1966 Charger Hemi No Sale Again at Mecum

[Dean Prevolos]

I would not be surprised if the car is not actually owned by mecum. That is the only option that makes sense for it to be going through so many auctions. They seem to own certain cars or collections and do not sell them unless they bring what they want. Honestly I think it manipulates the market to some degree. The 66-67 chargers are probably the most reasonable hemi cars to buy, but expensive cars to properly restore.

I agree with you, I think the car is owned by Mecum, which is why it has been re-circulated at 3 auctions. And it looks like they haven't updated the photos or even attempted to clean it up over the last year. With regards to cost of restoration as it took me 4 years ( 660 hours - weekends only) to restore my 67 Hemi Charger and many of the parts, wiring harness included, are one year only for the 67 Charger Hemi. I have mine insured with Hagerty for $125,000. I started at a lower value and I increased the coverage as I made progress on my restoration. My current insured value is $125,000. The Hagerty agent told me that a concourse value 67 Hemi Charger insured value was $185,000.

 

[Rick62]

I think part of the problem may be guys who want 60's cars are dying off.

 

[RedBeard]

I think part of the problem may be guys who want 60's cars are dying off.

True, however I do know some "young" guys out there that are really into the 60s Dodge, Plymouth cars and like the 66 67 Chargers since they have the least plastic as compared to the 68 and on.

 

[Davefinan]

I think part of the problem may be guys who want 60's cars are dying off.

I know that happened with the fifties cars for sure.
To an extent , I can see that happen with some sixties cars, but not to the same degree.
For the most part, fifties cars were souped up by the owners of them ( nothing wrong with that ). The sixties brought in a whole new styling and you could order a new “ souped up “
Muscle car straight from the factory.
Even though many of us older folks on here grew up with the sixties cars, I see plenty of interest by folks ten-twenty years younger .
I feel that the muscle car era was a phenomenon that won’t fade with time like many fifties cars did.

This is just how I see it…..might be a little biased though

 

[68BabyBlue]

I know that happened with the fifties cars for sure.
To an extent , I can see that happen with some sixties cars, but not to the same degree.
For the most part, fifties cars were souped up by the owners of them ( nothing wrong with that ). The sixties brought in a whole new styling and you could order a new “ souped up “
Muscle car straight from the factory.
Even though many of us older folks on here grew up with the sixties cars, I see plenty of interest by folks ten-twenty years younger .
I feel that the muscle car era was a phenomenon that won’t fade with time like many fifties cars did.

This is just how I see it…..might be a little biased though

There are outliers in both eras that seem to defy the demographic trends. I agree that the mainstream nostalgia driven 50s market has faded as that generation has aged out. What appears to buck the trend somewhat, is the super rare high end Forward Look car, such as seen in the McCandless collection. More pedestrian models, such as the nice, but not concours, 300F hardtop I used to own, have leveled off.

In the 60s cars, the Hemi Daytonas represent the opposite extreme from first generation Chargers. These have become works of art, rather than driven cars, and their prices might span generations. Under $100,000, the demographics seem to kick in, and I'm already planned on parting with my '69 440 GTX for less than I have in it when the time comes. Last guy who made a serious offer on it was older than me, not a good sign.

 

[#41]

The 66-67 Hemi Chargers have never sold well. I might pay $47k for that car or more assuming its not a 383 car or has a bunch of rust buried under bondo. But $47k is just the auction best, I assume. Maybe the reserve is $80k and Mecum is holding out for a certain profit level. It does not cost them much to store a car and roll it across the stage until they get what they want out of it. Why they have not done some simple things to pretty it up is certainly a good question.

 

[twecomm]

Don't know what it's like at other car cruises, but if you look around most folks with their cars there are like me, retired, and all gray.

 

[67 Mopar]

I wouldn't buy that car if you paid me... it's hinting at all kinds of issues. Thats a case of future buyers remorse if I ever saw one, especially at 47K...

 

[70chall440]

That car has some demons which obviously the professional auction goers/buyers could readily see. If there was money to be made on that car it would have been sold already.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

The Hemi 66 Charger was a no sale again at Mecum, this past Wednesday in Indy. It reached $50,000. This has to be the 4th time Mecum has run this car through their auction. Dana must own this car to keep running it through without nmaking any improvements to the car.

 

[Nxcoupe]

The Hemi 66 Charger was a no sale again at Mecum, this past Wednesday in Indy. It reached $50,000. This has to be the 4th time Mecum has run this car through their auction. Dana must own this car to keep running it through without nmaking any improvements to the car.View attachment 1853253

Realistically, what dollar amount would it take to buy this car? Ideas on what they are trying to get for it?

 

[Runcharger]

It's worth about $45k by the look of it. Someone must have looked at it and figured that was the value. The seller can either take that much or take it to their grave. There's a limited amount of these old cars but there is also a limited amount of buyers that want to commit to a money losing restoration as well.

 

[68BabyBlue]

It's worth about $45k by the look of it. Someone must have looked at it and figured that was the value. The seller can either take that much or take it to their grave. There's a limited amount of these old cars but there is also a limited amount of buyers that want to commit to a money losing restoration as well.

I had this exact discussion three years ago when I bought my current GTX, after chasing the car for five decades. The seller was hammering on the car's "one of one" status with colors, options, history, and documentation. I conceded that he was absolutely right. Then I pointed out that I was the only potential buyer in the country who had driven the car when it was new, had funds to buy it in the glove compartment of my car, and was standing face to face with him. He finally agreed that I was "one of one," and we closed the deal at my final offer.

 

[gtx6970]

It's worth about $45k by the look of it. Someone must have looked at it and figured that was the value. The seller can either take that much or take it to their grave. There's a limited amount of these old cars but there is also a limited amount of buyers that want to commit to a money losing restoration as well.

Agree on all accounts


Restoring that car would be a major money looser

IMO clean it up , make it presentable and drive / enjoy it

IF it could be bought at the $45-50k range would be a deal IMO for a running driving hemi car

Provided there are no major issues in person

 

[Fran Blacker]

The guys who take one of one to I've a map light.

 

[68BabyBlue]

The guys who take one of one to I've a map light.

And we know that rarity doesn't always translate to value.

 

[AR67GTX]

It could be a good value in the under $50k range for the right buyer. Just having correct carbs in these cars is worth $2500+/- if originality matters. Little Hemi-specific details like carbs, air cleaner, etc can add up. If the drivetrain can be verified as likely original (might be tough to do) that would help too.

 

[Fran Blacker]

It could be a good value in the under $50k range for the right buyer. Just having correct carbs in these cars is worth $2500+/- if originality matters. Little Hemi-specific details like carbs, air cleaner, etc can add up. If the drivetrain can be verified as likely original (might be tough to do) that would help too.

The guy that has $75k into one would be crying. Sad to see some buddy do that.

 

[RemCharger]

We need an " under 50 grand HemiCharger" thread. So we can can see the huge selection out there.

 

[gtx6970]

We need an " under 50 grand HemiCharger" thread. So we can can see the huge selection out there.

Just make it any legit Hemi cars under $50k that run and drive.

My 2 cents, There are not going to be many