Purchase advise

[slapstickjim]

Ok guys you broke me lol. I came on this site like a year ago, because I wanted cleanup all these parts. I was way into mopars back In The 80,90s. Been out of since. Just realy wanted to clean up. And you guys are great as In i been selling stuff. Thank you..

But you guys broke me and I'm going to look at a car for sale. Lol. Retirement is a small 6 years away and been realy wise as to set my self up.

But man I got the itch lol. Help me out with your thoughts.
It's a 73 dart sport 340 4 speed car. Asking like 23k

Info I got. Orginal 43k miles. Spent many years on drag racetrack. Car was purchased by this guy in long Island to restore. He had it nuts a bolt apart and new quarters , floors and rockers. Redid interior, brakes exhaust. Basicaly all new everything or gone over. Had no motor so he bought a good 340 and set it in. Sold to this guy who is trying to sell it. He had it 5 years and claims he only put 20 miles on it.
The good.
1- Pretty much everything is new like everything
2- talked to guy who redid it for hours. His reputation is great and good vibes on his passion
3. The fender tag present and restorer paid attention, like most is on point.
4.talk to guy who sold him Motor. He regrets selling it. Was rebuilt when he bought it but does not know what was done.
5. Richard petty signed glove box door in petty blue paint. A good aquatance of restorer. Claims he was at his shop on a visit and signed it.
6 Wife is semi on board

The bad
1. 1970 non number matching 340. Or what was done to it.
2. No clue if 4 speed is number matching. Or how fresk it is
3. No one knows ratio or possi in 8 3/4 rear. Or condition.
4.the seller keeps saying motor has zero miles on it. ( honesty issue?)
5. Wife's car need to find a home lol

He asking 23k. What's your thoughts on a real h code 4 speed car?

Thanks guys.
Jim

 

[MMissile]

None of the driveline is gonna be original [my guess]. It all depends on your desires for the car. Looking for a real car...yeah. Are people gonna nit-pick it if you tell them it's an original
340-car??...probably. If it's a beauty, the body couldn't be replicated for the price.

 

[Mike69cuda]

How about some pics?

 

[slapstickjim]

None of the driveline is gonna be original [my guess]. It all depends on your desires for the car. Looking for a real car...yeah. Are people gonna nit-pick it if you tell them it's an original
340-car??...probably. If it's a beauty, the body couldn't be replicated for the price.

Desire is to hold or increase vaule as investment. Desire to enjoy life as I could afford a purchase and still hit retirement financial target. Not to worried what people say, most understand original drivetrain is dreaming.. in pics the body looks flawless. Have not seen in person. Have a meet set up for Oct 12th.

 

[slapstickjim]

Pics he took last weekend for me . Just don't know vaules been out of it for ever.

Fender tag. Black paint, black vinyl, black stripes.

 

[Ottmundr]

get it.
drive it.
until the wheels fall off.

 

[missing linc]

My .02:
You wouldn't be able to do the body and paint for $23K, unless you're doing all yourself. Being a 73 model, it will always have the stigma of a "beaker", but if you want a fun car that should be basically turn key and go, why the hell not? Will it appreciate in value as an investment? Probably, but likely not the way a 71 Demon 340 might. If it were me, and I was in a position to buy it, and I wanted it, I'd just go ahead and buy it.

 

[tom999w]

Personally, it doesn't get me going, but if you feel you'd enjoy owning it, then go for it.

As for the people talking about $, $$ and more $$$, if you're looking to buy it to make money then go find another hobby.

 

[Dartsun]

Although not a numbers car, looks like a sweet 73 Dart sport and it's black. 4 speed to boot go for it.

 

[Kemper]

I'd say if you're gonna be happy with it like is without putting any more dollars in it, then buy it. If you think you will have to put more into it to be satisfied you'll have to figure your cost vs increased value if that is a concern.

 

[MMissile]

Personally, it doesn't get me going, but if you feel you'd enjoy owning it, then go for it.

As for the people talking about $, $$ and more $$$, if you're looking to buy it to make money then go find another hobby.

People who have to count on more common muscle as an investment....
The audience is getting smaller every day. How's the economy looking? How about in 3 1/2 years?
Buy it if you want a car to have fun with. Buy with your heart, not with your brain.

 

[A56]

My 2 cents -Looks ok in the pictures, which means nothing from where I'm sitting really. How can no one know what the rear gearing is? It's not that hard to find out. Same with the transmission. Numbers wrong or right should be on it. Already know the motor is wrong, no big deal really. It's a 340. No picture of the fender tag, maybe you've already checked it for colors etc. Is it really a triple black car? Numbers on the rad support match v.i.n.? Take it for a ride. 23k not really a bad price. Waiting until Oct 12th to see it up close? Might be gone by then. Good luck though.

 

[1WildRT]

Buy it.... If you decide to sell you'll at least get your money back which is better than any new car...

 

[Lift&Move]

It's a nice clean car, paint looks good.
Did he send any pics of the engine bay?

