Will a early Valiant/Barracuda ever be worth more than you have in it?

Just interested in your opinions?

hopefully someday, don't really care though as I never plan to sell mine

Well I guess the obvious answer is "how much do you have in it". If your lucky and it's in good shape you might not have to put a lot in it to drive and enjoy but a 10k motor and 10k for paint and body and another 10k for odds and ends it can exceed the value pretty easily.

no way in this world will they be worth as much as you have to put in one.

they have to be one of the most un-desireable bodies. (to most people)

I am in the same quandry on my recently acquired fish. Want a really nice finished result but it won't be worth the "investment" and it will be just as much fun to drive around as a 10 footer.

The 2 in our family are definetly worth more than we have in them :iconbigg:

Mine is built and modified to my liking, lots of attitude :snakeman:

My dads is a rare original Formula S citron gold with matching interior, 4-speed Commando car with the discs and 8 3/4 =P~

I think most people who have an early-a plan on keeping them and enjoying them, only a handfull are considered to be collectable...I find them all collectable!!

:iconbigg: I don't see how the poll answers fit the question. :scratch:

It's kinda' like asking, Is it nice outside?

Choose from the following answers:

(1) Tapioca Pudding

(2) Shoes

(3) Kitty Litter

(4) Trojans

:dontknow:

Shouldn't it be something more like:

(1) Yes

(2) No

(3) It depends

(4) No clue


:toothy10:

I'll have Tapioca Pudding for $800 Alex

:iconbigg: I don't see how the poll answers fit the question. :scratch:

It's kinda' like asking, Is it nice outside?

Choose from the following answers:

(1) Tapioca Pudding

(2) Shoes

(3) Kitty Litter

(4) Trojans

:dontknow:

Shouldn't it be something more like:

(1) Yes

(2) No

(3) It depends

(4) No clue


:toothy10:

'64 Cuda;1331815 Lol... I did the poll that way because I think some Barracudas like the '65 Original Formula S will be worth the investment one day. Depending on condition and options. The Early Barracudas will get its day in the lights. We just need to let the years go by and the rarity grow. At lease it can say it was first before the Mustang.

I love my 65 S cuda. I doubt I will get back whats in it for a long time. In fact I am trying to sell it now as I have to move and I cannot drive for medical reasons! If it is original and low milage it might be worth alot, otherwise drive it and enjoy!

for the a-body cudas, I believe that the 67-69 cuda's are worth the most.
64-66 dont have as much market value.

One day down the road they'll come around in price. If some movie would feature an early Barracuda or some prominent celeberity would boast about theirs on TV then maybe demand would increase and drive the prices up!!!
In respect to the looks, its a body style that with the right wheels, let's say Torque Thrusts and a mini tub with 295 or 315/60/15 tires, that makes it look like a real "bad ass". Even '66 "S" mag hub caps can look sharp after a few glances. Also, keeping all the bright work spit shined really adds a nice effect.


ZooKypr

I doubt my '64 barracuda will EVER be worth what I will have in it when I finish the car(if it ever gets finished)

FF

Simple answer, nope and never will; I personally don't care either. I like being an outcast and having things that most others don't care for. Besides, there have been a few movies already that had our early A's in them. Just a couple off the top of my head would be The Wraith and Poison Ivy.

I doubt it, but it doesn't matter to me. I've had one all my life, from a 170 cu in to 273 w/340 heads, cam, intake, and TQ and everything in between. They are great handling, quick revving, yet they get 20 to 25 mpg on the highway. And it is a car you can drive all day long...

I bought a 1967 Dodge Coronet in 2003, paid $ 7,500 for it. Paid to have the engine rebuilt, the body stripped and painted and the interior redone. Have over $ 32,000 into it. Had it appraised last year at $ 24,500. Don't think I could sell it for that now but I don't care, I love the car.
Bought a 1971 Plymouth Duster in 2007, paid $ 7,500 for it to, have paid to have most of the work done on it. I plan on drag racing it. Just total up my cost the other day and am close to $ 23,000 in it. Seen some prices on this site for half the price. Again don't care, probably couldn't get $ 15,000 for it. Aagain don't care love those Mopars.

