Need help seeing if this is worth it

[deathproofdodge]

You mention needs plugs. If plugs were removed make sure you can turn over engine. A friend of mine sold me his 340 Dart and had removed the plugs and engine was solid frozen. I had to bang each piston with a rubber mallet to get it apart. The other thing if it was a racer may have high gears in the rear which might not be street able. I bought a 71 Cuda racer with 538 gears in a Dana 60. I changed them to 354's. More money to buy gears and have them changed out.

That was my first thought, is this car even have a vin tag on it? Title?

Yes it has both vin and title

 

[Xcudame]

I'm betting there are other slant 6 and 318 E-Bodies out there that are much more complete and not a ton more money. Any cost number that you come up with, figure double or triple that cost in time for your labor (and your labor adds ZERO value to the car)! @Ohiowoodchuck and @Challenger RTA are showing some of the costs! Also look at @don selleck and his AAR restromod thread. Tons, and I mean tons of labor involved.

We don't want to discourage you, but having to buy all the parts is a pain! I got my 71 Barracuda over 25 years ago as a rolling chassis! Think zero parts - glass, drive train, interior, bumpers, etc. Over those years I have collected all the parts and yet it still sits waiting to be put together! And I retired almost two years ago! Of course it doesn't help having eight (8) other Mopars to maintain and I purchase a complete non-running 64 Imperial this past January! Plus I have 10 acres to maintain here in the desert where our biggest natural disaster is a razing fire!

Just saying, life gets in the way. Soon you're going to meet a wonderful young lady who will really distract you! Then you won't have enough time! Been there doing that! It's so easy to get discouraged on a project!

And we want you around and happy because people like you are our Hobby's future!

 

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I'm betting there are other slant 6 and 318 E-Bodies out there that are much more complete and not a ton more money. Any cost number that you come up with, figure double or triple that cost in time for your labor (and your labor adds ZERO value to the car)! @Ohiowoodchuck and @Challenger RTA are showing some of the costs! Also look at @don selleck and his AAR restromod thread. Tons, and I mean tons of labor involved.

We don't want to discourage you, but having to buy all the parts is a pain! I got my 71 Barracuda over 25 years ago as a rolling chassis! Think zero parts - glass, drive train, interior, bumpers, etc. Over those years I have collected all the parts and yet it still sits waiting to be put together! And I retired almost two years ago! Of course it doesn't help having eight (8) other Mopars to maintain and I purchase a complete non-running 64 Imperial this past January! Plus I have 10 acres to maintain here in the desert where our biggest natural disaster is a razing fire!

Just saying, life gets in the way. Soon you're going to meet a wonderful young lady who will really distract you! Then you won't have enough time! Been there doing that! It's so easy to get discouraged on a project!

And we want you around and happy because people like you are our Hobby's future!

X2 this young man is the hobbies future. I wasn’t trying to run him off, just trying to help him save some money. Also I would just like to recover the cost of my time searching for parts. I try to stay original, I might have have 5-6 hours of time looking for a single part. That’s phone calls and internet browsing, it really adds up. I cannot imagine what other men go through trying to find original 70-71 e body stuff. I’d probably need anxiety medicine if I try redo one of those.

 

[pschlosser]

X2 this young man is the hobbies future. I wasn’t trying to run him off, just trying to help him save some money. Also I would just like to recover the cost of my time searching for parts. I try to stay original, I might have have 5-6 hours of time looking for a single part. That’s phone calls and internet browsing, it really adds up. I cannot imagine what other men go through trying to find original 70-71 e body stuff. I’d probably need anxiety medicine if I try redo one of those.

There is little instant gratification, anymore. For some of us, restoring these types of 50-year old cars has been a life-long plan and dream, but slow in execution. The more complete a car is when it's acquired, the less work it may be in the long run.

There are a dwindling number of website coverings these Mopars, as well as original parts available used.

By comparison, there are even fewer sites and parts for the Ford Model T. Why? I presume because its 50 year older than these Mopars, fewer still on the road, and fewer still under restoration.

I expect someday, these Mopars to be even harder and more costly, if not futile, to restore.

 

[Ohiowoodchuck]

There is little instant gratification, anymore. For some of us, restoring these types of 50-year old cars has been a life-long plan and dream, but slow in execution. The more complete a car is when it's acquired, the less work it may be in the long run.

There are a dwindling number of website coverings these Mopars, as well as original parts available used.

By comparison, there are even fewer sites and parts for the Ford Model T. Why? I presume because its 50 year older than these Mopars, fewer still on the road, and fewer still under restoration.

I expect someday, these Mopars to be even harder and more costly, if not futile, to restore.

I agree 100%, when I was a kid there was 3-4 mopar only junk yards and you could walk in and get whatever you needed. Now like I mentioned earlier, it’s like a treasure hunt just to find every single part you need. I’ve even ordered parts and they not be good enough for what I’m trying to do and the search starts again.

 

[gran coupe john]

I spent a whole winter restoring my dash. Finding out reproduction parts just don't work out, there is always something just not right with them. After you figure that out, you spend hours looking for original. Then comes shipping. I have ordered things, and waited patiently 3 weeks later call them back. They tell me they can't get that part. You have to be tenacious, and determined to finish these cars. I don't know how many times I wanted to quit!! This is my first rodeo. Close to the goal line knowing these cars are never finished??

 

[Challenger RTA]

There are some that have insight.

 

[Challenger RTA]

In short.
You don't have to have the best of everything.
(Meaning personal preface might get in your way of an informed decision.)

Make the best of what have.
(Meaning the funds and time. And or the car you buy.)

 

[Spyder]

Hard pass for me. I don't have the time, skill, or money to get that back in shape. The engine bay being cut up hurts.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Hard pass for me. I don't have the time, skill, or money to get that back in shape. The engine bay being cut up hurts.

Location. Across country for me.

 

[MMoparDan]

1st, welcome to the site. You are missing a whole lot of expensive and maybe hard to find parts. There is no such thing as a cheap E body. You will either pay for it up front or you will pay for it as you go. My example is I just bought a 72 Cuda' The car was cheap 6,500 with the 340 missing. However it will need over 8K in body panels plus finding an engine. I estimate I will have 30K in it when I'm done and I do all the work myself. What you have to decide is do you want to pay up front or over time? How much of the work can you do yourself. How long do you want to work on it and do you have a building that you can put it in while you do all the work.
This car will require a lot time and money. IF it does not have a title and a VIN, do not buy it.

 

[deathproofdodge]

1st, welcome to the site. You are missing a whole lot of expensive and maybe hard to find parts. There is no such thing as a cheap E body. You will either pay for it up front or you will pay for it as you go. My example is I just bought a 72 Cuda' The car was cheap 6,500 with the 340 missing. However it will need over 8K in body panels plus finding an engine. I estimate I will have 30K in it when I'm done and I do all the work myself. What you have to decide is do you want to pay up front or over time? How much of the work can you do yourself. How long do you want to work on it and do you have a building that you can put it in while you do all the work.
This car will require a lot time and money. IF it does not have a title and a VIN, do not buy it.

It has a title and a vin, and I have the dash that needs to go in it, new door panels, hood, and other miscellaneous trim parts, I have a good friend who collects rate mopar parts who is nearby.

I have a place to store and wrench on it. Signs look good to purchase. But I’m just seeking advice… so far everyone says no way!!! I’d like to say yes way!

Seems like a ratty car (it is) but so far my options are slowly putting money into it rather than waiting longer to buy a complete car!!

I am 100% willing to do what it takes to get this car complete and running again. It’s hard to find someone my age who is willing to put the work in to restore a car.
Not mopar related but I have a 69’ lemans that I’m also working on so I know some of the basics to getting a car back on the road!!!
-dpd

 

[sdcbowler]

Best response so far. It’s originally a butterscotch black interior car with a 6cyl. I’m willing to put in the cash. I’m not looking for a 100% mint condition refresh I want something rugged and fast. As for interior I already have some seats and interior bits. The motor can be redone with some help from a friend. I have the hood for it already and tires can be sourced from a connection… I totally think this is doable to a 16 year olds “race car” standard. Down the road after I ditch the 9-5 retail job I can make more cash to fully redo the car.
All I need is a welder, paint and some good luck!