 

[JDMopar]

If it's done right, like he says it was....it's worth what he's asking. Show up with that much cash, but offer $20K. I wouldn't worry a bit about numbers matching drivetrain. If it has an 8 3/4, somebody put it in there because it wouldn't have come with it. Buy it and enjoy it.

 

[Mike69cuda]

Looks good for the money.

 

[str12-340]

get it.
drive it.
until the wheels fall off.

Then replace the wheels and keep on going!

If you really enjoy what you could do with the car: cruizin', car shows, road trips, enjoying other car folks, etc, etc, then buy the car and have fun with it. It's not a high dollar, perfect, numbers matching car - in my book that's a good thing. You don't have to hide it away, be afraid to drive it. Drive it and have a blast. It looks like a real head turner.

 

[tinman2]

Original 43K miles and it needed quarters, floors, and rockers?
I would look it over very closely to see what kind of job has been done replacing all that.

The only instance that matching numbers would mean anything to me is if the driveline was all original and had never been out of the car. Then I would at least think everything was as it is supposed to be.

I don't think $23K is a bad price at all. I think I paid $6800 for my 73 Dart 340 Sport in 2014 and it needs a lot of work. I probably have $10,000 worth of parts. It needs a complete restoration. If it ever gets done, I will have way more $$$ in it.

I had a 72 Demon I bought new and this is my 4th Dart Sport. The Demons are ok to me but I like the Sports much better.

 

[abodyjoe]

hard to tell with those pictures. looks decent but pictures can hide alot. if the body and paint is done right then the price probably isn't horrible even though its a beak car. make sure someone looks it over with a fine tooth comb before committing to anything. the petty signature doesn't add anything for me. hurts it if anything. now i have to find a way yo get it off.

 

[RedFish]

1973 title makes it a used car. Every part of it is a used part, even in excellent condition. If you plan your retirement days from Easter to Halloween will be putting miles on it so to sit outdoors at some used car event, sure, buy it. I hope it has ac. Good luck

 

[jeff alder]

It will never be a value investment car due to the lack of numbers matching stigma in purist collector's minds. I like it from what I can see. It's a 340 4 gear what's not to like about that? It seems fairly priced from what I can see as well. You could do a lot worse for the asking price and could probably always recoupe your investment but I wouldn't expect it to grow. I would drive it to the gates and back...turn around and do it again. Thumbs up here. Good luck i hope you get it and love it,

 

[413]

Looks good in photos.

Since this was built a couple owners ago take every claim with a grain of salt. Verify what is there.

Look over this sheet metal work closely.

It was a racecar so all drivetrain has been swapped in.

 

[slapstickjim]

People who have to count on more common muscle as an investment....
The audience is getting smaller every day. How's the economy looking? How about in 3 1/2 years?
Buy it if you want a car to have fun with. Buy with your heart, not with your brain.

My brain and heart have been semi aggressive with retirement at 62 plan.. so hard to switch that mind set. I know this car will not have a massive return like my rental property has, just be nice that I'm not pissing 20k away. That's if 6 years out I'm like I'm selling this. I would think if I keep it nice it should return ok? Thanks

 

[slapstickjim]

M 2 cents -Looks ok in the pictures, which means nothing from where I'm sitting really. How can no one know what the rear gearing is? It's not that hard to find out. Same with the transmission. Numbers wrong or right should be on it. Already know the motor is wrong, no big deal really. It's a 340. No picture of the fender tag, maybe you've already checked it for colors etc. Is it really a triple black car? Numbers on the rad support match v.i.n.? Take it for a ride. 23k not really a bad price. Waiting until Oct 12th to see it up close? Might be gone by then. Good luck though.

Yes fender tag shows triple black. And most on fender tag is also there. Yes I plan on looking to verify 340 block, vin on rad and door. Not so worried if trany is numbers corect. Check compression, jack it up see about rear. As far as getting sold idk. He had this car advertised back in spring but pulled ad was not sure about selling it. I contacted him like 2 months ago, and been double check his info, so I highly doubt it will be sold.
Work has been slammed and can't get.away either. 3 hour drive only and that weekend me and my son or going to a men's retreat like 1 hour away from car. Thanks

 

[slapstickjim]

Original 43K miles and it needed quarters, floors, and rockers?
I would look it over very closely to see what kind of job has been done replacing all that.

The only instance that matching numbers would mean anything to me is if the driveline was all original and had never been out of the car. Then I would at least think everything was as it is supposed to be.

I don't think $23K is a bad price at all. I think I paid $6800 for my 73 Dart 340 Sport in 2014 and it needs a lot of work. I probably have $10,000 worth of parts. It needs a complete restoration. If it ever gets done, I will have way more $$$ in it.

I had a 72 Demon I bought new and this is my 4th Dart Sport. The Demons are ok to me but I like the Sports much better.

Story on 43k speedo says that and title has same digits on it. Seems odd .