How much do you have in it?

[Dans 68]

I paid $20K for the '68 (383 4-bbl 4-speed), and probably sunk another $1K into it (original radiator, Hurst shifter, gauges re-worked). This was before the tow truck mishap which will end up costing me probably $5k or so (new paint, vinyl top, straighten out existing bodywork, new wheels & tires, etc). I keep telling myself $5K. Yeah, right.... 

Dan

[69_500]

I honestly have about $21K in the 500. Paid more than that, but if you factor out the profit from the car I sold to get this one then it would put it around $19K to get the car and have put less than $2K in the car unless your counting gas and then it would be about $6K.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have roughly about $20,000 into my 68 total....     including the car I bought as a running / driving 318 auto for $10,000...      So between the hemi, 5-speed, paint, bodywork, suspension, etc...    it's about another $10,000  ----      I'm confident I could easily sell the Charger for double what I have into it...       

Oh c'mon Alex, it doesnt even run yet!       

It runs!  It just has a couple leaks...     

[FlatbackFanatic]

I paid $3500 for it 10 years ago, I think I've put another $6000 into it, so far. Lots more to do though.

[Paul G]

Kinda odd the guy that started the thread didn't list his numbers?

I am pretty good at saving receipts, not so much at knowing where they are. So, I dug them all up and this is what I came up with so far: I bought the car for $10,000, mostly done. Now this shocked me! I knew I dropped a bunch more in to it, but, I have spent another $10500 on it. So I have over $20,000 in the 72 so far. I AM DONE! No more money going in to this car! Some of that $10500 is for things that have been done, undone, done again, etc. Some of it is labor costs. But I would have never thought I have spent that much! My guesstimation was around $16,000 total maybe. Was I ever off!

This is a very expensive hobby! I have been asked several times to sell the car, refused each time. Now I know at least what kind of price to put on it next time the question comes up.

I ran in to a guy last weekend with a Cuda. He had a 5.7 engine and tranny from a Ram 1500 installed in it. He told me he spent $18,000 getting the engine and tranny installed and working properly. Man, this is an expensive hobby!

[Paul G]

And by the way. The guy I bought the car from had around $30,000 in it, so he tells me. I believe the paint and body was half of that.

[472 R/T SE]

I couldn't act fast enough when the seller of my '70 told me he'd take $17k for it.

With the crate motor & accessories, rebuilt another 727 & put the GV tailshaft set up together.  Guesstimate $25k in upgrades.

The 440 & 727 are #'s matching.  I have everything for the cruise control, air cleaner, pb, everything to restore back to original.  The car was one option away from being a 2 tag car & I have everything.

It's insured for $60k.

The '71 'cuda, pretty close to what I'm asking for it.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,85479.msg961052.html#msg961052

[Rustymuscle]

- Bought it for $1200
- $600 in Weld wheels
- $200 in tires (used rear slicks)
- $900 in Legendary seat covers, carpet, headliner, package tray
- $400 in re-upholstery
- $50 Dana 60 housing
- $300 in brakes, lines, fittings
- $100 727 TorqueFlite housing
- $400 grille
- $350 fiberglass hood
- $100 tail stripe
- $3800 paint and body work (JD's Paint & Body)
- $200 weatherstripping, body bumpers, and clips
- $250 in metal polishing

Total so far: $8,850

...and I'm still far from being done.

[Fred]

I have 50K into my 71 R/T clone + the cost of the rust free body , I have been advertising it at 20 k the highest offer I have had is 18 k  he chose not to buy it , & the second highest was 7 k, there is no way I can keep this car but I simply cannot get out

Shit, that's tough Chryco. I really feel for you. 

[Paul G]

I have 50K into my 71 R/T clone + the cost of the rust free body , I have been advertising it at 20 k the highest offer I have had is 18 k  he chose not to buy it , & the second highest was 7 k, there is no way I can keep this car but I simply cannot get out

Shit, that's tough Chryco. I really feel for you. 

I wish I was looking to buy right now. That would be a sweet car to own.

[Fred]

A bottomless money pit!! That's what this hobby ammounts to.
I will never get back what I put into my 68 but who cares, I'm having to much fun to ever want to sell it!!  

[Rolling_Thunder]

Kinda odd the guy that started the thread didn't list his numbers?

I ran in to a guy last weekend with a Cuda. He had a 5.7 engine and tranny from a Ram 1500 installed in it. He told me he spent $18,000 getting the engine and tranny installed and working properly. Man, this is an expensive hobby!

$18,000 ?!?!?   Jeez...       I have maybe $4500 into my whole swap with a 6.1L

[NHCharger]

As Bull said it's hard to keep track of the nickel & dime stuff. Plus I wouldn't consider maintenance stuff like rebuilding brakes or replacing wheel bearings part of the cost.

Bought my 71 in Oct. 95 for $1,200.00 and drove it home. It only needed minimal body work when i had it repainted 5 years ago. Probably 15-17k total.

My 72 perfumed pig I have around 12k.

I'll have around 20k into my 68 when done.

