Got a line on a '68 fastback and need some pricing advice pronto!

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Gen2Cudas

Gen2Cudas

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Morning Everyone.

Went and did an insane thing: found a '68 fastback in Cali- (go see at autotraderclassics.com and search '68 Plymouth Barracuda in Santa Ana Ca), actually flew out here on airmiles and looked- then took it to a mechanic to go over it. So, got some equity already invested. . .

Anyway, wants 15k negotiable- car nada is 16.5- for a runner/driver.

Good news: no rust, no bondo, tight- and is probably got only the 25 thou on the odo advertised. Still got the original spare in the trunk! Minor dings, minor tears in interior, etc.- runs, drives, shifts, kinda.

Bad- can't drive it in its condition back to Texas- will have to trailer or leave here and get needed repairs done first:

Fuel tank leaks 3 places. Front balancer on crank pulley needs replacing, motor mounts, trans mount, exhaust pin holes, water pump, no freon, upper "A" bumpers split on being lifted- so all the rubber everywhere will probably need to be replaced, etc.

Mech is getting me an estimate today on needed-to-drive-it repairs (my guess is 1500 and leave it here at the shop for two weeks until I can get back to it). . . and do-it -yourself UHauling will be 2-2.5 k.

You fellows that take an unrestored survivor like this- got a guesstimate on best price?

Appreciate your time loads!

Mike
 
Stock 318-2bbl, 904, 7.25 open; front sway bar. . .unusual tach in center of rally dash. Ran VIN- high grade. . .

Mike
 
6000-8000 Max. and I'm thinking that's a bit high.

Seller has been watching too much Barrett Jackson. 15K is insane in this current market.

Other than a fastback, it's nothing special. Low grade driveline, etc. To make it really nice you'll be in it a ton.
 
Gen2, are you looking for something "done" or are you looking for a solid, complete project? If the latter, I may have something that might be of interest.
 
crackedback said:
6000-8000 Max. and I'm thinking that's a bit high.

Seller has been watching too much Barrett Jackson. 15K is insane in this current market.

Other than a fastback, it's nothing special. Low grade driveline, etc. To make it really nice you'll be in it a ton.
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I agree sounds like a $5000 car to me..
 
After looking at the autotraderclassics.com site and the 68 Barracudas in particular I have to say Wooohh. This one is almost half the price of the closest one listed. Didn't realize they were still so pricy. That price range does reflect the "S" option but overall the car looks sound. It sound like only minor normal stuff to replace or repair. I would have to say around 10k for this one as it is low mileage and in very good unrestored condition now.
 
whoa.....although the 68's are preferred,:read2: without it being an authenticated "S" car...that price would have me on the next train/plane/bus..outta there..If you are looking to throw down that kinda dough look for an 'S' car...my 2 cents
 
There was a guy here on FABO selling a brown 68 Fastback original 318 a/c car that had a 340 in it.He was from Texas. It was a running driving not really messed with too much car. IIRC, it was around $10K and it didn't sell very fast. I don't know if it did sell??? Use the search function here to find it.

Since you're in Texas and cars don't rust there too much, I think you could find a 318 fastback car locally. You need to go to all the shows and swap meets. Check the Texas Mopar clubs' classified. Maybe join one of the local clubs. That will get you networking.

I think there is a member here in Oregon with an original 68 340-S fastback 4 speed car with nice paint and interior for around $20K?? You wouldn't do much of anything to that car except drive it. That is a MUCH better deal than that $15K not yet road worthy car.
 
LS-300 said:
After looking at the autotraderclassics.com site and the 68 Barracudas in particular I have to say Wooohh. This one is almost half the price of the closest one listed. Didn't realize they were still so pricy. That price range does reflect the "S" option but overall the car looks sound. It sound like only minor normal stuff to replace or repair. I would have to say around 10k for this one as it is low mileage and in very good unrestored condition now.
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I just looked at it online. http://www.autotraderclassics.com/find/vehicle/vehicleDetail.xhtml?adId=135817&conversationId=17892

The original interior is really nice for burgandy I must say. That always fades and cracks. Must have been in a gargage always. But it is aged. Wonder how good the paint would look if they washed and waxed it. I still think it's very comparable condition to the yellow 68 340-S 4spd car, which is a TON more car.

Could be a $10K or so car. If you can find a buyer.
 
I can`t add anything these guys haven`t covered, only reiterate that the price is much too high for a non P or H code car.
 
Morning.

Kinda exhausted from messing with the thing and negotiating- thought I'd let you guys know how it went. Appreciate the input.

Looking for a good little car to put my daughter in- nothing special necessarily, but easy to drive, safe, easy to work on, fairly economical- something she can get her hands dirty on with me and have a bit of personal pride in once made "pretty". Doesn't have to be completely "done" but driveable, insurable, inspectible, etc. The white notch that Cudavert sold off here is a good example- and it was turn key for 10k. Good car- but my whole family disliked notchies and the white paint. No accounting for taste. And, it was a '67, which I have a bunch of parts already in the garage for. Anyway, fastback preferred by the majority, you might say.

And since Daddy is buying and works for a living, something I can afford without killing the budget.

Impasse at 9k- wants 11. Hung it up at that point and went sightseeing with the wifey.

The mechs didn't cost me too much for a pre inspection and tuneup; the car will need all the seals replaced, the body a bit of a massage for a ding or two and the paint touched up and buffed out. It would have lasted for a couple of years longer.

Parts to get it driveable about $500. Mech to do it here about $1200. Or, get it shipped home about 600-800. Then do it myself and add some more to get the suspension rubber replaced, the seals, the heater hooked back up, the a/c replaced with a Cool Air kit, the interior taken care of, etc. You fellers know the drill.

Will let him simmer for a while and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Mike
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
My car was so dirty in those pics. The ones in this thread are much better. Not really looking to sell it but I would think hard if someone waved $15k in my face.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=62079
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=P~ =P~ =P~ =P~


Gen2Cudas, he's waiving you in man. Follow the light.

If 1968FormulaS340's even thinking about 15K for the 68 S 4spd fastback, no way in hell should you pay 15K for that 318 auto car. Let the red car sit, until they get realistic with the price down to $10K or so.

IMHO anything near $15K for 1968FormulaS340's is even better deal that Cudavert's notchback at $10K. And that's nothing against cudavert's car.
 
Yes! You guys just kill me. Remember... what ever we get our daughter is going to drive. Oh, before Mike has a cow next to me, this is gen2cudas' wife. Thanks to all for the help and jokes. Walking away from a car all the way out here in California was a downer, but the car is not worth the price even with a good body, You should have driven this cuda. Hit the gas and the engine wanted to jump out of the hood and run ahead of the car =P~! No way is my super cool chick of a daughter driving that car in the shape it is in. The owner is a cool man but, no car lingo or car know how in him. I even know how to drop a tran and even change a tire :>) (All that and while wearing heels). Again thank for the info and aide. (I guess Mike can go back to fixing "RED" again.)
Keep on driving the open road guys!
Mrs. Gen2cudas
 
I guess your hung up on a cuda? Lots of good A bodies out there if you look around. At $15000 someone is smokin some really good stuff. I've got some nice Dusters if you're looking for a good one.
Small Block
 
I'd be hard pressed to pay more then $8,000. Nice solid base car, but realistically, an S car would be a better place to invest, especially when insuring it. No sense trying to prove value to get the money owed to repair/place if the un-thinkable happens if your jumping-off point is 15K. Besides, it'll cost the same to restore a more valuable or desireable model.

I'd keep shopping....
 
Gen2Cudas said:
Yes! You guys just kill me. Remember... what ever we get our daughter is going to drive. Oh, before Mike has a cow next to me, this is gen2cudas' wife. Thanks to all for the help and jokes. Walking away from a car all the way out here in California was a downer, but the car is not worth the price even with a good body, You should have driven this cuda. Hit the gas and the engine wanted to jump out of the hood and run ahead of the car =P~! No way is my super cool chick of a daughter driving that car in the shape it is in. The owner is a cool man but, no car lingo or car know how in him. I even know how to drop a tran and even change a tire :>) (All that and while wearing heels). Again thank for the info and aide. (I guess Mike can go back to fixing "RED" again.)
Keep on driving the open road guys!
Mrs. Gen2cudas
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How old is your daughter and how much driving experience does she have? Does she drive and older car daily right now? Does she often drive the other older cars you own right now?

I do agree that 4spd car with big cam and 3.91's is too much. Even the current owner is looking to detune it. So what are the requirements?: trans, mild v8, discs, power steering, power brakes??

Something I've observed over the years... I've seen many Mopar hobbyists get their daughters older Mopars. Seems like it lasts a few years and then they are done with it. I have seen young under 25 buy and drive old musclecars. They are still in the hobby 20 years later. One bought a Satellite in High School and became a writer for Hot Rod magazine and I think still works in that automotive magazine field.

The ones that stayed with, I've never seen their parents. They did it on their own and/or they participated in events on their own mostly. Not that they didn't get help at home or a start at home. Their motivation to do things in the hobby did not absolutely need their parent(s) presence 100% of the time.
 
I wanted to tell you all I appreciate all of the advice and commentary- you definitely helped me to turn away from a poor deal- and perhaps turned me on to better ones, even on here right now.

