Dreams Dashed

[1969VAGTX]

So I traveled yesterday to see and close the deal on the 69 Road Runner I have been eyeing to buy for awhile now. It was an experience that proved I should not have gotten my hopes up. Once I actually got to inspect it closely, it was quite a let down to discover all the "warts" on the car. You would think that if you are going to try to sell a car to someone, you would at least ensure that the door handles work (neither did). As awesome as the combination was on the car, it just wasn't up to the standard that I wanted or expected, so I chose not to pull the trigger.

Alas, the search continues for my fabled B-body. I am also checking out a couple of very nice (something I have a different perspective on now) Coronets, as they fit very much in my interest as well.

In the meantime, I am staying put here as my next Mopar purchase will in fact be a B-body.

 

[HawkRod]

Sorry your dreams were dashed, but better that they were dashed BEFORE you bought the car. I've heard so many stories about people who have bought a car just based on some internet pictures and then have their dreams dashed when some POS gets delivered.

So good on you that you went and personally inspected the car. In my opinion, that is required (or having a trusted person do so) when buying one of these cars.

Your short term disappointment will likely lead to a long term enjoyment once you find the right car. Good Luck!

 

[vintage chromoly]

I traveled all over the east coast for over a year, and looked at over 20 B bodies.
They all looked good in the pics and most of them were turds upon, in person, inspection.

the worst was a trip from Cleveland to NYC to see a superbee. I pleaded with the owner to tell and show me ANY defects, as I surely would identify them once there. “Car is mint!, you’ll love it”, was his assurance, over and over.
I loaded my trailer and drove 9 hours with 30 grand in cash, only to turn right around.

These cars are 50 plus years old, have had many owners and have been molested beyond belief.

when I began looking I thought that I had the hard part licked (getting 30K together). Little did I know, that was the easiest part. Finding a decent example proved difficult.

good luck, and hang in there. It takes time and patience.

 

[Ron H]

Having restored a couple vehicles, the money and the time were more than expected. First one was a seriously rusted car; but got it done and did it pretty well being a picky sort. You get acquainted with every inch of the car, every bolt, wire, etc. The feeling of accomplishment is fantastic – but then find something else needing attention or wanting to do to improve it; comes with the territory. This also gives a keen eye looking at restored cars.

On reflection, it seems in a good many cases buying a nicely done restored car can be a bargain compared with DIY. This being a quality resto. Came across beautiful ’64 Fury at a show a couple years ago and got to chatting with the owner. He had just purchased the car for a sweet price and opened the trunk to show me a nice photo album of this car during its restoration. IMO, THIS would be a car to buy showing its re-do.

With my 2nd restoration I have some 250 photos of the car during the resto. Anyone looking at the car when it comes time to sell it will see exactly what they’re getting…and I know that I’ll be lucky to get about 2/3rd’s of what I invested in it…discounting the 100’s of hours my B,S, & T’s labor on it. I’m a geezer now with no intentions of doing another ride; but I get the inkling now and then to maybe buy another car. I’d think the only way I’d be comfy doing so would be a photo-shoot of it during its resto...just my slant.

 

[zyzzyx]

Twice I dragged a U-Haul trailer to go after cars that were clunkers! once all the way to Boston
for a 442 with/for a friend, and once to Lenaxa Kansas for a 67 GTX. Both were talked up pretty
good and we were assured of their quality. Pictures looked good too! Ha! Glad you came to your
senses and were able to "throttle Back". Patience will pay off. The right one WILL come along.

 

[rbkt65]

that is why if i ever find something far away, i will pay big for someone close to go look at it for me. my friend and i did that for a man from canada. we went to look at an a body for him in st chas, mo. we inspected it very close, called him with findings and he passed. he wanted to pay us for it but we said no. he insisted. so he donated a couple hundred to the childrens hospital close to his home, in our name.

 

[zyzzyx]

Most of us here would be glad to inspect a car and take pic's without charging anything. You
never know when you'll need the same.

 

[Dennis H]

Sounds like a good day. How about a link to save someone a trip.

 

[davek]

Yep I had 2 different friend-Mopar guys- look at my Bee in NY for me. Got to look I dont know how people buy cars by pics. I also drove 8 hours for a 71 challenger 2 tag car and was disappointed and drove home emptied. It sucks driving all day for nothing. Take your time you will find one and good luck.

