scott_442

Located this car locally and test drove tonight. Trying to get an idea of value given that it is a clone.

• NOM, supposed to be a freshly rebuilt 400,
• Assumed to be an original 4 speed but could not verify.
• Both quarters have been replaced...ok job.
• Fenders are new.
• New chrome.
• Aftermarket hood.
• Amateur patch in driver floor.
• No visible rust on body.
• Some scale on frame but appears solid,
• Trunk solid.
• Paint is prob below avg with bubbling and other bad spots all over.
• Non-Ac
• Manual drums.
• Cracked Dash.
• Interior ok.
• Rallye pack but not sure if it's working.
• Drove ok but smoked a little on startup.

Very cool looking bench seat, post 4 speed car but does need TLC and detailing throughout. Any thoughts on value given these facts?

billmerbach

Although it don't look bad little things add up so me personally 4 to 5k

scott_442

Asking price is 12K but that was before I verified it as a clone but not sure that the seller was fazed by that revelation.

billmerbach

Dang 12k seems like a butt ton to me

oldsman72

I'm assuming "NOM" means "numbers matching"....there were no 400ci Olds motors offered in '71 A-body. Any receipts from that fresh rebuild? Manual drums....ouch! Sounds like the interior needs some help.


Looks nice though (from 8-10' away). If you can verify it's a real 4-speed car, I'd think $7-8k would be fair, in my opinion.

tru-blue 442

NOM= Non original motor.

Fun71

I would verify which 400 it is. 68-69 small bore/long stroke G block is not really a desirable engine but the early 65-67 big bore/short stroke/forged crank engines are a whole nother story.

oldcutlass

Tough call, if all the bushings, body mounts, front end is tight, drives good, with solid exhaust, and the electrical is not all hacked up, then I'd say it's worth at least $10k.

gearheads78

I have 4-5K waiting for every one you can find me at that price

66-3X2 442

There were no 442 post cars in 71.

oldsman72

Ahhh....got it!

Fun71

I think he is aware of that as he stated it in the original post:

s i 442

If I was looking at this car, non air is a plus with me, but thats it.
Otherwise what year is the 400 and it smoking means engine work down the road and what else is wore out.
4 Speed- Muncie, Borg Warner or Saginaw.
Real hood or after market?
Bottom line is, real nice could be $7500, most likely $5 to 6gs.
Walk away for any more.
Im going thru my engine and all new interior and im in for $5000 right now, not including purchase price.
Oh yea another big turn off is clone emblems plastered all over a car and have to explain to everyone its not what they think it is.

66-3X2 442

Could be what he meant,then again it might not be what he meant. If I'm wrong,what relevance does it have on the subject? I love it when I get corrected by the site police.

Lonestar

Hey Scott, you've received some very good advice from the experts here but sometimes it's more than just the $$$ involved if you're not flipping.

From your post it's evident that you really like this car and think it has potential to become something you're looking for. It's a plus that it's in your neighborhood; no transportation expenses, or travel expenses just to check it out and that alone is worth a few bucks. Once you factor in all of the costs involved in finding "the car" you may find that paying a few bucks more than "book" for one nearby is the best choice. Best of luck with whatever you decide and let me know if I can help!

s i 442

You should always buy a car like your going to flip it, 99% of people who buy cars to fix up either don't have any money to start on it, run out of money quick and want to get out from under it or an emergency and you need your 401K back to buy a new roof for the house.
Falling in love with a car is worse than a woman because a car cost money up front where a woman sneaks cash out your bill fold little by little until there is nothing left and then hits you big time in the end.

Lonestar

interesting statistics and perhaps that's accurate in the total of the "classic" car market. In conversations with members I've met and the thread content in general, the demographics of C.O. appear to be a more "mature" crowd with some disposable income set aside for hobbies. I suspect most members here have learned that any hobby, or investment, is not prudent if there is a probability of needing 100% of the cash back quickly.

No one wants to overpay for a "toy" but if you find what you want, it's in your budget, and you plan to keep it a while, a few extra bucks now will be forgotten with the enjoyment it brings. JMO...

JOHNNYOLDS442

X2 for 4-5 grand you get a rusted out piece of crap!!!

Koda

Both of you gentlemen are correct. One shouldn't put more money into something than one can get out of it. However, it takes the same amount of money to restore a F-85 as it does a W-30, and you'll get much more money out of the latter when you sell it, so it's easier to not get in the negative with some cars more than others.

People tend to get wiser as they go along, young men tend to be full of fire and want to do their own thing out of obstinacy. The theme of this site is more restoration based than some others, and stock restoration is where the money is. I think that helps us in the unwise decision area.

Fun71

That's good to know.

So just how do you interpret this? I can't see it as meaning anything other than he knows it is not a 442:
You're not wrong, but he already knew it was not a 442. Oh wait, that might start this going around in circles.

66-3X2 442

The point is how did he know it was a clone? by no post 442's built in 71 or by the other obvious items? All I did was make a statement for the unknowing that there was no post 442's built in 71. I didn't quote him but was giving info but it seems that some here take great joy into proving or making somebody look like a DA. That's why I go on by a lot of threads that will not get my help because of this. I'm here to help and gain knowlege,not show what I may or may not know.