Advice needed for buying a 69 dart

Nice looking car. I would put it in the $3000 - $5000 range depending on a thorough inspection.
Odd that it has stayed in California its whole life and has modern plates on it. I wonder if it was a salvage or lien purchase.

I don't think it was a salvage or lien. It's been in the same family since it was new. I'll ask why the black plates were taken off.