What happened to the reasonably priced project car?

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69dodgedart360

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I will start this off with a warning that this is a whiney rant. But what happened to the cost of A-Bodies? I got my 69 Dart for $400 in 03. It didn't run but everything was there for it to run and drive except for the fact that cosmetically, it was garbage.

As I drink my coffee and browse through the for sale ad's I cant help but have noticed that within the past year or so, everything has gone way up in price. What typically was a $1500 car is now about $3-5000. I live in the SF bay area where things cost a little more anyways but man! Its out of hand lol.

Did the Coronavirus drive up the pricing for everything? Its crazy that you can't even find a decent A-Body that doesn't have rust issues everywhere and a clear title for less than $3000.

Crazy stuff! Rant over.
 
Just so they are asking more doesn't mean they are getting it. LOL I bought my 69 Road Runner for $1200 back in 72. It was a 3 year old car. Yep, prices are up.
 
Well the youngest A body is now 44 years old. Finding a rust free project just ain’t gonna happen. Not to mention they didn’t make the numbers of as let’s say a Toyota Camry. I tell people looking to get a Mopar that your better off looking for a car that someone has started and for what ever reason they want out. Paint and body work cost a fortune now days. Biggest issue people have is looking at a project thru rose colored glasses and not being realistic.
 
I will start this off with a warning that this is a whiney rant. But what happened to the cost of A-Bodies? I got my 69 Dart for $400 in 03. It didn't run but everything was there for it to run and drive except for the fact that cosmetically, it was garbage.

As I drink my coffee and browse through the for sale ad's I cant help but have noticed that within the past year or so, everything has gone way up in price. What typically was a $1500 car is now about $3-5000. I live in the SF bay area where things cost a little more anyways but man! Its out of hand lol.

Did the Coronavirus drive up the pricing for everything? Its crazy that you can't even find a decent A-Body that doesn't have rust issues everywhere and a clear title for less than $3000.

Crazy stuff! Rant over.
If you want to live in the past. I bought a new Tor Red 1970 340 4 speed Duster for $2805.00 off showroom floor.
 
I understand that finding a rust free car is difficult but when an A body needs both quarters and a floor. Its kinda ridiculous if you still expect 3-5000 and its not a 340 4 speed car. I do agree that finding a project that someone started is a great starting point. I do agree paint and body work adds up very quickly, especially in the bay area where most "regular" body shop rates are 120-150 an hour.
 
I’ll bet that most people who complain about the prices of cars nowadays are looking for highly desirable models and expect them to be at 1975 prices. If you’re looking A body, such as 67-9 Cuda and Dart, or Dusters or Demons, they have been at the high price point all along. Nice, affordable cars can still be had if you look with a wider lense. Early A bodies have always been affordable, so have 67-9 Valiant’s, and until recently, 70-72 Darts. There has also been an uptick in the 73 and later “beak” cars, because the earlier Dusters and Darts have always been higher than these.

Here’s a car I’ll be selling....66 Signet convertible, original Commando car, one of 148. Needs a top but a new one comes with it, needs some floor pan work, but complete floor pan comes with it, less than 1k miles on the engine and trans, 8 3/4” rear, sway bar front end, console shifted automatic....$7500

I’m sure I’ll get a lot of “nice car” comments, and “wish it was closer”, but in the end, I’ll be looking for that person that can look past Dusters and Demons and see the other cool cars Mopar has to offer.

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I’ll bet that most people who complain about the prices of cars nowadays are looking for highly desirable models and expect them to be at 1975 prices. If you’re looking A body, such as 67-9 Cuda and Dart, or Dusters or Demons, they have been at the high price point all along. Nice, affordable cars can still be had if you look with a wider lense. Early A bodies have always been affordable, so have 67-9 Valiant’s, and until recently, 70-72 Darts. There has also been an uptick in the 73 and later “beak” cars, because the earlier Dusters and Darts have always been higher than these.

