Need a critique on a resto

[NMGary]

Gentlemen (and Ladies, if present), howdy from a new guy. I'm trying to sell a 67 GTX and not getting very many bites. This is my wife's car. She inherited it when her last husband passed away. All she really knows about it is the amount of the checks she wrote ($50k) for the resto. So I'm stepping into this with very little knowledge. Your help would be appreciated.
We have a boatload of pics, so anything not apparent here I can probably get.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28514716@N07/sets/72157626658465761/

What I'm looking for is expert opinions on the correctness (or otherwise) of the car. Is there anything that would put a knowledgeable buyer off? Do we have a restored GTX, or just a nicely rebuilt car?

(I'm not posting this for sale here, just asking for opinions.)

 

[alleyoopmgv]

Welcome to the site! Looks like a beautiful car! I'm sure you will get some input.

 

[NMGary]

Thanks. A bit more background: the resto shop will not answer e-mail requests for info or return phone messages. Guess that should be a big red flag. I already know the color is wrong. Car was born yellow, then repainted red before the resto. Shop did a really nice, detailed job. I have no gripes about the work done. (I was in the auto-body field for near 20 years... I can easily tell good work from crap).
I know the shop tried to talk the late-husband out of the color choices, but he was trying to re-create a car from his younger years and the checkbook speaks loudly. He got what he wanted, whether or not is is purely correct.
So. The question remains. Is this a well-restored GTX (less the color issue), or a really expensive resto-mod?

 

[70rr-brian]

Would probably help to know if the car is a numbers matching or not. Maybe someone can point you to a coherent link to help you figure that out. There are a ton of sites out there if you are inclined to do a google search for them. Just be prepared to do some digging to get the answer. The intake and exhaust numbers in the photos are not at all what you will need to determine the answer.

My first observation is that car was not a trailer queen. It looks like it saw its fair share of use. It may or may not be numbers matching but I wouldn't consider it a resto-mod in the classic sense of the word. In so much as most of the components seem correct for the era and VIN number. The VIN indicates a 440/4bbl. Which it appears as that is what's in it but...is the motor the original or not?

Numbers matching or not...My opinion is that she will likely never get the money he put into it back of it. That is just my gut feeling. Use being a major factor. I am not a purist by any strecth of the imagination and frankly I hesitated to comment on this but it looks like the guy probably just got the body work handled (although not 100% correct by the appearance of it.) to clear up rust etc... and got fresh paint and refreshed the interior. I wouldn't even want to guess what may or may not have been to the rear/engine/trans etc.

Again, that is just my opinion and I sure hope someone who has a better eye for this stuff helps you out with a more educated opinion.

 

[1badgtx]

Nice car...The market for cars is a little soft with the bad economy...To see if it,s the original motor you have to look under the right hand exhaust manifold...I see that the car is an early production number by the vin...It should say something like 12-66or 10-66 for the month and year of the casting..Everything seems to be right...The motor should be tourquoise in color and not red...Options on the car that would make it worth more are factory tach on the console,bullet turn signals on the front fenders and seat headrests..My personal estimate in todays market is about 27,500...Nothing close to the 50 grand into it...I don,t think the stripes are correct color and may have not comeon the car originally...I don,t think its considered a correct resto job..Lots of luck!!Still a very nice car!!!
Petty Blue 67 gTx

 

[NMGary]

This is exactly what I'm looking for! Please, don't think you're going to hurt my feelings. I didn't pay to have the work done.

 

[Meep-Meep]

First of all it seems to be a very nice resto job and I should be so lucky as to own it! However I made a few observations about originality. The following items are not correct:

Wheels, air cleaner, engine color, no behind the grille black out, aftermarket radiator, appears to have late model disc brakes, wood grain console top, dash paint and I'd say interior color combo of the white door panels with black arm rests and black upper door frame paint.

 

[Ron 73]

Judging by what im reading hear i was wrong about the factory tach, I thought the GTX originally came out with it but if reading right it was a option.. but that sure is a very nice car, particularly the color scheme. Welcome to the forum, good luck!

 

[70rr-brian]

Have you driven it? How does it run? Handling good for what it is? Motor strong with no wierd noises etc? Auto shift OK? Any strange noise coming from anywhere else? All dash gauges and accessories work? Windows work as intended?

Just looking for your opinion on how it is mechanically.

 

[NMGary]

Yes, I have driven it. Only issue I know of is that the brake lights aren't currently working (all other lights work....maybe the brake light switch?). Everything else works as it should. Engine is strong, trans shifts properly, no noises.
I guess from what the members have pointed out, that this is not really a "restored" GTX but more of a "refreshed" one.
I do take exception to someone stating that the air cleaner is incorrect. I have read that both single- and dual-snorkel air cleaners are proper for the year. Now if you're talking about the repro stickers, can't argue with that.

 

[70rr-brian]

The brake light problem is more than likely a ground wire in the trunk not making proper contact.

May I ask what you have been asking for the car when you had it listed?

 

[quick63]

Welome to the forum...Very nice GTX. I agree with the review from other posts. The steering wheel and exhaust tips are incorrect. I have a 67 GTX I purchased from the original owner in 1969. 440 4 speed dana am radio light package. I have a standing offer from a collector for $26,000 cash. The market is soft or maybe back to the real world, pre Barrett-Jackson. You have a mid 20's car for sure. It is not hard to drop major bucks in a car, especially if you are having a resto shop do it. Enjoy the car and welcome to the forum.

 

[NMGary]

Thank you all. I really appreciate the input. I started off asking $35k. I see that that is rather optimistic now.
Further discussions with my wife/ car owner reveal that this was never intended to be a full-on resto, rather a really nice weekend driver. Hence the lack of correctness. And the engine was fully rebuilt according to her and some of the pics I've seen. Why they didn't paint it the correct color I have no clue and the shop isn't talking. Guess they saw the opportunity to score some major bucks without being very thorough.

 

[70rr-brian]

It's all good. Not everyone can afford or even desires a concours perfect vehicle. I prefer to drive mine versus trailering it around. Sounds like that fellow was the same and he wanted what he wanted. Nothing wrong with that. That is still a VERY nice car and I am sure someone will be very happy with it as it is. It's just not going to bring the kind of money a point perfect car would. But considering that fellow was having others do the work...even a point perfect car would have been a losing proposition.

Good luck on the sale.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yes, I have driven it. Only issue I know of is that the brake lights aren't currently working (all other lights work....maybe the brake light switch?). Everything else works as it should. Engine is strong, trans shifts properly, no noises.
I guess from what the members have pointed out, that this is not really a "restored" GTX but more of a "refreshed" one.
I do take exception to someone stating that the air cleaner is incorrect. I have read that both single- and dual-snorkel air cleaners are proper for the year. Now if you're talking about the repro stickers, can't argue with that.

Dual snorkel yes, but the snorkels are not rectangular in 1967. The air cleaner on your car is most likely a 1970 model. Still a desirable air cleaner no matter where it is.

 

[Budnicks]

welcome to FBBO forum good luck with your sale...