I found my car on Mecum

[MKA]

I should say, I found that my car was sold at Mecum prior to me buying it and I found the listing. 

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0520-414271/1970-dodge-challenger-rt-convertible/

Someone got a smoking deal @$60K in July 2020.  I don't know if maybe that was a hang over effect of the start of Covid on the overall market.  prices were rebounding by then.  I looked at other prices in that  auction and there were other good deals and higher prices for relative value. 

I found the listing as I was doing a vin search as I do on occasion looking for my broadcast sheet.  On Facebook I got a match and was like whoa ( I had searched there before, I don't know why this old listing didn't come up)   It was someone posting pics of the car from the ad where I bought the car in August 2021 from Volo dealership.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=345626700380955&set=gm.1267513433702305

https://www.volocars.com/vehicles/16616/1970-dodge-challenger-r-t

This Facebook info had new pictures that were not from volo.   I did an image search of one of the pictures on google and got another match.   Like wow that has never worked before.   The match was the Mercum auction listing and result.   I will be contacting the Facebook poster to see if they have any other info, but not expecting much.

I do like how the Mecum description lists my 383 as the diminutive option and the engine for economy.   

Couple questions:   Has anyone had luck on contacting Mecum on prior history of an auction car?   Does anyone recognize this auction and know anything of the car?

I asked Volo about the car history and they didn't have any.   They appear to have purchased the car 2 months prior to me purchasing per the date on the Illinois title they gave me (titled to Volo in June 2021) so I'm guessing they bought it from the person who bought it at auction.   

As for my purchase from Volo,   I paid  90K and feel like I overpaid by 10k or so as you might expect buying from a dealer but it had what I wanted and I am very happy with the car.  A little bit of shock to see the Mercum price, kudos to the buyer.  Would be curious on others opinions on value or if you see something that would hurt it.  You won't hurt my feelings.   With the market today everything seems inflated and I wonder if there will be a snap back in the stock market and all other capital intensive items.   I have mixed feelings on the purchase experience as Volo over promised and underdelivered on the state of the car (it had numerous leaks from sitting to long) but overall the car was as promised and I am happy .  I have gotten to learn a lot from doing most of the leak repairs myself and I am still having dialogue with Volo about these items.   Not expecting much, they were disappointing but not material to the value imo. 

I did get the car out this past weekend.  She enjoys the beach more than the snow

[anlauto]

In think $60K was a good deal, don't think it was a smokin deal....I agree $90K is very high for a 383 automatic for the quality of it's current condition, all the wrong parts and incorrect details and such, but what's MOST IMPORTANT is that you're happy, and you're out driving and enjoying the car the way it should be 
Great looking car 

[MKA]

Thanks Alan,  appreciate the feedback.  Almost afraid to ask but can you give me some of the obvious incorrect details.   Might be things I would address over time. 

[anlauto]

Things that jump out at me: (only 'cause you asked)

-Tuff Grip Steering wheel - never available in an E Body
-Radial Tires - for a $90K car I would expect the correct PolyGlas (although radials likely give you a better ride)
-Wrong 71-74 side view mirrors
-Wrong Bumpers 71-72 with slots
-Wrong seat belts
-Blacked out tail panel trim
-Missing Hood Insulation pad
-Tons of incorrect details in engine compartment
-Wrong 8-Track radio - it's out of a Chrysler not a Dodge
-Dash woodgrain in terrible condition, missing reset knob, AC control bezel out of whack
-Broken AC vent
-Pitted shifter bezel, broken slide thing...
-Speakers in rear panels
-Holes drilled in seat back
Missing rear License plate light
-Wrong exhaust
-Lots of incorrect details underneath

Again, these are no big deal, but I wouldn't expect to see them on a $90K car

[JH27N0B]

It's Mecum not Mercum.  Though I sometimes refer to them as Fleecum!
In today market 90K isn't too out of line, maybe 10K high as you said, but how many Challenger R/T verts do you see for sale?
A number of little details wrong but if the paint and body are good, incorrect details improvement can happen one or two at a time as weekend projects.  I like to think of true car enthusiasts as being caretakers, so if you improve the car during the time you own it, you can take satisfaction in having been a good caretaker of this rare car!

