QuoteYour budget as mentioned is a bit on the lighter side for the quality of ride. It being a 70 4 speed r/t is your main challenge...pun intended!
Color is also a huge driver. Most of the high impacts except EL5 tend to drive a high price.
I actually really like EL5, but maybe I'm just weird. I know that my budget is not even close for say a U- or V-code matching numbers car, but do you think potentially it could get me there for a driver-quality N-code that also wasn't numbers matching?
QuoteAre you willing to shift some of these requirements? For example there are some really decent SE package cars that may be an auto that are really nice deals. Also in decent A66 territory there with your price. From a personal perspective I have a 340 4 speed and love it!
Year is the last thing to consider. Your budget can get you a very decent 72-74 rallye package 340/360 car. Just food for thought.
I've had a lot of time to think about what I would and would not compromise on. I'm pretty fixated on the year and it being a 4-speed. I definitely would be more likely to compromise on color and would consider a 318, 383 2-barrel, or an A66 (as long as they were 4-speed cars with rallye dashes). I may also consider R/T clones, if I had to.
QuoteBe persistent. I would suggest an extended trip to the states to do some car hunting. It's best to see it in person. In place of that there are plenty of people on this board who would be willing to check a car out of you ask. My self included.
Be wary of the dealers. If it's consignment it may be a solid car but they place a 6% or more markup on the owner. Several also turn over some pretty rough cars that look pretty in the photos and video. Bottom line it needs to be looked at.
As much as I'd love to do a trip to the states (I've spent about a year in the USA over the last decade and I absolutely love it), COVID has really put a spanner in the works. I still have my broker on speed dial and I have already used their inspection services to look at two cars. One I absolutely love, but the guy (a really good man) would prefer cash in hand (which is a real problem for a foreign buyer). The other was okay, but the car wasn't quite what I wanted.
I really do appreciate the fact that you took the time to write out such a detailed response and I'm sure that through the good people on this forum I'll make the dream happen.