A very good example of resto cost and value of a 69 Cuda

Bill Crowell · Jan 26, 2021

But

4spdragtop said:
Lawyers LOVE to hear themselves talk....

Oh no, don't hold that against me! I faithfully attend Lawyers Anonymous meetings twice a week, and I'm taking it one day at a time, but I can't stop acting like one. Pray for me, please, even though I'm an atheist.

4spdragtop · Jan 26, 2021

Lol, wasnt directed at you at all Bill my atheist friend. Positive thoughts your way.

Bill Crowell said:
But

Oh no, don't hold that against me! I faithfully attend Lawyers Anonymous meetings twice a week, and I'm taking it one day at a time, but I can't stop acting like one. Pray for me, please, even though I'm an atheist.

davescuda · Jan 26, 2021

If you are doing it to make money. You have to pick the car that is more than what you will have in to it. Like a 69 m code Notchback. High level restoration 50k total investment. They are selling for 75k to 95k right now.
Or like my high school 68 barracuda original 6 cylinder car, over the years I have close to 90k into it. If I sold it for 10,000 right now, to me that would be a 100% profit. You cannot put a price tag on enjoyment.
If you are doing it for the value and you have everyone else do the work. You need to get out of this hobby. This is a hobby. Almost everything in life cost money. If you build a car that cost you 50k and you enjoy it for 5 to 10 years. Then you decide to sell it for 30k. Did you really loose money? I don’t think so. All those years of having fun is worth way more than 20k. It’s not cheap to go out to a nice restaurant and have a good meal and a couple drinks.

Kendog 170 · Jan 26, 2021

I agree. My Ragtop was $3000 prevouis owner just had a valve job at 100k I did a quick patch and paint, drove it 100K miles from 1985 till 2001. Went through it again 2018 for $4000 and change. New Qtr's , fenders, Bored motor with new heads,resealed 4 speed, New suspensin ,ect: Drove it 2 years now. Thats 18 years of driving it ! In my mind it's paid for itself a couple of times over. When (if) I sell I look at it as pure profit.

H22A4 · Jan 26, 2021

autoxcuda said:
I thought he did in the post you quoted.

69 340’s are almost always turquoise. Unless you have hard documented proof on your particular car.

I hear ya.

However, you read his post, he proudly and clearly states where he is CORRECT in ‘68 340’s being painted red yet he doesn’t clearly state he was INCORRECT that ‘69 340’s were all painted Hemi orange. He refers to another source that states they were turquoise but he doesn’t explicitly agree if they were painted turquoise. It’s open to interpretation if he now agrees the ‘69 340 were turquoise.

Given that he’s a lawyer, I couldn’t help but notice how carefully he chose his words to indirectly acknowledge that he originally provided incorrect information, yet doesn’t directly come out and state with similar emphasis and directness as he did with being correct on the ‘68 engine colour.

autoxcuda · Jan 26, 2021

H22A4 said:
I hear ya.

However, you read his post, he proudly and clearly states where he is CORRECT in ‘68 340’s being painted red yet he doesn’t clearly state he was INCORRECT that ‘69 340’s were all painted Hemi orange. He refers to another source that states they were turquoise but he doesn’t explicitly agree if they were painted turquoise. It’s open to interpretation if he now agrees the ‘69 340 were turquoise.

Given that he’s a lawyer, I couldn’t help but notice how carefully he chose his words to indirectly acknowledge that he originally provided incorrect information, yet doesn’t directly come out and state with similar emphasis and directness as he did with being correct on the ‘68 engine colour.

I don’t see what’s to gain criticizing someone personal profession.

That’s in the same vain as criticizing someone’s Mopar at a show.

barbee6043 · Jan 26, 2021

This engine color thing on these particular models has been argued forever!!! ha

RON REAGLE · Jan 26, 2021

Correct or not that turquoise is gawd awful UGLY!!! The 340 in my 68 is getting painted orange cause that's what I like and the car is already RED!!! Need to break up the color a little bit. At least the engine bay isn't painted black!!! LOL

The medium blue on it now isn't correct either?

IMFURYS · Jan 26, 2021

autoxcuda said:
68 and 67 are same or more. They repro 69’s and that effected selling price. Before the repro’s I think 69’s were more expensive.

That would be a good price for 68’s if they are solid good pieces.

IMO, it's a good price for the one year only black formula S tail panel, along with an OEM '69 formula S insignia, Had I'd seen it sooner, it might be in my collection of NOS, good reproductions and good OEM parts. I already own a re=pop tail panel and NOS insignia, but sometimes buy extra parts when they look really good, like this set appeared, at least from the pics. You never know when something might happen to your "best parts". Body shop that painted my '72 Fury III, "lost" one of my door seals. That was a fun search to find new door seals for that particular car. Took me a while to find seals that 'LOOKED" Correct AND mounted OK. iirc, i sent pics to Steels Rubber and they were able to match some up for me. I'm sure we've all seen or heard similar stories of parts getting lost, or outright stolen. I had a tough choice on selling my spare '69 grilles a few months ago. I have a NOS grille set, but had this set as a back-up. Guy wanted the spare set pretty badly for his new project, so we negotiated a price I could live with and I let them go. Just hope it doesn't come back to bite me later.

