Are R/T clones worth more?

[Plum Crazy 68]

Supply and Demand.  R/T is what people want and there are not enough to go around. 

[R6red4spd69RT]

FYI. To me an R/T clone isn't a xp car with emblems. A "cloned" R/T needs the proper brakes , suspension. available engines etc. The whole shootin match.

Exactly, if you walked into a Dodge dealership back in the day and said "I want a Charger R/T", you just checked off almost all of the best high performance options you could get. The only significant upgrade would have been the Hemi 426 or or maybe a the Hemi 4spd/Dana combo.

[Orange_Crush]

FYI. To me an R/T clone isn't a xp car with emblems. A "cloned" R/T needs the proper brakes , suspension. available engines etc. The whole shootin match.

Exactly, if you walked into a Dodge dealership back in the day and said "I want a Charger R/T", you just checked off almost all of the best high performance options you could get. The only significant upgrade would have been the Hemi 426 or or maybe a the Hemi 4spd/Dana combo.

Well...that's not exactly right either.  My wife's uncle has a 70 R/T that he bought in 1971.  It has badges and a 440 and that's pretty much it.  No special suspension, peg leg 8 3/4 car.

[1969chargerrtse]

If a clone is Done to a high quality level it can bring a high price tag........... My Black 68 R/T clone was rotiserie done and (not to brag) very nice brought 54k. bought form me in 2009 by Best of Show auto. They sold it 4 days later for just under 80k. Not all people care about numbers,some simply want a nice car thats done in a way that apeals to them. IE R/T clone.

FYI. To me an R/T clone isnt a xp car with emblems. A "cloned" R/T needs the proper brakes , suspension. available engines etc. The whole shootin match.

Yep, cars like your 68 bring the money because of the body and paint and after market options. People always tell me how much the auction cars are bringing in and I always remind them these cars selling for over 50 k probably have over 50 k in the restoration. I think the money mostly comes from just how nice the car is overall R/T or R/T clone or not.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

If a clone is Done to a high quality level it can bring a high price tag........... My Black 68 R/T clone was rotiserie done and (not to brag) very nice brought 54k. bought form me in 2009 by Best of Show auto. They sold it 4 days later for just under 80k. Not all people care about numbers,some simply want a nice car thats done in a way that apeals to them. IE R/T clone.

FYI. To me an R/T clone isnt a xp car with emblems. A "cloned" R/T needs the proper brakes , suspension. available engines etc. The whole shootin match.

Yep, cars like your 68 bring the money because of the body and paint and after market options. People always tell me how much the auction cars are bringing in and I always remind them these cars selling for over 50 k probably have over 50 k in the restoration. I think the money mostly comes from just how nice the car is overall R/T or R/T clone or not.

I am not saying anyone's car didn't bring the money however, my years of experience attending auctions is that everything ISN'T what it seems... 

[Cooter]

Too many are concerned with resale value today. R/T clone...Real R/T, who cares, as long as it's what you want. There are enough
R/T emblems to damn sure go around and the ones that can't get into the game on a Real R/T will be building a clone R/T...As long as I can get the emblems without the pricetag, then that's the way to go. Just like almost EVERY single Chevelle I see at cruises is an "SS" now...

[Back N Black]

It all depends on the quality of the restoration, people will pay good money for a well done car.

[Fred]

To restore an original R/T is no different to building a clone...............parts cost the same on whatever version you opt for.
The only difference is the vin tag. And that shouldn't play a role in the price. Of course, sadly it does. 

[1969chargerrtse]

To restore an original R/T is no different to building a clone...............parts cost the same on whatever version you opt for.
The only difference is the vin tag. And that shouldn't play a role in the price. Of course, sadly it does. 

Let's not get to crazy.  I want an original R/T over a clone any day.  It matters to me.  My buddy has a clone car.  I alwyas see mine as a real factory built Detroit muscle car, and his as a clone.

[Cooter]

To restore an original R/T is no different to building a clone...............parts cost the same on whatever version you opt for.
The only difference is the vin tag. And that shouldn't play a role in the price. Of course, sadly it does. 

Let's not get to crazy.  I want an original R/T over a clone any day.  It matters to me.  My buddy has a clone car.  I alwyas see mine as a real factory built Detroit muscle car, and his as a clone.

SO your saying that a clone that makes over 400 HP, is built with the same engine/trans/rear as your car, painted in the same shade, is the same exact body style, isn't a "True" musclecar unless it was built that way?  Sorry you feel the way you do, as it's thinking like yours that has caused the VIN to cause the pricetags.

[Charger-Bodie]

Price is not the reason I like clones. I like clones cause I can build them MY way. If I had a real R/T I would need to build it EXACTLY like the fender tag says. Its just the way my head works.....

[440]

Price is not the reason I like clones. I like clones cause I can build them MY way. If I had a real R/T I would need to build it EXACTLY like the fender tag says. Its just the way my head works.....

You still have a bird clone which is definitely better than an R/T  

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

To restore an original R/T is no different to building a clone...............parts cost the same on whatever version you opt for.
The only difference is the vin tag. And that shouldn't play a role in the price. Of course, sadly it does. 

You bet it does - and it SHOULD! 

Of course, the auction houses will try to get buyers to believe otherwise... Using words like "tribute car", etc. add to the description   

ALso, if the VIN tags didn't add value, then why has the whole "envelope car" industry sprouted up?

[1969chargerrtse]

To restore an original R/T is no different to building a clone...............parts cost the same on whatever version you opt for.
The only difference is the vin tag. And that shouldn't play a role in the price. Of course, sadly it does. 

Let's not get to crazy.  I want an original R/T over a clone any day.  It matters to me.  My buddy has a clone car.  I alwyas see mine as a real factory built Detroit muscle car, and his as a clone.

SO your saying that a clone that makes over 400 HP, is built with the same engine/trans/rear as your car, painted in the same shade, is the same exact body style, isn't a "True" musclecar unless it was built that way?  Sorry you feel the way you do, as it's thinking like yours that has caused the VIN to cause the pricetags.

No I did not say or imply that  The price should go up with the correct XS vin tag over a XP car.  If you can't see the difference to a car ordered back 40 years ago in the true muscle car era and still around in these times as more vauluable than something created to look like it, then there's no sense in me trying to explain it. Ask every single owner of something correct and legit if they feel their car is of more value than something re created to look like it. Never will a clone anything of any horse power be more true to a muscle car to me than the original.

[1969chargerrtse]

Let me add I owned a clone 69 Charger R/T back in the 80's, and loved it.  I built it myself because I couldn't afford a real R/T at the time. I always knew it was a clone, and got my chops broken about it all the time. I have no issue with clones at all and thought about turning my car into a Daytona clone at one time. But, nothing beats the real mc coy and it's silly to think anything should. If prices didn't reflect rarity and originality I have no idea where the hobby or prices would be?  Nothing beats the true original of what it is. Check any price book to confirm. And so it should.  

[Cooter]

Let me add I owned a clone 69 Charger R/T back in the 80's, and loved it.  I built it myself because I couldn't afford a real R/T at the time. I always knew it was a clone, and got my chops broken about it all the time. I have no issue with clones at all and thought about turning my car into a Daytona clone at one time. But, nothing beats the real mc coy and it's silly to think anything should. If prices didn't reflect rarity and originality I have no idea where the hobby or prices would be?  Nothing beats the true original of what it is. Check any price book to confirm. And so it should.  

Again, Sorry you feel that way, as only a purist who is concerned with resale value, would see things this way. Nothing wrong with it ecept the "Prictags" are there because it was built by the factory and not in 2011. Same car, just one was built 40 plus years ago...I think it's obvious trying to explain this side of the hobby to you is pointless, so I'll stop wallowing with the pig as I reallize he likes it. Have a good one.

[The70RT]

If it didn't matter to most people if it was real or not crooks wouldn't go out of their way to illegally do a vin swap rebody......come on man!

[bill440rt]

This thread is going in circles.
The OP asked the simple question: Are R/T clones worth more?

There are simply too many variables for one given answer. But, as a general rule, a real R/T when compared to a "similarly equipped & similar condition" base model WILL be worth more. But, since having two EXACTLY optioned vehicles in EXACTLY the same condition is an impossibility, the comparison is moot. Value is driven by both originality and condition. Modified cars are a different topic completely, so let's compare apples to apples.

Let's dissect this further. A nicely cloned R/T in perfect condition (such as 1Hot's former '68), WILL be worth more than a clapped out R/T held together with bondo & chicken wire with a duct-taped interior. Common sense prevails.
However, a REAL R/T, in that same perfect condition, will be worth more to the collector/enthusiast and hold that higher value longer. Consult any classic auto insurer, look in any printed value guide.

