Cudafly68

I am new to the forum. I am looking for a project car for me and my teenage son. I have limited mechanical experience from working on cars with my Dad (brakes, starters, simple maintenance, etc.) but nothing too involved like engine rebuilds. I have my eye on a '68 Cuda notchback. It's down to floor boards now. My eye tells me it's fairly solid although rear quarters need to be replaced. Numbers match. 318 motor, runs ok, no mufflers. No title or prior reg - which will pose a problem in MA, but seller may be able to rectify. Tranny seems chunky to me, jumps into reverse - thinking probably rebuild. New radiator, distributor/ignition. Vinyl top has been removed - roof looks good but I might want to put new vinyl back. Many original parts come with (for instance Rally wheels). Trying to figure out what I should be looking to pay and advice if this is too much to take on. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

RacerHog

Not much to go by here.....
But my guess of a running, drive around the block 68 cuda... 7,000

lou3500

Go to NADA classic car values choose the correct blocks and see what it rates the cars worth that'll give you a ballpark value figure of what a fair offer could be, with that in mind consider how much you'll spend on parts, labor [things you can't do yourself] Labor rates and parts costs are what usually ruins a rebuild/restoration [the costs out weigh the value of the vehicle] and the owner ends up selling or it sits and rots away. I personally do all my own work and if I have never done it, it becomes a learning experience. My last build was a full ground up on a 73 charger [rust bucket] 2 years of replacing metal alone I decided to go this route basicly because we could not afford to pay anyone and run the risk of a bad job, I had never welded, fabricated, painted, or done body work prior to this extent, from the comments of the friends that helped bring it to my shop two years earlier they could not believe it was the same car [that gave me confidence] that I am capable of anything. This hobby is more than owning a classic car it's a deep rooted love for all cars and hot rodding with some history thrown in, if you have that in your soul you can and will be able to rebuild anything, we are just caretakers of pieces of history and I love being a caretaker of this type of history. Best of luck to you and your son you'll find something this is the best time in our economy to get nice cars at reasonable prices!!!!!

Cudafly68

Thanks RacerHog and lou3500. The asking price is $6,500 which seems about right. RacerHog - you are right that it drives around the block but that's about it. Lou3500 - you've got me confident that me and the boy can bang it out pretty much on our own - great to hear your experience. What about the tranny though? Should I try that rebuild when I can get it done by a pro for a grand? Already read up on it and it seems like a lot can go wrong.

RacerHog

Start @ 4,000 and come up....... Depending how many parts come with the car.
Ask yourself.... Whats my budget?

TVLynn

No title ? may be a parts car ? Check the vin plates and check with your DMV
For all you know he is selling because he can't get title ????

PK1

68 Cuda Notch father son project? That is done right OUTSTANDING!

Original 318 car wont be two much to handle. Certainly not easy but a good service manual and some patience ( with the occasional scuffed knuckle ) and you'll be good to go.

Once you get title squared away figure out what you want out of it as far as how she will be driven then you can allocate accordingly.

lou3500

I personally won't even consider a car with no title [here in Fla.] it's just a pain in the ****. I once was offered a 40 somthin chevy complete original car for 500$ the only rust hole was the size of your pinkey but it had no title so I passed. I was gonna street rod it so it could have gotten one issued but I don't like dancing with the D.M.V.

lou3500

I agree with this what's the worst they can say NO? And that may be a good thing this ain't the only car out there take ya'lls time there are plenty of classics out there.

lou3500

Your welcome, I have never opened up a transmission or rear end and I had plans on doing it on this. I was told by a neighbor that the hardest part of Mopar trans is removing the spring clip on the input shaft behind the pump [the pump is a little trickey too] then just lay everything out on a table in sequence and do the revirse to put it back together [never done it but seems simple enough] probly ain't but it sounds like it.

KTB

hi, I am brand spanking new to this forum, I am not a motor head and have recently taken on a motor to sell for a friend. It is a 70 or 71 440 6 pak, bored 430 over new cams & bearings, crank turned to 10/10. There is the word Ramaco on it along with several other sets of numbers and of coarse the 440 6 pak.
Please all of you motor guys and gals out there, please help me I need to know where I ought to try selling this motor, I am guessing it is not running as it is not put together and may be a block? Please forgive my ignorance okay. If it helps, I do like to drive cars, fast cars and I do have a viper venom 600 hp hennessey )spelling?) So I can't be all bad right? I need your help please. This friend of mine isn't in any big hurry to sell the motor but I would really like to get him the most that I can, know what I mean....
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated
Katie B