1966 Charger Hemi No Sale Again at Mecum

[Dean Prevolos]

In June 2019 I bought my 67 Charger Hemi, partially disassembled with the 426 rebuilt on a stand and lots of boxes . I paid $18,000, flatbed to my garage. Four years of weekends, 660 hours logged, Parts-$34,527.10, Outside labor/Meaterials- $15,815.95. Total to date $68,343.05. First Muscle car show in 2025 took Best in Class.

 

[AR67GTX]

That’s pretty good Dean. That’s about the only way to stay above water on restoring one of these old cars - using free labor (your own).

 

[Unkle Krusty]

This thread caused me to look up the value of my camper van. Might be worth more than my sailboat.
The previous owner of my small motorcycle spent $6000 on it.
I gave him $1750.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

That’s pretty good Dean. That’s about the only way to stay above water on restoring one of these old cars - using free labor (your own).

That's correct, if one doesn't have the skills to restore a car like this, you would have to pay for those 660 hours at a restoration shop.

 

[68BabyBlue]

This thread caused me to look up the value of my camper van. Might be worth more than my sailboat.
The previous owner of my small motorcycle spent $6000 on it.
I gave him $1750.

When I bought my 1960 Chrysler 300F for $20,000 in 1998, the car came with $68,000 worth of receipts. Lesson learned at someone else’s expense. I owned it for two years, and never did anything to it but change the oil.

 

[AR67GTX]

The best way to acquire a restored car is still to buy someone else’s restoration (hopefully a good one). Doing it yourself is a close second or maybe even less expensive and you get to spread the cost out some - kind of like the installment plan.

 

[Speedbird]

In June 2019 I bought my 67 Charger Hemi, partially disassembled with the 426 rebuilt on a stand and lots of boxes . I paid $18,000, flatbed to my garage. Four years of weekends, 660 hours logged, Parts-$34,527.10, Outside labor/Meaterials- $15,815.95. Total to date $68,343.05. First Muscle car show in 2025 took Best in Class.

I'm not nearly as impressed with your car as I am with your recordkeeping.
If people ask me how much, I just say "Too much".

 

[AR67GTX]

I'm not nearly as impressed with your car as I am with your recordkeeping.
If people ask me how much, I just say "Too much".

My first project car was a 66 Corvette that was a complete body off restoration and I kept a ledger of all cost which when I was complete and had totaled it up, I made the mistake of sharing with my wife. Subsequent projects, I just keep an accordion file and throw all the receipts and bills in it and never total them up. When she asks if I know how much I’ve spent on a car now I just tell her I haven’t found the time to add it up and then change the subject.

 

[Fran Blacker]

My first project car was a 66 Corvette that was a complete body off restoration and I kept a ledger of all cost which when I was complete and had totaled it up, I made the mistake of sharing with my wife. Subsequent projects, I just keep an accordion file and throw all the receipts and bills in it and never total them up. When she asks if I know how much I’ve spent on a car now I just tell her I haven’t found the time to add it up and then change the subject.

Telling the wife about hobby finances is a no-no. Give only good news.

 

[440 4 speed]

Telling the wife about hobby finances is a no-no. Give only good news.

If I take in consideration the buying and selling of parts and cars, I should break even or better. Largest costs so far have been paint and body. Grandkids razor bladed the exterior,(they got paid). I was able to do quite a bit at the body shop. Not with the painter though.
After everything is tallied, I might even be able to say I would have not been upside down even if I had only did the car on its own. Might have to change my view point though.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

First , my wife technically found the car for me as she was shopping at the grocery store on Friday everning, and ran into a mutual freind from our local car club. He told her that he knew of a car that I might be interested in. I had just sold 5 cars over the last year and was downsizing but my wife said I "needed a project". So I called the guy and the next day went to look at the 1967 Charger Hemi 4 speed, 1 of 58 made in 1967. After a few days of research I made a deal to buy the car. the Excell spreadsheet just to keep track of my receipts. I started my written log to keep track of my hours. I never thought it would take 4 years. Fortunately, for me, the wife was onboard, the money was flowing so I just kept going. I am very fortunate to have the car in my garage. And also thanks to this website for all the help, comments, direction, For Sale Forum and support.

 

[AR67GTX]

Telling the wife about hobby finances is a no-no. Give only good news.

It was my first real project and I was a lot younger and dumber.

 

[gtx6970]

That’s pretty good Dean. That’s about the only way to stay above water on restoring one of these old cars - using free labor (your own).

Timing is everything in most cases

I bought / made the deal for my car Aug 2020
Finalized the deal Sept of 2020
Delivered to me early Oct 2020


The car was done in early 2000s , finished persay was around 2004
Previous owner is a very good friend of mine to this day so some may say I got a good deal when I bought it.
He had an offer on the table then at $59k and the guy was trying to get his to send me my deposit back and sell him the car
I paid $50k for the car

Ive had a few real money offers double that and more, And on more than one occasion

Most Ive turned down was $150k but full disclosure. I think the man was fishing. Just trying to see where my breaking point was. I told him I wasn't committing to yes or no. Just that we could talk. and he had my attention
That was about 18 months ago . Ive not seen the man since that day

My daughter spoke up and told him the car wasnt for sale