As car guys, we all have visions of what cars we would like to own. I have fairly simple tastes: Just give me one of everything. However, being cautious to start with often makes your project a little more enjoyable. Since we no longer have the opportunity to buy a new, pre-DaimlerChrysler musclecar off the showroom floor, guys like us must focus on previously owned models. Cool ones. Fast ones. Ones that guys like us might have owned and driven in the past. See where this is going? Nobody wants someone else's problems. To help you out, here's some food for thought before making your purchase.
The virtues your father should have instilled in you as a child still apply today ("What, son, do you think money grows on trees?!"). Before the greenbacks change hands, take a look at these tips so you can better apply ol' Dad's words of wisdom.
Know What You WantThe nice thing about the car hobby is that everyone has different tastes. If your mindset is such that, "If it's Mopar, that's good enough for me," then the choices available to you are endless. There are lots of great, clean projects waiting to be discovered. On the other hand, if you want a particular model-year car with particular options, things may be a little more competitive.
Let's say your dream car is a '70 Road Runner with a 440 Magnum and the Air-Grabber hood. There are a good number of these classics still left: some perfect restorations, some rougher, some junk. Before making your purchase, do a little more legwork. Talk to people who own this model about the difficult parts to obtain, then shop accordingly. Spending the extra money up front for a more complete car with all of the components still intact may be a better investment than spending the next decade scouring swap meets for the special equipment. This is true even if the car has some modifications to it; the pieces unique to that '70 Air-Grabber Road Runner will be the most important parts in your initial purchase. This isn't to say you can't do a conversion with a stripped-down version or a Satellite; that may be what you want. However, you might end up buying a second Road Runner donor just to free up the little parts needed. Conversions may also require you to farm out some of the more difficult work.
In the end, it becomes a question of balance. It may be the deal you can't refuse, but be realistic. Will the result in both effort and money make it worthwhile?
What a Bod!Buying musclecars-cars that may have been driven on salt-covered roads, cars that may have crashed into poles, cars that may have been cut up for stillborn race projects; these models are what our dreams are made of. Making sure the base you intend to work with is solid may be the most critical part of your "new" car buy. Let's face it, Mopars are notorious for rust, and unless your car's coming out of the desert, check it carefully. Floorpans, trunk floors, and outside quarters can be replaced, though it'll be costly if you're not handy with a torch and bodywork. Frames, torsion bar mounts, spring perches, cowls, and inner quarters will be more expensive; if you're not up for this, walk away fast. Without a solid base to work with, anything else you do will be useless.
If the bodywork is completed, check for Bondo-type fillers, incorrect alignment, poor surface prep, and a shoddy paint finish. If you're unhappy with the paint, decide what you want and how much it will cost before making an offer. With bodywork, you get what you pay for; the Earl Sheib look may work for a street racer looking to take money away from the 5.0 boys, but pride in your ride makes this an important area.
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