Any car you have is only worth that two people will pay.If your building an early a body for resale you picked the wrong car.Most people that have early a bodys love them so price is no limit.I am building a 67 barracuda and people always ask me how much will my car be worth when I am done.I say it dosn,t matter it wont be for sale anyway.I say build what you love and have fun.When you die you can,t take money with you. Mark

In general any vintage car is worth less than what it costs, especially if you have any major work done to it. That's why most people are looking for cars that are already done, not only does it save a lot of time (maybe years) but it is less expensive in the long run.

The early A-bodies or almost any A-body (with the exception of Hemi cars and stuff like the Sox & Martin racecars) will always trail in value of most other vintage cars. So lets just enjoy them.

No, but who in the hell builds an early A body to make money? You build 'em cuz you dig 'em. You want to turn a profit, look elsewhere.

Paid 7k for this as a retired 10 sec racecar. Put 6k in rebuilding everything. 65 passes later a friend put it in the wall, 2K it was ready to go again. Driveshaft took out the tranny, floorpan ETC. So I'm putting it back on the street, new tires and wheels, new interior, re-did the 904, new converter, single stage plate system. Gotta set of W-5's waiting in the wings. Yeah, no way a 62 Valiant will ever be worth 25k!!! Gotta 70 Chally R/T rusting in the back yard, a 70 Cuda collecting dust in a shop, and I'm having fun with an Early A-body...Go figure.

Any car you have is only worth that two people will pay.If your building an early a body for resale you picked the wrong car.Most people that have early a bodys love them so price is no limit.I am building a 67 barracuda and people always ask me how much will my car be worth when I am done.I say it dosn,t matter it wont be for sale anyway.I say build what you love and have fun.When you die you can,t take money with you. Mark

X2 :happy10: I could not have said it better :happy10:
I customize mine for my liking " as most of the mebers here know :grin:
I don't fumble for my keys to open the trunk, I don't burn hot air, You can not open my hood from the outside and so on. I drive it and enjoy it.

So I voted customize, but I did it for my own need's not to resell .. :happy10:

:iconbigg: I don't see how the poll answers fit the question. :scratch:

It's kinda' like asking, is it nice outside?

Choose from the following answers:

(1) tapioca pudding

(2) shoes

(3) kitty litter

(4) trojans

:dontknow:




too funny!!!!!!!!!!!

X2 :happy10: I could not have said it better :happy10:
I customize mine for my liking " as most of the mebers here know :grin:
I don't fumble for my keys to open the trunk, I don't burn hot air, You can not open my hood from the outside and so on. I drive it and enjoy it.

So I voted customize, but I did it for my own need's not to resell .. :happy10:

Exactly Mike....Build it how you like and drive it.
This car is 1 of 20,so maybe it might be worth something.
But I dont really care,easy come easy go.
All I care about is dropping the top,and carving the canyons......:sunny:

Is any car ever worth more than you put in it? Even 6 and 7 figure cars end up having that much money and more put into the purchase and restoration.

I,ll never get what I have in my Early-A,but didn,t build to sell.Out of 500 cars/trucks at Pinks event up here I was the ONLY Early-A Mopar.:burnout:It sure was interesting to people who had never seen one before.LOL.Not selling til i,m too old for fun.=;
225912

Is any car ever worth more than you put in it? Even 6 and 7 figure cars end up having that much money and more put into the purchase and restoration.

Nail on the head.

I didn't vote.... poll answers do not apply to question.

I have a 74 V. and I know it will never be worth what I plan to put into it. I have estimated that I will put in 8-10k by the time it's all done and maybe it will be worth 3-4k if I tried to sell it. But that's not the plan or why I'm doing it. But I'm building this car for me so I'm good with it.

I am at about 19K in my 66 Barracuda and will end up around $23K by the time I am done. (Are you ever done?...) I doubt it will ever be worth what I have in it to someone else but it is priceless to me. I just explain the love for early A bodies as a personal character flaw... I will say beating the socks out of late model mustangs and camaros also is quite pleasurable...

Damn as the owner of two you made me look at my titles & three stuffed folders of build receipts.Scary total but don't care. Even if i eventually sell one or both they have been worth every pennie to me. Seriously these cars are the red headed abody step children but thats why i love em and hopefully they will stay unpopular which keeps them affordable.

No.. never... but thats part of their charm. you build yours out of love. and its YOURS.

ive owned this car for 27 years was a shell when i got it,,,,think il ever get what i have in it ?????NO WAY,,, but im open to offers,,,,,,,

If it about money buy something already purdy. lol

The 2 in our family are definetly worth more than we have in them :iconbigg:

Mine is built and modified to my liking, lots of attitude :snakeman:

My dads is a rare original Formula S citron gold with matching interior, 4-speed Commando car with the discs and 8 3/4 =P~

I think most people who have an early-a plan on keeping them and enjoying them, only a handfull are considered to be collectable...I find them all collectable!!

