By the numbers restore or take some liberties?

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You need not worry about your 65 Cudas value when changing the above mentioned items! The value is in your enjoyment of the car, not in the monetary value! That's the best thing about early A bodies, they're cheap to buy and build, don't have to worry about value, and oh, did I mention they're fun as heck to drive??? Go, enjoy that car, and take it from that great philosopher and thinker of thoughts the Burger King and "Have it Your Way"!!!!

2! cosgig hit the nail on the head!
 
Treblig, that is some seriously nice interior work.

Thanks, I really, really love the way it came out. Head rests for the rear passengers in case of being rear ended, shoulder harness seat belts, a nice Barracuda LOGO, 500 watts of Rock 'N ROLLA and no more all dark green seats. I wasn't sure about the bright yellow inserts but it tuned out beautiful and brought the Cuda interior into the 20th century.

Treblig
 
What's your take on a non HEMI or Big block numbers matching 69 340 Dart GTS?
Setting aside the do what you want it's yours philosophy, should these cars be kept original? My understanding is that this model ran low production numbers.

As some know, I am putting one together and have made some reversible mods to it. I'm also not nut and bolt crazy meaning I have Non original ARP fasteners sprinkled about. But for the most part this car is 90 percent.
 
Nice car, Treblig.
Your car and story is a perfect example of what i'm talking about.
Drive it and enjoy it. That's what it's all about.
At least that's what i'm all about........
 
I like to take liberties...

Oh wait, we're talking about cars... Nevermind....
 
You do know that you can get the manual steering gearbox rebuilt for about 200 dollars. NOT resealed, when rebuilt they enlarge the balls and the grooves. Have done it on several cars and it is some of the best money ever spent. Power steering in a early A-Body is tight and adds little in way of enjoyment.
 
What's your take on a non HEMI or Big block numbers matching 69 340 Dart GTS?
Setting aside the do what you want it's yours philosophy, should these cars be kept original? My understanding is that this model ran low production numbers.

As some know, I am putting one together and have made some reversible mods to it. I'm also not nut and bolt crazy meaning I have Non original ARP fasteners sprinkled about. But for the most part this car is 90 percent.


If you plan to ever sell it then any modifications you make should be the "reversible" kind. Make sure and keep anything original that you take off of it. The more rare cars are nice but then you're "locked in" to not being able to make it the way you like it. Some say that if you buy a really valuable car (low production run with appropriate options) then just keep it all original so it retains it's value and buy a regular car like my Barracuda to fix the way you like. But remember....just because you think the car has a high value (collectible) doesn't mean that another person will have the same opinion!!
I would never butcher a super mint, low production run, low mileage original Mopar. Mine had 56K original miles on it when I bought (3 years ago) it but it wasn't "special" in any other way except no rust (ever) and all original.

PS - I got a real deal on the front head rest fish logos, $18 each!!! It was a Mom and Pop embroidery shop but did some nice work!!!
treblig
 

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I have been always a guy that modifies things. My car my way. SO! Your car your way with this one thought. Or question. Do you care if it is modified? Do you plan to keep it or sell it?

If you plan on keeping it, do as you wish. Make it better.

If you plan on selling the car, there are two one of people out there looking. The dead stock lookers and then those that do not care/mind modifications. But they can to, also be fickle to the mod done. Some look for manual steering. Is it a deal killer? Maybe. Do you really care if it is a deal breaker? Returning it to a manual is t hard, normally, it's just money and some time.

A numbers matching and properly restored care brings in more money on cars of desire. No matter the make or model, the desire level of the car is the real money issue. And what one is willing to pay for it. Some do not want the enhancement. Others will embrace it. The one thing to do is do a killer job on the car. This way the value stays high no matter what the mod is. Do a great mod on a greasy car, no one cares. Do a mod on a beauty of an example and everyone looks.


What are the pros and cons to restoring to the level of factory or upgrading some things like factory manual steering to power?

Does it hurt or help value?

Does numbers matching really mean anything?

One reason I mention steering is that the manual gearbox is wore out and so far my research tells me that new ones are hard to come by and expensive.
Could you spend similar by installing power gearbox and pump?

Thanks for your comments
 
I wouldnt drive an old Mopar more than a week without installing a dual cylinder M/C, disk brakes, and radial tires!
 
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