Wow half a million bucks ($500K) for a Max Wedge?

[Centerline]

Preserve them for what,to say I have something you don't have even though I can't drive it ? If I can't drive it I don't want it ! :icon_confused:

It has nothing to do with "I have something you don't have". People who pay that kind of money for a car are buying it an investment just like they would a fine piece of art. Although they may drive them on occasion, its much more about owning something that will appreciate in value over time than anything else. Jay Leno is a perfect example. He has 7 Dusenbergs and he drives each one every now and then. His Dusenbergs are all valued in the 7 figure range, but you can bet your bottom dollar he didn't pay near that for any of them. The Max Wedge in question is a 1 of 1 with documented race history and its a prime candidate for that kind of preservation... providing the right collector comes along.

 

[Jim's Maxie]

It has nothing to do with "I have something you don't have". People who pay that kind of money for a car are buying it an investment just like they would a fine piece of art. Although they may drive them on occasion, its much more about owning something that will appreciate in value over time than anything else. Jay Leno is a perfect example. He has 7 Dusenbergs and he drives each one every now and then. His Dusenbergs are all valued in the 7 figure range, but you can bet your bottom dollar he didn't pay near that for any of them. The Max Wedge in question is a 1 of 1 with documented race history and its a prime candidate for that kind of preservation... providing the right collector comes along.

Then maybe Jay Leno should step up and buy it !!:hello2:

 

[rlp9052]

What happened now robb? What did D D say? Didn't hear from you

 

[rlp9052]

I have put the 63 polara max wedge convertible back on auction, there were so many experts and opinions on my car that varied so much who knows, i didn't mention aluminum front end, how can so many people know the answers and they mostly differ, however i did have the guts to buy it and try it, met some wonderful people in here and i thank you very much for your help, hope the next owner doesn't go through the stress and confusion i did and enjoys this car and leave the hard core experts still not knowing what this car really is!!!!

 

[70RR]

$1.7 Million vs. $3 Million

What a difference 7 or so years makes in this economy..At
Barrett-Jackson in 2005 or could of been 2004 a 70 Hemi Cuda convertable sold for $3 million....$1.7 is still a LOT on money for a Plymouth but, almost HALF of what it was worth to some one TODAY vs what is was back then......Rick:eusa_think:

I don't know.... a 70 hemi Cuda convertable sold at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction last year for $1.7 million and that was 1 of many. A 1 of 1 documented Max Wedge national record holder with proven race history is easily worth $500K to the right collector. People who pay that much for cars generally don't drive them much. They become investments and they're parked in a climate controlled garage 99% of the time. When you think about it, for some rare cars that's the best way to preserve them.

 

[Centerline]

What a difference 7 or so years makes in this economy..At
Barrett-Jackson in 2005 or could of been 2004 a 70 Hemi Cuda convertable sold for $3 million....$1.7 is still a LOT on money for a Plymouth but, almost HALF of what it was worth to some one TODAY vs what is was back then......Rick:eusa_think:

Yep. And its a damn shame!:sad10:

 

[PettyBlue72]

What a difference 7 or so years makes in this economy..At
Barrett-Jackson in 2005 or could of been 2004 a 70 Hemi Cuda convertable sold for $3 million....$1.7 is still a LOT on money for a Plymouth but, almost HALF of what it was worth to some one TODAY vs what is was back then......Rick:eusa_think:

You hit the nail on the head! Half of what it was worth to someone. Remember cars and anything else are only worth what someone is willing to pay.

That cuda that sold for 3 mil was a bidding war between a couple rich guys with more money than brains and as a result it drove the prices of all Mopars to unrealistic levels. I believe the prices Mopars are selling for these days are closer to what they are actually worth depending on the quality of the cars and restorations of course.

 

[DavidElmore]

1964 Dodge Polara 500

Hell I would take just $55.000 for mine :upside down:

 

[DavidElmore]

64 Polara

Maybe someone looking at that 63 will see this 64 and find it is prettier

 

[coloradodave]

You want to do what????

What a difference 7 or so years makes in this economy..At
Barrett-Jackson in 2005 or could of been 2004 a 70 Hemi Cuda convertable sold for $3 million....$1.7 is still a LOT on money for a Plymouth but, almost HALF of what it was worth to some one TODAY vs what is was back then......Rick:eusa_think:

And that guy DROVE that car back to Phoenix. He is a contractor and developer and has a fleet of hemi cars. He drives them all. Hotrod or Car Craft did an article on him after that auction. I heard that the prior owner tried to stop the auction company from giving him the keys after he found out the new owner was going to drive it home..........gossip, but none-the-less, interesting.

 

[HT413]

I dunno, i think there is room in this world for museum pieces. There are a lot of pieces of art in this world but only one "sun flowers" (ok, several), or one "mona lisa", etc. so someone preserving it with a "do not touch" sign... well i get it... But for christ's sake, park the trailer round the block and drive the son of a bitch into the show.

 

[Ron Kirkpatrick]

to funny

Armchair experts! do you guys work on your cars or post about things? I have the twin to this 63. real max wedge, raced by the most famous mopar racer alive. this car is real. they had light weight fronts also. on 11-1 compression. like for me to post codes? not all these book experts know all. want to know something ask a racer who was alive and ran these cars. NOT some pontiac parts clown who thinks he is a god. The higher end of the market does not put two cents into Galens opinion sheet. (read it close, its an opinion) I see there is allot of jealousy I have read about this car. why not quit hating on people and make the most of a historical car. the auctions do not run the prices of these cars quality and people do. there is a whole other world the public never sees in the collector cars. I see allot of cars people think are restored. tires and paint is not restoring one. the market is at record prices. if its restored correctly. ever see the $4.3 mill cuda convertible? private sale.