Keith! Both cars looks awesome. I like your "hemidart" look with the black front fenders. Your dad's car is a super clean car. True survivor. And the value, who cares! It my car and my money. Doesn't impact on someone else.

:iconbigg: I don't see how the poll answers fit the question. :scratch:

It's kinda' like asking, is it nice outside?

Choose from the following answers:

(1) tapioca pudding

(2) shoes

(3) kitty litter

(4) trojans

:dontknow:

Shouldn't it be something more like:

(1) yes

(2) no

(3) it depends

(4) no clue


:toothy10:
lmao

ive owned this car for 27 years was a shell when i got it,,,,think il ever get what i have in it ?????NO WAY,,, but im open to offers,,,,,,,

I love that car. Did you used to be on the early Barracuda and Valiant mailing list before all the internet forums came to be?

I love that car. Did you used to be on the early Barracuda and Valiant mailing list before all the internet forums came to be?

i still belong to the early valiant barracuda site,,,but there is very little action,,,,

I also use to belong to the barracuda owners club, long before the internet,,,with a monthly news letter,,,but that club as far as i know fell apart,,,,every one involved with the news letter donated there time for many years,,,

I keep my receipts but damn sure don't add them up!!

Why not?

Why not?

Well it's like this.... I won't be so heart broken if I sell my car because I won't know how much I lost. I mean unless someone buys my car for a ungodly amount of money. As right now the economy isn't going to let that happen. I guess you understand what I'm saying.

I really don't care what's worth anyone else,it's mine ,it's paid for,I love that 64 Barracuda almost more than life itself,it is totally priceless to me,I could spend Millions on it,and I don't care.And I don't have to worry about it running off with someone or forget I even breathe.It's always there when I want spend time with her and she doesn't tell me she's got headache or leave her alone.

after you drive it for 10 years you owe it money..mine is 46 years old and gets driven.....ok the snot beat out of it on a daily basis so I might already owe my car money....smiles per gallon :mrgreen:




I didnt find a who cares option on the poll........i'm enjoyin the price of gas for now

I'm working on 2 66 Cudas right now! Have no idea how much I have spent and don't care!!! I wanted one from the time my brothers best friend got a Dark Blue 66 Formula S 4 speed car in1966. I had to settle for a 66 valiant 200 "Little Old Lady" slant six that came in on trade on a 70 Sport Satellite at the dealership I worked at. Car only had 18,000 on it and cleaned up like new. Drove it till kids came along, wife cried when it went for a 69 Sport Satellite wagon. Anyway, here I am pushing 60 and loving the fact I have two of them fastback fishes parked in my garage getting ever so closer to being road worthy again - whatever the cost!! Oh, yeah, one's a 4 Speed and one has a 904, so even when the big "A" (arthritis) keeps me from pushing in the clutch, at least one "A" Body will still be toolin down the highway!!!

yes the big A as u put it,,,advil is my big A Alllowing me to push the clutch,,,lol

2-66 Cudas, good luck on your restores, my biggest problem is storage... so if you want 3-more cudas give me a pm... I have to many cars and not getting any younger... :)

I hope not...I want to continue enjoying mine.

A friend bought a low-mileage Hemi 'Cuda convertible, with Shaker hood, during the oil embargo of the mid-70s. He paid around 3K for it, as muscle cars were a glut at the time, but he was a Mopar guy and just liked the car. He always brought it to shows, and raced it quite often. By the mid 80s, the value was nearing 50K, and he began to worry about driving it to shows...and he quit racing it. In the early 90s, it became a garage queen with extra insurance coverage and he was scared to drive it anywhere. I haven't seen him in a few years, but I imagine he's either a millionaire, or a bundle of nerves worrying about the fortune parked in his garage.