1968FormulaS340, I intend to talk with you more about your nice beast- hope you weren't teasing about being tempted!:-D

Smallblock, I appreciate the nod toward your Darts- and no offence intended by not answering you sooner- but yeah, you could say I am hung up on the 2G Barracudas. . .I appreciate looking at the handsome lines of the Darts at car shows and in the mags- but the lust just isn't there. I am sure everyone here understands that doubletake when you see what grabs you. Appreciate the thought though.

Fastback340, I agree totally- if the metal smashing or theft happens, it would be far better to have less invested in it- and let's not even talk about arguing with an insurance company puke! That is guaranteed to get my BP to redline when one stutters about paying up what they contracted to for the premium you paid. . .If it does have that much invested, far better to keep inexperienced bodies out from behind the wheel of it until they grow up some.

AutoXCuda, I will try to answer your questions. The daughter in question is 15, just starting to drive. Both her and her older brother were literally brought home in a '67 Fastback. They grew up with it, same as me (well, from age 9 anyhow :-) ). Grant you, she has zero experience in the driving department- and we all know that the driver of cars such as these is practically the only safety device installed- you need to know what you are doing in them. Solid cars- but they can and will bite if you don't know what you are doing.

I learned the hard way, like practically all of us did- screw it up, fix it. Fortunately, most of my goofs with the one I have were minor enough that I Could fix them. As far as her continued love affair with the breed once in one? Who can say? All I do know is, she doesn't want a Barracuda because it will be "cool" (though it will be). . .

Have to stop, more in a couple of hours. . .

Mike
 
A bit more- I fly corporate airplanes for a livin' and the clients decided to show up early. . .sittin' on my fanny in Denver right now and SFO shortly.

Anyway, the daughter has shown me hard work on grades, dedication, motivation- and she wants Daddy's 'Cuda, not just A 'Cuda. On that basis, I am inclined to accomodate her.

This could go two ways. One, I get my '67 fixed up for her, knowing it is going to take a beating, chances are- but they were made to enjoy, use, Drive- not just admire. Besides, it has sat for too long- time it was being appreciated and doing what it has always done best- deliver road miles and untility in style. Safety wise, it will get all the goodies I can think of to put on it- and she will learn well before she is cut loose in it. Then, I just cross my fingers. . .

more later. . .

Mike
 

Gen2Cudas said:
I wanted to tell you all I appreciate all of the advice and commentary- you definitely helped me to turn away from a poor deal- and perhaps turned me on to better ones, even on here right now.

1968FormulaS340, I intend to talk with you more about your nice beast- hope you weren't teasing about being tempted!:-D

Mike
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My car would need a serious de-tune for regular street duty. I know it doesn't look like it but the compression is very high (at least 11.7 to 1). The roller cam is not designed for long spring or lifter life (waiting for new lifters from Crower now). The clutch is also on the stiff side.... The engine build is old school.... high compression and high RPM (8,000).......

And the tires.... Although I love my re-pop redlines, I would not let my daughter (if i had one) drive around on them.
 
. . .with the flying thing.

1968FormulaS340, you hit the nail right on the head. As I was saying, option 1 is to build mine into a streetable, economical, safe car. AutoX, I got to look at yours in pics and specs a while back- and making the thing handle is what I have been collecting pieces for. That is a sweet ride you have there.

Safety- shoulder belts, disc brakes, (maybe power steering and power brakes- or not- I never had 'em), handling suspension (I'm part way already with "S" underpinnings, front and rear sways and polygraphite bushings all the way), frame stiffening, weight transfer to the rear (these things love to swing out in the wet!), big bolt pattern so I can get some wide rubber under the thing- these are my goals. Then, not too much power- I like 318's: they are quick enough, economical enough, easy to work on- I got 20+ mpg out of my second motor in mine and it ran like a little sewing machine at idle.

Other things- sound deadening, 3 speed wipers, excellent heater/defroster, more mirrors on it, a/c 137a compatible, electric radiator fans. . .

Its a tough car and will serve her well IF she respects it. If she doesn't, she won't be driving it.

Consider it an heirloom to be passed down.

Now, also part of option 1 is I get me a toy! She eventually gets a sweet ride she helped put together- and I get one I can bring smiling to the car meets and weekend cruises. Like yours AutoX- or perhaps like yours 'S340. That one will be garaged, babied, taken out to drive- but not see the street wars or the parking lots. Me, I fly a jet- if I got a real need for speed all I gotta do is crawl in one.

So, I am basically looking for a turn-key "done" car- but are they ever done? Either one she can have a lot of fun in- while Dad builds his original into a pampered baby (option 2). . .or, a sweet ride for Father- and she gets her hands dirty helping build her own out of what I kept for all this time.

And maybe, just maybe she'll also develop that love of Mopars along the way- as well as a sense of pride in having had direct input into its restoration. . .and thereby a strong desire to take care of the darned thing. Heck, it might last long enough for grandkids to ride in that way.

Again, appreciate the help and advice guys.

Mike
 
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