Here’s a car I’ll be selling....66 Signet convertible, original Commando car, one of 148. Needs a top but a new one comes with it, needs some floor pan work, but complete floor pan comes with it, less than 1k miles on the engine and trans, 8 3/4” rear, sway bar front end, console shifted automatic....$7500

I’m sure I’ll get a lot of “nice car” comments, and “wish it was closer”, but in the end, I’ll be looking for that person that can look past Dusters and Demons and see the other cool cars Mopar has to offer.

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And at 7500.00 that is a smoking deal. People still have the idea they can find a 500.00 project and restore it or make it road worthy for 5000.00. It just doesn’t happen.
 
Prices of B and body cars drove it up for one.
They (A bodies) are affordable. 340 A bodies not so much. Most A bodies are not 340 383 and 440 cars!
Most projects are overpriced for what they are.
 
I wish I never would have got involved......Didn't buy a finished big buck car as the wife suggested because I was worried about getting a polished turd. So, I bought that "unfinished project" that you guys are talking about. $4500 bucks for a '71 numbers matching Demon with new quarters and a new floor Installed. I have spent the last couple of years "undoing" all the **** that the previous owner had done.

Found a P/S front frame rail bent 3/4 of an inch outward so the k bolts would line up because buddy welded the rail at the wrong place when he replaced the cross member. Had to cut off, and buy new rear leaf mounts because they were welded 3/4 of an inch too far forward. Probably a good thing because every weld had no penetration. Right quarter butt welded (and the **** warped out of it), Left quarter overlapped 1 inch and welded. Total mix of AC arc weld and bronze brazing. Have to cut out past the bronze 'cause you cant mig to that. Every single thing he did was very poor.

I haven't even gotten to the missing parts........Buddy told me that ALL the parts were in the car, and trunk...Not! I have been getting raped for parts for the last couple of years trying to get enough stuff together to finish the build.

Sorry for the rant (but you started it :eek:). I sold a really nice guitar collection when I retired and figured I couldn't lose by "investing" LOL :BangHead: in the car! BTW.......Last week I was just ready to finish the last of the metal work by dealing with the leaded joint at the quarter/rocker joint......Once I ground away the primer I found a more shitty welding. Once I got through that, burn throughs and lots of holes. And behold, a rusty rocker under the quarter, so now I'm into that.:wtf:
 
I wish I never would have got involved......Didn't buy a finished big buck car as the wife suggested because I was worried about getting a polished turd. So, I bought that "unfinished project" that you guys are talking about. $4500 bucks for a '71 numbers matching Demon with new quarters and a new floor Installed. I have spent the last couple of years "undoing" all the **** that the previous owner had done.

Found a P/S front frame rail bent 3/4 of an inch outward so the k bolts would line up because buddy welded the rail at the wrong place when he replaced the cross member. Had to cut off, and buy new rear leaf mounts because they were welded 3/4 of an inch too far forward. Probably a good thing because every weld had no penetration. Right quarter butt welded (and the **** warped out of it), Left quarter overlapped 1 inch and welded. Total mix of AC arc weld and bronze brazing. Have to cut out past the bronze 'cause you cant mig to that. Every single thing he did was very poor.

I haven't even gotten to the missing parts........Buddy told me that ALL the parts were in the car, and trunk...Not! I have been getting raped for parts for the last couple of years trying to get enough stuff together to finish the build.

Sorry for the rant (but you started it :eek:). I sold a really nice guitar collection when I retired and figured I couldn't lose by "investing" LOL :BangHead: in the car! BTW.......Last week I was just ready to finish the last of the metal work by dealing with the leaded joint at the quarter/rocker joint......Once I ground away the primer I found a more shitty welding. Once I got through that, burn throughs and lots of holes. And behold, a rusty rocker under the quarter, so now I'm into that.:wtf:

admit it tho....you’re having fun, right?
 
Supply and demand.
They arent making any more, and decent ones are few and far between. Its not just the a bodies, its all the old stuff. The tv shows really pushed all the prices up on everything.
Just like the chevy “square bodies” all the young guys want one. I scrapped 4 about 6 years ago.
The hobby has turned profitable and every tom,dick and harry is looking to make a buck.

young guy is buying up every reasonable a body and parting them out, crushing the shells. No deals to be had with him.
 