I would never want a car like that. I want to drive mine anywhere at any time.

there is a guy sorta in my area like that,,,,bought 3 cudas, in the late 1970s still had all 3 last i heard,,,bought them whe nthe gas crunch hit,,,,geez if i would of been old enough back then,,,,

I think it all depends on how much change is in the ashtray.

there is a guy sorta in my area like that,,,,bought 3 cudas, in the late 1970s still had all 3 last i heard,,,bought them whe nthe gas crunch hit,,,,geez if i would of been old enough back then,,,,

There was a guy like that that lives next to my grandfathers house.
There were at least a dozen complete cuda's sitting in his yard.
He finally moved them some where to get them out of the weather.
Last fall I walked up on the hill and there was still a AAR and a TA challenger sitting up in the woods. These are complete cars.
He had stacks of shaker hoods, and 340 engines laying everywhere.

Seriously these cars are the red headed abody step children but thats why i love em and hopefully they will stay unpopular which keeps them affordable.
That's a really good point! If I had a valuable E-body, I'd sell it right away and get an A-body.

i dont think these cars are unpopular,,,i think there are tons of them sitting around,,,,rememebr 70 thousand 65 b cudas built ,,thats the most of the barracuda name plate,, because we dont spend big bucks on them that keeps the reproduction parts from being made

i dont think these cars are unpopular,,,i think there are tons of them sitting around,,,,rememebr 70 thousand 65 b cudas built ,,thats the most of the barracuda name plate,, because we dont spend big bucks on them that keeps the reproduction parts from being made

Hello fstfish66,
How did you come up with that figure :70 thousand 65 b"?? (just curious). I love my cuda's the 1964, 65, 66 is such a nice line car. When this Barracuda hits the age of 50, be ready for the value to come up. I myself just like riding in an old car that no one else is in. I love the looks I get anywhere I go. I just need a BiGgEr garage. :-({|=

Actual production numbers for 64/65 cuda's are 20,530 in 1964 and 61,523 in 1965. Sounds like alot but in actuality is a very small amount, especially for a car competing with the mustang. Numbers are low even compared to the 64/65 darts which had numbers close to 200,000 units produced both years let alone the 64/65 mustang's with over 800,000 produced and there are not tons of stangs sitting around let alone early cudas.

Oldschoolcuda

i read the 70 thousand figure some place years ago,,, maybe in the barrcuda/cuda fact book,,,, mopars history records are a mess so figures are probably not totally correct but ide guess close,,,

i have lived in a few states,, and have seen plenty of early cudas sitting around,,, in yards,,drive ways,,,etc,,, same ole story some day im gona fix it up,,,usually they sit and rot beyond repair,,, call them a some day car,,,

i have no idea how many darts were built,,,if they bult the amount u stated,,, it would appear peolple saved the cudas and let the darts go to the crusher,,

as far as the early mustangs hard to believe they sold millions of the notch back by 1966....to me its less then average and close to ugly,,,and one of the worst front suspensions ever,, but the fast backs are one of the koolest cars ever,,if i wasnt a die hard mopar guy ide have a 65 fast back stang,,

Well, back when I started out restoring the 66 in my avatar, nobody gave 2 winks to the early A's, so I was getting nice parts at ridiculously good prices. With that said, I still have over $20K in the car. Will it ever be worth that??? No way!!! But, I built the car for my wife, and she LOVES the car...so, can you put a price on that??? I guarentee it's way over anything I could ever put into the car!!

Lets see...10K into the body and paint
5K into the drivetrain
5K into the interior and everything else
Happy wife.....PRICELESS!!!!!

Thats why I got another 66 Convertible to redo...so she can have a matching convertible and I can have the fastback!!! Gotta go, the early A's beckon!!! Geof

Cosgig MoBro Inc. "SWEET" cars. The 1966 convertible Valiant looks clean, what did you pay for for that one? YEAP... Priceless!!! Always try to keep the wife off your back. Lol

Well 65Cuda, I can tell you that I got it on a good deal from another member here on FABO. It's a bucket seat, console shift, 8 3/4" rear, front sway bar, looks to be rebuilt 318 car with some rock solid frames and body. The floors need to be replaced but they're not rusted through, and the trunk pan is a little weak but not horrible. As with all convertibles, it needs a top, but it's gonna be either the same blue with white stripes as our other 66, or white with a blue stripe, so the top's gonna be white either way. It runs and drives good now so we're going to use it through the summer and then see what happens to it!!! Geof

It is hard to believe but the 1 millionth mustang was sold on 3/02/66
http://www.karmustang.com/production_numbers_table.php
You are probably right fstfish. Folks just saved the cuda's as opposed to other early-a's.

