Need help with value for my Car now that its restored

[RonnieB]

I wanted to ask you a few questions about my car.
3.5 years ago I was able to purchase a 1971 Gold Dodge Charger Super Bee 440 six pack Air Grabber all numbers match car from a neighbor who turned into my patient. He told me that he purchased the car from the original owner who was a local man and have the complete history of the car down to the dealership he bought it from which is 30 minutes from my home. The original owner drove the car 73000 miles and parked in his garage in 1979 and never drove it again, he said the only problem he had with the car was the alternator went bad during warranty and the dealer changed, other than that the car was 100% complete. It needed a full restoration and we just got it completed. We plan on keeping the car for my lifetime so we painted the car a burgandy color, not the original color gold. I started to decode the car as I have the build sheet from the back seat and the plates from under the hood and it seems somwhat rare. My patient came in to my office with a bunch of paperwork and he showed me that he decoded the car all the way down to the color and because of the options and color he says it is a one of one car. If this is true, #1 it must be kind of important, #2 how do I find what the worth might be for insurance? #3 I want to share the info with other people who might want to know about the car. I am completely new to be a muscle car owner, especially one that is maybe rare.
More info in what we did to the car during restoration. First off, I did keep every nut and bolt and any and everything that came off of the car. We did change the color, upgraded the entire braking system to Wilwood, Same thing with the suspension, and rebuilt restored the transmission, rear end is stock, pulled the motor to fully restore which we have not done yet but plan to maybe this summer professionally, It currently has a built 1967 440 motor with fuel injection. We made these changes because we just want to keep it and drive it forever, but my mind keeps going to the rarity and would like to know that if this is a real one of one car, what are your thoughts on value and should we put it back to how it left the factory?

Sorry for being longwinded, we have some super major blood sweat and tears into this car and now we have this new information and have been seeing Mopar cars going through the roof in regards to values lately.

Warmest Wishes and thank you in advance for giving me some info, guidance, and maybe clarity to decode myself to be positive as to what this car is.

[RallyeMike]

Welcome to the hobby  

My input to your questions:

1. Without seeing the level of restoration, it is hard to evaluate accurately. There are lots of levels of workmanship. Maybe 40-60k or more. You can always get it professionally appraised. Otherwise, if you are using classic car insurance, you can insure it for whatever value you can justify (within reason). Some insurances will even help with a valuation range.

2. Yes, you did hurt the value of the car by changing the color.... but it can always be put back the way it was. Nobody keeps a car forever. Life happens and you have to sell from old age or whatever, or you die... and then whoever inherits the car suffers from the impact to value. But that's ok. Nobody is making money in this hobby. It is for personal fun and enjoyment. Enjoy your burgundy Bee.

3. I would not make a big deal over the possibility of it begin "one of one". What does this mean anyway? It's not the only 71 440 6-pack bee. Is it the only gold 71 6-pack bee? Not anymore But seriously...... almost every single classic car in existence is a 1 of 1 if you go far enough down the list of every last option and configuration. You do have the advantage that it is a desirable and low-production car being a 440 6-pack. I would not put too much value in anything beyond that.

4. If you search on-line there are decoders that you can use. You can also post your fender tag info here if you like and a lot of people can rattle it off from memory or a reference book.

5. One piece of advice to retain value: Save all original parts (you seem to already be doing this) that you take off this car to go with the new owner someday.

[hemi-hampton]

For a rare car like this if it was in good shape to start it maybe should of been left alone & all original or if rough needing Restoration should of been Restored to as close as original as possible. But if you plan on keeping for ever & not selling then maybe Value shouldn't matter much & change as you like & Drive & enjoy. Is this a 4 speed car or Automatic. Can you post pics of Fender Tag or car Before & after Restoration. Would help to evaluate. Just my opinion, others will vary. LEON.

[RonnieB]

Thank you both for your experience and help. The system will not let me upload photos for some reason and I need to help with it.

[RiverRaider]

This is off the Hagerty insurance website.  It's more geared to original cars but its a place to start for values. My 1970 RT is a weak #4 and insured as such.

CURRENT & HISTORICAL VALUES
View current vehicle values and see how they've changed over time in a 3-year, 5-year and to-date intervals. Compare these values to other vehicles and benchmark financial indices.
Current Values
•   #1 Concours $105,000
•   #2 Excellent $90,700
•   #3 Good $71,500
•   #4 Fair $54,000

Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."
#2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They can be former #1 vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws, but will be able to find some not seen by the general public. The paint, chrome, glass and finishes will all appear as excellent. No excessive smoke will be seen on startup, no unusual noises will emanate from the engine. The vehicle will drive as a new vehicle of its era would. The one word description for #2 vehicles is "excellent."
#3 vehicles could possess some, but not all of the issues of a #4 vehicle, but they will be balanced by other factors such as a fresh paint job or a new, correct interior where applicable. #3 vehicles drive and run well, but might have some incorrect parts. These vehicles are not used for daily transportation but are ready for a long tour without excuses, and the casual passerby will not find any visual flaws. "Good" is the one word description of a #3 vehicle.
#4 vehicles are daily drivers, with flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome might have pitting or scratches, the windshield might be chipped. Paintwork is imperfect, and perhaps the body has a minor dent. Split seams or a cracked dash, where applicable, might be present. No major parts are missing, but the wheels could differ from the originals, or other non- stock additions might be present. A #4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration. "Fair" is the one word that describes a #4 vehicle.

[hemigeno]

The system will not let me upload photos for some reason and I need to help with it.

If you need help with resizing your photos to the maximum 400kb file size, try the instructions / information in this thread:
How to resize your pics to 400kb so you can post them.


After resizing your photos you encounter a file naming error, try using the instructions / information in this thread:
Problems with: There is already an attachment with the same filename...?

[JimShine]

3. I would not make a big deal over the possibility of it begin "one of one". What does this mean anyway? It's not the only 71 440 6-pack bee. Is it the only gold 71 6-pack bee? Not anymore

I agree. And lets face it, we have seen so many people that have legitimately broken down the minute options (or lack of) to make their cars 1 of 1 that it really isn't that special. It only means something when it is multiple high demand optional features come together in a 1 off car.

[Mike DC]

 
Yeah, 1-of-1 claims are mostly interesting when it comes to model-year + drivetrain + color.  And only when each of those is something popular.  


Nobody gets all excited about buying the only factory-built 1976 4-door + dear green + optional rear defrost + map light deleted.