 

[RubyredSavoy]

Bigdog- are you saying your '63 Polara ragtop also has a "documented", factory installed lightweight nose? From what I am reading in this thread, is that GG is the one that said the car in question came with the aluminum front end. It's the fact that DD shows the original IBM card, has it listed as a low comp steel nose car is where the debate started. I would live to see pics of your car, I'll bet it is amazing to own any original '63 max wedge convertible! Light weight or not.

 

[coloradodave]

"Armchair experts! do you guys work on your cars or post about things? I have the twin to this 63. real max wedge, raced by the most famous mopar racer alive. this car is real."

Bigdog: You are right. There are a lot of BSers on the forum, but there are also a lot of dedicated guys who are trying to help others out. A member's job is to separate the BS from the facts and sometimes that's hard.
I, for one, would love to see pictures of your car and hear a little about its history.....

 

[Ron Kirkpatrick]

I like dedicated people. as anyone who has ever worked on these cars knows nothing is standard anything is possible. GG is not an expert. I have a file in my office on stuff he has done that is an out right scam. cars vin #'s have been made for that were not what he says.(LO23, BO29's) rebodied cars he says are not. few years back a good friend, and top e body guy took a cuda for him to see and it had been restored. it was funny when he got called out on it. I am not a GG fan. anyone that knows mopars never puts any faith in his "Opinion sheet" its funny that a person on TV said he was an expert now the world followed him until they caught on.

So who is going to buy this 63 MW car? or do I need to go get it?

 

[Ron Kirkpatrick]

What a difference 7 or so years makes in this economy..At
Barrett-Jackson in 2005 or could of been 2004 a 70 Hemi Cuda convertable sold for $3 million....$1.7 is still a LOT on money for a Plymouth but, almost HALF of what it was worth to some one TODAY vs what is was back then......Rick:eusa_think:

the car values are not down its the quality of what people are selling.

 

[coloradodave]

Still like to see pictures and description of your car..................

 

[super-bee_ski]

Armchair experts! do you guys work on your cars or post about things? I have the twin to this 63. real max wedge, raced by the most famous mopar racer alive. this car is real. they had light weight fronts also. on 11-1 compression. like for me to post codes? not all these book experts know all. want to know something ask a racer who was alive and ran these cars. NOT some pontiac parts clown who thinks he is a god. The higher end of the market does not put two cents into Galens opinion sheet. (read it close, its an opinion) I see there is allot of jealousy I have read about this car. why not quit hating on people and make the most of a historical car. the auctions do not run the prices of these cars quality and people do. there is a whole other world the public never sees in the collector cars. I see allot of cars people think are restored. tires and paint is not restoring one. the market is at record prices. if its restored correctly. ever see the $4.3 mill cuda convertible? private sale.

Wow Bigdog... (Remember, there is ALWAYS a BIGGER DOG)
I sure hope your not "venting" at me because I mentioned the Pontiac SuperDutys, Swiss Cheese and aluminum at a cool $250K and up. Those cars are for real and not for clowns. I'm sure not hating the car. I'm in love with it. I'm also running a 70 Bee w/ a 1970 Hemi and building a 63 Polara (like that car) Max Wedge clone. Yup, I work on my cars.
But, if no one is not buying the car at $500K, I'm not getting upset with anyone. I dont always agree with auction prices.
Also, that 4.3 million dollar Cuda will not fetch 4.3 mill today.
.

 

[furyfrank]

I own Arlen Vanke's 63 max wedge. Convt. I had a call two weeks ago about buying this car. Lady said her father has owned it for many years etc. I asked for vin and data tag info. There are a few that are not in darels books. I have a 64 convertible also got from original owner in Delaware. I have every piece of paper since new it's 11-1 compression motor. This 63 could be a real one. My 63 is an auto and I just had Arlen build the motor and I have his over the counter back up block and heads I will sell reasonable. The best guy to ask about vin numbers is Walt Redmond. I think if the car is real and in current condition $500k is high.

I have to ask a question didn't arlen vanke run pontiacs ( he called them tin indians )until his doors got blown off by mopars ?

 

[super-bee_ski]

I have to ask a question didn't arlen vanke run pontiacs ( he called them tin indians )until his doors got blown off by mopars ?

Yup, He ran w/ Pontiac in 1962 thru 1963. Then GM shut the door to corporate racing Jan 12 1963.
The 421 engined Super Duty Lemans Tempests featured aluminum front sheetmetal, aluminum bumpers and a unique clutch-operated 4-speed transaxle. these Aluminum Super Duty LeMans cars were very special and the unique parts on the 421 SD's included dual 4-barrel carbs mounted on the massive "bath tub" intake manifold, sealed aluminum cross-flow radiator with special overflow tank, and factory exhaust dumps. they had heater delete plates on the firewall, trunk mounted battery, special "black box" access door to the transaxle and clutch assembly, and hood scoop lifted from a competitor's medium duty truck line (FORD) and given a Pontiac part number.

A quote:
"The Super Duty Tempests were built over the Christmas holiday of 1962 and delivered just prior to the GM corporate racing ban of Jan 23, 1963. Pontiac abandoned factory-sponsored racing shortly thereafter, but not before making legends out of the drivers such as Arnie "Farmer" Beswick, Jess Tyree, and Arlen Vanke."

These cars were SO dominant that Mercedes Benz is rumored to have purchased one of the 12 cars for their R&D program. It outran everything of that time on a course during the rain and shine for like 12 or 24 hours. Again, it's supposedly tucked away in Germany.
Now, these were NOT the Catalinas' mind you.
Again, a "Clown's car?"
Peace and Love!
:love2: