Future of Late (75-79) B-bodies ?

[Northeast300]

NOT MINE

There are a few SS22L9R cars at this place:

http://www.amsnos.com/UVL.aspx

This place also has a few SS22L9R cars.....I've actually talked to and bought parts from him

http://www.cbodies.com/

 

[monaco66coupe]

I just sold my 300, and it now resides in Central Nebraska. It needed to be restored, and a 16 year old kid bought it. He was very animated about the car, and Insisted it will be brought back to original. Good news to me! and, his Dad had a nice 76' Ramcharger in the driveway when I delivered the car. I do still have my 77' Cordoba.

 

[Northeast300]

Getting back to the original topic, the 75-79 era cars are beginning to get some attention because most of the cars from the 50s & 60s have been collected and priced out of reach for the masses. The same goes for station wagon, trucks and 4 doors cars, they all used to be an inexpensive way to get into the hobby. Back in the mid 80s I bought a 1971 LeMans T-37 for $500, that same car now goes for 5 times that. $500 these days won't even get you an uber ride to the swap meet!

 

[YY1]

Here's an interesting one.

Let's see how it does.

360, T tops, and could be somewhat rare no landau top.

Hard to tell body condition with matte paint, but looks straight in pics.

Somewhat concerning color mismatch in interior with dash and wheel red and everything else black.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162432867470?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

2K after 6 bids and 5.5K BIN.

 

[Wylde1]

I'm actually liking these cars more and more. When I was growing up a local guy had a bright yellow 75 Road Runner. That car definitely left an impression on my mind. Back in 2000 when I bought my 71 Demon, I could have bought the shell of that Road Runner for a song. I'm still kicking myself for not buying it.

Currently I'm looking for a 70 B-body convertible or a 70-71 E-body convertible for me and my 2 year old daughter. Gonna paint whatever I find Panther Pink. But I think I'll be looking forever. LOL

Which brings me back to these bulbous B-bodies. I was just reading an old article from last year in Car Craft or Hot Rod. A GM guy had a collection of 80's GM G-bodies, Monte Carlo SS, Hurst Olds and Buick GN. That gave me the idea of a collection of B-bodies. 75 Road Runner, 77 Daytona, 78 Magnum GT and a 79 300. I'm not sure what I'd pick for a 76. I'd prefer T-top models. Probably would be cheaper than just one B or E convertible.


Wylde1.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I had a 78' magnum with a T top in 1980. Beautiful White with red Interior. The T top Leaked like a sieve.The seal did not last two years. Very hot driving it as well. I much prefer the Hardtop. The nicest looking Magnum/ Cordobas are the models without any Vinyl top. Painted only!

 

[TRT1954]

I bought my all original 79 Cordoba about 5 weeks ago. For several reasons. One of those was that my very first new car was a 78 Fury Sport. If I had the extra money back then, I would have bought a Cordoba. Also, as others have said, it is still a less expensive way to stay in the hobby. And after all, it is still a B-body.

 

[multipleBs]

The two main pros and cons that: these cars are an affordable way into the hobby for those priced out of the muscle car era models and have the downside of no repro body parts are absolutely true. These are both very big deals as far as viability of a late model B collection. The only point I would add is that these are really solid cars, structurally compared to the older Bs. I have a 68 Charger and a 76 Cordoba. While I love the look of the 68 and appreciate the much higher power to weight ratio of it compared to the 76, I don't appreciate the amount of body flex (and no it's not a rust issue). Those late 60s Bs just don't have the rigidity of a rust free mid 70s model. These late Bs are really solid machines and consequently heavier. This has the double advantage that you don't have to worry about the risk driving a high value model in traffic and rest assured if some moron on a cell phone runs into you, they will definitely sustain the majority of the damage. Now we're back to that lack of repro sheet metal issue.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I drive my 77'Cordoba much more often than my 68' Charger only because of the risk of damage to the Car. The Cordoba shares a distinct similarity to the 74' Charger to me in regards to rubber isolated suspension, better brakes, sway bars, etc than the 68-69 models. But they just aren't as good looking. Both have their place, but one is just one hell of a lot more expensive than the other.
if I had the time, I would build a really nice 440 for the Cordoba to match the 68' HP engine.
For now though, I am just happy that I can drive the Cordoba as is, and have a good time on the cheap.
In the end the Cordoba can never replace 32 years of owning the 68' and raising four kids, that
remember the charger being around as long as they have been. Those are memories!