Oldshoolcuda

No Way, just build it for yourself and have fun

It is hard to believe but the 1 millionth mustang was sold on 3/02/66
http://www.karmustang.com/production_numbers_table.php
You are probably right fstfish. Folks just saved the cuda's as opposed to other early-a's.

Oldshoolcuda

Hello Oldshoolcuda,
Thank you for the Mustang/production_numbers_table... it's interesting to read.

Getting away from topic here so my apologies,but here are some interesting cuda & dart production numbers also.
http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/plymouth-cuda/plymouth-cuda-history.shtml
http://www.foundationpc.com/sales.html

Oldschoolcuda

I hope like hell the 4 doors will be worth a damn one day. They're just as good as a 2 door. they just have the easy access option

WELL that is a decent question! My thoughts trend toward HELL NO! and the reason I speculate to that end is because of several reasons. The first of which is: It takes about the same money to restore just about anything, as such most out there who I call "buyers" ( buyers= those that buy something already finished and have ZERO idea how to do anything with it or on it) are more focused on the "POPULAR" muscle cars. To them owning a recognizable muscle car like a Roadrunner or a GTO or a CAMARO or a MUDSTAIN OR a CHallenger is FAR more important, than understanding the actual HISTORY of muscle or the rarity of certain vehicles. AND, there are far more "buyers" than "doers" (DOer = someone who finds a heap, and morphs it into a jewel with his own hands and a lil help from his friends) REASON being "buyers" have the money and typically DOers are seeking heaps to restore over time because they DO NOT HAVE chunks O Cash to lay down in one clump.
ANYWAY....all that being said...A bodies are NOT popular or easily recognizable AS Classic muscle. Hence they will likely never reach the same financial plane as a 70 Hemi cuda, or a 440 6 pack GTX, or a GTO or a CAMARO or a Mudstain.... BUT!!!!!!!!!!!
when you take your early A to ANYSHOW ANYWHERE I can almost guarantee that there will NOT be a ROW or two or three of EARLY A's there....making it a RARE attention getter......I watched people as they caught a glimpse of my 66Cuda at different shows including the Autorama...they will walk PAST a ROW of Camaros and Mudstains to see the weirdo that most have never even seen before!!
I have been to 20 shows this year...Only one show had 2 early cudas, mine & another guys.....the rest of the time I am the ONLY EARLY Cuda there!!! I kinda like that....I rather prefer to be somewhat unique amongst the ROW AFTER ROW or Camaros and Mudstains.
ALSO The Barracuda inparticular not only beat the mudstain to market, IT EVOLVED into a completely Different body every three years...while mudstains of today somewhat resemble the mudstains of yesteryear....its the SAME OLD SONG. Plymouth showed innovation, style and differentiality!!! They took chances when they made the generation 2 Barracuda and then even bigger chance when they switched platforms and made the generation 3 barracuda, each improving upon the other in styling & options, while the camaro and mustang remaind pretty much the same for that span of years and in some cases beyond.
SO for ME...I like to be different, I presently own 2 classics and both are from now defunct automaker divisions, Plymouth and Pontiac and neither were included in the "Popular" grouping..... BUT they are still BADDASS and a boatload of fun to drive and get lotsa looks! WHO gives a shit if either will ever reach the pinnacle of Barrette Jackson sales....I DID NOT BUILD THEM for Barrette Jackson,or popularity I built them FOR ME!!! AND I love them BOTH!!! AND at every show I attend with one of them MY car falls into the RARE AS HELL category and typically I have the oNLY ONE at the show.... WHATS THAT WORTH?

One last comment in my diatribe....I have just a smidge under 10 k in cash invested in my 66... I have LOST count on the manhours and sweat and tears and hours on the phone and nights on ebay....BUT my lil 10k "bastard" 66 took a second place trophy at the Detroit Autorama AND since I have had THREE offers at just over 20k for her and ONE as high as 25k....I turned ALL of them down FLAT & FAST....WHY?
BECAUSE IT IS ALL MINE....MINE I TELL YOU, MINE ...... MINE MINE MINE!!!! LOL

SO unless you plan on whore-ing it off under a FOR SALE SIGN, with hopes of making a tidy profit.....then YOU will be disappointed that you selected the WRONG car to restore!!!
AS has been said before a few times in this thread, the money is NOT the primary focus and likely never will be with any early A. SO the answer is NO it will likely never bring you a profit next to a camaro or mudstain....
AND NO I did not contradict myself I said I had just under 10 k in CASH....I did not value my time and efforts which far exceeds 20k over the last 6 years, bringing the net investment to about 30k with the high offer at 25k.... NET NEGATIVE 5k at its best