A clone may be more desirable to the person that does not care about numbers, or is building a car to their liking, or just wants one they can drive without worry. There is NOTHING wrong with a clone, as long as it is not presented or passed off to be something it's not. BTW, aren't there LAWS against this??  

Whether one is "better" than the other is a choice of personal preference.

[1969chargerrtse]

Let me add I owned a clone 69 Charger R/T back in the 80's, and loved it.  I built it myself because I couldn't afford a real R/T at the time. I always knew it was a clone, and got my chops broken about it all the time. I have no issue with clones at all and thought about turning my car into a Daytona clone at one time. But, nothing beats the real mc coy and it's silly to think anything should. If prices didn't reflect rarity and originality I have no idea where the hobby or prices would be? Nothing beats the true original of what it is. Check any price book to confirm. And so it should.  

Again, Sorry you feel that way, as only a purist who is concerned with resale value, would see things this way. Nothing wrong with it except the "Prictags" are there because it was built by the factory and not in 2011. Same car, just one was built 40 plus years ago...I think it's obvious trying to explain this side of the hobby to you is pointless, so I'll stop wallowing with the pig as I realize he likes it. Have a good one.

Please don't feel sorry that I feel a classic cars value should be based on how much of a true classic it is.
Lots of great points here. And that is what a forum is for. All this true/clone R/T stuff has me all excited to take my true R/T SE out for a cruise tomorrow. I borrowed a lot of money for those letters, and insured it, and expect a lot back when I sell one day.  
No regrets.

Also, I'm not a purist " only " concerned about value. My car has lost a good 15,000.00 in value since I bought it in 2007. I always said I could care less if it was worth 5.00 as its all personal to me. I wanted one since I was 14 years old in 69. It's my soul mate. I always try to invest wisely but with the 69 Charger it's all love and passion no matter what the value.

Original question. I would think a R/T clone done nice with most high po parts would certainly be worth more than a comparable XP car but less than a real R/T.   Kinda obvious.

[Fred]

Seems to me, we could debate this issue for ever.
In the end it really boils down to whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
In the meantime.................happy motoring. 

[1969chargerrtse]

Amen. 



                       

[Dino]

Although I am grateful that you shared your opinions and brought some very interesting information to the table, I am sorry that I stirred up a hornet's nest.  

I took the Charger to work again today and took the long way home, the very long way, just because.  I'm with many of you who could not care less what the resale value would be, I could also not care less that my car is a clone.  I do care that it's a 69, it's got tons of style, lots of noise, boatloads of power and it brings a smile to my face I have not had in a very long time.

Here's to the greatest car in the world.  

[Fred]

Although I am grateful that you shared your opinions and brought some very interesting information to the table, I am sorry that I stirred up a hornet's nest. 

I took the Charger to work again today and took the long way home, the very long way, just because.  I'm with many of you who could not care less what the resale value would be, I could also not care less that my car is a clone.  I do care that it's a 69, it's got tons of style, lots of noise, boatloads of power and it brings a smile to my face I have not had in a very long time.

Here's to the greatest car in the world.   

Know all about that smile............I've had one plastered to my face ever since I got my 68!   

[Charger-Bodie]

Although I am grateful that you shared your opinions and brought some very interesting information to the table, I am sorry that I stirred up a hornet's nest. 

I took the Charger to work again today and took the long way home, the very long way, just because.  I'm with many of you who could not care less what the resale value would be, I could also not care less that my car is a clone.  I do care that it's a 69, it's got tons of style, lots of noise, boatloads of power and it brings a smile to my face I have not had in a very long time.

Here's to the greatest car in the world.   

Know all about that smile............I've had one plastered to my face ever since I got my 68!   

Sometime it just out of the blue, pops into my head that I own the car and it makes me smile. They are awesome cars.......

[bill440rt]

Although I am grateful that you shared your opinions and brought some very interesting information to the table, I am sorry that I stirred up a hornet's nest. 

I took the Charger to work again today and took the long way home, the very long way, just because.  I'm with many of you who could not care less what the resale value would be, I could also not care less that my car is a clone.  I do care that it's a 69, it's got tons of style, lots of noise, boatloads of power and it brings a smile to my face I have not had in a very long time.

Here's to the greatest car in the world.   

Know all about that smile............I've had one plastered to my face ever since I got my 68!   

Sometime it just out of the blue, pops into my head that I own the car and it makes me smile. They are awesome cars.......

   x2   

I'll be taking mine out tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure I'll be smiling the whole way!