It’s all about money-from the guy that whines about”no cheap cars” to the guy that parts out a nice example to put a “more desirable example” back on the road. And then you have the”I should be pitied” so send me free parts guy. Really we have no shortage of whiners in the Chrysler group. I have met “some” great guys at Chrysler shows/rally’s but the majority is a bunch of entitled whiners! GROW UP!! It costs to build cars! Maybe you need to rethink your hobby perhaps tiddlywinks could give you more pleasure!!!
 
Reasonable priced project cars? Most were bought back in the 80's 90's, some even 10 years ago.
There are 3 routes available.
Projects?
1. Buy an older resto. Is it still solid? Was the work done correctly back then? Do you require a good driver or a show poodle?
2. Buy a car that has never been touched. Get a complete one unless you want to spend $$$$$ for missing parts. Gets expensive. Be realistic as to time, costs, and abilities.
3. Buy a project someone has tired of, given up on. Can be the best deal because NO ONE wants a car someone else took apart! The work they did, is it satisfactory?? Did thy get get bored, or find out they bought a pig in a poke??? Grade 3 bolts and ...........
Remember, put lipstick on a turd, it is still a turd.
 
I paid $3500 for a 273 barracuda in April...
but I was able to drive it home with re-worked front quarters in the backseat
and an early A-833 in the trunk.

3600.jpg
 
I wish I never would have got involved......Didn't buy a finished big buck car as the wife suggested because I was worried about getting a polished turd. So, I bought that "unfinished project" that you guys are talking about. $4500 bucks for a '71 numbers matching Demon with new quarters and a new floor Installed. I have spent the last couple of years "undoing" all the **** that the previous owner had done.

Found a P/S front frame rail bent 3/4 of an inch outward so the k bolts would line up because buddy welded the rail at the wrong place when he replaced the cross member. Had to cut off, and buy new rear leaf mounts because they were welded 3/4 of an inch too far forward. Probably a good thing because every weld had no penetration. Right quarter butt welded (and the **** warped out of it), Left quarter overlapped 1 inch and welded. Total mix of AC arc weld and bronze brazing. Have to cut out past the bronze 'cause you cant mig to that. Every single thing he did was very poor.

I haven't even gotten to the missing parts........Buddy told me that ALL the parts were in the car, and trunk...Not! I have been getting raped for parts for the last couple of years trying to get enough stuff together to finish the build.

Sorry for the rant (but you started it :eek:). I sold a really nice guitar collection when I retired and figured I couldn't lose by "investing" LOL :BangHead: in the car! BTW.......Last week I was just ready to finish the last of the metal work by dealing with the leaded joint at the quarter/rocker joint......Once I ground away the primer I found a more shitty welding. Once I got through that, burn throughs and lots of holes. And behold, a rusty rocker under the quarter, so now I'm into that.:wtf:
Like I was saying. When you get tired of that money pit, contact me, I may be a buyer, now that you straightened it out.
 
Reasonable priced project cars? Most were bought back in the 80's 90's, some even 10 years ago.
There are 3 routes available.
Projects?
1. Buy an older resto. Is it still solid? Was the work done correctly back then? Do you require a good driver or a show poodle?
2. Buy a car that has never been touched. Get a complete one unless you want to spend $$$$$ for missing parts. Gets expensive. Be realistic as to time, costs, and abilities.
3. Buy a project someone has tired of, given up on. Can be the best deal because NO ONE wants a car someone else took apart! The work they did, is it satisfactory?? Did thy get get bored, or find out they bought a pig in a poke??? Grade 3 bolts and ...........
Remember, put lipstick on a turd, it is still a turd.
I bought my 65 Barracuda as an abandoned project. $750. No driveline and totally disassembled. Found a local car for parts, owner agreed on a price,then called me back and wanted 1000 more. Because the slant 6 had a manual trans he thought was worth that alone.
So no deal. Its still sitting there, to return to nature. No negotiating with him, he passed away, and wife wont let it go.

i cut a bunch of work off my barracuda and repaired it,finding rust through under filler. and i recovered my 76 dart sport after 30 years of it sitting. Parked beside it was a 75 duster i bought for donor parts to fix the dart. Im project rich, money poor.
thanks to sensible members here on FABO i have been slowly accumulating parts to bring these things back to life.
I have passed parts on to help others, and always try to be fair in support of the hobby.