I'm with 66cuda on this one...I am almost always the only one at any event I attend with an early A body. I have heard countless times how "rare" my car is and how you never see them. Back in '06 the town of Hell, Mi. had a big party on 6-6-06 and I took the Cuda for the fun of it. Of all of the 1000's of vehicles and people there, my car was mobbed by people who claimed to have never seen one before. The icing on the cake was the mega-hottie biker chick who thrust her guns through the window and insisted she would give me a ride if I gave her one!!! Can you put a price on that???LOL??? Of course, cooler "heads" prevailed and I stood my ground, but you know...the girl in crackedbacks posts usually brings back that memory!!!LOL!!! Like I said before...PRICELESS!!! Geof

Chuckie! ur nuts thats y i sold the 4 door to u lol no i will not sell the cuda for what im going to have in it but i can sell it fo more then a 4 door

Hello 66cuda (widowMaker), WoW, thank you for your forceful and bitter verbal attack..."diatribe" Lol... Your '66 Barracuda is sweet. It's nice to see an Early A-body playing with the BiG Boys. Your representing us well. I will be right beside you someday soon, with my '65 cuda. :prayer:

LMAO I was not being forceful....I was being frank and I am certainly not bitter, just tired of going to shows and having people walk up, who don't own ANYTHING that even resembles a classic and begin to spew: how this isnt correct and that isnt correct and how if I were to take this to BJ's I would not get squat for it because its an early A......and how early A's aren't worth anything and how I should have built a Mustang fastback YADDA YADDA YADDA.... then they walk off and get into their 92 beat to hell rustbucket Jimmy and drive away!
These early A cars are unpopular ( to the masses) for a variety of reasons....
1. NARROW as in WAY narrow making header installation liken to brain surgery even for the custom builder. Unless you hack the wells and install the octopus's.
2. Parts availability: less built mean less available and less popular means even less were saved...meaning if you find something it is more than likely you will need to get it re-chromed or made, due to broken or rusted beyond recognition
3. Expense...the cars are cheap yes....but the restorations are every bit as expensive as other cars and in MOST cases even more... try to find a patch panel for a 64-65 or 66 cuda THAT wasn't on another car....very few repop ANYTHING and those that are, are expensive as all get out....ONE upper RHS tailight lens just cost me $80 + the ride....a friend who owns a mustang replaced both rear lenses and both front lenses for $55 including the ride!! everything you touch on a mopar is like that! Unless you have the skills or Uri in Germany...the guy is a wizzard metal worker/fabricator. Alas I am not.
4; Tires and Wheels: you have TWO choices leave the SBP or change everything to the LBP.....either way is a huge PITA
SO I am not bitter, or I would not have gone the extra mile....I think we are all a unique breed!!! I think we have transcended the "norm" and followed our own drummer ( so to speak.) TO me these cars are precious jewels that introduced the world to Plymouth muscle!!!
As far as the references to fords & chevys... I don't hate them at all, in fact I like pretty much everything from that era and before....my point was not that they are BAD in any way.....but that so many were built and so many were restored that when you go to any show there is row after row of them.....others have referred to them as "belly buttons" because it seems that just about everyone has one ( camaros or mustangs ) I have a friend that owns a 48 Anglia (for those not familiar with that vehicle, it is an English Ford product)...his car is kicks ass and is ALSO a rare bird....so there was no insult intended, just a matter of fact.

NOW for the ultimate question..... HOW in the HELL did you know that my Pontiac was named Widowmaker?..... you stalkin me Hommie??? Fess up cuz I am already pumpin shells into the old mossberg SAS....who you been talkin to??? OUT WITH IT!!! LOL

66cuda, everytime I read your comments you crack me up... Thanks for the laughs and you are right! Keep on cruzzzzing...

I've only seen one guy who owns another early cuda around here, his is a gold 65. GOD, THIS MAKES ME WANT TO GET THE ENGINE FIXED RIGHT THIS SECOND AND FINISH IT!!!! (as much as it will be finished anyway lol) have no money. read second quote in the sig.

