Does it really matter if its a clone?

[69roadrunner>>>]

I see lots of cars around that always say "Road Runner" or whatever, but that started out life as a "Satellite". But, it is the exact same body, and all the mechanical things are new and better than any of the original Road Runners, so what does it really matter?

I mean, I know some purists are very set on all original this and that, but like my old Dart, the difference between "Custom" and "Swinger" was just a name plate, since the Drive train was better and stronger than most any Dart ever came with...

Of course, when figuring value, the original stuff is more valuable, but as far as something I built, I have no qualms getting a great deal on the exact same body, and powering up an old MOPAR...

So, I mean, what's the big deal?

 

[WP29440SE]

the only problem I've ever had with any of it happens when some dildo tries to pass them off as the real deal. I build what I want out of what I have whether Chrysler built it from the factory or not

 

[PP1RT]

Near beer or real beer?

 

[gdrill]

Only at sale time. Other than that, they all can be built to meet or exceed anything the factory put out in any model or name. Paint and badges are just that. But the true muscle models will always hold a higher value.
IMHO

 

[threewood]

No, except when it is being sold. Roadrunner, Satellite, GTX have same body with different trim and engine choices. Build it how you want it and don't overpay if you are looking at a clone.

 

[flypaper]

a clone is supposed to be a exact copy of a original
most do not live up to the standard.
it costs the exact same to build a original or a clone
but when its time to get a return on investment
there is a big difference and the clone loses.
you are better off with a original and spending a little more to start with
as building a mopar isn't a cheap endeavor.

 

[Photon440]

The point is, if someone's going to put all that restoration work into a lesser car body and make it exactly like a road runner, why didn't they start with one in the first place? Probably because the Satellite donor car was a cheaper starting point, right? To some people it doesn't matter, but to some it does.

If you give your girl a diamond ring and she later finds out that it's synthetic, will she mind?

 

[69roadrunner>>>]

The point is, if someone's going to put all that restoration work into a lesser car body and make it exactly like a road runner, why didn't they start with one in the first place? Probably because the Satellite donor car was a cheaper starting point, right? To some people it doesn't matter, but to some it does.

If you give your girl a diamond ring and she later finds out that it's synthetic, will she mind?

Well, I don't feel its the same things as a diamond vs a fake,
The car is only different in a few numbers on a tag from an original Road Runner ,
just like the motor is not original but is still a 500+ hp motor...

Surely, i see your points, but to me it IS a Road Runner, and since I will never sell it, I won't have to worry about its "Clone" nature

Just like if I put a 340 in my 383 Dart I would have said it was a 340 Dart, not really concerned at all what it started out to be, only what it is...

My 69 Roadrunner is just that to me, but long ago in a world far away, the body did start out life with a Satellite badge on it I just think of it as
"not original"...

 

[Photon440]

Why not call it a 500 hp. Satellite?

 

[69roadrunner>>>]

Why not call it a 500 hp. Satellite?

lol, it is already all done up as a road runner with badges and all... SO I guess Road Runner "Clone" it is...

 

[Bb70charger500]

It is what it is . I've said it before org cars are only worth big bucks if we're talking hemi or 6 pac 4 speed ..... a 383 roadrunner with an auto isn't worth bothering playing the numbers game . I don't bother with numbers I build what I want . As for striper cars anything is an upgrade ! And will increase its resell value but be careful just because it looks like a roadrunner and barkes (the tires) like a r.r. doesn't mean it's worth what a real r.r. is ! There's exceptions to this like full blown customs then it may exceed a stock r.r.
But look at it this way you can cut and weld and hack the heck out of a stripper and there's no harm nor foul

 

[Richard Cranium]

Real turkey vs tofu turkey. Clone is just a PC way of saying fake Road Runner.

 

[68gtxman]

When I bought my Sport Satellite, it had no badging on it whatsoever. I couldn’t find the badges at that time, but I could find GTX emblems. Plus all the trim, seats, etc. were the same between the SS and the GTX, except for the parts that had the name emblem on them. Even the grille was the same. The big thing missing was the hood. As I always admired the GTX (when most people never even heard of them), I decided to go whole hog to make it one. The car came with a non-running 440 in it. I added the emblems, hood and the 150 MPH speedo. I freely admit that it is not a factory GTX, but I also don’t have to worry about driving it and smashing it up either. All in all, I have around $10K into buying the car and getting it to this point. It may be worth North of $20K now, short of a real GTX, but I wouldn’t part with it for even $30K.

 

[Qbrozen]

Personally, I don't like fooling people, whether intentional or not. I'd rather not have to always explain the badges or have an asterisk when talking/writing about it. This is not to say I would not own nor build one to the upgraded specs. I would rather, however, keep the badging stock but have it run like a RR, GTX, or what have you. Just my personal preference. I have no qualms with anyone badging their car how they want, as long as they are honest about it when it counts.

 

[flypaper]

It's just Road Runner envy
What is wrong with a Satellite?

 

[Demonic]

The thing is, as others have said, it really matters at sale time. You say that you'll never part with it. That's here and now. You may not feel the same in 10 years, or even 3 years.

 

[burntorng70]

I fly my Satellite flag with pride. I am starting to believe that every other 1970 Satellite on the planet has been cloned into a Road Runner. I embrace my Satelliteness and have yet to see another at shows while Road Runners and GTX's are common as Mustang's and Camaro's. (ok, i'm exaggerating).Embrace the identity it was born with, let us not introduce the gender fluid debate into the classic car world. (I did get a road runner horn though)

 

[dvw]

a clone is supposed to be a exact copy of a original
most do not live up to the standard.
it costs the exact same to build a original or a clone
but when its time to get a return on investment
there is a big difference and the clone loses.
you are better off with a original and spending a little more to start with
as building a mopar isn't a cheap endeavor.

I do not agree. It's a Hot Rod and modified, who cares? If someone likes the RR, GTX, R/T, then go for it. This is Hot Rodding. Not everyone likes every car or modification. My rules; Don't build by committee. Don't build thinking about selling it later. Build to use and enjoy.
Doug

 

[Tempest 455]

Agree on most of the comments. "Honest when it counts" is best statement.

Would matter to me if said car was parked next to mine and owner passed it off as real. Where mine is a 50,000 mile all original, un-modified car. That would be the only situation I can think of that would matter.

Otherwise, owner can do as they wish as long as they are honest.

 

[Demonic]

Agree on most of the comments. "Honest when it counts" is best statement.

This ^^^