Newby with Question. Can anybody help?

[Han Solo]

New guy to this forum and the whole muscle car scene.  I've always been into traditional style hot rods and customs, still am, but for the last year or so I've been wanting to get myself into a black, sublte, but mean 68 charger.  Maybe its cause I've got a Hemi in my truck, who knows?  Of course as a kid it was all about the 69 Hazard County jumper.   

How much would a decent, non-matching numbers, 440, manual charger sell for?  Basically I am trying to find out what I should be looking for as far as cost goes in todays market. 

Over the weekend I looked at a locally listed 68 Charger for 17K that I believe was originally a 318 car with a 440 installed.  It was in somewhat decent/good shape.  Needed headliner, new dash, carpet, gaskets, rubber, trans/rear replaced (seemed as if the tranny couldnt handle the motor), rebuilt 440, slight rust in rockers and rear window/tail area, floor auto shifter, non working headlights, electrical needed help, but had many new parts like starter, tortion bars, battery...  All handles and cranks worked well.  Did need some slight body work but was pretty straight.

I offered him $14k only because he made the mistake of truthfully telling me he bought it at $10k from a friend.  I thought $14k was in between a decent offer based upon his asking price and the price he purchased car for.  But he said he'd take nothing less than $17k for the car.  He ended up selling it the next day for $16.5k.  Did I miss an opportunity that I should be looking for next time around?  Also, my future charger I envision is a subtle black beast with red line tires, black steely wheels, lowered with very little rake, independent suspension all around, hopped up 440, manual trans with pistol, etc...   Would it be cheaper for me to look for a car closer to my wants or start with something cheap and work my way up?

Thanks.

[bull]

No, you didn't miss a golden opportunity. I wouldn't pay $14k for something that needs that much rust repair unless it was a numbers R/T. You're probably only aware of about half the rust that is in that car. That guy should have jumped on your offer because he wasn't going to get that much from anyone in the know, which I guess is what happened. You can get some pretty nice 68s for $20-$25k so why spend $17k on one that needs $20k worth of work?

If I were you and not worried about the numbers thing, I would try finding the cleanest most rust free 68 you can find and transplant your 440 into it. The most expensive part of this hobby is body work and the body work gets even more expensive when you have to replace metal. Keep and eye out, you'll find something much cheaper and better than that one.

Here's an example of what $20k gets you: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,61012.0.html

[Han Solo]

whew... makes me feel better knowing that! 

I've been watching Ebay and craigslist for months and have seen prices all over the board making it difficult to pinpoint a decent sale price.  I cant quite figure out why some non-matching cars go for $10k and others $25k when they realistically have a lot of similarities; motor/body condition/color, etc..

Does anybody know any good sources in Orange County, CA for 68 Chargers?  Sellers, builders,?       

[bull]

Here's some in your area: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62803.0.html

Keep an eye on our Cars For Sale section.

[skip68]

Like Bull said $20-25k...   I would lean more towards $25k and up for a 4 speed.     Stay clear of any dealers and or resto shops.       It just seems toooooo risky these days.       With this market it's hard to say what you can find.    There are some really good deals out there because so many need the money.    One other thing, if you don't know these cars that well, have a member here see if they can help you out by checking it out.        Take a magnet wrapped in thin cloth and go over the car.          Chuck.........

[skip68]

Oh snaps,  WELCOME TO THE SITE.......

[bull]

Have you seen this one? Looks like exactly what you want, a black on black, black plate 68 in Orange County for $27k. Offer him $23k and be done with it : http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1392734460.html

Oh yea, welcome to the site.

[Charger440RDN]

Is it even possible to get a rust free running/driving project for $10K or less? That's what I have to spend right now and I plan to buy one this winter

[Nacho-RT74]

$14K maybe wouldn't be bad for the Millenium Falcon



Welcome

[41husk]

Thanks for the plug Bull   I would be happy to sell Han solo my Charger and he can fly in and drive it to LA.

[bull]

Thanks for the plug Bull   I would be happy to sell Han solo my Charger and he can fly in and drive it to LA.

I'd buy it myself if I wasn't already in over my head.

[Han Solo]

thanks guys!  i appreciate the help.

since i'm going to be customizing the charger i'd like to save as much money up front as possible.  i will be putting most of my money into the motor/drivetrain/chassis-suspension/paint, hence why i'm looking for a non-matching #'s car.  plus, it would go over better with the ol' lady buying something for $15k or less.  i've purchased 4 Harley Panheads and 2 Triumph's in the last 16mos, so my lifeline has really been diminished.  she is making me sell my 60 Buick to attain a 68 Charger.  sometimes this 'till death' thing is upsetting!     

i saw about 6-8mos ago on ebay a sublime 68 charger with flat black hood and chrome 18" wheels completely rebuilt front to back sell on ebay for, if i remember right, $20K as a buy it now.  anybody remember that car?  it was a non-matching car with a bunch of aftermarket goodies on it.  i really wanted to bid on it but i'm the type of guy that tries to get myself knowledgeable first with whatever it is.  it was that car that made me think i could find something non-matching under $15k in decent shape.  am i using the wrong template for pricing?  was that "the" golden opportunity?             

[b5blue]

I don't know about that car but if you don't know much about Mopar be careful. Hidden sub-frame rust can kill your build, check out the threads on BK Auto and HHLP Auto. Ebay can good or bad.

[375instroke]

I paid $20,000 for my matching numbers R/T with 88,000 miles about 8 months ago.

[375instroke]

I was looking at what's out there, so I'll post what's not outrageously prices or missing lots of parts:

Numbers matching '69 R/T for $11,000
Manual /6 '69 for $6000.  Guy has 440, 833, and K-frame too
'68 440 4-speed turd for $12,500
'68 440 turd $10,000
'69 383 looks rust free $15,000
'68 383 $6,000
'69 4-speed R/T turd $5,000
'69 R/T NOM $17,000
'68 with 73,000 miles $16,500
'69 with 440 $7,000
'71 with 18,000 miles, looks new, all original including tires $15,000
'68 4-speed R/T $9999
'69 383 $7,500
'69 R/T numbers matching but with 6-Pack $20,000
'69 $12,000
'69 440 4-speed $12,000
'68 383 $8,500
'68 R/T $10,500
'69 $3,500

[Ponch ®]

The deals are out there. Just a couple of months ago a member here bought (rather, stole  ) a 69 R/T 440 car that is in great condition from the Land of the Dirt People (the Inland Empire). The guy selling it wasn't all that privy on how to advertise the car, so all he had was a half assed ebay posting and a craigslist ad. Most people probably thought it wasn't for real...but it was!

It's actually a pretty cool story:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60095.0.html

[69bronzeT5]

Welcome to the site!