Why so high?

Author
Discussion

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Tuesday 18th August 2020
quotequote all
Think a fair few people may be in the same position at some point,
Can't see me parting with the car
things would have to be dire !
And as we've said the way prices in general are going once you sell up
And spend the cash it would be very hard to get back in!
The irony of this is the furlough scheme seriously helped me to get it done and useable lol
Put up some pics of your Challenger on the Original Challenger thread , be nice to see another one !!!!

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Tuesday 18th August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
Think a fair few people may be in the same position at some point,
Can't see me parting with the car
things would have to be dire !
And as we've said the way prices in general are going once you sell up
And spend the cash it would be very hard to get back in!
The irony of this is the furlough scheme seriously helped me to get it done and useable lol
Put up some pics of your Challenger on the Original Challenger thread , be nice to see another one !!!!
Ye,don't sell it and you are wright the money will go and you will be out of the game .i would love to put photo's up but i am 68 and not to good on the pc and i only have a chrome book as my son said it's easier for someone like me to work but i can't store any photo's on it ,it's really only good for surfing and e mails i think.
The photo's of the sublime Challenger and the red 440 Challenger are pre sim card ones so not sure if that would be possible even on a normal computer .
The 440 had a interesting history in as much it was the Challenger that was used on the Primal Scream album cover and used for their video.I let the album go with the car when i sold it. I bought it from a friend called Carl who worked for Street Machine (the original one) and he had it prepared for drag racing so it was no trailer queen but very quick and well sorted handling wise.I sold it to a bunch of lads from Ireland who looked like a heavy metal group and they tore it apart to restore it but never got round to putting it back together.Shame as it drove so well but the body was a little rusty here and there ,didn't worry me as it was a refreshing change to drive and enjoy it unlike the mint Sublime one that i spent more time polishing it than driving .I did see the the red 440 advertised a couple of times as it was ,i think on the Mopar site but don't know if it got sold or restored.If anyone knows would be good to see photo's or just info thanks. .

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Tuesday 18th August 2020
quotequote all
What a fab bit of history, and i aint far behind you ! im 64 next month and like you had yanks all my adult life.................

Ive owned loads over the years, but my hands down favourite was my 57 T Bird, owner that from 93 to 2007 every time i opened the garage up and saw it sitting there i used to think people like me dont have cars like this, it never ceased in making me smile, my kids loved it , as did pretty much anybody who saw it.................................................



My youngest Daughter when the car was used in the school production of Grease with my Ali playing Sandy..............

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
What a fab bit of history, and i aint far behind you ! im 64 next month and like you had yanks all my adult life.................

Ive owned loads over the years, but my hands down favourite was my 57 T Bird, owner that from 93 to 2007 every time i opened the garage up and saw it sitting there i used to think people like me dont have cars like this, it never ceased in making me smile, my kids loved it , as did pretty much anybody who saw it.................................................



My youngest Daughter when the car was used in the school production of Grease with my Ali playing Sandy..............
WOW! You won't believe this but that's the next car on my wish list,a 57 at that. I missed a turquoise (not sure what the colour is called)one with a white porthole hard top a while ago,had brand new Kelsey Hales wire wheels with wide whites,stunning but was unable to sell any one of my cars in time and lost it,shame that's the colour i would have ordered if buying new in 57 ,There was another one more recently for sale funny enough in white with red interior, same story unable to sell any one of my cars in time.
Had a red 55 didn't really bond with it, my mates called it a 2 seater Ford Consul so maybe that was the reason,then a white 60 square bird followed by a 66 Thelma and Louise coloured convertible but the 57 seemed to have alluded me. I think if i can find the wright car and colour it could be a keeper ,funny part is the wish list after all these years and cars doesn't seem to be getting any shorter ,
See you owned the t/bird for 10 years,you must have missed it when it went but i suppose that depends what replaced it. You must have enjoyed seeing your t/bird along with your daughter playing Sandy at her school production ,a proud dad no doubt.

Edited by rat rod on Wednesday 19th August 09:47

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
Yeah loved that old car ,
And no it didn't end well!
As a few years later my wife and I parted, and things got horrible!

Just prior to this I'd sold my Sunbeam Tiger , to put a new kitchen in our house
Then I had to sell both the TBird and my Vette as my ex said half was hers
And then she got most of the house and all the stuff in it!
Took me awhile to get back on my feet
Lol
S----- happens as they say

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
Yeah loved that old car ,
And no it didn't end well!
As a few years later my wife and I parted, and things got horrible!

Just prior to this I'd sold my Sunbeam Tiger , to put a new kitchen in our house
Then I had to sell both the TBird and my Vette as my ex said half was hers
And then she got most of the house and all the stuff in it!
Took me awhile to get back on my feet
Lol
S----- happens as they say
Sorry to hear this,it happens to the best of us,been there twice.Lost my factory built Ram Cobra first followed by my Ferrari 308 GTS , . didn't mean to sound flash but i only paid seven thousand five hundred pounds for it with a engine problem in fact it was totally dismantled and in four box's.She kept saying ,hope you are polishing my half.
It's not so bad if your selling something you love to replace with something you want but even then you would rather add than sell.Very hard to pick yourself up after a divorce both mentally and financially. I think i would have dismantled the kitchen but would have probably ended up in jail.Too scared to go any near them now just in case they take the third that i was left with. They should have a Government heath warning tattooed on them," This woman may seriously endanger your wallet" comes to mind. From now on keeping to my cars and kids who i eventually got custody of,



Edited by rat rod on Thursday 20th August 21:02

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
laugh

Yeah my youngest Ali, the one in the pic now 27 and back living with me and my wife!
she parted with her boyfriend so i said come home!