1969cuda · Jan 27, 2021

Been there done that, it’s a gamble,,, my fingers are always crossed.

Kendog 170 · Jan 27, 2021

IMFURYS said:
You never know when something might happen to your "best parts".

Agreed. Just bought a decent grill for my two 68 Darts even though I wasn't looking. Iv'e pretty much have a whole front clip minus fenders in case I was ever to get hit or hit someone.

IMFURYS · Jan 27, 2021

Kendog 170 said:
Agreed. Just bought a decent grill for my two 68 Darts even though I wasn't looking. Iv'e pretty much have a whole front clip minus fenders in case I was ever to get hit or hit someone.

Good plan. I have every body parts plus others, covered for Fury, not so much for Barracuda, given time, after the first go round of buying parts I need "now", then I'll work on the back-up list. Sometimes you find the right deal and the back-up is now your primary part. As stated earlier in this thread, sometime it's worth buying another whole car for needed parts. Finding the right parts car in the right price range can be challenging at times. I need to update my '69 FB 340 parts list to see what I need before i really get into the second time around. I plan on going to look at storage units soon. Getting ready to move and it's time to "declutter" the house, garage, storage shed, dog house, lol, etc. Just kidding on the dog house, they think the whole house is theirs. i just wish they'd chip in some house money instead of that lame "we guarded the house today, from delivery people, squirrels, birds, rabbits and clouds and blowing leaves".

Kendog 170 · Jan 27, 2021

I just moved last year. Currently renting until my Daughter finihses College. Then I'm NC. bound and can't wait to have a garage again. All my Parts and tools are in this trailer I picked up for $800. I have a guy that's going to take it down there when I'm ready.

famous bob · Jan 27, 2021

davescuda said:
Same car 68 to 69, The 68 are worth more than a 69 (except 68 Hemi’s, 68GSS, 68 440 GTS and 69 Cuda package cars) not sure why maybe less 68 out there.

Show me where there is a 68 barracuda with a hemi in it , cheaper that any others !!

autoxcuda · Jan 27, 2021

famous bob said:
Show me where there is a 68 barracuda with a hemi in it , cheaper that any others !!

he felt 68’s sold for more same for same.

there is no 69 Hemi barracuda so he’s excluding it and the others in parentheses.

IMFURYS · Jan 27, 2021

Kendog 170 said:
I just moved last year. Currently renting until my Daughter finihses College. Then I'm NC. bound and can't wait to have a garage again. All my Parts and tools are in this trailer I picked up for $800. I have a guy that's going to take it down there when I'm ready.

View attachment 1715678500

That's awesome. I need that too

Kendog 170 · Jan 27, 2021

IMFURYS said:
Getting ready to move and it's time to "declutter" the house, garage, storage shed, dog house, lol, etc. Just kidding on the dog house, they think the whole house is theirs. i just wish they'd chip in some house money instead of that lame "we guarded the house today, from delivery people, squirrels, birds, rabbits and clouds and blowing leaves".

If your like me you better start now! Took me two years to declutter . This is all the dogs good for . Watching or looking for a rub down.!

davescuda · Jan 27, 2021

famous bob said:
Show me where there is a 68 barracuda with a hemi in it , cheaper that any others !!

I am saying except these cars because you cannot compare them, because they are only one year cars. They did not make them in both years 68 and 69. Plus the valve of these cars are higher

IMFURYS · Jan 27, 2021

Kendog 170 said:
If your like me you better start now! Took me two years to declutter . This is all the dogs good for . Watching or looking for a rub down.!

View attachment 1715678574

View attachment 1715678575

I loathe this part of moving process and loathe moving in general. It'll take a while to de-clutter some areas, hide some stuff in storage and try to find the "'right" new house. put more money into stuff on this house (it's like a classic car, it's never gonna be "done"; time to dump it and move on to an area that will let me build a garage big enough to work in

1969383S · Jan 27, 2021

RON REAGLE said:
I found an original 67 fastback 383 4 speed car that was for sale on FB . I contacted the seller and he sent pictures and a short video. It "looked" presentable and the asking price $19k which if it was "real" I considered fair. The driveline was complete down to the exhaust manifolds. I borrowed a trailer and drove 300 miles to see the car. What I found in person was a disappointment to say the least. It had been "in a barn" for almost 30 years. Was originally blue with blue interior. Now had a quickie orange paint job with all of the leftover dust and dirt painted over. The interior was a modge podge of spray painted black , old worn faded blue , or totally missing pieces. The engine barely ran, but I did drive the car down the back country road. EVERYTHING needed replaced or at least attention. I went back to talk about the car and maybe make a deal. I had originally thought I'd pay $15k but after the drive was going to offer $12 and I was hoping he wouldn't accept. I've built enough basket case cars to know it was going to take $25k on top of what I paid to make a decent car out of it. I left with my cash in hand.

