show your car....not something someone else did. Some of you may be leaning towards the " Cat's in the cradle theory " ...been there done that....not any more though. All my kids have their own lives so the family thing no longer exists. I think 1/2 the projects people dismantle think it's gonna be a lot simpler to restore. Go back and check the old threads. Some came on here with a full head of steam and now their gone...go figure. I actually think if you don't have a family you are more likely NOT to get a project done. Mainly because one income and no family urging or helping them along the way. When your single sometimes other things take precedence over a hunk of cold steel 

[Blown70]

When your single sometimes other things take precedence over a hunk of cold steel 

Hahahahahaha   

[SG1022]

When your single sometimes other things take precedence over a hunk of cold steel 

But the fun part is fixing that cold hunk of steel, and using to to get a hot hunk of _______

[motorcitydak]

There are obviously a few types of guys replying to this. There are the guys that just want a project that they can work on for a few years and in the end get to see the awesome fruits of your labor. The others do not see it that way and would rather buy what we produce. As I said, I bought mine for $3000 and will prob have around 15k into it when its done but that is only because I am the only one working on the car. For that money tho I will have a car that is 100% mine and built exactly how I want it. Whats better is that if anything goes wrong on the car I will know exactly how to fix it since I built it.

While you can just buy a completed car and have it be yours, I will be building one from the ground up literally and it will be MINE in every aspect of the word. I just have more pride with I built it. I bought my truck stock. 6 years later it is more than I ever could have imagined. I bought an old boat and desperately needed a ton of TLC, which I provided and sold it to buy my '68 Charger.

[69bronzeT5]

I'm one of those guys who dosen't like to buy a finished car. Of course I can't afford to buy a finished one anyways but I enjoy building a car the way I want it. That's what I'm doing with my cars. For example, who cares how much it'll cost to restore the Charger to where I want it, it'll be done the way I want it....not the way someone else did it.

[Charger440RDN]

Anyone here ever restored one from the ground up that was just a shell and didn't come with any parts? Not even a K-frame or rear axle?

[Troy]

Anyone here ever restored one from the ground up that was just a shell and didn't come with any parts? Not even a K-frame or rear axle?

I've seen people restore cars that only had a k-frame and rear axle. Does that count? Here in the midwest the sheet metal rusts away and all you're left with is a drivetrain.

Troy

[wayfast1500]

I got mine as kind of a basket case, the previous owner started to do the body work and man what a haggred job they did.  I cut their pop rivited patches off the fender to find little chunks of steel, foam, news paper, and insulation right inside the fenders.  I cant complain, I basically got the car free-traded a harley for a harley and the p.o told me if I bring a trailer I can take the charger too. 

[Charger440RDN]

I got mine as kind of a basket case, the previous owner started to do the body work and man what a haggred job they did.  I cut their pop rivited patches off the fender to find little chunks of steel, foam, news paper, and insulation right inside the fenders.  I cant complain, I basically got the car free-traded a harley for a harley and the p.o told me if I bring a trailer I can take the charger too. 

That is a good deal, it's hard to beat getting a free Charger as a starting point

[wayfast1500]

Not only was it free but I put about $100 into it and got it to a points I could drive on short trips (1-2 miles) before I stripped it in order to see how the suspension and what not would need.  It wouldn't pass inspection, but $100 to drive a muscle car for a few weeks AND not break down once is something that's hard to beat.

[Charger440RDN]

Not only was it free but I put about $100 into it and got it to a points I could drive on short trips (1-2 miles) before I stripped it in order to see how the suspension and what not would need.  It wouldn't pass inspection, but $100 to drive a muscle car for a few weeks AND not break down once is something that's hard to beat.

Any pictures? I like to see Chargers in any condition  

[375instroke]

I think a lot of people got fooled by these TV shows like Overhaulin and think they can tear the car apart and have it done in no time.

Looks like they have something like 20 people working on various parts of those cars.  They have what--10 days, around the clock?  That's 4800 man hours, or one man full time for over 2 years straight.

[Troy]

I think a lot of people got fooled by these TV shows like Overhaulin and think they can tear the car apart and have it done in no time.

Looks like they have something like 20 people working on various parts of those cars.  They have what--10 days, around the clock?  That's 4800 man hours, or one man full time for over 2 years straight.

I believe there's more than 20 - maybe as many as 50 (can't remember if they count the entire "crew" as well). I have issues trusting the quality of the finished product though as certain process require time to cure or settle. Perhaps you can bake paint, sealers, primers, and glue to speed up the process but I know things like headliners, vinyl tops, and seat covers may require adjustments fairly soon. I believe most of those cars go back to the shops shortly after the shows are over to correct all the stuff that got missed or messed up. It's still a huge amount of man hours but some of that could be avoided with planning (waiting for one entire process to finish before moving to the next step) and an extended time frame (people tripping over each other).

Troy

[aussiemuscle]

I got mine as kind of a basket case, the previous owner started to do the body work and man what a haggred job they did.  I cut their pop rivited patches off the fender to find little chunks of steel, foam, news paper, and insulation right inside the fenders.  I cant complain, I basically got the car free-traded a harley for a harley and the p.o told me if I bring a trailer I can take the charger too. 

as you drove off he was probably thinking "sucker" 

[68RT4ME]

 Well, I'm one of those who over paid for a project now nearly 2 yrs old and though progress has been made, it seems like it will never end. I also have a car that was bought turn key but that too underwent many changes to get it where it is today. I will be keeping at it even though my part of the project will mostly involve reassembly but, I don't think I will ever undertake something like this again.

It is always more expensive than one thinks it will be and your hard pressed to get what you have in it if you ever want to sell. The satisfaction comes from knowing you did the car your way and know exactly whats there and every nut and bolt. I only wish I had the ability to do most of it myself and be able to save a ton more money. That and not be at the mercy of others to do it right without getting ripped off in the process. 

[wayfast1500]

I got mine as kind of a basket case, the previous owner started to do the body work and man what a haggred job they did.  I cut their pop rivited patches off the fender to find little chunks of steel, foam, news paper, and insulation right inside the fenders.  I cant complain, I basically got the car free-traded a harley for a harley and the p.o told me if I bring a trailer I can take the charger too. 

as you drove off he was probably thinking "sucker" 

Haha I always wanted a charger so I didn't care the condition, although it's really not too bad.  He said if I didn't want the charger I could take a new .45.  I almost did after all the problems I was having getting out.  I picked it up in the middle of winter, his driveway was literally like a skislope into the woods.  No room to turn around at the top and the uhaul trailer brakes only work going foward.  I got dragged by the trailer backing down into a ditch and had to get pulled out by 2 full size trucks chained together.  At that point I thought about leaving the car and taking the pistol, but I ended up backing the trailer into a snowbank so I could jackknife it around.  I got out and left him and his buddy with a 30 rack for the pull out.  Maybe I was a sucker lol but no regrets.