 

[Crizila]

This was taken around 2008. Byron dragway. Car was running high 11's at the time.

 

[Crizila]

Engine pic.

 

[Paul_G]

It is for sale right now.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6202239046.html

 

[aceofspades]

You're killin me lol

 

[d9103365]

Late B's will soon become more powerful than hemi owners could ever have imagined. I have foreseen it.

 

[Bruzilla]

I see the future of 75+ B bodies being the same as F bodies, which is pretty gloomy because of the lack of reproduction parts. I know a couple of guys who have had to abandon projects because they just can't get any parts. There will always be a segment of buyers who have emotional attachments to these cars, but they're never going to have a lot of broad-based popularity, and that hurts their values.

 

[TNTsMAG]

After a bout with cancer I'm seriously thinking about selling my '78 Magnum which has 31k original miles on it. I have a ton of parts for it since I was planning on going over it from end to end maintenance wise and building the snot out of it besides. I have about 7k of parts if not more. It's a sweet rust free car with a great interior. I've owned the car for about 5 years but have hardly driven it. It drives great other then the stock carb needs a rebuild since it's accelerator pump is shot. I have 3 different 4 barrel carbs in my parts stash along with a ton of other parts.

Here's a couple of pictures a from magazine article it was in.

One from the Collectible Automobile Value Guide.

And a few I took.

 

[WileE]

After a bout with cancer I'm seriously thinking about selling my '78 Magnum which has 31k original miles on it. I have a ton of parts for it since I was planning on going over it from end to end maintenance wise and building the snot out of it besides. I have about 7k of parts if not more. It's a sweet rust free car with a great interior. I've owned the car for about 5 years but have hardly driven it. It drives great other then the stock carb needs a rebuild since it's accelerator pump is shot. I have 3 different 4 barrel carbs in my parts stash along with a ton of other parts.

Here's a couple of pictures a from magazine article it was in.

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One from the Collectible Automobile Value Guide.

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And a few I took.

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Damn, that car is gorgeous !!

 

[Paul_G]

Pretty car. Too bad your in Wisconsin.

 

[d9103365]

I see the future of 75+ B bodies being the same as F bodies, which is pretty gloomy because of the lack of reproduction parts. I know a couple of guys who have had to abandon projects because they just can't get any parts. There will always be a segment of buyers who have emotional attachments to these cars, but they're never going to have a lot of broad-based popularity, and that hurts their values.

I can remember when parts were just as hard to find for 71-74 models...not so much now. Plus, there's a lot more late B's in salvage yards that early B's...so in that respect salvage parts are much more plentiful. Having worked with both I can tell you that getting Chrysler parts is never easy or cheap no matter what model it is.
There are still those who think that 71-74 are worthless/undesirable etc, but the market has proven otherwise. 73-77 GM colonnade bodies have also become hot lately, but many people still consider those undesirable as well, although they have strong showings in magazines and shows. Things change as time goes on. As the top tier cars approach prices far above Joe Blow's buying ability, the later models will continue to grow in value. Certain late b's disappear in craig's list as soon as they are listed - those in the know are buying them up....just like they did with the A bodies a few years ago.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I am of the older crowd, and drove 68' Chargers as a driver car in 1974, and have owned them ever since.I have been collecting the Mopars for many years, and even in the 90's getting original parts for the 60's cars was nearly Impossible.

Then the demand kicked in, so Vendors began to make parts.The demand will drive the restoration hobby to the 75-79 cars eventually. People are tired of seeing 30k for a nice 68', when a clean original 70's is 6k-9k.
You should have seen the 79' 300 I sold for 1800.00 bucks last April. That car had been rode hard and put up wet. but the young kid loved it!
Plus, I already see it in the four door sedans. their prices are going up. Young people today actually grew up with four doors, and like them. Two doors not so much.
Don't lose heart. I intend to keep the 77' Cordoba around for a lousy 6k. At the bar in town Women love it, but my wife isn't so please about the attention!Lol