Help Purchasing a 1964 Dodge 440

[Druid318]

Can anyone take a look at these photos and tell me what you think? I am looking at buying this car for 1400 bucks. I owned a 64 Polara when I was a teenager, but didn't have rust issues to deal with, I want to make sure I'm not getting into something I won't be able to repair. Not sure how much you can tell from photos, but any help is appreciated.

There are also a couple of side pictures on Craigslist, but they are low quality pictures.

Description from craigslist.

1964 Dodge Model 440, 2-door hardtop, running slant 6 and automatic transmission. Car has rust in floor, quarters and rockers. I have all repair panels except rockers, will go with the car. Panels include both front floor pans, both rear lower quarters, both rear lower quarters with wheel opening, and trunk quarter extensions. $700+ worth of brand new sheet metal. All glass, bumpers and stainless are very nice on this car, except for a very small ding (1/2 inch) on the front lip trim of the hood. I will include a 1968 440 V8 and a big-block 727 transmission with this car for an additional $600. The 440 and 727 are out of a 1968 Imperial, forged steel crank motor. The motor is disassembled, block has been magnafluxed and rough-bored .060 over. I didn't have pistons purchased, so didn't want the machine shop to finish hone the bores. The interior of the car is, frankly, a mess. It is a great project car for someone who doesn't have as many projects in the queue as I do. This one would be a great start to building a straight front axle, altered wheelbase gasser. The car is stored in a dry shed, where it has been since I pulled it out of a field 12 years ago. Attached pictures are not the best, I may roll the car out of the shed later this week and get some better ones.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Well if your up to replacing some sheet metal and have the time, space and patience, I say offer 1100 and go from there. There are alot of parts you can still get and also some that are reproduced. Good luck and keep us informed on what ya decide.

 

[72Satellite440]

Sounds like a great price especially for a 2 dr and at least theres not too much cancer in the engine bay around the fenders. Good luck with it!

 

[moparsteve636]

The price you stated isn't too far out of line!If the frame rails and the cowl are solid.Hit him at $1000 that will give you a few bucks to work with.

 

[moparker]

Definitly check the cowl from inside out. Especially where it wraps around to the doors. All in all I agree not a bad price.

 

[Druid318]

I have an appointment to see the car this afternoon. If I don't see to much rust I will probably purchase it. Don't think I'll buy the engine and transmission though. My ultimate goal here would be something lighter and more modern, like what 5.7Hemi is doing.

If there is rust where the cowl wraps around to the doors is that something that cannot be repaired or is it just expensive to repair?

If I pick this up it is going to be a long term project, I'll probably try to get the slant going so i can drive it a little while working on the rest. The guy said the brakes are mostly not working, so that will be project #1 i assume.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[black64]

The cowl area is where the most hard to repair area is. Hard to tell from the pics so look under the IP in that area to see if there is rot in that area. The price looks about right and with the new metal for repairs sounds fair. It is how much can you do and how deep are your pockets? Good luck it sounds like a nice project.

 

[joelrpo687]

The best wat to buy a car is to buy it all done.If you don't care about the money then go for it.My 64 Plymouth Fury needed many of the repairs you mentioned.The d/s cowl repair panel is available from Kramer and is a bitch to install but not impossible.I'm going to be north of 50k when my project is completed and that's fine with me.I knew that when I started.

 

[Dodge 330]

I agree, buy the solidest car you can find no matter what it costs (within reason, of course!)

I bought a $250.00 car and, while the basic shell was good, I've spent the last 14 years tracking down good parts/parts cars to make it really nice.

I should have listened to my Dad at the time who told me to save my money and buy a completed car and I'd be $$$ ahead! :jerk:

Oh well, I've enjoyed tinkering with this one off and on over the years...

 

[5.7 hemi]

I say go for it. Take your time and enjoy redoing it your way. When you find an area that needs attention, do it, and then move on to the next, this way you dont burn yourself out. Get your friends/family involved, it'll make a big difference, and you might learn a thing or two from them.

 

[DavidElmore]

Unless you have a garage to devote full time, have welding equipment, sanding equipment. have some electrical, body shop and a lot of mechanical background you better look for something from AZ or CA that already comes rust free.

there are still lots of great deals out there that you won't have to spend an arm and leg for and devote the rest of your life and finances working on.

I got my 64 Polara 500 almost completely restored, no rust, CA car for $12 grand.

You will find out later that there will be a lot of rust you will never find until you start tearing the entire car down completely.

Good luck and good hunting. And let the buyer BEWARE
:eusa_think:

 

[Druid318]

I went out and looked at the car friday afternoon, and decided not to buy it. Most of the body looks to be in good shape, and he has sheetmetal for the parts that don't but there is rust in the front floor on both sides and the metal brace that runs underneath the front floor is also rusted through. May be fixable, but it is more project than i am looking for at this point.

If someone that can weld wants a project this is probably a good one, just over my skill level. If anyone is looking for a parts car, this would be a great one i think. The engine area is in good shape, and all the chrome on the car looks to be in great shape. I was amazed at how nice the bumpers looked.

This car is on craigslist in the Kansas City area if anyone is interested. I am going to keep looking for something with less rust.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Sonny Black]

Druid, my 318 laddie, if it is your passion to build a car..(if I had the time , place, money, years, & etc.) I would say go for it...
BUT, buy a "started or finished" ...? if an older "B" Body
is what you want.
let someone else spend the money and bull work
& buy it .60cents or less
on the dollar.
...... $ 's ahead.
JMVHO,
Sonny Black