Looking at, evaluating and pricing a project car.

Back in the 80s' the so called muscle car was just starting to be a target of desire, after what about 20 years from when new. The the stock market crashed and $$$ went into the desirable models. Then about 91-2 the $$ guys pulled out and the market was flat for several years. But all that history is beside the point.
Back in the early 90s for instance, good Mopar projects were everywhere but not too many "restored" or surviving nice cars. Projects were cheap but 20 year old cars needing most everything. Yea you might find a decent runner but still really needed everything. Yea a 68 Roadrunner or Charger could be found for $1000-1500 (OK so some were found for less!) but if you really built the drive train, body/paint, interior..... It would bring about $7500. You had that pretty much in it if lucky and not more.
Nowdays, 99% of those good projects like back then, are now 30 years older and 30 years worse!!!!! They ain't the same and most of the good ones were done decades ago! toay projects are way overpriced for what they are. Look what it costs to do anything on a car today!!!! Anything!!!
But today, there are so many done cars or even older restos, that if you add it all up, a done car of done well or well enough will be bargain. Add it up.
Old saying in the horse world " people buy yearlings because they are chasing a dream , yearlings are cheaper.....but dreams usually never come true". That can be sore true in the old car hobby also.
I enjoy the hunt, the build, but it can be nice to buy a car mostly done also!! and drive it!!