1971 Dodge Charger 15K original miles

[71chargeroriginal]

Hi,

New to the forum, and just picked up my first Charger (ok I did have two of the 80's Plymouth Turismos many years back). It is a 1971 all original, untouched 15K mile car, and the looks show it, not a hint of rust anywhere. It even still has original tires and unused spare, interior is brand new. It's a base model with a bench, A/C, and a 318. I really would have preferred a bigger engine and not the base model, but when I stumbled across this I just couldn't pass it up.

Any thoughts on how much it's worth, it was very hard for me to put a value on it because on one hand it is a base model, but on the other hand I cant imagine there are too many like it out there.

Also, what simple things can I do to it to wake it up a bit without making changes that aren't reversible. I was thinking maybe a 4BBL carb, headers, dual exhaust, and magnum wheels. As for the wheels, can I go 15" and if so what width and tire size does everyone recommend?

Thanks for advice.

[TUFCAT]

Hello and welcome!   We'd LOVE to see pictures

[68X426]

Welcome!

Pictures!

Very nice starting list to add performance. Include with it the ignition and plug wires.

15 inch look great on 3rd gen. Search the site to see what max size others have made work (probably 295-50 in back and 225-60 in front)

[FlatbackFanatic]

Welcome!! And yes pictures!!! we like lots of them....

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome & Im in the "leave it alone" camp....they're only original once....once you start changing things you'd have to change your screen name as well... 

[ACUDANUT]

What no pictures ?  Seeing is believing

[71wrenchhead]

leave the car alone
wash it
polish it
drive it
show us pictures
just my 

[RallyeMike]

Without pics, it's hard to say for sure, but probably the value in that car is it's originality. Once you start changing things, it's just another of thousands of 318 Chargers....  Even if you sock away the parts with the intent to put it back together, once defiled it loses value to those that are interested in these low-mile original cars. Frankly, a 4200lb 318 car with headers and a 4bbl still isnt much of a hot rod anyhow, so why bother (and screw up a survivor in the process)?

So my vote is: If you are not interested in preserving such a rarity, then you should find a more suitable car and sell the 15k miles car to someone who has some interest in preserving it as-is.

[tan top]

Welcome & Im in the "leave it alone" camp....they're only original once....once you start changing things you'd have to change your screen name as well... 

 

hello & welcome       !! looking forward to seeing pictures   

[71chargeroriginal]

Here is a picture attached, i will try to do more later.

I really dont want to do anything much at all to alter from original, the 4bbl and headers was just a thought. But it will certainly need new tires and wheels, as I dont want to drive on the originals.

I'm probably going to go with 15x7 for the wheels, and something like 235/60-15 for the tires. Actually I still haven't figured out how to match the wheel width to the tire size, but I'm looking into it now.

[CDN72SE]

Very nice, enjoy it and I will be looking forward to more pictures. 

[TUFCAT]

VERY NICE!! 

[RIDELIKEHELL]

 

[Tilar]

Sweet looking car!  I was looking for a 318 with AC car when I found my 73 rallye. Has to be better on gas than the 400.  

[hemi68charger]

Very nice........
Personally, I'd leave everything as is except the wheels.. I'd go with a new set 15x7 Ralleys and 255/60R15's..... .....

[TUFCAT]

Very nice........
Personally, I'd leave everything as is except the wheels.. I'd go with a new set 15x7 Ralleys and 255/60R15's..... .....

I agree with Troy, except I vote for magnum road wheels.

[68X426]

Very nice........
Personally, I'd leave everything as is except the wheels.. I'd go with a new set 15x7 Ralleys and 255/60R15's..... .....

Now that I see it, leave it.

[64dartgt]

I'm sorry but a 71 survivor Charger with a 318 in it just isn't worth so much that doing the alterations you plan will matter or alter the price if you keep the parts.  It is your car and you are unlikely to get more than $15K for it as a survivor and it would cost you more than 15K to get a junker to that condition (I know I have one!  It's a 73 and I will have nearly $10K into it before body and paint). 

Case in point.  Check out this ad...1970 Chevelle, green, 24k mile, mint just like yours and no bids at $16K.  Ends today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Chevelle-Survivor-/260814615260?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb9c332dc

Regarding wheels.  I have 14x6 Magnum 500's and would suggest you go for aftermarket wheels to allow you to put wider tires in the back (get at least 8 inch rims).  I think I have 235's in the front and 255's in the back (60 series) and the later was the biggest size I could do with the small 6" rim width.  Putting BFG white letters on the stock magnum 500's was a huge improvement in appearance.  The 235's are fine up front (no rubbing), but mine are 14's.

[RallyeMike]

I'm sorry but a 71 survivor Charger with a 318 in it just isn't worth so much that doing the alterations you plan will matter or alter the price if you keep the parts.  It is your car and you are unlikely to get more than $15K for it as a survivor and it would cost you more than 15K to get a junker to that condition (I know I have one!  It's a 73 and I will have nearly $10K into it before body and paint). 

You have to consider that there are people that will pay a premium for survivor cars even if you don't personnaly give a hoot.

Let's say he bought it for $12k. He can leave it as is and a collector interested in low mile survivors might pay as much as $19-20k on eBay. Not unrealistic if ti's as clean as it looks..

Or

He could put another $5k into it destroying the originality, and it would then be worth still just about $12k.

[71chargeroriginal]

The Chevelle is an interesting comparison. What goes against that car as a survivor is the following:

1) Has the stripes painted on
2) Doesn't show the interior, but one of the best parts about this Charger is the interior, it is brand new!
3) The engine bay looks pretty rough. Mine isn't 100% perfect, but it is much, much nicer than this.
4) Maybe survivor Chevelles are rare, but I think there are many more old Chevelles overall on the road today than Chargers.

[Charger-Bodie]

That is one very cool survivor type car. I love it. I would set the wheels aside and put on some Magnums and Poltglass GT tires and Cruze!

[Tilar]

Case in point.  Check out this ad...1970 Chevelle, green, 24k mile, mint just like yours and no bids at $16K.  Ends today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Chevelle-Survivor-/260814615260?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb9c332dc

Now had this been an actual Chevelle with a 396, it would be worth that. It is a Malibu, nothing to show it has the Chevelle package added other than the stripes that were added after the fact.

On the other hand this is also probably the closest thing I would consider other than a Charger.

[FlatbackFanatic]

sweet looking ride!!

[69 OUR/TEA]

Very cool find,and I love green !!!! I love survivor cars, no matter what engine they have,slant six,318,whatever it's just the fact that is went this far in life still to be low mile and original.Remember they are only original once.

[ACUDANUT]

Nice find. I HATE GREEN.  It belongs on Tractors, Tanks and Jeeps.