Are there ballpark values somewhere?

[noz34me]

Hey everyone. Brand new to this forum, but I'm in the market looking for a '73 Roadrunner.

Going to look at one tomorrow, supposedly 95% restored. Pics look great, but I've been fooled by digital online pics before. Assuming everything is as it should be, I still have no idea how to value the thing.

It started life as a 318 auto, and now it's got a 340 with same tranny. Bucket seats, console, auto stick, manual windows, no a/c new wheels/tires/paint, etc. etc.

Any ideas on what a '73 restored but not original drivetrain RoadRunner would be valued at?

And I did do a search on "value" "1973 Roadrunner, etc. but came up either with nothing or a lot of threads that had nothing to do with buying one. So thanks in advance for any help!

 

[69clone]

Depends. A picture would help us. More info would as well.

 

[ODSVET]

there is one on ebay right now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973...5?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ab2ac805d#v4-44 how bad do you want one ? how much are you looking to spend ? is numbers matching important to you ? do you want turn key or a project ? all these things affect the value of what you are looking at ... it also depends on who's selling it. 1973 and up are not really desirable, as far as "collector" status goes, but to each their own ... some people seem to think a 1975 Plymouth Duster with a slant six is worth "big money" there are a lot of variables .. my guess is no more than 5k for a respectable, running 73 and up road runner , just my 2 cents

 

[72Satellite440]

Odsvet is right - and it sounds like you want a turn key..with a few finishing touches to do

If hes like us he has digital pics on how it has been restored
Supose it is as you say 95% done -hopfully with the motor rebuilt or at least freshened up ...Make sure you get what you want..ie correct engine, correct numbers on the vehicle, fender tag matching up with the options on the car.. build sheet...who did body work ....Do your research cause it only takes a few minutes to get screwed..been there done that

Id say around 8-10k plus or minus ...depending on how well it has been restored...

 

[Revhendo]

Value is a relative thing. Sort of. I own a 73 and no matter what, it will never be as "valuable" as a 69. Or even a 72. It doesn't make it a bad car, just not a money car. In the end, it will boil down to what you want and what you are willing to spend. I can tell you that I have most of 10K in receipts on mine and it still needs some body work and some upholstry work. It would probably sell better with the original 340/727 combo, but I wanted the 440/4spd and that's what I put into her. The thing about the 73 and later cars was the change to the Iso suspensions and the turn from all out performance to more creature comforts. Folks shopping for "Muscle Cars" tend to consider this a liability. It also tends to make these rides more affordable to get into. Still, it costs just the same to do one as it would an earlier car. I've made upgrades to mine that make it a serious contender performance wise, but it will never compete toe to toe in the money end of it and I will always be upside down in that respect. It's something I knew going in and fully thought out and accepted before I even started working on her.

All that being said, if the price is right, and you are comfortable with the condition and the deal, go for it. Remember, price guides are exactly that, guides. What most people call restored, I call a nice paint job and new brakes. In the end, they are all just cars. Be smart, keep your head and thoroughly check out what you are wanting to buy and be willing to walk away if it all doesn't fall in line and feel right. For You.

 

[pabster]

I'm going to weigh in on this one. I came into the world of Mopar as a complete newbie a year ago. Many people on this board grew up with 'em, but I'm one of the exceptions. Since I'm also very inexperienced at working on cars, and have no bodywork experience whatsoever, I kept my eye out for what everyone's calling a "turn key". It took a long time to figure out which car was for me. My advice to someone who might be in the same boat... TAKE YOUR TIME. This board is a great place to start. Read everything that catches your eye, ask questions, and find the answers you're looking for. Don't rush into any purchase. Bring someone along to see potential cars, who hopefully knows more than you do about them. People such as myself are more likely to get scammed into buying something that isn't what it seems, so the more research you do, and the more people you talk to about these cars the better. I lucked out and found my Charger, completely stock, garaged all its life. It's a 74 with a 318, certainly not what many would consider desirable. But I wanted a car that I could drive right away, with no intention of racing it, a Mopar that would take me back in time and turn heads wherever I go. And that's exactly what I got. Not the fastest by a long shot, but I can't get enough of it and I don't see myself ever getting rid of it.

Good luck in your search- if the car doesn't "feel" right, take a pass. Looking forward to seeing pictures when you find your ride!

 

[ODSVET]

Odsvet is right - and it sounds like you want a turn key..with a few finishing touches to do

If hes like us he has digital pics on how it has been restored
Supose it is as you say 95% done -hopfully with the motor rebuilt or at least freshened up ...Make sure you get what you want..ie correct engine, correct numbers on the vehicle, fender tag matching up with the options on the car.. build sheet...who did body work ....Do your research cause it only takes a few minutes to get screwed..been there done that

Id say around 8-10k plus or minus ...depending on how well it has been restored...

8-10k is a bit steep for this market and a post 72 B Body don't you think ? Not arguing I just know what I'd pay ...

 

[noz34me]

there is one on ebay right now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973...5?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ab2ac805d#v4-44 how bad do you want one ? how much are you looking to spend ? is numbers matching important to you ? do you want turn key or a project ? all these things affect the value of what you are looking at ... it also depends on who's selling it. 1973 and up are not really desirable, as far as "collector" status goes, but to each their own ... some people seem to think a 1975 Plymouth Duster with a slant six is worth "big money" there are a lot of variables .. my guess is no more than 5k for a respectable, running 73 and up road runner , just my 2 cents

Thanks for the reply. #'s matching is not a deal killer for me, but at the same time I don't want to pay a #'s matching price for one that isn't.

I understand anything after '72 isn't as desirable; I was just a few year too young (at the time) to get anything older. Bought a '73 in that really bright blue off a showroom floor back in '73. Then had to get married, and unloaded the car for something with less of a payment. In a position now to get what I want, and the '73 just has a lot of memories for me.

