Dude with the smashed Charger: here's your replacement!

[Drache]

The sad reality is that people place more value on a digit in the vin tag than the condition of the car.    Personally, i could care less if it's a 318 car as long as it's been built solid. Only misguided fools pay extra for the bragging rights to a vin. My feeling has allways been that a lower performance level car is a better platform to build from in terms of a starting point. Less twisted/ripped sheetmetal, straighter frames etc...

See and there is the thing. If you take an R/T and yet totally customize it to the car you want, then you ARE just bragging about a letter in the VIN. But take a full on numbers matching R/T then yes you can brag a bit about it being a real R/T I guess if it was restored back to original specs.

Take two Chargers and build them the EXACT same though. Why does one letter on the VIN make one worth more?

"My Charger is a 1 of 100 R/T with the options on the Fender Tag!"

"What is one of those rare options?"

"The engine!"

"Is that the original engine in the car?"

"Nope it didn't have the original engine so I put something completely different in there!"

[ACUDANUT]

imo. only a original Hemi car could ever be worth a 100K investment.

[Troy]

I find it interesting that people still don't know what it costs to build one of these things (which also explains how some people dump a TON of money into a not-so-rare car). For example, I paid $11k for one car and was quoted $8k to paint it. I must say that both are smoking hot deals as I would expect the car itself to be $13-15k and the paint/body to be $12-15k (for the way I expect it to be done). Heck, the paint materials alone are $2k+. Ok, so that gets me a clean body on a cart.

Now buy/build the 440 ($4500), refurbish the carb ($450), update the ignition ($300), refurbish the air cleaner ($100), restore/new alternator ($200), restore/new starter ($100), new battery ($100-250), new battery cables ($50-150), clean/coat the exhaust manifolds ($400), replace the wiring ($1,500) build the transmission ($1k), new clutch and PP ($700), refurbish/replace clutch linkage ($400), rebuilt/upgrade steering box ($500), new torsion bars and rear springs ($600), restore the k-frame and rear axle ($500), refurbish/new rear gears ($500-1k), restore brakes ($300-600), new fuel and brake lines ($400), front suspension rebuilt kit ($300), shocks ($200-500), miscellaneous hardware ($200-500), wheels/tires ($1,200 - 2,500), and any labor paid to a "professional" ($200-2,000). Ok, so now it runs and rolls.

Replace headliner, insulation, seat covers, seat backs, seat foam, door panels, door pads, dash pad, arm rests, arm rest bases, package tray, head rests, and carpet ($2k-3k depending on if/where you get the pads), refurbish the dash frame ($50-300), restore the gauge cluster and switches ($1,500), restore the wiper motor and arms ($200-400), restore the steering column ($600-1k), restore the steering wheel ($50-800), repair/replace console, shifter, and trim ($1k-2k), replace window cranks and door handles ($300), restore/replace rear view mirror ($30-150), restore the heater box ($100-500), replace firewall insulation ($100), interior screw kit ($50), polish interior door trim ($50-250), fix the radio ($400), and more "professional" labor. Ok, so now we can sit and drive around the block.

Repair and paint the grill ($500-2,000), refurbish/replace grill trim ($250-300), repair headlight vacuum hoses ($50-150), blast/repaint bumper brackets ($50-200), rechrome/new bumpers and bumperettes ($700-1,500), replace grill, tail, and sail panel emblems ($250-500), refurbish/new side markers ($200-500 - mine's a 68), refurbish tail lights ($500-1k), refurbish/new front marker/turn signal lights ($200-400), refurbish/new hood turn signals ($100-250), new/rechromed outer door handles ($200-500), rechrome vent window frames ($300), new door, hood, trunk, and window seals/weatherstripping ($600), restore/new outside mirror(s) ($200-500), restore/new antenna and nut ($20-200), body bumper kit ($50), polish trunk, drip rail, wheel opening, and door trim ($300-800), rebuild door hinges ($30-300), new washer bottle ($35), lots of miscellaneous hardware ($50-500), and more "professional" labor. Ok, so now the outside looks good. and all systems are functional.