I'd say 99% of the time, buying an old car and putting money into it as an "investment" is an idiotic idea.... look at how many people post ads, "over 30K invested, have all receipts, must sell now, 12,500... my loss is your gain." really? If you gave someone 30K to invest for you and they gave you back 12,500, would you call that successful? BUT, if you like the car, and love driving it and working on it, then who cares.... If you add up a monthly car payment, tabs, and insurance on a new car, you could put that same money into your A body each month for the next few years and have one heck of a nice car! 300/month, 3,600/year.... 10,800 in 3 years...

I'd say 99% of the time, buying an old car and putting money into it as an "investment" is an idiotic idea.... look at how many people post ads, "over 30K invested, have all receipts, must sell now, 12,500... my loss is your gain." really? If you gave someone 30K to invest for you and they gave you back 12,500, would you call that successful? BUT, if you like the car, and love driving it and working on it, then who cares.... If you add up a monthly car payment, tabs, and insurance on a new car, you could put that same money into your A body each month for the next few years and have one heck of a nice car! 300/month, 3,600/year.... 10,800 in 3 years...

Yes, 69B-Cuda, I agree with you! You have done the math.

I will never recoupe my investment in my 66 after body work,engine,trans ect. but i don't plan on ever selling it i love being the only one at any given show/cruisein even in it's current condition it gets lots of attention [rarely any trophys] but i'm not a trophy whore,there are 5 cudas in my area mine is the only one you see regularly at shows. I build my cars to be driven and enjoyed [currently building a charger for my son] i have been told not to restore mine due to the patena by the old old school guys [but i'm wanting to straighten up the body] the only way i would give up my cuda would be my sudden death.

We used to say the same thing about 77 Novas in the 90's.
Bet they said the same thing about Edsels, and Model Ts
Eventually they will be worth WAY more than they are now.

The good news now, as stated earlier, is that we CAN still afford them.
...and some parts are repro'd and or interchange with others.

I'm going to look at a 65 273, a/c, floor shift car this weekend.
Transplanted 360, all a/c parts present...$3500 running and driving.

Can still park in down-sized parking spaces.
Can cary LOTS of groceries or 2x4s, ladder, guitar, surf board, etc
Can get decent mileage.
Can be fast, especially with newer tire technology.

What's not to love?

If a person is in it for the money, no way.
Most everything else that matters they work, right?

Petty Blue,
That is one cool looking Dart! Does it have a story or at least some facts you can share? Verrrry Nice!

Actually, all very nice cars posted here. Thanks guys!

Alan

Nope...but a new car loses money everyday. Which would you rather have?

Buy new car and pay upwards of $400 a month, taxes, collision insurance, etc. Watch it drop $5k in value or so by just driving it off the lot. No thanks.

Paid 7k for this as a retired 10 sec racecar. Put 6k in rebuilding everything. 65 passes later a friend put it in the wall, 2K it was ready to go again. Driveshaft took out the tranny, floorpan ETC. So I'm putting it back on the street, new tires and wheels, new interior, re-did the 904, new converter, single stage plate system. Gotta set of W-5's waiting in the wings. Yeah, no way a 62 Valiant will ever be worth 25k!!! Gotta 70 Chally R/T rusting in the back yard, a 70 Cuda collecting dust in a shop, and I'm having fun with an Early A-body...Go figure.

But are you having fun, Billy?

"Cheers"... No pain, No gain! Just do it! :burnout:

I'm gonna stick with " Who cares " about the value of a car....and raise ya a " It's a labor of love " the finding of one...the purchase...draggin it home...fixin all the lil' stuff you can...adding the wheels and tires of your liking...actually driving the beast...then one day you like the car and don't have a lot into it ........so now you bring it in the shop and completely dissassemble the thang....clean and paint,cut and weld...grind and fill...prime and block prime and guidecoat....sand some more....and then some more....then clean and tape....clean again...tack it off....paint and tape...then more paint....then untape and clear...then more clear...then untape...then start cleaning and painting all the small parts to reassemble....then it's all reasembled and lookin sharp!!!....O M G!!! this seems harder to write than to do..then again writing isn't as fun as playin with cars now is it???? just do it!!!

Me to i just enjoy it and dont care what its worth its mine and ill spen what ever it takes

wow your like 10 miles or less from me?? I have never seen your car around before.. we gonna have to hook up and maybe can help each other out.Me to i just enjoy it and dont care what its worth its mine and ill spen what ever it takes

Waggin, really nice job on the '66, the garage is nice as well. If your words don't motivate all of us then nothing will. Get er done!