value of rusted out super bee after restoration ?

[adk-roadrunner]

so Im asking this question for a friend as he is obsessed with a super bee that has been sitting in a yard rusting out for 20 to 30 years. He says its either a 68 or a 70 I've driven by it but can only see the top of the front of the hood which is red with 2 black scoops and some of the roof from the angle from the road. I will try to get a few pics later just dont wanna scare the elderly lady whos yard its in . So the car is kind of a local legend as people have been trying to buy this car for years but the owner has always refused to sell it. So now my buddy says the owner is finally getting to the point where he is willing to part with it for 2000.00 dollars. I've been told there are no floors left in it and im guessing its an absolute basket case underneath but I will again try to get a few pics. So he just told me this last night and I said man be carefull it may not even be salvagable and he just stated its a $100.000.00 car restored as it has the original 383 and 4 speed in it which is still questionable as far as im concerned. then he went on to say its atleast worth 2000.00 in parts but whats the point if its not worth more than that in parts as you have to remove the parts. I told him I would ask around about it before he did anyhting. feel free to post your opinions and I will try to get you a few pics now remeber to keep in mind I am upstate ny near canadien border not in the desert so 20-30 years in lots of snow rain and sitting on grass.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Without seeing it, it is tough to tell. But, no matter what, i dont see it being a six figure car, original motor or not. Maybe half that for a 383 car. Thats about the most I have seen one for sale for. And that was several years ago.

That's if you are in it with the intent to not lose money. If you plan on keeping the car and doing it for your own enjoyment, then it may be worth it. A complete car that has just been sitting should be worth 2k.

 

[70rr-brian]

100k for a 383 car....yeah, not so much. I would go even lower than Hemi Rebel and suggest 35-42 tops.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I should get some pictures of Charles' car for this. His is a 70 383 4 speed matching numbers car. Although he has the original engine still, right now it sports a 440 six pack. It was a total rust bucket when he got it. I didn't see it before, but everybody I've spoken with about it says anybody in their right mind would have parted the car out. Not Charles. Even with my trained eye, I cannot tell from looking at the car from the outside that both quarters, all around the back window, both rockers and parts of the roof were replaced. It's a real work of art. I don't think he'd sell it for 30K.

 

[roadrunnerman]

My opinion, unless it came with some rare options a 383 super bee is only valued about 35-40,000 dollars top in excellent condition. If the body is in decent shape replacing the floors and maybe frame rails, it might be worth getting. A guy i know in town here spent $14-18k on having someone restore his 68 gtx and he had a complete car.That would be something your friend needs to think about. I'm all for saving a mopar, but don't let your friends dreams of thinking it is a 6 figure car cloud his thinking when he might only get 45k when he goes to sell it.If you could find out the year of the car for sure 68 or 70 that would help determine a better value.

 

[oldcarnut]

the unseen rust could be the killer on it , buying thinking its a six figure car is a pipe dream unless its a a12 or hemi car . buying a car like that depends on whether or not the intent is to restore , part out or flip . At 2 k for an unmolested rusted out proverbial little ol'e lady superbee is a no brainer , id buy it as a lawn ornament ...wife might have something to say about that though lol , get some pics for us if possible

 

[MoparBill]

2K for a complete car isn't bad- probably has a ton of good parts. Sitting in dirt that long most likely will render the car a basket case. Where in NY are you? I'm 30 miles south of Buffalo.

 

[Hemirunner]

That car fresh out restoration might get you 40-50K tops in this economy and will most likely cost you 50-75 to restore unless you can do the vast majority yourself. You'll have 20K just in AMD metal, body and paint.

 

[99ss]

That car fresh out restoration might get you 40-50K tops in this economy and will most likely cost you 50-75 to restore unless you can do the vast majority yourself. You'll have 20K just in AMD metal, body and paint.

Well 50-75 is a bit exorbitant but I think you are dead on about the value completed if its a concourse level restoration being just a 383. Anything less than that level of restoration and its a 25-35 k car, if it didnt have the 4 speed then 15-25 is what it would fetch these days. Look at what you can find for 30k these days. Makes me sick knowing that you can get a smoking deal on an awesome car and I don't have any money....LOL

 

[Montclaire]

Would it ever be worth 100k? Maybe if it had a Hemi 4spd and had been garage kept from day one. Does that mean it's not worth a restoration? No. If it has some cool options, is a high impact color, and is mostly there despite the rust, I think 2k could be a fair price. These days you can get a lot of metal for these cars, and if he is inclined to do a lot of the work himself, then nothing is impossible or too expensive. Bottom line, it is the hard way to go about things, but this is the car he has been lusting after for years, so the drive should be there to get it done.