[MKA]

Thanks.  Agreed on all points.   Some of those I have gotten to,  correct am/fm radio (not working but got the visual) the shifter slider was weird, someone had cut and placed a 71 version in there, it cutoff the lights on the indicator.  I replaced that and the chrome bezel, and the console overlay.  same with the ac bezel.  The rally dash bezel , I took your prior advice and ordered from performance graphics in December, waiting on them to ship.   Proper mirrors on hand, etc.  working thru it.  The rear panels I will leave as is, maybe put the speakers in there with an Bluetooth amp in the trunk.

Get your point and appreciate the feedback.  I have had fun working with it even if arguably I paid for it twice 

Changed to Mecum:)

[6bblgt]

Again, these are no big deal, but I wouldn't expect to see them on a $90K car

there aren't too many proper restored cars top & bottom that would sell for less than restoration cost 

looks more like a 50+ year old car that's been repaired & "maintained" as needed, which often is a better-quality car than some that are "prettier" 

[anlauto]

I hate picking apart someone's car or their work, but you asked.
As JH.... says....they are just little things and you can enjoy correcting them over time. I don't follow 70 Challenger values to closely, but price isn't a concern if you're truly enjoying the car

[6bblgt]

awesome combination of a "LOADED" R/T convertible   

the leather interior would've included the carpeted lower door panels w/reflectors
the bumper guard OPTION would've included rubber pads on the rear guards
the A63 moulding package would've included the moulding on the front valence

correcting the AM/FM & painted? racing mirrors is a great start
deluxe seat belts and one of the OPTIONAL '70 steering wheel configurations would help 

the pictures look both ways, are the rallye wheel center caps "light" 1970 or "dark" 1971?

is the '70 "deluxe" seat belt buckle the same as '71's STANDARD buckle? 

[6bblgt]

   show your "colors" & get some 1/4 window BEEs

[anlauto]

awesome combination of a "LOADED" R/T convertible   

Couldn't agree more, and without the broadcast sheet, at least the tags look original, which is a bonus

[6bblgt]

& I just noticed the leather is added - originally H6X9 "BLACK" vinyl  disregard the carpeted door panel comment 

[MKA]

I hate picking apart someone's car or their work, but you asked.
As JH.... says....they are just little things and you can enjoy correcting them over time. I don't follow 70 Challenger values to closely, but price isn't a concern if you're truly enjoying the car

It's all good, you can't learn if you don't ask and don't listen. I would rather be aware.  I have learned so much here and love every minute of it. 

Several of the items you listed are either on now or were on the list to do, but you did add a couple new ones I hadn't been aware of, the hood insulation for instance.     Some things like the rear panels, are just going to be.  The steering wheel, I kind of like it small.  It will never be perfect.   I don't think I ever realized how far you could go with this, it's is amazing.   I think when I started I was thinking more of a lightly modified car with some performance upgrades such as headers and similar.   Almost 6 months later, I'm good with stock, simplicity, keeping it look new with an eye towards originality in spirit but not perfection.  Minor upgrades such as LEDs, tires, stereo amp for trunk ( to come).

If you see anything else off throw it on the list, I'm tracking it.  You didn't mention the top, I'm sure you saw it has some weird thing going on in the corner.  Probably was left down too long. 

I did get ahold of Bill Edwards, he is hooking me up with deluxe seat belts       

The 70 deluxe belts are close but not the same as 71.  The car came with what I think were 73 Charger or challenger front belts.  No rears. 

I think the wheel caps are light but I don't have a point of reference.   You are right, the light and angle distorts the shade in the photos.   I could always say I have both

Good call out on the "6" for vinyl.   I'm keeping the leather upgrade, lol.  And another good call out on the rear rubber bumper guards.   I assume that's an entirely different set?   I don't recall seeing those in reproduction.  The mirrors thanks to JEJJ and Cuda Jim for the 70 mirrors.  Just have to get the time to find a good body shop to get them painted as close a match as possible.

[71vert340]

It looks like the hood safety latch release handle is 1971. I could be mistaken. Also the plastic convertible top posts inserts that are in the windshield top header.
Terry W.

[JH27N0B]

  show your "colors" & get some 1/4 window BEEs

While ordering those, don't forget to get a Chrysler airtemp AC decal for the passenger side rear quarter window too!
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/dodge/challenger/parts/MD4175.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3fiPBhCCARIsAFQ8QzVY_GipcvVYW8EvIphe6nHifd1LqEzzUfZqaYBZ4K_V43Jvxae7x5MaAk67EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds