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Value of custom cars like this?

M

Michael_

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So yesterday i found a link to this in another thread



I think what this guy did/does is amazing!
In my opinion, putting an old body over a new car instead of putting the new cars guts in an old car is the way to go if you want modern day performance.
Especially so if you like modern interiors.

If you decide to build a 70 challenger you do not even need to kill a classic car:
https://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/1970-dodge-challenger-coupe/

So question arises what do you guys think a car like that is worth?
And how much more if it was based on a more recent hellcat challenger?

I wonder if this could be a profitable business:
Buying late model hellcats, putting dynacord bodies and amd sheet metal on them and selling for profit?
Appears you can do it with 2 persons, as long as one of them is a good body/metal guy.
 
Some resto-mods/pro-touring builds
done really well
with quality parts, professional quality labor
(not some cheap shade-tree stuff)
are selling for as much if not more
than OE stuff

as for a business, you better get good prices on ****
or you'll have just as much in them as what it's worth
now if you do 99% of all of it yourself
not have to source & buy most of it or pay labor or retail for the ****
do your own fabrication, K-frames LCA/UCA, rear suspensions,
welding, electrical, interiors, body & paint, all IN-HOUSE etc.

with an actual Business license, in house staff & real shop location,
paying all the necessary taxes, expenses, insurances, registrations & all,
that looks like a professional Org./Business

Yeah;
I could see it being a profitable venture
If done right & done quickly/professionally,
not spend 1,000 hr on every aspect/s, or redoing ****
still put out a good affordable product, that looks great

-------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe sell them at Barrett Jackson or Mecum
where there's a captive audience
with real $$$ (not tire-kickers) & willing to spend it
get a consignment deal with Dana (Mecum)
or Steve (VP Sale BJ)
so you don't pay as much in fees, you may profit
if you can get the bodies & source all the **** for good prices
30%-40% off retail min.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The hard part IMO would be getting clients
to know you, your name, your brand, getting it out there
or your ability or quality, that takes time to build that reputation

1 at a time
I don't know if it would work,
seems like the "real/actual" build cost would eat up most the profits
maybe it could work

There's lots of great builders/quality shops out there,
that are just squeaking by too
maybe you could do something they aren't...

if you want to sell them
or make a reasonable profit/good living
you have to show them (clients/customers)
knowledge, craftsmanship & quality,
in a timely &/or affordable manner

That's just my thoughts

good luck
 
Last edited:
Custom cars are a niche market and most that do them do so at the specific request of a buyer. I personally do not think this is a good business model to start trying to crank them out. I really love his Daytona clone but I would have done a few things differently (the gas cap comes to mind). Of course there are companies making "custom" type cars such as Mr. Norms, Petty Enterprises and others but they do a lot of marketing and pre-orders which somewhat isolates them from the risk of getting stuck with a high dollar build.
 
These guys are doing it. They sell for six figures. This is a new Challenger Hellcat with custom carbon fiber panels made to look like a 69 Charger.

image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
 
Could it be done ? Sure but you better have deep pockets.
JMHO you would be upside down for the 1st couple years.
Add that to the fact of parts availability is hit and miss at best.
Some shops and folks have carved out a decent market spot for builds like that.
Anyone that tries I wish them good luck.
 
What's not to like or want, a 69 Charger, all the comforts and a new state of the art power plant. I'll take one!!
 
Michael, the fact that you are in Europe gives you an advantage in sales. Why send to the states for a car when someone in the EU can buy from you.
That said, I agree with most of what's already been said. You have to have major $$$ to get started and the quality better rival the best out there.
Building cars is a love for most of us but it can quickly turn into hate. I have seen car guys really make a good business for themselves but I've also
seen car guys end up walking away from a failed enterprise wishing they had never seen a car. Turning a hobby into a business is one of the hardest
things to do. Perhaps one of these companies would like a European rep. Someone to do promotions and sales in the EU. Might be a way to get your
feet wet and see where it takes you. Whatever you do I wish you GOOD LUCK!!
 
Michael_ said:
So yesterday i found a link to this in another thread



I think what this guy did/does is amazing!
In my opinion, putting an old body over a new car instead of putting the new cars guts in an old car is the way to go if you want modern day performance.
Especially so if you like modern interiors.

If you decide to build a 70 challenger you do not even need to kill a classic car:
https://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/1970-dodge-challenger-coupe/

So question arises what do you guys think a car like that is worth?
And how much more if it was based on a more recent hellcat challenger?

I wonder if this could be a profitable business:
Buying late model hellcats, putting dynacord bodies and amd sheet metal on them and selling for profit?
Appears you can do it with 2 persons, as long as one of them is a good body/metal guy.
Click to expand...

The last I heard, that new 70 Challenger shell was no longer being produced due to lack of demand. I could be wrong, but that's what I read.
 
Thats a very cool car but will only appeal to a very select few and at $650K that population gets pretty small.
 
70chall440 said:
Thats a very cool car but will only appeal to a very select few and at $650K that population gets pretty small.
Click to expand...

Take a good look at this car especially from the side. An illustrator/car friend described it as taking the front end of a Buffalo and putting the tail of a Mako shark on it. They ruined the tail panel among other things. It was as if they made up design changes as they went along to prove they could change something. There was no plan or design dwgs. before they started. I'm a sculptor. I do sketches both 2D and 3D before I start investing my time in anything. ANY decent self respecting artist starts with design sketches.
 
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