Rarity of 100% OEM Restored A Bodies - Rant/Whine

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KindredSpirit

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Has anyone noticed how rare it is to see an A-Body for sale (on any internet site) that is 100% OEM factory correct? I'm not talking about bolt head markings and paint daubs but significant, visible features and options.

I see lots of nice cars but hardly any are correct for the year and model. I occasionally scan ads for 340 Dusters/Demons just because I like them. Most have major deviations from stock: '71 side stripes on other years. Dual scoops on Dusters. Rallye wheels on cars that never offered them. Engine compartments and trunks painted black.

The correctly restored B and E bodies seem to appear much more often. I'm not sure what this means and I don't object to modifications. I simply wish it was easier to find correct A-Bodies.
 
It's because A bodies don't bring as much as their B and E counterparts so people tend to build them like they want. At least that's my interpretation.
 
With your explanation of "correct", buy one that's "incorrect" and make it "correct". I dont see the issue and I'm a numbers guy for the most part.
Changing stripes/hood/scoops should be easy enough for you to do?
Theres a 68 GTS complete original drive train on here for $7k, go get it.
 
Before & After. I have no idea what you mean that people modify A Bodys. :poke:

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It is so expensive and cost Prohibitive to do a fully 100% perfect resto on an A. The parts are very hard to find and worth all your Children In trade. They do not bring the return in cost. At this point, I think It best to just stuff a late model Hemi Preferably a “Helephant” in and all the creature comforts as they bring back the value for all of the hard work put forth! JMO!
 
Never mind that a car was new just once! The E and B big dollar resto cars are not that!
 
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Here is mine, true to 67 specs, interior, and under hood including 273 commando and 904 trans.
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If you have the cash and ability. You can do it however you like. For a guy with a 74 and 75...I'd rather run 10's than locate the correct tail light lenses :p
 
Here is mine, true to 67 specs, interior, and under hood including 273 commando and 904 trans.View attachment 1715421627 View attachment 1715421628

“Very” nice and likely a lot of work, blood, sweat and tears! But redone and wrong wheels and tires. Not original! I hear it all the time! They do not get the same love for some reason but should! B or E would be overlooked for this! Please do not take it the wrong bay but this is what “A” guys are faced with!
 
My 68 Barracuda Fastback came with a 318 but was gone when the car was bought although it did come with the original 904 transmission and a completely rebuilt 360 was installed but I purchased original 340 HP manifolds, 1968 340 Air cleaner and pie pan and many other "correct" parts. I agree with the comment made about doing a car how you want it but with that being said I could care less about the cost as long as its how I want it and the cost isn't ridiculous. There have been several changes and additions to mine but they all were done in good taste and using factory parts and appearances where possible but in the end it looks like I want it to look. I have owned B's, C's and E's and have made money on all lof them.


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If you have a desirable B or E and the tag and VIN, then it is perfectly ok to build a new body and more from scratch! WTF!

Only A guys know the real deal!
 
Here's why.. I could have my original slant 6 air condition that came with my car...
Numbers matching LOL...
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Or this...
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How many B and E bodies that are "correct, number matching" cars do the owners actually drive and enjoy? Most of them seem to be too worried about how valuable it is and are afraid to drive them in case something happens to it, I understand that, but it's not for me.
 
It all comes down to desirability, year, model, etc. Look at all the cars that have been crushed in Derbys, cut up for race cars, sacrificed for parts, just bc they weren't desirable at the time. Some day a Cordoba or Aspen will be worth 30k, opposed to being scrapped after someone yanks the spindles and engine... same goes for a bodies. Until then, unless it's something special like a 6 pack, or gts..etc.... most A's are the easiest way into the game, and it's usually to drive / own....not rotisserie resto. Not saying whichever way is right or wrong. Just my opinion.
 
It's because A bodies don't bring as much as their B and E counterparts so people tend to build them like they want. At least that's my interpretation.


I tend to agree. Wish I could afford a B, as my 70 RR remains my all time favorite. I once thought I could get a Satellite/ Belvedere and build a nice modernized rod to drive. But even the "plain" ones are out of sight

Frankly I don't WANT a correct car. I've DRIVEN a 273/ stock suspension/ 9" factory drums and I want no part of that.....any more
 
The A body was a cheap car and didn't get the competition destroying Hemi (other than the SS cars) or the sexy six pack/six barrel (you're welcome Plymouth guys). I like a lot of B bodies but I think the A bodies just got better looks.
 
Frankly I don't WANT a correct car. I've DRIVEN a 273/ stock suspension/ 9" factory drums and I want no part of that.....any more


I agree. I bought a new 72 Demon with 225 slant six, automatic, with A/C. On the highway, I could feel the air conditioning compressor cycling on like hitting a strong headwind. And the tiny drum brakes were pitiful.
 
i know of a few collectors and their hi end LS6 Chevelles, 6 pack B and E body's,Chargers or DZ302's, Boss 302's and 429's etc are all over 6 figures.They have no interest in A bodies...even if they are numbers matching.They are still among my favourites though and that's good because they are economical to build or buy and enjoy!
...so to answer your question, collectors don't want them so they aren't very valuable.
 
If you was going to rebuild the tower of Pisa, would you build it correctly or put the lean back in it.

I think the same philosophy applies to our beloved cars. It might sound cool to build a matching numbers, era correct car, but in the end, you have an out of date obsolete car. If it’s not stuck in a museum somewhere, you have the same yard ornament as someone will a derelict vehicle in the yard. You can’t really enjoy it too much or you’ll depreciate the value and the authenticity of it.

I’d rather update the car a little and be able to actually enjoy it with very little consequence.
 
I tend to agree. Wish I could afford a B, as my 70 RR remains my all time favorite. I once thought I could get a Satellite/ Belvedere and build a nice modernized rod to drive. But even the "plain" ones are out of sight

Frankly I don't WANT a correct car. I've DRIVEN a 273/ stock suspension/ 9" factory drums and I want no part of that.....any more

I found another 70. Looks pretty solid. Runs and drives for 15K but it's in Alabama.
 
I found another 70. Looks pretty solid. Runs and drives for 15K but it's in Alabama.

I drove to Canada to pick up a 63 Dodge 440 that had been purchased out of Texas and then I shipped a 67 Coronet R/T from Bakersfield and my 68 Monaco 500 was out of California but I bought it locally, you do what you need to do. My 68 is coming from Montana but again, I can buy rusted out junk locally or buy something solid elsewhere.




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It's because A bodies don't bring as much as their B and E counterparts so people tend to build them like they want. At least that's my interpretation.
Exactly. Let's say you buy a 69 Road Runner for 30,000 and spend another 60,000 on it. You'd have $90K in the car, but if it was nice you could probably get most of your money back. Now, buy a 69 Dart GT for $12K and spend another $60K on it. You will have $72K in a car that will sell for, what, $35-40K? The reason you don't see many A Bodies on Graveyard Cars is that nobody wants to spend a professional restorer $200K to restore a car that will only be wort $45K when it is done. Besides I want to drive my car, and if it was a perfect car worth a fortune, I wouldn't.
 
The A body was a cheap car and didn't get the competition destroying Hemi (other than the SS cars) or the sexy six pack/six barrel (you're welcome Plymouth guys). I like a lot of B bodies but I think the A bodies just got better looks.

Don't forget , with the same drivetrain , the A body is always faster .
 
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