 

[99ss]

Oh ya I dont think 2k is a bad price depending on the frame and door posts and such.. if its to far gone then its to far gone but without pictures then its hard to say. If it looks like the creature from the black lagoons swamp buggy like the 68 charger I posted then its to far gone...LOL

 

[Propwash]

383 superbee, most are happy with a 30K paycheck in good/great shape. I'm at the tail end of a rot box '69RR resto. I did a vast majority of all the work, bartered parts, did work for favors and shopped around for the best deals available. With that being said, I'll still be in around 30-32K total cost when it's said and done. Not to mention it's almost a full time job getting cars like this done in any kind of reasonable timeframe. Point of the story, unless your buddy is up for a hell of a challenge, has some magical love connection or history with that car and he has the skills, facility, tools, equipment, time, and funds, he just might break even in the end. Have someone restore it for him......toss another 20-30K on top of that. Not trying to deter anyone, this is just reality. Something to think about when he's staring at the grass growing up through the floor.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

....no matter what, i dont see it being a six figure car, original motor or not. Maybe half that for a 383 car.

Absolutely correct!

100k for a 383 car....yeah, not so much. I would go even lower than Hemi Rebel and suggest 35-42 tops.

Correct again!!

......buying thinking its a six figure car is a pipe dream unless its a a12 or hemi car...

Another winner!!!

That car fresh out restoration might get you 40-50K tops in this economy and will most likely cost you 50-75 to restore unless you can do the vast majority yourself. You'll have 20K just in AMD metal, body and paint.

Correct answer again, only low end on the restoration cost!!!!

....50-75 is a bit exorbitant but I think you are dead on about the value completed if its a concourse level restoration being just a 383......Look at what you can find for 30k these days.

Totally wrong on the 50-75k part, DOUBLE IT!!!!!

Yes, great cars already done can be found for a lot LESS than restoring one!!!!!!

Would it ever be worth 100k?

You won't live long enough to find out!!!!!!!

......383 superbee,........unless your buddy is up for a hell of a challenge, has some magical love connection or history with that car and he has the skills, facility, tools, equipment, time, and funds, he just might break even in the end.

Propwash is right on, except the part about breaking even. I'm betting that ain't gonna happen.


Now you all are wondering why I'm saying these things. Here's why. I own a 69 Super Bee, 383 car. I am restoring a 69 Super Bee, 383 car. It's almost done after 10 long years of work, frustration, stress, anxiety, less than honest body shops, etc.

I KNOW how much money it will cost. It WILL be 6 figures or more in the condition you describe to complete if you hire a good, well known Mopar only shop, and you really don't want anything less than that anyway. You will be TOLD it will only be HALF that, but it really won't be what you're told. Once you're in for 20 or 30k, you'll not want to back out of the deal and lose that investment. So, you'll keep throwing more money at it, and they will keep billing you for more. You'll soon realize that 100k to finish would be a bargain, but if you can't make the payments at this point, they don't care cause they have their lawyers ready to file a mechanics lien and take your car away from you.

Bottom line, would I do this again? Absolutely not! You will spend a LOT less money, a LOT less time, and sleep a LOT better if you just go out and buy a car already done from somebody else who has already lost THEIR a** on the restoration and is selling.

Oh, and the reason I decided to restore this car? I WAS emotionally attached to it. I bought it in 1973 when I was a teenager. I dated and married my wife with this car. I brought my kids home from the hospital in this car. These are reasons normally sane people do STUPID things. I did a STUPID thing, I restored a 69 Super Bee, 383 car.


Sorry, long story, too much detail.

 

[fatecaptured]

I have a virtually rust free car from California . It's 90% complete and a local mopar resto shop quoted me 20k for a basic restoration. 30k for rotisserie restored. Too rich for my blood. Especially since the 72's aren't bring $30k. But for a super bee it could be worth the investment. Especially since it's top of the heap along with road runner. And in that desired year range 68-70. True a Hemi would be epic, but 383 4 speed is a good runner. For 2k id find the space for sure. Hell gimme the number,lol...

 

[CoronetRTguy]

I have a virtually rust free car from California . It's 90% complete and a local mopar resto shop quoted me 20k for a basic restoration. 30k for rotisserie restored. Too rich for my blood. Especially since the 72's aren't bring $30k. But for a super bee it could be worth the investment. Especially since it's top of the heap along with road runner. And in that desired year range 68-70. True a Hemi would be epic, but 383 4 speed is a good runner. For 2k id find the space for sure. Hell gimme the number,lol...

The 70 Coronet line is not that desirable. I had a 70 R/T and I had people that wanted only because it was an R/T but hated the body or I should say the front end. This year is a love it or hate it year. The 70 front parts like fender, hood, grills, side marker lights and valance panel is not that easy to come by.

Remember the Superbird used the same parts on the front end so if the fenders are good, side markers are good and it has a flat hood you can get maybe a 1000-1200 just in parts. I sold (in a good market) a set of extra fenders for 500 each and the extra set (still have a set) for 200. They just needed cleaned up and read to go.

If the Bee is a 68 it is really more desirable because Dodge was late to the game with a low budget muscle car, Plymouth struck first with the Roadrunner and the Bee had less made. The 68 R/T another good score. When you get to the 69s the R/T would be a bit more rare I would think.

I for one love the 70 Coronet and with that said make sure that what you are buying is a real Bee and take a parts catalog with you and see what is and what isnt being made for it.

 

[detmatt1]

I'm a glutten for punishment but can do all my own metal work, I'd be all over it.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I desire 70 coronets. I think they are tough looking cars. My .02 Anyone wanna trade for a 68?

 

[CoronetRTguy]

I desire 70 coronets. I think they are tough looking cars. My .02 Anyone wanna trade for a 68?

I agree they look really tough in the front end. I think it was very bold of Mopar to go with this design. I love them and the day I was born (mom and dad was with him looking at the car) my uncle bought a 70 Superbee it was 3 years old so its funny that I bought a 70 Coronet R/T it was as if I was meant to own a 70 Coronet.

 

[shag766]

well, my c-p-i black book of oct. 2012 says 68 and 70 383 bee's in excellent condition are worth 34,200.00 in excellent condition. there def of excellent is, nearly perfect, usually professionally restored to the current highest standards, all components are original or an exact replacement.
most EXCELLENT cars are not driven more than a few miles a year if at all. etc-etc
that being said i brought a 69 superbee shell home from cali when i brought my coronet home. no front clip, right rear 1/4 damaged, no holes. the biggest hole in it was at gas pedal, maybe the size of a silver dollar. all the tags and ownership. sold for 4200.00 dollars when i got home.
i had the 69 coronet appraised last year for insurance and it came at 64000.00 with date correct hemi and a complete brand new 5 spd tranny and moser 60 rear end. etc-etc, same years hemi, same condition, 93,475.00

do the math boys:headbang:

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

well, my c-p-i black book of oct. 2012 says 68 and 70 383 bee's in excellent condition are worth 34,200.00 in excellent condition. there def of excellent is, nearly perfect, usually professionally restored to the current highest standards, all components are original or an exact replacement.
most EXCELLENT cars are not driven more than a few miles a year if at all. etc-etc
that being said i brought a 69 superbee shell home from cali when i brought my coronet home. no front clip, right rear 1/4 damaged, no holes. the biggest hole in it was at gas pedal, maybe the size of a silver dollar. all the tags and ownership. sold for 4200.00 dollars when i got home.
i had the 69 coronet appraised last year for insurance and it came at 64000.00 with date correct hemi and a complete brand new 5 spd tranny and moser 60 rear end. etc-etc, same years hemi, same condition, 93,475.00

do the math boys:headbang:

From what I've seen of insurance appraisals, you couldn't sell the car for the appraised value. Most insurance premiums are based on agreed value, with appraisal required after a certian amount to verify condition,etc. If you got a high end appraisal the premium will be higher. Great if you have a total loss or stolen, how many of you guys have had a total loss or your car stolen and never recovered?