On the drive home we found the red 68 and in the pictures the car looked REALLY NICE. I knew there was another road trip coming. And called the guy immediately. The next day I drove to look at it. I knew after a walk around and hearing it run I was buying that car. Asking price was $25k I was prepared to pay full price but asked "What's the bottom line?" He came back with $23k which I promptly shook his hand. I'm not sorry and I don't think I over paid. I have a really straight clean body with a nice interior, a 340 that runs excellent. I'm picky and this car has me ahead of the game already money wise. AND I get to enjoy it while fixing the little things it needs. Will the car be worth more than I have in it? Probably not BUT I could have sat in a bar pissing the money away. At least I have something to show for it!!! LOL

View attachment 1715677873
THIS CAR GAVE NEW MEANING TO THE TERM "LIPSTICK ON A PIG"

Love your current car but Blue on Blue is sweet too!

Jesus Chrysler · Jan 28, 2021

Bill Crowell said:
But

Oh no, don't hold that against me! I faithfully attend Lawyers Anonymous meetings twice a week, and I'm taking it one day at a time, but I can't stop acting like one. Pray for me, please, even though I'm an atheist.

4spdragtop said:
Lol, wasnt directed at you at all Bill my atheist friend. Positive thoughts your way.

I love you both, anyway.

jimharvard · Jan 28, 2021

YY1 said:
You can get pretty darn close to a factory finish using high quality single stage acrylic enamel.

...and in super sunny climates you don't have to worry about the clear burning off in 5 years.

we may not be talking about the same paint, however, i wanted to do my bronze Barracuda in the original "single stage" (just add thinner, spray and wait to dry) acrylic enamel paint but PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Corp.) wanted $1000/gallon for their "factory mixed" OEM "Turbine Bronze." i absolutely could not and would not accept spending $1000 for a gallon of auto paint. that's why i went with acrylic lacquer because TCP Global (auto paint and body supplies) out of San Diego, California would mix me a gallon of lacquer for $302/gallon (i think that was the price). i bought two gallons and mixed them together when i got them. thinned down "two to one" gave me enough paint to do the car. the primer was light grey dupont lacquer.

jimharvard · Jan 28, 2021

H22A4 said:
An interesting thread as I’ve learned a few details on 2nd gen Barracudas I didn’t know before.

Please confirm if your earlier statement about all ‘69 340’s being Hemi orange is incorrect.

yes, i was mistaken about all the 69 340's being hemi orange. the 1970-71 340's were all hemi orange. however, if you look at the engine paint chart i posted, the 69 340's could be found in Turquoise and Chrysler blue.

jimharvard · Jan 28, 2021

dart4forte said:
Is this a Barracuda or a Formula S?

you cannot tell if the red Barracuda i posted here for discussion is a "Barracuda" or a "Formula S." the Formula S was an option package on Barracuda's dating back to the 1965 model year. on a 1969 Barracuda with the original fender tag, if the car had the "Formula S" option, there should be an A53 code somewhere on the tag - probably the third line of characters. the red car does not have a fender tag so there is no way to tell if it was ordered with the Formula S option. however, this option also included round emblems that said "Formula S" on them - one of which was on the rear trunk trim plate between the tail lights. 69's also had the words "340- S" or "383-S" on the front fenders beside the headlights. because the noted red car does not have a fender tag or any emblems on it, i would conclude it is NOT a Formula S car. there is no evidence proving that. i think the only correct way to refer to this car is that it is "a 1969 Barracuda." here's a pic of my fender tag and the passenger front fender showing the Formula S option.

jimharvard · Jan 28, 2021

first off, let me apologize to anyone on FABO who doesn't like lawyers. i'm sorry for whatever "bad" treatment you may have suffered. i practiced for 28 years but i am now retired. i enjoy my collection of Barracudas much more than i ever enjoyed practicing law.

as to the red Barracuda i posted. i am not here to act like an "expert" on anything about old mopars. i have 50 years of experience with these cars as i had a new 68 Formula S when i was in high school 1970-72. i do know A LOT about these cars, but i don't know "everything." so if some of you are offended sometimes by what i say, i'm sorry. i try to say things like "that's my experience" or "i've seen this" or "that's the way this used to be when the car was new" - stuff like that. but i am always trying to learn something new about old mopars and i often do right here on FABO.

a lot has been said here about a car being "original" or "correct". it was not my intention to present the red Barracuda as an example of a "correct" or "original" car. my intention was to show what a nicely restored car looked like and how that particular car was in line with current market values of these cars. that's all.

i have hundreds of computer files on these cars. one of the best "original" Formula S cars i have saved is presented below. i believe it is very original and very correct car. i'm not asking for any arguments here. i'm just posting a car for some of you to look at that "appears to me" to be very correct based upon my "memory" of what this car would have looked like in 1968. everyone is welcome to offer their own opinions - as is the custom here on FABO.