Chance at two 74' Cudas...Help Needed!!

[6bblgt]

what is that first pic of?  that's not a factory stamping/marking

[6bblgt]

is there a door sticker? it is near the end of E-body production

[RGAS88]

I have not had access to the inside if the car yet. I am planning on meeting with the owner in these next couple of weeks to get some more info about them.

That first pic with the vin is on the windshield.

This is the reason why I am coming to you guys to help me value this car. I would have never known its not original.

[70 Challenger Lover]

I would look it over for rust and grab it if your satisfied. I'm still thinking 15k for the pair. The L code one is cool and unusual for it's year but I still don't think you have found a grail car. Even if it has it's original numbers matching engine, I still don't think it will have the kind of value a non numbers matching 70-71 car will have. If you like it, grab it. Tire kickers often lose out on good deals over thinking it. I have bought lots of things of things over the years out from under other people who were slow to pull the trigger on a deal.

Bring a Jack with you and crawl under the car. Poke around and look for heavy scaling rust or holes in the rails and floorboards. You will see rust but you are looking for stuff that is so scaled up, it flakes off in sheets with a screwdriver. Open the doors and try to push a screw driver through the side panel where the hinges are. These areas rust out and can be a big repair job. Look inside the car under the dash and inside the trunk for water leaking in. That means the metal around the front or rear window is rotted out. Fixable but you need to make sure you know what your buying before agreeing on a price. If the carpet is lifted or ripped up, try to look under it to see the floorboards inside. I would be more concerned about future repairs than numbers matching on a 74.

[70 Challenger Lover]

Oh and examine the roof, especially if it was once a vinyl top car.

Lastly, make sure there is a vin plate on the dash. I spoke to a guy on eBay recently about a 71 Cuda and turned out he didn't have the vin. He assured me one could be made which I do not believe to be true. That alone scared me off.

[RGAS88]

I appreciate all of your help and feedback. I realize its not as valuable as those earlier cudas. My point of interest is more toward a project car that I can work on and restore over time.

[70 Challenger Lover]

I appreciate all of your help and feedback. I realize its not as valuable as those earlier cudas. My point of interest is more toward a project car that I can work on and restore over time.

I think the consensus is go for it. If I was going to have a later year version, that would be an outstanding choice!

[anlauto]

Oh and examine the roof, especially if it was once a vinyl top car.

Lastly, make sure there is a vin plate on the dash. I spoke to a guy on eBay recently about a 71 Cuda and turned out he didn't have the vin. He assured me one could be made which I do not believe to be true. That alone scared me off.

YES...you can get a reproduction dash VIN tag made from AG Backeast with proper documentation.

[anlauto]

The VIN etched on the windshield is a first for me ...

[70 Challenger Lover]

Oh and examine the roof, especially if it was once a vinyl top car.

Lastly, make sure there is a vin plate on the dash. I spoke to a guy on eBay recently about a 71 Cuda and turned out he didn't have the vin. He assured me one could be made which I do not believe to be true. That alone scared me off.

YES...you can get a reproduction dash VIN tag made from AG Backeast with proper documentation.

I had heard they will make a fender tag but I didn't think they would do a vin plate. Thought that would be illegal in most states. Good to know though.

[blown motor]

The VIN etched on the windshield is a first for me ...

That's what I was thinking. I don't normally comment on these situations because there are others here who are much more knowledgeable than me. However, I don't think you can treat this car as an original L code without a build sheet. Some things just don't add up. If you buy it price it accordingly.

[headejm]

First thing I would do is look in all of the usual places for the Broadcast Sheet(s). With the owner's approval of course. Behind the front seat backs, under the rear seat springs, under the carpet, above the glove box, etc.

Have fun! 

[Brads70]

The VIN etched on the windshield is a first for me ...

very mysterious?  Maybe that's a 1974 only thing? Never seen or heard of that before? 

I appreciate all of your help and feedback. I realize its not as valuable as those earlier cudas. My point of interest is more toward a project car that I can work on and restore over time.

Aside from all the numbers stuff, still looks like a fun project to dive into depending on what you could buy them for! If it " speaks to you" go for it and enjoy!

[JS29]

  I seam to remember the VIN etching on the glass was done to lower insurance premiums!   

[RUNCHARGER]

Yup: It's a big deal on newer cars. The guy could have had it done or had some time on his hands. If the car has the serial # in the right places I don't think a sheet matters much, it's not like you are going to verify a shaker, louvers and rubber bumpers on a 74.