Opinions Matter

[lilwendal]

First the story, Then the question.  I just purchased a 68 charger this week that is 100% complete.  Everything is there, original  and in excellent condition. Build sheet, fender tag. Even wearing original paint.  This is going to be a very easy and quick resto.  I already have 2 chargers and was buying this one to resto, drive fior a few months then sell.  The car is original yellow with black vinyl top.  Maybe its just me but i personally i dont care for the yellow too much.  I know on the preservation aspect especially having fender tag and build sheet I should restore it like that but man i dont like that yellow.   One other thing.  It's a 383 2 barrel car and it just kills me to see that little carb on the big block. So I'll let majority rule.  Do I  A. go 100 % by the build sheet or  B.paint the car an original color for that year other than yellow, or C. paint it a brighter than original yellow and throw a 4 barrel at it?  Keep in mind this isnt a car I'm planning on keeping too long and I'm wondering which way to go.

[Ghoste]

Option "C".  No reason, just my opinion. 

[BigBlackDodge]

Since you not planning on keeping it for long I'd say keep it as stock as possible. I know if I was in the market for a car all the stock goodies would be a plus on your favour.........more money for you.

It's only original once.

BBD

[Rick Keesler]

Just my   ........

If you're going to foot the bill for a light body/paint job with the intent of reselling it after a few months or so, and considering the costs involved, I would go back with the original color. The reason being is this, if you try to sell it with a different color, the prospective buyer could try to low ball you because he says he'll have to repaint it back to it's original color. Changing colors cost big bucks.

But if you got enough mad money in your mattress , and you've got all the original stuff, you might consider this.........

Go ahead and paint it back to it's original color, yank the 383 and keep it with the car, but drop in a hemi and get it running/looking good. Drive that for a few months or so, then sell it as a hemi clone that comes with the original 383 for 4-5 times what you'd would've got with the 383 alone.

[Highbanked Hauler]

 What he said. Hemi seems to be the magic word.

[694spdRT]

Because it sounds like you are going to flip the car I would go with the stock color combination. Yellow is not a bad color even if it is not your favorite.   I think the 4bbl upgrade using stock parts would be of little concern and maybe even help with the sale. Being a 2bbl car you probably have the log exhaust manifolds instead of HP versions.

Just keep the old parts so the next buyer will have the option of putting them back on someday....even if someday never comes it is nice to have the original stuff.

[TruckDriver]

Because it sounds like you are going to flip the car I would go with the stock color combination. Yellow is not a bad color even if it is not your favorite.   I think the 4bbl upgrade using stock parts would be of little concern and maybe even help with the sale. Being a 2bbl car you probably have the log exhaust manifolds instead of HP versions.

Just keep the old parts so the next buyer will have the option of putting them back on someday....even if someday never comes it is nice to have the original stuff.

[694spdRT]

Just curious if you guys really think the Hemi clone theory works on a Charger? I can see it with convertible E bodies but, not sure the big return is there on a Charger.

What will it cost to convert a base Charger to a proper Hemi clone with all the other upgrades....$20,000 or maybe more by the time you are done. This is on top of the other normal resto costs. I don't know if you will honestly get much more than that back on top of a nice 15-20K 383 Charger. You guys might be right but, to me the buyer's market for those cars is a little more limited and picky.

Getting 4-5 times the money back might prove very difficult as 100-120K for a clone is still a lot of money....for me anyway. Plus, you have the investment of cash if you don't sell quickly.

If I only knew what Jet was selling his original '69 Hemi for you could figure that as the perfect car. With that price start deducting for all the stuff that is not as good and the original factor.

[andy74]

id keep it yellow,even if you decide a brighter shade,and go with minor mods,4 bbl,better duals,headers etc. any thing that doesnt require welding or painting should not hurt the value,and may even make it more attractive to a prospective buyer.just dont throw out any thing that can make the car original-its a real bitch to replace!

[lilwendal]

Last 68 318 charger I saw cloned RT with a hemi went for over 80,000.00.  This of course was a fresh rotisserie resto and beautifully done.  So if you figure someone like me who does 100% of the restoration himself with a start price car of 8k then put 10k in parts and supplies into the resto + 18k for the hemi drop you still look to double your money on the project.  Thats what I usually look for . A car that worth twice as much as I put into it.   If your paying someone to do all this work then forget about it. You'll be lucky to break even.  Lots of factors will determine the final cost.  What Type and condition your car is to start with.  Full rotisserie or just fresh paint and interior.  None of this includes my time which i consider my restorations a hobby and therapeutic.' keeps me in the garage away from the wife and kids'. Please dont think this post is about money. I never consider price during the resto just whatever it takes to make it 100%.  When I'm done I'm always proud of my work. And the hardest thing is letting one go but I cant have a driveway full of chargers and if I keep what I got then I cant do the next. Oh what a Delima.

[694spdRT]

I guess I look at the Hemi clones differently than some other buyers. If you take a car worth 20K and add a 20K engine to it the cost should be 40K retail....and I never pay retail. 

[Troy]

Just curious if you guys really think the Hemi clone theory works on a Charger? I can see it with convertible E bodies but, not sure the big return is there on a Charger.

Short answer: yes.

I have been watching the clone prices and if you do it right you'll come out ahead every time. Well, to put it another way, even the cheapest resto on a small block or 383 2bbl car will leave you in the hole when it comes to selling - unless you do it all yourself and don't count your labor costs in the equation. A simple engine swap to a 440 will usually bump the price as well and keeping the original matching engine is a bonus. I'd still stick with the original color if I planned on selling it immediately but a black or red 440 car would probably sell just as fast.

Troy

[bull]

Don't do anything to it. If you're going to be a flipper just jack the price up $5k and resell.

[Big Lebowski]

Put a 472 Hemi in it and paint it triple black. "Bullitt style"

[Dave22443]

Personally, I like it in Yellow.  Although, mine is non-original Chrome Yellow.   

[hemihead]

A

[694spdRT]

Just curious if you guys really think the Hemi clone theory works on a Charger? I can see it with convertible E bodies but, not sure the big return is there on a Charger.

Short answer: yes.

I have been watching the clone prices and if you do it right you'll come out ahead every time. Well, to put it another way, even the cheapest resto on a small block or 383 2bbl car will leave you in the hole when it comes to selling - unless you do it all yourself and don't count your labor costs in the equation. A simple engine swap to a 440 will usually bump the price as well and keeping the original matching engine is a bonus. I'd still stick with the original color if I planned on selling it immediately but a black or red 440 car would probably sell just as fast.

Troy

I agree with you on the 318 cars value because the upside on a stock 318 car is still not in the stratosphere. I would guess the 383 2bbl cars would be a little better off but, the prices are still not in the same league as say a 383 4 speed or 440 R/T.

Maybe it is just that my interests or appreciation is more with the original Hemi's as opposed to clones. I see nothing wrong with them, just not my thing at the moment. A lot of it has to do with the fact I do most of my own work and try to apply some type of ecomonic logic in an expensive hobby. Plus, my wife would never allow me to cut a check for 20K on a engine.....it is easier to hide it in smaller increments.

[Troy]

Who said they cost $20k?

Troy

[694spdRT]

Who said they cost $20k?

Troy

I just use an old restoration standby...take what you plan to spend and add another 25% and you might get it done.

I wouldn't be happy with the 14K version so I would need all the manifolds, carbs, etc. and then I would of course have to have a 18 spline 4 speed behind it as well so there's another $2-3K easy.

I better be careful or I might convince myself to do a '68 Hemi clone after all. 

[Silver R/T]

make it stock and sell it for profit

[jaak]

Personally, I like it in Yellow. Although, mine is non-original Chrome Yellow.

Hey Dave22443
  Who makes this chrome yellow paint, what is the code??? My charger is y2, but I want a brighter yellow, man  thats a sharp car, not to mention a perfect shade of yellow!

See ya,
Jason

[89MOPAR]

     Everything is there, original   and in excellent condition. Build sheet, fender tag. Even wearing original paint.   This is going to be a very easy and quick resto.  

Hmmmn, I don't get it, if everything there is   ORIGINAL and in EXCELLENT condition -   WHY DOES IT NEED A RESTO ??
  Certainly several things must not be excellent.   If you like bodywork and painting cars ,find a more likely candidate.

I would be scared to buy a car that the seller termed " a very easy and quik resto" .
Maybe you are the exception and do great work at the speed of light...

I can't show you one Quality / Correct resto that was easy , cheap, and quik --- but I can show you a lot of fluff and buff jobs that don't hold up to the scrutiny of a knowledgeable enthusiast.

If you aren't in it for the money, sell the car to someone [unchanged]  who will lavish it with love instead -and work your magic on a Chevy

[Dave22443]

Hi jaak,

  Thanks for the compliment!  I looked long and hard to find just the right color for my taste.  I don't remember the exact code for it, but I can tell you that I got it at NAPA.  I think it was Martin-Senior? <sp?>

  I looked through their paint chip books for hours (on more then one occasion) before I settled on this one.  The color you see is a base coat/clear coat 1993 Mazda Chrome Yellow.  I did a lot of the bodywork and prep myself.  A friend of mine painted it in his garage (no paint booth) and I put the top on and trimmed it myself (my first every attempt!)   

  Oh, and I added the passenger side mirror and converted to front disk brakes for safety.  They were not original to the car. 

-Dave

[dd44068]

My opinion a car that original should stay that way especially if you are going to sell if you go with a 4 barrel keep the 2 barrel to send off with the car.

[hemi68charger]

Personally, I wouldn't touch it....  Since you're not keeping it......... First, there are less things you need to buy for the car. ... If the car's as clean as you say it is, then why paint it anyways....  If the car's as clean as you say it is, I WOULDN'T even paint it... Original cars are few and far in between. That will be, in my opinion, much more attractive to a serious buyer. I would rather see the original paint and pretty much know what's under there versus having a freshly painted car with indecision about any body work done. You know what's there, but the other person doesn't and they don't know you like you know yourself............   I say, leave it alone and try selling it that way first, you might be surprised.....

Troy