What's it Worth '71 Charger

[Skytrooper]

I am considering parting ways with my "71 Charger. I have been resurrecting it for the past 6+ years. It runs and drives great. There are still things that need to be addressed, but doesn't stop it from being fun.

440 Magnum powered with Carter Carb, stock manifolds, rebuilt 727 (I have all the specs and measurements), Console with B&M Quicksilver shifter, new carpet, new headliner, new windshield, New tires, fresh alignment, Complete new exhaust (manifolds to tips). Engine refreshed. I am sure I am forgetting something. A lot of extra parts too !

Fuel gauge is not working. It has new sending unit (3-4 years old).
Most dash lights need new bulbs.
It could stand to have new front end bushings.
It could use a paint job, but that doesn't affect it's drivability.
Emergency brake cable is missing the center section.
Needs hinge and lock for console and trunklock.

This car was rebodied by a previous owner. The car started out as an original R/T. The VIN is a WS23U (this matches the dash plate, door tag / sticker, and the 440 block). I didn't know about this when I got the car, But I have not had any issue with registering it. It does not have Skidplate K-member or Torque boxes. This is why none of the badging has R/T, it is what it is....which is a Charger.

This car is a fun DRIVER, it needs nothing for just tooling around and running errands or going to car shows.

This car is totally rust free ! It came from the southwest, frame and all sheetmetal rust free !

Soooo..... What's it Worth ????

 

[Skytrooper]

Hmm…141 views in 24 hours, and not one idea ?

I am very surprised

 

[kiwigtx]

Hmm…141 views in 24 hours, and not one idea ?

I am very surprised

All the usuals are scared to offer an opinion in case they get booted for being less than kind.

I see lots of desirable options or add-ons...so it is not a car to be given away too cheap....IMHO. Not my body-style, but it is a nice car for someone to have fun and finish off.

 

[RemCharger]

25 gees? Not sure how to interpret the vin business.

 

[chargervert]

I think the car is going to be a hard sell. The VIN issue is going to scare away most buyers. Tabulate the sum of the parts and that is the number.

 

[YY1]

I agree. It's a known VIN transplant/re-body.

That's gonna scare off purists and people who don't know how to handle that situation , which is a LOT of potential buyers.

I wonder what the value of those last two cars I saw GYC start is, as they were basically re-body jobs.

Since they are a licensed body shop (aren't they) I wonder if it's OK for them.

 

[Skytrooper]

Honestly, in my mind I would think a running driving Charger...with zero rust issues, should sell.

I would always ensure any prospective buyer knows what has been done to it. I do not think the "sum of its parts" is a true realistic valuation. Maybe I am way off base here. This is why I am asking.

At the end of the day, it is a running, driving, 1971 dodge Charger. 25K is probably a good starting point. If the PO hadn't rebodied it....that price would be at least twice that.

 

[Skytrooper]

Just for arguements sake on Aug 19 Kyle340 sold a rotted out 71 R/T . He was asking 8k. Body sheet metal either missing or rotted. No engine, no transmission, or radiator. No interior. I can guarantee that to bring that back to life would be stupid expensive. You would be basically starting from the tire stems. Just food for thought.

 

[DeltaV]

I would always ensure any prospective buyer knows what has been done to it.

Make sure you have everything described in a letter that is signed by you and the buyer in the presence of a Notary.

 

[YoungGun87]

IMO, I'd search the market for what other 71 base Chargers have sold for in similar condition, add up the add-on parts like tail lights/hideaway headlights/hood, and go from there. At the end of the day, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay and there's some people out there that don't care one way or the other if it's a re-body; they just care about legality. Like Richard Rawlings says, "there's an *** for every seat."

 

[toolmanmike]

$10,000 you could put $30-40,000 in it to restore and it would still be rebodied. That's the big downfall and if you sell it and not disclose that, you are in the same boat as the guy that sold it to you.

 

[Skytrooper]

I would never think about not disclosing it.

 

[DeltaV]

I would never think about not disclosing it.

You want to have a notarized letter so you're covered for when a future owner down the line sells it without properly representing it.

 

[chargervert]

Skytrooper is being 100 percent honest about the car,or we wouldn't be discussing it. Finding the right buyer who just wants a cool Charger to drive and doesn't care about numbers might take time. Most people are going to be concerned about whether they have will have problems when they want to sell the car.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

I am sure you likely are correct on its past. But, have you looked at the other VIN locations on the body? Who knows if every car got torque boxes and k members like all it's brothers and sisters. Never really know how a mopar rolled off the assembly line? I have learned to Never say Never.

 

[DeltaV]

1) It's not a good time to sell.
2) I like '71-'74 Chargers; especially the '71 and especially a big block.
3) The OP's car looks nice and interesting.
4) Why sell it?
5) I thought you lived in New York State...it passed annual inspection with the emergency brake cable issue you mentioned?

Opinion: It would probably sell for $15k, but you might find someone willing to pay $20k if you wait long enough. Asking $25k sets high expectations in the buyer's eyes...like a nice paint condition.

 

[haywire 440]

The color on the doors look brighter than the front & rear fenders, is that the camera angle or maybe a repaint sometime in it’s life? If the paint is all similar that’s cool but if the fenders don’t match the doors I would be wanting to have it repainted, so that’s dollars down the road. A few dings etc from normal life I suppose, which means to me at least it could be a really fun to drive car. If you stab the gas pedal does it roar, smoke the tires and chirp loudly hitting second gear? Rust free condition is a huge plus.

It’s kind of a reverse R/T car without the matching engine and trans so I think it would be priced in that range.
You’d have to research that.

I like the look of the dark wheels & front-rear spoiler/wing. The hood stands out! Seats look comfortable. With all that said it could attract my attention at a swap meet with a starting price tag above 25k. The items mentioned above would move the needle either way.

If someone is targeting ‘71 Chargers and likes the color, I do, I think you’d get some bites.

 

[Kern Dog]

$10,000 you could put $30-40,000 in it to restore and it would still be rebodied. That's the big downfall and if you sell it and not disclose that, you are in the same boat as the guy that sold it to you.

In his defense, he is being honest about the status despite it working against him financially. I applaud him for his integrity.

I would never think about not disclosing it.

Thank you for that. More people should have an attitude like yours.

 

[70 sublime]

Did the OP of this thread know it was a re body when he bought it and pay a little less because of that fact when he got the car ??

 

[Skytrooper]

No, I did not know it was rebodied. I never saw the car “ in person”. It was a long distance deal. It was never disclosed to me. It was represented as the real deal. A friend had seen it and told me about it. At that time I had no idea about its value. I hadn’t been looking for another car. It just kind of fell in my lap and my sudden haste to possess it ( because it was cool ) has led me down this path.
I had never even heard the term “rebody” until I had had it for a while and was a member here for a year or more. By that time the PO had passed away. The people here helped me realize it was a rebody.
And there you have it. Full disclosure. I got shafted, but it was due to my own ignorance. Live and learn.