"Family thing" 68 Dart GTS 340

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Argh

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New to the forum, hope you'll forgive me for an immediate "what's it worth?" post.

The car in question is a 1968 Dart GTS with 340 and 4 speed manual. It was purchased new by my dad. I haven't actually seen it for 20+ years so I'm making some guesses about condition, but I was very familiar with it when it was stored. My brother had it since 1980. He stored it in the early 90s. Late 90s it was flooded up to about mid-door. As soon he was able to (a couple weeks later if I recall) he stripped all the carpet, door panels etc to dry it out a good as possible. It has been in a storage unit in Colorado (very dry) since 99. Until I see it, I'm going to guess that rust is minimal. He took good care to arrest the rust although I'm sure the interior got all moldy.

The car is absolutely 100% complete down to all chrome, badges etc, all numbers matching. It has just over 100k miles and was driven kinda hard. Won a fair number of bracket races. Everything will need to be rebuilt. Only body damage is a small ding on one front fender from a very light front impact on the very corner. Didn't even break the headlight. Never had any body work done. Engine and tranny are out. (There is a second 340 also, but it think it is a 70). Glass is all good although I'm sure the windshield is heavily pitted. Rear glass should be good.

Pretty rare, I think I found 1281 '68 340 4 speed GTS were built. ALWAYS underappreciated, so not really a high dollar car.

My brother died and the car is going to his daughter. I think she thinks she can have it restored and make some money off it.

Here are my questions.

I think if restored truly perfectly and taken to Barrett Jackson or Meechum or some other high profile auction, it might go for around 60k at the very most. Does this sound accurate as a rough ballpark?

I think a top quality restoration done by a GOOD shop would likely cost more than that. Accurate?

If a medium-level restoration was done, I'm thinking it might fetch around 40k tops. Reasonable?

My fantasy: buy the car from her as is, and do as much of a restoration as I can myself. This would be a multi-year thing. The car means a lot to me. My dad is alive and pushing 80. I would love to be able to share it with him.

So...any idea what would be a rough guess on a FAIR (not steal) price to offer her?

Thanks for your patience if you read all this!
 
You'll loose money if you think you're gonna pay to restore it then send it to Barrett Jackson or Mechum. Even if you did most all of the work yourself I doubt you'd make money. "A" bodies don't bring that kind of money. Plus the prices of parts is out of this world anymore. Oh and by the way... Welcome abord!
 
You'll loose money if you think you're gonna pay to restore it then send it to Barrett Jackson or Mechum. Even if you did most all of the work yourself I doubt you'd make money. "A" bodies don't bring that kind of money. Plus the prices of parts is out of this world anymore. Oh and by the way... Welcome abord!


Thanks man, that was my point. Second question, in the the described condition, what would be fair to offer her? (I want the car to keep and share with my dad, not to make money off.)
 
BJ auctions have no reserve, and if you don’t register early any pay up for a Good Friday night or Saturday night time slot then it’s a crap shoot on getting good money.

she will lose her *** on paying for a restoration.

yes a cool and rare car but not top dollar.

we need to know the current condition to give a fair price. And the color combo make s a difference also, Is it 5 shades of pea soup green or a good color?
 
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Sight in seen, 5000 - 10,000 max.

Keeping in mind it is a family heirloom to you.

Unless you know how it has been stored and the last time it ran. Mid door water might have gotten into the rear end, trans and engine,

Rear 1,000 to 2,000
Trans 1,000 to 1,500
Engine 2,000 to 5,000
Then there is probable rust. 5,000 to 10,000
Mold 1,000
Interior 500 to 2000
Probably some of the electronics /wiring 1,000 to 3,000
Gas tank and fuel lines 1,000
Exhost 1,000 to 2,000

It all added up really fast.

Low end your in it up to 13,000 just to drive it.

Some of my estimated might be high but you don't know what you are going to incounter till you open things up.

While in storage mice may have gotten in to the interior, or the exhost or the intake.

Where in Colorado is the car. I'm in Fort Collins, and wouldn't mind getting some photos for you if it's within a couple hours.