Hey DPD, welcome to the forum. No offense, but you kinda sound like my son. Somehow you expect to make MORE money after you ditch your 9-5. How is that possible....inheritance, lottery. I admire what you are doing, but keep in mind that from this point forward, parts, labor, advice, fixing mistakes, changing your mind, is only going to cost more than they do today. If I were you, I would listen to these guys......but not to me........ I worked on my car for about 15 years and still want to make upgrades. Combined you have more than 300 years of knowledge giving you some good advice. Take it to heart.....keep looking and keep saving. You'll find something more worth your time and money. Happy Wrenching.....Cheers

 

[sdcbowler]

I'm betting there are other slant 6 and 318 E-Bodies out there that are much more complete and not a ton more money. Any cost number that you come up with, figure double or triple that cost in time for your labor (and your labor adds ZERO value to the car)! @Ohiowoodchuck and @Challenger RTA are showing some of the costs! Also look at @don selleck and his AAR restromod thread. Tons, and I mean tons of labor involved.

We don't want to discourage you, but having to buy all the parts is a pain! I got my 71 Barracuda over 25 years ago as a rolling chassis! Think zero parts - glass, drive train, interior, bumpers, etc. Over those years I have collected all the parts and yet it still sits waiting to be put together! And I retired almost two years ago! Of course it doesn't help having eight (8) other Mopars to maintain and I purchase a complete non-running 64 Imperial this past January! Plus I have 10 acres to maintain here in the desert where our biggest natural disaster is a razing fire!

Just saying, life gets in the way. Soon you're going to meet a wonderful young lady who will really distract you! Then you won't have enough time! Been there doing that! It's so easy to get discouraged on a project!

And we want you around and happy because people like you are our Hobby's future!

"Eight other Mopars to maintain"

Xcuda, you are the only gentleman I know that has a 'Harem of Mopars.....

 

[Ohiowoodchuck]

"Eight other Mopars to maintain"

Xcuda, you are the only gentleman I know that has a 'Harem of Mopars.....

He has one every night and two on Saturday night.

 

[Ohiowoodchuck]

Hey DPD, welcome to the forum. No offense, but you kinda sound like my son. Somehow you expect to make MORE money after you ditch your 9-5. How is that possible....inheritance, lottery. I admire what you are doing, but keep in mind that from this point forward, parts, labor, advice, fixing mistakes, changing your mind, is only going to cost more than they do today. If I were you, I would listen to these guys......but not to me........ I worked on my car for about 15 years and still want to make upgrades. Combined you have more than 300 years of knowledge giving you some good advice. Take it to heart.....keep looking and keep saving. You'll find something more worth your time and money. Happy Wrenching.....Cheers

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The knowledge on here is unprecedented to no other website out there. I wasn’t trying to run the young guy off, just saying it takes a mountain of money to get one back to original condition.

 

[sdcbowler]

The knowledge on here is unprecedented to no other website out there. I wasn’t trying to run the young guy off, just saying it takes a mountain of money to get one back to original condition.

Yes,

I understood exactly what you were saying. I don't think there is anyone on any similar site that not only did much more work on his/her car that they initially intended to do, but also experienced major costs overun....it can escalate quickly and easily......

 

[Katfish]

This is rarely understood or acknowledged,
Cost will always be at least 50% higher than expected when doing the work yourself,
And 100% more when paying someone else to do the work.

 

[Ohiowoodchuck]

I just didn’t want to seem like I was trying to run the young feller off. Believe me when I mentioned earlier that I have been poor my whole life and the trying to save a buck has actually cost me more than just buying a car already done. There is so many parts on these cars that Are not reproduced that when you do find what you are looking for your going to pay. I could see him having 30-40k in getting that car right. Everything is just to darn expensive anymore.

 

[don selleck]

Sounds like he already made up his mind, I don't blame him its easy to fall in love with these body styles even if it is in the shape of oh boy in our opinion. That's because we have been there. I think he should buy the car with an offer about 2 grand less and see what happens. He is young sounds very ambitious, I'd say go for it. It doesn't have to be stock or original looking, make it your own. Good luck with it. get it running and moving, then go from there.