Opinions on Replicas/ Clones

[JPrusinows]

Looks super nice!

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I don’t get the clone haters. Unless you’re trying to defraud someone and pass it off as real, it’s your car, do what you want to.

 

[DeltaV]

It's easy to spot the clones. They are barn finds and have dog dish hub caps.

***
I like "tribute" or "replica", not "clone".

Just do what you want and have fun with it.

You could do a perfect 100 point award winning restoration and there is always some "expert" clown that makes snide and/or derogatory remarks.

 

[Davefinan]

It's easy to spot the clones. They are barn finds and have dog dish hub caps.

***
I like "tribute" or "replica", not "clone".

Just do what you want and have fun with it.

You could do a perfect 100 point award winning restoration and there is always some "expert" clown that makes snide and/or derogatory remarks.

More often than not , that would be the guy who has no classic car and wouldn’t know where to start with it if he did.

 

[FitzyB5]

Started life as a Coronet 500 with a 318. Chrysler made only 4, hemi convertible R/T’s. Now with a 66 street hemi and a 5 speed Tremec. And love to drive it. Would have never been able to afford the real deal.

 

[Dave6T4]

View attachment 1898741View attachment 1898742View attachment 1898743View attachment 1898744View attachment 1898745View attachment 1898746
Started life as a Coronet 500 with a 318. Chrysler made only 4. Now with a 66 street hemi and a 5 speed Tremec. And love to drive it. Would have never been able to afford the real deal.

Beautiful R/T convertible! Have fun with it.

 

[JPrusinows]

Going to see this one today….View attachment 1898552

send some pics. did you purchase it?

 

[Hwy145]

send some pics. did you purchase it?

I did not… yet. I am taking the body man from a local shop to inspect the car. I want to make sure he sees what I am seeing. It is a nice car, though…

 

[33 IMP]

I did not… yet. I am taking the body man from a local shop to inspect the car. I want to make sure he sees what I am seeing. It is a nice car, though…

The aircleaner on that puppy is a fortune! Very surprising to see it on a clone. A well known Mopar enthusiast was asking $2000 for one....... forty years ago.

 

[torredcuda]

I totally get why there are clones of the higher end/rare models - Hemis, 440-6,AARs etc. but I would never own one as to me it`s making it look like something it isn`t. Modified cars on the other hand I`m OK with - drop a Hemi in a 318 car and have fun with, it`s the "make it look just a factory one" with badges, decals, correct details etc. I wouldn`t do. I have my lowly `72 318 Barracuda modified with a 340, 4 speed, suspension upgrades and more that I beat the hell of it with no worries but there are no `cuda badges on it anywhere. I`m building my numbers 383 road runner to mostly original but I still plan to drive and have fun with it.

 

[Rebelrouser]

What are the prevailing opinions on replica tributes? Probably the only chance of affording a nice/ well-built HEMI car…

What are you buying the car for, investment or to have fun? Numbers matching, hauling to shows in a trailer, afraid to drive it because it may get a rock chip, let it sit in the garage all the time equals car for investment. Clone equals having fun, driving the car more, etc. and a good clone does hold its value just not as well as a number matching car.

 

[426LVR]

I've had real cars and cars with swapped in drivetrains. These days the real stuff is getting really expensive and a lot of guys are hesitant to drive them. You can build the clone somewhat cheaper as you don't need all correct parts and date coded stuff etc. I say leave the real stuff to the investors these days and drive the stupid thing. Best car I ever owned was my matching #'s 71 Hemi Charger and I loved it and I loved driving it. However with a Hemi you should drive it hard to enjoy the thrill and demonstrate that thrill to others, worrying about the unlikely event of hurting matching #'s parts though does take a bit of the enjoyment out of it.
Another thing is when you have a real car, some know it all at a car show is going to point a finger at your incorrect tire valve stem caps and it's going to just p&^% you off, so it's best to just avoid that scenario all together.

There will always be the Mopar police out there but doesn’t concern me at all. I am doing a 70 RR Conv the way I would have wanted it. Although it may have been cheaper to buy someone else’s idea but having a Hemi 4 sp RR Conv. Is the ultimate for me. Will show it next summer before I drive it much. I also have a numbers car but really just enjoy them the way you want to.

 

[captain clank]

I always tell people mine is a "Tribute" instead of a "Clone".

 

[Butch Harley]

Buy it for the right price and drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyday!!!!!!!!

 

[Hwy145]

What are you buying the car for, investment or to have fun? Numbers matching, hauling to shows in a trailer, afraid to drive it because it may get a rock chip, let it sit in the garage all the time equals car for investment. Clone equals having fun, driving the car more, etc. and a good clone does hold its value just not as well as a number matching car.

It’s big, it’s loud, it’s a four-speed, and it has a big engine. I love the a 990 sedan body style…

I couldn’t justify spending the kind of money. It would take to get a real one, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. A real hemi would probably just sit on the trailer or stored away in the garage to look at.

 

[Runcharger]

Yeah, I didn't consider either one of these clones, they were engine swaps with shaker hoods added. Sometimes a 440 just isn't enough.

 

[Lefty71]

it`s the "make it look just a factory one" with badges, decals, correct details etc. I wouldn`t do.

There are more Z28's and SS chevelles today, than chevy ever made new lol.

 

[Jeff Peterson]

 

[JC Boatguy]

I have a satellite that cost half what a roadrunner does. Girlfriend, has a 71 Charger R/T tribute that cost a third of a real R/T. Her car is just like the girl in a short skirt, turns everybody's head! We drive and LOVE them!

 

[Stucat]

I purchased a Hemi Superbird 30 years ago for $55,000. For 15 year I would Drive it around, all original sheetmetal and matching than the $ was doing up and up. Not as enjoyable to drive as you start to think about some jerk not paying attention and the originally is gone along with the value. so i parked it and made a replica. So much more fun to drive and less worries. You go more places , do more stuff and drive it faster and the kids can spill drinks and ice cream. I am having more fun. That's what's it's all about for me. I had the trailer queen's also but moved on. Doing a 440 4 speed Daytona , all steel parts. Sold the Bird 2 years ago.