FYI, my 67 dart convertible was my dad's he bought new in 67. My mom and sister were convinced that it was worth 75,000 due to an e bay ad. I have tried to explain that that car had 60 to 65,000 invested in it and it is still for sale many years later.
 
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Not to sound like a dick, but your niece needs to realize she ain't gonna get rich $$ wise off selling it. Now selling it to you and Grampa at a steeply discounted price would make her rich on heart. That's what she needs to do.
Offer her 8k.
 
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Regardless if you can get photos (so we can intelligently comment) or you see the car in person, the challenge will be with your niece. She’s probably in her 20’s and has heard from boyfriends or word of mouth that old cars can bring big money at auctions. Yes, that’s true but it really depends on the car, condition and history. Your niece is probably seeing $$$$ rolling in. Hey, spend a few $ and I’ll get $$$$ when it’s flipped at an auction. Yeah, not that simple.

If she can separate a family members (you) sentimental value from her monetary value she thinks the car has, then you might be able to buy it from her.

Keep us updated on how it goes.
 
Not to sound rude but you haven't seen the car and now no one here has either as you've not posted one picture of a car that's been in your family for over 50 years and not one estimate is going to reflect it's real present worth.
 
A bodies are a love not an investment. I base value off of Old Cars Report Price Guide. You can find them on the web. A #1 car kept in an enclosed trailer taken to shows and never driven is a low 20k car and it has to be numbers matching, pristine and stock with correct parts.
 
^^^^^^ So true. Why is that? These cars are just as bad *** as their big brothers but get little respect ^^^^^^
 
I think if you want the car and it as always been in the family then it is yours. But I understand where you're coming from. Just remember... it is not running, it is not a complete car, you have to rebuild the entire vehicle, parts take for EVER to get. You will get parts that are incorrect, paint will cost more than you can imagine, missing parts have to found... I think you get the picture. Getting an old car just back on the road isn't like the TV shows. It's a hell of work. But if I had my Dad's car. I'd to it for sure. You have to weight the risk. The car will always be a sentimental value. Not a money maker.
 
^^^^^^ So true. Why is that? These cars are just as bad *** as their big brothers but get little respect ^^^^^^

you have to drive one and then you will know what love is. The looks I got back in the day from the big block crowd, usually looking back.
 
The 68 340 was special in the day, hotter cam in the 4-speed only and hold a special place for those in the know. Colors affect prices on these too, a green on green car will not be worth as much as a red, black, blue, or even turquoise car is worth. You really need to get pictures so we can assess the true value...
 
I think if you want the car and it as always been in the family then it is yours. But I understand where you're coming from. Just remember... it is not running, it is not a complete car, you have to rebuild the entire vehicle, parts take for EVER to get. You will get parts that are incorrect, paint will cost more than you can imagine, missing parts have to found... I think you get the picture. Getting an old car just back on the road isn't like the TV shows. It's a hell of work. But if I had my Dad's car. I'd to it for sure. You have to weight the risk. The car will always be a sentimental value. Not a money maker.

I agree with everything after your second sentence. The way the OP stated it’s going to his brothers daughter indicates that is based on a will. Unless he contests the will, which has a monetary cost to it, he can’t just tell his niece it should be his car!
 
He said is Dad is still alive so there is no will to contest. But yea families can get a little miffed at times at the dumbest stuff.
 
He said is Dad is still alive so there is no will to contest. But yea families can get a little miffed at times at the dumbest stuff.

Who is the car titled to? His Dad or his brother? If it’s still in his Dad’s name, the Dad can decide. But if it’s in his brothers name, then there is a will to contest. It reads as though the brother willed the car to his daughter.
 
I really don't care. He asked what it is was worth. They can do what ever they want with it.
 
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without pics, hard to say but 10-15 grand or in that ball park...restored you could ask 25 K I dont know if youd get it but people ask it,cas in point my car is a 70 plum crazy 340 swinger. about 15 -20 years ago someon on the web had one like mine,asking 40K. Im not exactly sure they goit it but they asked it. keep in mind a high end car would or should be an un restored nice original...restoration always adds the question mark as to wether it was actually done right.
 
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