I am positive I missed a bunch of things but the "ballpark figure" for my car comes in at a little over $52k with me doing all the work except engine/trans/rear gear building and body work. External labor is a real killer. A common figure thrown out for restoration is 1,000-1,200 hours (which, I think, is still low). Shops in my area charge ~$45 per hour while shops on either coast are $60-80 per hour. Even farming out half the labor would run $22,500-48,000. So, it's easy to see my car coming real close - if not topping - $100k. For someone who paid a shop to build the car it would be incredibly easy - they could have that much in labor alone!

If you truly want a concourse restoration tack on 30-60% more for digging up NOS parts.

Now, this is for a car that has been completely torn down and every part replaced/restored. People who are happy to live with with pitted chrome, scratched/dented trim, dings/chips in the paint, on engine that "works", and worn interior probably can't fathom spending that amount on a car. That doesn't mean it is impossible or that a seller is lying about their claims. I can't imagine doing it to every car I own - I just don't have the money for it and I don't pamper my cars once they are drivable.

Troy

[Ghoste]

Members here also need to realize that for some reason, in Canada, 2nd Gen Chargers command a lot more money than others. If that car was a real R/T then you'd be seeing another $10,000 onto that price.

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that.

[Drache]

Members here also need to realize that for some reason, in Canada, 2nd Gen Chargers command a lot more money than others. If that car was a real R/T then you'd be seeing another $10,000 onto that price.

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that.

It is around here in the western states it seems. I think I've seen only a single restored 2nd Gen R/T for under $40,000 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

The "Arrow" car discussed in this thread, complete w/ a "bid" w/in $200.00 of their reserve... Still a no-sale  

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,85715.50.html

Peeling paint (supposedly...)
Bungee cord holding down the battery...
Door pin issue...
Heater box not installed...

What else?

I said I'd give $20k for this, but in the meantime, bought another SUV for a little more dough  

[Patronus]

When I first saw the title of this thread I knew exactly who you were talking about... and I aint never met the guy..

[firefighter3931]

I said I'd give $20k for this

I'm sure you would....man a lot of lowball tire kickers these days.    Good luck in your search for a "budget" Charger at what you're willing to pay.  


Ron

[ACUDANUT]

His price is very reasonable, regardless if he really spent "100k" on it.  Firefighter, I am just saying I could have done that same quality of restoration for under 50k, that's all. This economy is making most people not spend money on pricey classic cars.  I wish him well.  
I am not a hater.  

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

His price is very reasonable, regardless if he really spent "100k" on it.  Firefighter, I am just saying I could have done that same quality of restoration for under 50k, that's all. This economy is making most people not spend money on pricey classic cars.  I wish him well.  
I am not a hater.  

I just wouldn't give his asking price, but now I am beating a dead horse...

[Ghoste]

Especially on anything "clone".  Not a hater either and in fact, if it were another color I'd be seriously looking at dragging a trailer up to Belleville.

[1974dodgecharger]

I said I'd give $20k for this

I'm sure you would....man a lot of lowball tire kickers these days.    Good luck in your search for a "budget" Charger at what you're willing to pay.  


Ron

you can find some chargers that run 20k that are daily drivers, granted NOT beauty queens, but daily drivers that are very nice in my eyes. I mean heck we got a member asking 15k for his charger in pittsburgh that i would pay for it easily and all he needs is a bleed brake, but toehr thant well worth it and then you have 5k left to dump more into to buy things.

[moparfan53]

 I see it is back on ebay with starting bid of $200, this time with no reserve. Might be a deal there for somebody.   I think a lot of us can relate to his frustration with the buyers/lookers he describes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-CHARGER-SE-R-T-clone-440-Magnum-Performance-NO-RESERVE-/130675422887?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e6cdcb6a7

[myk]

It sucks to see someone have to take it in the gut, like he is.  Good luck to him...

[1974dodgecharger]

I see it is back on ebay with starting bid of $200, this time with no reserve. Might be a deal there for somebody.   I think a lot of us can relate to his frustration with the buyers/lookers he describes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-CHARGER-SE-R-T-clone-440-Magnum-Performance-NO-RESERVE-/130675422887?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e6cdcb6a7

how much did it end up last time>?

[RIDELIKEHELL]

Maybe I will add this 69 to my stable at that price