His reason is the 68 Charger sitting in the garage. That's almost complete and he says he's burned out enough on that Charger that he wants to pay someone to complete it and doesn't have the heart to start another. I don't sense much b.s. coming from him, but I try to see the best in people. His Charger is certifiably bad ass.
I should be clear, I want a white 1970 Challenger with a 440 (eventually). A Vanishing Point Challenger, or "close" to one. I know it's not original, and I've called people out for doing less-original stuff, but it's what I want. I don't want a 71. I don't want it in black. I don't want a 340. For better or worse or everything in between, at least I know what I want.
While getting a 1970 in the $20-25k range would perhaps be more sensible...well, it's not that I don't have the money, I COULD do that. Now, would I have the balls to paint it and pull a numbers-matching motor out of a nice car? Nope. I don't get sentimental about cars, but that'd really be a dick move.
He needs the deal more than me, otherwise he wouldn't be selling it. Bodes well for me as I can walk away to try to get him to lower the price. My heart won't shatter if I don't get this particular one. Say I do replace both front fenders (~$900) and both rocker panels (~$320) roof skin (~$500) and he provides rear quarter skins and trunk floor. Then I pay someone to do that work, because it's not something I'm comfortable with ($???). I do small pieces of sheet metal repair as I feel comfortable. Body filler used on dings and nothing else, not going "full retard" with that stuff. I paint the car myself ($400 for materials because I know a guy, heh), because I'm more than comfortable with that.
If my starting point is, say, $8000 for the car...add $1700 in sheet metal, $1000 more in sheet metal as I discover other nastiness, who knows how much in labor, and paint it myself, that'll leave me with at least a somewhat decent start, I'd think. If my numbers are way off, please understand, I'm not the sharpest spoon in the drawer.
Now, I know that a bad frame is a deal-breaker, so while I can be crazy I'm not stupid. I don't care much about resale value. Heck, I bought a 3000GT and put about $20k into it, sold it for $10k. Bought a rebuilt title 700hp Viper, knowing that the resale value would take a hit and put it in a tree. I'm just the sorta person that knows what he wants. Sometimes I stumble across deals...sometimes I get myself into sticky situations. It's the nature of the beast, having more dollars than sense. Again, all input appreciated. I'm not trying to argue, but it's probably coming off that way.