spoolin6er

Hi, my dad has a 340 duster with matching numbers that he bought/raced when he was young...

but it has been sitting so long rust has taken over most of the under carriage, the vinyl (i think it was) top is all but gone. He said it was a special package with a cloth headliner and factory wing.

Just wondering what you guys think its worth as a matching numbers combo, or if it would be better to scrap the body and start with a new shell.

thanks for any help!

MercuryDon

Without more details on where and how much rust this is hard to determine.

67 GTX

pictures would help determine

Mr.Duster

they are starting to make quite a bit of parts for A bodys now only thing is not fenders and some other stuff. Id say its worth restoring if its your dads and that(sentimental stuff). pictures would help of the frame and that

chlngr1970

I would say it's worth about $50. What's ur paypal acct?



Had to do it! LOL

Honestly, it's worth what someone would be willing to pay for it. If I were you, and have an interest in the car, I would do a nuts and bolts resto on it as it is a car worthy of a restoration. Pix will help a lot in determining the value of the car. Specially the undercarriage around the frame rails, the trunk, and under the carpets. One other common rust spot is the inner fender wells in the front. If you can bring it to concourse quality for a minimal investment, it could be well worth the investment if you are going for maximum return.

Bring on the pix!

and good luck...

j

spoolin6er

Thanks for all the quick responses and sorry for the delay!

It does have quite a bit of sentimental value, but honestly i'm not sure we have time or money for such a project. He seems to be more concern with the getting a car that preforms similar than having a valued car. I've done all kinds of mechanical work, but very little restoration type projects. We're really trying to figure out if the fact that its all matching would be able to get us enough money to maybe get a hold of another duster that needs less work but is not necessarily valuable because of matching numbers or being original.

Anyway, enough talk - here's the pictures:

mr340

That doesn't look all that bad at all, looks like the major problem is floor pans. They are easy to replace, the trunk and quarters look nice and solid. I would restore that one in a heartbeat, my 70 is in far worse shape body wise, but it's also a numbers car with a 4 speed so I'm gonna save it.


Is that a New Jersey inspection sticker in the windshield?

spoolin6er

we're in memphis, tn now - but i'm pretty sure its a MA sticker

Crazy4Carz.Com

Nice car. I have put way worse than that back together again. Floors are rough and bent up sheet metal but that looks to be a fairly complete solid car.

Mr.Duster

That car is in pretty good shape id say its def worth restoring go to AMD metals they fit pretty good. Lol if u decide to sell it how much u want for that grille and dash.

spoolin6er

glad to know that its not beyond repair, I'm just not sure we'll be able to take it on

How much is something like this worth? I assume its worth more together than parted out? I feel like the challenge will be to find some one near by that's looking to spend what its actually worth.

mr340

In that shape, being all original and #'s matching I would say 2-4k, finished upwards of 15k. You have to decide if you are up to the challenge.

82mirada

you have a good starting point for a very sweet car down the road...id say go for it, so what if it may take months/ years?

bboogieart

I think you will be hard pressed to find a better car for the money you will get for this one. But it is ultimatley up to you and Dad to decide. Try looking at others in classifieds and auction sites, and see what they go for. This will give you the best idea of what is available for the money you plan to get. It will also be the best way to see what they are going for. For example, you might get a better body with a /6 but then you have to buy another v-8 drive train to go in. It probably comes out a horse a peice. If you are concerned about doing body work. It isn't as bad as all that. Inexpensive wire feed welders are available all over these days. If you can build a motor you can most likey teach your self how to weld and paint.
Now if it were me I would not be interested in a restoration to original, but to as raced. Still Dads car and same power as when he ran it before. That's just me, though.
It really is a nice car, by the way. I would love to find one in that shape for 2 to 4 grand. Here in the north, rust buckets with no frame rails or quarter panels pull that kind of .

Duster 340

Hot car, it is a lot less worse that what i could be. Looks sound and the rust is not big gaping holes.

TVLynn

It's a good starting point. YOU ARE looking at a lot of work. You need a good inside work space.

71dartswingerdream

Iw ould keep her the sentimental value and the shape the car is in are all worth it. Your father I believe would like to see that car back together rather than another that has no memories

1972duster

Restore it. I envy that you have the interior and bumpers. /: just what I'm missing on mine.

68Dart

Restore it! Looks like it needs what most restorations need. I just started my first restoration, and I've never had so much fun with my family working on this thing. From shopping to swap meets to coming to the forum to putting on new parts, and painting new metals, you will have a blast.

bremereric

I will play the devil's advocate and remind everyone that it will probably take about 20 to 25 grand to restore that car and it will never probably be worth that much in todays market. If you want a car go buy one for 15 grand that is already done. M2C

TVLynn

You can buy some very nice A body's for $15K It could cost $40-50K if you have to pay someone to do all the work...

Coronet1970RTguy

If it was me I would do just the body stuff and get it painted and enjoy it. I know at one time this hobby was a booming business but now its a waiting game to get your money back if you ever do.

I would take that car and put the floor pans, trunk pans and quarter panels on it. I would then get the motor running and enjoy the heck out of that car.

I used to want to be in the restored show class of cars but man it takes deep pockets to do that even if you can do the work yourself.

Do it as a driver and you are already way a head of most of us. You dont have to buy the car.

Current value of the car I would say 2-4 thousand.

Mr.Duster

Sooner or later the hobby market will hit a bottom for a while and pick back up. From what i seen and said earlier it can be restored its not in that bad of shape. Restore it to enjoy not to make a profit on. AMD metals is coming out with fenders here soon too.

Coronet1970RTguy

I agree 100% on restoring it to enjoy it. I have had way to many cars I was doing back to show standards everything 100% factor. I sold them long before I could finish them.

The one car a 70 Ford Torino Super Cobra Jet drag pack, that was the only one I did to enjoy and I did enjoy it for awhile. The only reason I enjoyed that one so much was because no one made parts and I did it to drive.

Also good to know AMD is making fenders. I have a trade in the works for a 70 Duster and I'm going to enjoy the heck out of that car.

Your Duster is a good father and son project enjoy the time more then the money, trust me on that one. I give anything to be able for my dad and I to go back and do the work on these cars all over again. We both are in to bad of health now to do a project like that.

Mr.4spd

I'd get it roadworthy (floors, brakes, tires, etc.) and drive it as-is. This thing has patina, I think it's awesome. I'd even keep the rims and ripped vinyl top. Maybe find the wing and reinstall it though.

OldMechanik

This thread is almost a year old, wonder what ever happened to this car.........

moparted

OP never posted again

1sttvbn

It also at one time had the EXTREMELY rare (For Duster) rocker panel moldings.