73 Challenger Rallye 340 4spd project

[Fish Tale]

Hey guys,

Need your thoughts, advice, etc. on this one.  What would be a fair purchase price and would the car hold its value once fixed?  I know parts are expensive.  Would someone be upside down with this one? 

I'm looking at it for my brother.  He's new to Mopars and that's if he gets one.  He knows his way around old cars and most of the work he would do himself.  One thing to note, its basically across the country and we wouldn't necessarily be able to go see it in person.  That might be an issue.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Dodge-Challenger/373491694162?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160727114228%26meid%3D301a3d6849e64266aa82d729704395d3%26pid%3D100290%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D373491694162%26itm%3D373491694162%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2060778&_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507

Thanks!

[jimynick]

Unless your brother is a good bodyman with a large wallet, my advice would be to run! You enquire, as to if a guy would be upside down with this car, and I can pretty much say with conviction, YES! The pictures don't show half the damage to the roof and notice there's no pics of the inside trunk? Based on the photos, I'd say you need to change the hood, rt fndr, both 1/4s, deck lid, upper trunk panel and roof with the strong possibility of it also needing a trunk floor and possibly otr whlhses as well and that doesn't take into account the repairs to the other panels. I own a '74 and the cars don't pull the money that the 70-71's do. You can buy a pretty nice 72-74 for in the mid to upper $30's and you'll be in way deeper- unless you do your own body and paint work- than that, with this thing. Just my 

[7212Mopar]

Looks like lots of rusted panels but underside not too bad. It is a 340 4 speed car so worth saving IMO as long as not looking to get back what you put in.

[YYZ]

A coastal car...hmmm.

If you could get it checked out in advance of purchase, that may save you and your brother a lot of grief.

Given what appear to be original markings and paint underneath, the lower structure may actually be pretty solid, in which case you'd have a decent foundation.  Interior looks nice other than the dash, and 340 4-speed is a definite plus.

The issue with coastal cars is salt spray.  With the photos shown, it's clear that all the topside metal will need to be replaced.  Hood, fenders, decklid, roof, dutchman panel etc. 

Even in the rust belt we do not get paper-thin metal in the middle of the hood.

[R/T's 4 R/P]

In my opinion, there isn't a car project around that you are going to be underwater with. It really just depends on how deep!
Are you looking for a nice original car to restore? Does originality matter to you? Then this is a great car to start with. What needs to be replaced as sheet-metal and that is available. Plus Work, plus more work!
At least you have a car that has many useable parts.
However, there is a point where the price for entry to the project would make it a no-go for me.

[anlauto]

I think that's a great car depending on the purchase price....anything in the $10K range would be nice, but it may go higher then that.

[72hemi]

I think that's a great car depending on the purchase price....anything in the $10K range would be nice, but it may go higher then that.

Completely agree. If you can do all the work yourself you shouldn't be upside down. But if you have to send it out for the rust repair, body and paint then you will be upside down.

[71383bee]

In my opinion, there isn't a car project around that you are going to be underwater with. It really just depends on how deep!
Are you looking for a nice original car to restore? Does originality matter to you? Then this is a great car to start with. What needs to be replaced as sheet-metal and that is available. Plus Work, plus more work!
At least you have a car that has many useable parts.
However, there is a point where the price for entry to the project would make it a no-go for me.

WOW!  This car hits close to home!  My K6 Rallye is built around a month after this one.  It's a sharp color and the cool thing is that the car looks very unmolested.  It still has a lot of its original parts and finishes which is great for any project.  The downside is the rust and I agree that there does appear to be a good amount of it.   I feel that nearly any car in this hobby is one in which you end up upside down unless you still own it from the 70's or 80's so it's more about the journey you are willing to take to own a cool car.  In good restored condition these are in the 30 to 40k range now and have been climbing.  Considering the work ahead like said unless you are a body man your likely going to spend more than that but hey that is just how the hobby is.   

For 73 the 340 4 speed was the top of the list in options for performance and they made 1,676 of them out of 27,930 produced.  I cant see the power steering pump so not sure its its got the performance axle package or not. 

I agree that if you get it for less than asking then I don't really think you are in too bad a shape unless the underside is complete mush.  If your understanding that it's a project and its going to take some time and $$$ then I don't think this is that bad of a start. 

Here's some pics of mine for motivation. The K6 really pops in the light! 

[HP_Cuda]

I bought a Cuda from Florida once, ONCE!!!

[jimynick]

Tell ya what. If you're in a hurry to spend $40,000-$50,000+ in repairs on a car that'd be then worth $35-40,000, go for it; and those figures don't include buying that corpse, nor any mechanical or electrical costs either. Your dough, your go. Peace, out. 

[Crocha617]

Yeah I would find a better car to start with. Looking at the engine photo I see a big rot hole behind the brake booster and I bet there's many more not pictures.

[Fish Tale]

Well, looks like someone made an offer on the car and the eBay auction was pulled.

Thanks everyone for your input.  It was greatly appreciated.  I know I can count on you guys for solid advice/opinions.  Thanks very much!!!

[RUNCHARGER]

I think you lucked out on that one.

[jimynick]

I think you lucked out on that one.

Amen brother, amen!

[71383bee]

Keep looking.  There is a post about a very nice yellow 73 340 rallye on eBay for 25k. Looks like a very solid car.


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