 

[69bird]

Got any pics of it

 

[ZR9B]

I did the same thing...had my hopes up...the guy said less than 300 miles since restored....he didn't say that was 25 years ago. The quarters seams at the roof line were coming undone , rust holes in the rocker....motor sounded like it had marbles in it. 72 challenger...red. saved my money and just keeping my 72 charger

 

[Ron H]

I think some people believe prospective buyers don’t know ****; and well there are some of those. I’ve encountered a few at shows having bought their proud ride that looks ratty on closer look-see. Fresh paint covers a lot of ills. Most of the time – no knock to them – they haven’t wrenched on cars or restored them. I’ve sold a lot of vehicles over the years coming to reject insulting trade-in offers. Some really nice and some crappy. I stayed honest as I could be on what’s what (well what I knew things to be) and set pricing accordingly.

When I sold my old Dakota to a guy who didn’t have a pot to piss in I think I gave him a fair deal plus dropping the bottom price I planned on it. I said I just had it to a shop I’ve used for decades and the fuel pump was just replaced. Couple days later I get a call from his wife all mad explaining how poor they are having kids – the new fuel pump went to ****. I said, please relax, get it to the shop and they replaced the pump under my warranty that’s not extended to a new owner as the shop owner agreed to do this.

Glad to say there are forthright dealers/people as I flew out of state a couple times to get a vehicle I bought driving it back home. They told me exactly about any defects some I might not have detected. On the other hand, don’t like people who tell ya a vehicle is all cherry and it is NOT! That’s bullshit.

 

[Dave6T4]

Reminds of a time when I went from London, Ontario to just outside Boston, Mass. to purchase a 1939 Buick convertible sedan about 50 years ago. I saw the ad and picture in Hemmings Motor News and called the owner to ask about it. I explained I already had another chassis and was most interested in the completeness and condition of the convertible body. He assured me that it was good (looked alright in small Hemmings picture ), so I sent him a deposit to hold it.
I borrowed a friend's tandem trailer and we set out Friday morning and drove all day to get there. We left our motel on Saturday morning with the trailer to collect my new project. Upon arriving at the seller's place, we were astounded at the condition of the Buick. It looked like it had been in a garage that had burned down. I am sure that the picture was taken before some calamity had happened. I told him I was going to leave it there because we have enough junk in Canada already. Seller got all huffy and refused to return my deposit. We returned to our motel, dropped the trailer, and went sight-seeing around the Boston area for the rest of the day. Drove home on Sunday. I-90 is a toll road all the way from Buffalo to Boston, so with me towing a trailer, it was double toll, both ways. Plus, my tow car was my 1970 Buick Wildcat 455. All-in-all, a pretty expensive weekend with little reward.

 

[DeltaV]

This one in Winchester, VA is nearby

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/472299221073595/?ref=facebook_story_share

 

[Durandal25]

Well, let’s get your perspective on what a dream car is and what level of quality a car you’re wanting. For me, when on the hunt…..I verify the paperwork, VIN and as much possible with the seller,knowing he’s biased and that these cars have had 3-4 or more owners. Price is key. If the fellow wants several thousand for a car that’s shot full of holes that you know of….just how many more do you not? Having built 4 67’s now…. I know that these cars are getting much more rare, and way more expensive to work on. Sheet metal condition and completeness are next. If a seller lies about the condition, walk ….. no negotiating with a liar.

 

[DeltaV]

Danville, VA

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/421949429514089/?ref=facebook_story_share

 

[Cranky]

And never take a spouse that has eyes bigger than the universe with you!! Did that one time against my better judgement and came home with a pile of crap!

 

[3sloppydogs]

Just about went through that. I found a wagon that looked good but the guy would not send me pix of the very rear seat area. I told him i don't care what it looks like but give me a heads up. Never got those pix plenty of others but not those. So the flags went up and I stopped the pursuit.

 

[1969VAGTX]

Sounds like a good day. How about a link to save someone a trip.

This is the car that I went and looked at. I really liked the bucket seat and console set up. The body was much rougher than the video and pics suggest. Lots of cracking seams. The fit and finish of past restoration work was not that great. Wasn't helped by a salesman who didn't know anything about the car (like when the resto was completed) and didn't seem interested in talking. The door latches not working just seemed like icing on the cake.

https://www.volocars.com/auto-sales/vehicles/16773/1969-plymouth-road-runner

 

[1969VAGTX]

And as a side note, I put a ton of blood, sweat and tears into my 69 Dart build, so I have a full appreciation for what it takes to build a quality car from scratch. I'm just at the point where I don't really want to go through that again for my next purchase. That probably makes me picky. The finish on my Dart makes me want something above average, everyday driver quality. Maybe that isn't out there, but I am certainly going to look. I don't want to spend buckets of time and cash at this stage on another from scratch build of a B-body.