If you add in the amount of labor that I have into all my Chargers at 25/hr you can easily double what I have into the cars. If I didn't do a majority of the wrenching I would only own one Charger.

[Bobby41909]

Bought an original rust free car for $10,500, sold the old parts for $6,000 on Ebay, bought new parts for about $50k then there's the paint job of $22k and the labor to put it all together of about $25k...so that's a little over $100k spent/invested.  

Sure in the current "market" I can't sell it and get those funds back but I didn't do this to flip.  You also can't built one for much less unless you're a professional or have those skills and can afford not to work for 1,000 or so hours to put one together.  Then again there's the cost of you're time.  It's an AWESOME build and perfect in every way.  If you want perfection you have to pay for it.  If you don't cut corners it's expensive.

It's all about what you want...a Ferrari or a perfect Charger....I choose the Charger...  Actually got more looks then the Ferrari's at the show last weekend.  

[Fred]

You guys are so lucky over there (USA) in the sense that most parts are readily available. You'd be shocked to learn what we have to pay for parts here in Australia.
But we pay because we consider ourselves fortunate enough to even be able to get the parts. Freight is the killer!

[jb666]

Most of us, I know I have more invested in my cars than i would like to addmit.  I know I wouldn't want my wife to find out

I'm still in counseling over it.

[Paul G]

I ran in to a guy last weekend with a Cuda. He had a 5.7 engine and tranny from a Ram 1500 installed in it. He told me he spent $18,000 getting the engine and tranny installed and working properly. Man, this is an expensive hobby!

$18,000 ?!?!?   Jeez...       I have maybe $4500 into my whole swap with a 6.1L

He used the computer and harness from the Ram. He said he sent the computer in some where for re programming, and it took countless hours to get the wiring right and the computer to work right. He paid a guy to do the whole job. That gets very expensive. I asked why he didnt use a FAST engine controller or something aftermarket, plug and play, instead of the factory computer. He said he didnt realize they made them.

I guess those of us who can do some or all of the work ourselves can save big $$. Although, those who can afford to, "pay the man", may be better off. 

[nvrbdn]

bought mine for 1100 14 years ago,1100 for the rebuilt motor, 350 for the carb, bought 2 other chargers 13 years ago (that were project cars) together as a deal for 2500. got the parts off of them that i needed to finish my car,then sold them for 3000. 1500 for paint job cus the guy needed to pay his taxes.(and that included the paint) 600 in the interior. bought new 15" wheels that havent been installed yet. thats 4150.00 since i made money on the 2 chargers. then you can throw several hundred in to cover brakes, new turn signal switch,filters,fluids,gaskets, and all the other things you need. so im lookin at 5000.00 and i still need to get my new tires.

[skip68]

About $34.00 into my car.  I might have a few zero's missing from that figure I think.  

[1969chargerrtse]

Kinda odd the guy that started the thread didn't list his numbers?

I am pretty good at saving receipts, not so much at knowing where they are. So, I dug them all up and this is what I came up with so far: I bought the car for $10,000, mostly done. Now this shocked me! I knew I dropped a bunch more in to it, but, I have spent another $10500 on it. So I have over $20,000 in the 72 so far. I AM DONE! No more money going in to this car! Some of that $10500 is for things that have been done, undone, done again, etc. Some of it is labor costs. But I would have never thought I have spent that much! My guesstimation was around $16,000 total maybe. Was I ever off!

This is a very expensive hobby! I have been asked several times to sell the car, refused each time. Now I know at least what kind of price to put on it next time the question comes up.

I ran in to a guy last weekend with a Cuda. He had a 5.7 engine and tranny from a Ram 1500 installed in it. He told me he spent $18,000 getting the engine and tranny installed and wor king properly. Man, this is an expensive hobby!

"Now this shocked me! I knew I dropped a bunch more in to it, but, I have spent another $10500 on it. So I have over $20,000 in the 72 so far. I AM DONE! "

Gee, good thing you started this thread.  Look what you just discovered? 

[71charger]

I have 50K into my 71 R/T clone + the cost of the rust free body , I have been advertising it at 20 k the highest offer I have had is 18 k  he chose not to buy it , & the second highest was 7 k, there is no way I can keep this car but I simply cannot get out

wanna trade??

[1970Moparmann]

I know what I have in my 70, but my 68 I would need a case of beer and a bag of Doritos to go through the receipts.  I'll also need to see a shrink because of the depression that I'll fall into. 

[greenpigs]

   I stopped adding it up a a few years ago. A guess would be 6500 of my money as the car was a graduation present for High School. The car cost $800 and my parents kicked in some money also. That $ figure of mine includes a bunch of parts & a few sets of rims & tires that are laying around. The current value is a guess at best and doesn't matter much as I don't ever plan on selling.
  The wife had asked before on a value and I told her it would take stupid money for me to sell it as it would need replaced first thing.

[Road Dog]

Maybe around 10,000 since 1977. Not counting tires and gas.

[ChargerD100]

I'm sitting round 10k into mine so far... just waiting to have time to finish it enough to make it a driver not making a trailer queen