I'll get some pics today, weather permitting, and we'll see.

 

[noz34me]

Odsvet is right - and it sounds like you want a turn key..with a few finishing touches to do

If hes like us he has digital pics on how it has been restored
Supose it is as you say 95% done -hopfully with the motor rebuilt or at least freshened up ...Make sure you get what you want..ie correct engine, correct numbers on the vehicle, fender tag matching up with the options on the car.. build sheet...who did body work ....Do your research cause it only takes a few minutes to get screwed..been there done that

Id say around 8-10k plus or minus ...depending on how well it has been restored...

Yeah, I agree. The link in the post above is for a project that is WAY too much of a project for me. While I've completely re-done the interior on cars, including significant dash troubleshooting and fixing, something on the order of that ebay Runner would be too much.

The correct numbers, as I replied before is not a huge deal. I'm into more of the look, and the fact I've owned a '73 many yeas ago. I just prefer not to pay a numbers matching price for a non numbers matching car. For me, personally, the fact that is actually is a Roadrunner (which I can get from the VIN) is more important than that it may have an engine swap.

Thanks for the input.

 

[blackblazer717]

For a 73, with a small block, auto, no matter how clean or almost finished, in this market, no more than 7k. the small block cars are a dime a dozen, and this ones not all original.

 

[FridayGt]

Here's a site that kind of gives a decent ballpark. Without seeing pics of the car you're going to look at, I don't know what category I'd put it in, but I do feel like the guide may have been a smidge in the sellers favor for a '73, but again, that's my opinion. I'm not too well versed with the market on a '73, but depending on how things are overall, I'd be looking around the $5K mark as well.

http://collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/73plroer.html

 

[noz34me]

2 hours up, and 2 hours back. Didn't even bother to get the camera out of the car.

These folks 95% is my 65%. Car started and ran great, shifted strong and idled well. That's the positives.

Negatives, paint work was a 30 footer. They painted over and applied the stripes over areas that showed through the stripe. No clear coat on any of the door jambs or anywhere that wasn't exposed to the onlooker with all doors, trunk and hood closed. Looked like original paint had chipped away, and they just painted the car over it. RH door glass missed the rear glass weatherstripping by 3/8" or more. Paint was chipped in quite a few places (new paint that is). Bushings under the motor, not sure if they were suspension or motor mounts were crumbling. Lot of motor vibration when driving, even rattling right front fender. The oil pressure gauge worked like an on-off switch, no blower, no working radio, machine gun tail pipe ends that looked great in the photo were all rusted. I could go on and on. Guy was at $13K; said the guy he helped out by buying it had invested $28K. There is absolutely no way.

The irony? I found enough places where the B5 blue was peeking through that I knew it wasn't originally a silver car. If it had been the blue (what I had owned in '73) it would have been harder to walk away.

As we were leaving the guy asked me to make him an offer. He had told me a few minutes earlier he gave the guy $12,600 for it. I just told him I didn't want to make him mad with a lower offer, and left. I honestly wouldn't have given more than $4-$5K for it.

 

[noz34me]

Thanks guys, for all the help. 1st road trip was a bust, didn't even take the camera out of the car.

Posted a more lengthy reply, but it's under review I guess.

 

[ODSVET]

Thanks guys, for all the help. 1st road trip was a bust, didn't even take the camera out of the car.

Posted a more lengthy reply, but it's under review I guess.[/QUOTE

Keep looking, they are out there ... all over the place down here

 

[Revhendo]

Thanks guys, for all the help. 1st road trip was a bust, didn't even take the camera out of the car.

Posted a more lengthy reply, but it's under review I guess.

Keep your chin up and keep looking. You'll find the right car for you. Seems to me I saw a blue 73 or 74 on sale here a while back. There's also a pretty nice looking 74 on Ebag right now.

 

[MarPar]

Lots of nice runners 'round...

Thanks for the reply. #'s matching is not a deal killer for me, but at the same time I don't want to pay a #'s matching price for one that isn't.

I understand anything after '72 isn't as desirable; I was just a few year too young (at the time) to get anything older. Bought a '73 in that really bright blue off a showroom floor back in '73. Then had to get married, and unloaded the car for something with less of a payment. In a position now to get what I want, and the '73 just has a lot of memories for me.

I'll get some pics today, weather permitting, and we'll see.

There ya go, daddy-o. you'll know it when you see it. you may over-pay a little, you may have to look at 30 of 'em, but you'll know!! DAMHIK

 

[FridayGt]

Yeah sorry to hear that, but it really is better off. I ignored a lot of those same signs when I went to look at what is now my '72, because I was new and just didn't know what to look for. Well, after three or so months of owning it I had to completely replace the suspension components front and back, replaced transmission and replaced motor. Not to mention all of the electrical work I had to do or the body I thought was the only thing it needed. Now, that surface rust and paint got bumped way down on my list and I have to save up again to afford it. You're defenitely way better off.

 

[MRHWS]

Thanks guys, for all the help. 1st road trip was a bust, didn't even take the camera out of the car.

Posted a more lengthy reply, but it's under review I guess.

Nope, nope, nope.

This was an EDUCATION. Exactly what you needed. Chances are, there will be many more. Now you have a better idea of where to look and what to look for.

 

[FridayGt]

Nope, nope, nope.

This was an EDUCATION. Exactly what you needed. Chances are, there will be many more. Now you have a better idea of where to look and what to look for.

+1! That's exactly right!

 

[jessipup]

Here is an interesting read all about the 71-74 satellites straight from Hemmings motor news.
I really enjoyed it, but then again I own one and could not be happier.
http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2011/02/01/hmn_buyers_guide1.html