$6500 for a duster? No way! And its a shell,and rough. And no paperwork.
 
Warehouse stored 65 'S' for $800 back in '92. 100% complete and running. Can't buy the tach and sender for $800 now. Branch out beyond Mopar. You can get older imports for a song now. I saw a complete RX-3 for $600 on fecebook. Thats about as early Japanese muscle as you can get if your into rotary power and know what it can do. Yeah, the easy projects are scarce. A few still on here though. Check other maes forums for used Mopars. Lots of brand C and F guys would sell a Mopar cheaper than a Mopar guy, fact.
 
It’s all about money-from the guy that whines about”no cheap cars” to the guy that parts out a nice example to put a “more desirable example” back on the road. And then you have the”I should be pitied” so send me free parts guy. Really we have no shortage of whiners in the Chrysler group. I have met “some” great guys at Chrysler shows/rally’s but the majority is a bunch of entitled whiners! GROW UP!! It costs to build cars! Maybe you need to rethink your hobby perhaps tiddlywinks could give you more pleasure!!!
I tried the tiddlywink circuit a few years back. They are considered "vintage", so not much of a savings to be had there!:(
 
Supply and demand. Period. Wanna Duster? So does a lot of other people. Oops, not enough to go around? So prices go up. Don't like the prices or can't afford them? So jump in a '75 4 door Dart. Oops! A lot of folks are already doing that, so prices go up! I think you get the picture...
 
They are still out there you have to look, every day, and have cash when the right deal comes up.
I bought my orange Duster for $800 running and driving, but pretty much wore out, over the course of 10 years replaced about everything but kept it a driver most of the time.
Bought several other mopars since then, two this year really reasonable, you have to have the cash, when a deal shows up.
 
I bought a 1970 Dart Custom 2 dr, 318/904, bench seat car, complete but not running in 1991 or 92 for $70.00. The trans was cooked, but it had all 4 small bolt rallye wheels, rings and caps, and very little rust. 2 years ago I bought the 75 Dart Sport that is my current project for $800.00, was originally a /6 car. The po had built something of a street/strip car, 360/727 and a bunch of nitrous. Engine was grenaded, lots of crappy metalwork done, left rear 1/4 was crushed but a new skin was included with the sale. Car had sat for 7 or 8 years outside and was pretty rough when I got it. Still not where I can drive it yet, but sorta runs and moves under it's own power. I see A bodies range locally from $3500 to $40,000 lately. I hope to at least recover the $$$ that I have spent on this 75 if I decide to sell it.
There are still some decent buys out there, sometimes it requires a lot more patience than most people seem to have these days. I would like to have another 70 Dart, often wonder WTF I was thinking when I sold the one I had, life goes on.
Try buying a 1967 or 68 Mustang fastback in any condition now, $25k for a shell!
 
I bought a 1970 Dart Custom 2 dr, 318/904, bench seat car, complete but not running in 1991 or 92 for $70.00. The trans was cooked, but it had all 4 small bolt rallye wheels, rings and caps, and very little rust. 2 years ago I bought the 75 Dart Sport that is my current project for $800.00, was originally a /6 car. The po had built something of a street/strip car, 360/727 and a bunch of nitrous. Engine was grenaded, lots of crappy metalwork done, left rear 1/4 was crushed but a new skin was included with the sale. Car had sat for 7 or 8 years outside and was pretty rough when I got it. Still not where I can drive it yet, but sorta runs and moves under it's own power. I see A bodies range locally from $3500 to $40,000 lately. I hope to at least recover the $$$ that I have spent on this 75 if I decide to sell it.
There are still some decent buys out there, sometimes it requires a lot more patience than most people seem to have these days. I would like to have another 70 Dart, often wonder WTF I was thinking when I sold the one I had, life goes on.
Try buying a 1967 or 68 Mustang fastback in any condition now, $25k for a shell!
I seen a guy selling the roof section and windows off a fast back mustang for like 5K not too long ago.....And it sold.
 
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