She keeps nagging me to put her on the insurance so she can take the Challenger out !
Out of the Three she's the car nut!
Ali's Favourite was the 57, but also loved a 69 350/350 manual Vette i had, went like a scalded cat up to 90 then the motor was spinning like mad, the strangest of gear ratio's lol.................

Nice to talk to a certifiably yank nut , just like myself!
these things really are a life long passion,

Im currently back on my bosses series 3 E , finally got the motor back in, and a replacement water pump has turned up after waiting for months!
so its a runner again, first time for about 14 years!
Its actually quite a nice change having had several months none stop on the challenger,
Having said that i cant help but wonder why now?


Given the prices E's can fetch , they make American Stuff look cheap,
Thus getting the thread back on topic!!laugh

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Friday 21st August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
laugh

Yeah my youngest Ali, the one in the pic now 27 and back living with me and my wife!
she parted with her boyfriend so i said come home!

She keeps nagging me to put her on the insurance so she can take the Challenger out !
Out of the Three she's the car nut!
Ali's Favourite was the 57, but also loved a 69 350/350 manual Vette i had, went like a scalded cat up to 90 then the motor was spinning like mad, the strangest of gear ratio's lol.................

Nice to talk to a certifiably yank nut , just like myself!
these things really are a life long passion,

Im currently back on my bosses series 3 E , finally got the motor back in, and a replacement water pump has turned up after waiting for months!
so its a runner again, first time for about 14 years!
Its actually quite a nice change having had several months none stop on the challenger,
Having said that i cant help but wonder why now?


Given the prices E's can fetch , they make American Stuff look cheap, ,
Thus getting the thread back on topic!!laugh
Read most threads and it's rare they stay on topic,might be a little boring if they did. I put my son and daughter on my insurance and it's great to see them enjoy old skool cars, especially my daughter driving round in old yanks and seeing the reaction on guys faces in their hot hatches .My son's first car was a VW Type 3 fastback and my daughter's a l.h.d Beetle Cab so straight into the deep end.
.Trouble is if you put your daughter on your insurance she may not give you the keys back once she gets the taste for it,don't see Challengers on the road to often let alone with a young girl behind the wheel.Great fun watching peoples reactions.
Funny enough i was on my way home tonight and caught sight of something wide about 8 cars in front ,at first thought it was a mid 60's El Camino but as i pushed my way through the traffic realised it was a 68 Road Runner in Sublime with a black bumblebee stripe on the boot lid,black and chrome wheels ,never seen it before ,made my night.
As you say although yanks have gone a little mad on prices when i see what mk1 and mk 2 Escorts are fetching and some Capri's dearer than a Mustang and now certain BMW's like 2002's and E series following them the yanks are still good value

Getting back on thread and talking about my 440 Challenge prompted me to look for the Primal Scream Kowalski video on you tube. happy days ,shame the Irish guys never put it back together ,they could have had a lot of fun as it was,wonder how many people do that and realise they've taken on more than they can handle,a lot i imagine.



Edited by rat rod on Friday 21st August 14:49

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Saturday 22nd August 2020
quotequote all
Got some time next week so i'll give my insurer a bell and get a quote , told her if its a goer if she bends it she's brought it!laugh

Yeah the whole rock group/star thing would be worth trying to follow up, do you have any idea what happened to the car??
Maybe someone on the MMA would know?

And i think a fair few resto's end up being passed on, its so hard to put the amount of work/time/problems/waiting/ and general aggro a full restoration can generate mad
On the flip side it can also be fun and utterly worth while, the wife and i have been out all day in the challenger, done a ton of fuel, had a nice lunch and a beer, and got nothing but nice comments from every one !
So the conservation of these endangered species is very very importantbiggrin

Even though ive a list of upgrades still to do ive been looking out for a another project, as i quite fancy a slightly ratty motor that would be happy just to sit outside with a cover,
it would be a Ambulance job if i get the gooner, or/and a toy if i dont!
Dont mind a more door, must be an 8, and preferably a 60's machine, ie one of the unloved brigade, as these are the future for regular
people,

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Sunday 23rd August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
Got some time next week so i'll give my insurer a bell and get a quote , told her if its a goer if she bends it she's brought it!laugh

Yeah the whole rock group/star thing would be worth trying to follow up, do you have any idea what happened to the car??
Maybe someone on the MMA would know?

And i think a fair few resto's end up being passed on, its so hard to put the amount of work/time/problems/waiting/ and general aggro a full restoration can generate mad
On the flip side it can also be fun and utterly worth while, the wife and i have been out all day in the challenger, done a ton of fuel, had a nice lunch and a beer, and got nothing but nice comments from every one !
So the conservation of these endangered species is very very importantbiggrin

Even though ive a list of upgrades still to do ive been looking out for a another project, as i quite fancy a slightly ratty motor that would be happy just to sit outside with a cover,
it would be a Ambulance job if i get the gooner, or/and a toy if i dont!
Dont mind a more door, must be an 8, and preferably a 60's machine, ie one of the unloved brigade, as these are the future for regular
people,
I got no idea at all what happened to her,i saw it advertised a couple of times ,i think it was on the Mopair Muscle site so you would have thought someone would have gone for it as quite well know and if someone has restored it it would have surfaced by now.It could still be in bits in Ireland but i doubt it,would be nice to hear some info or photo's,
Nice you've been out enjoying your Challenger after all the work you have put in and even nicer to see other people enjoy seeing it.The general public unless they go to the shows don't see Yanks driven round and only see them on tv or films.Simple things like filling up at the petrol station can take a while with lots of questions and do you mind me taking a photo's of my girlfriend/wife sitting in your car which you don't get with Porsche's,Ferrari's ,people either hate you or to intimidated to ask where with a yank you look approachable and don't take yourself to seriously,thumbs up big smiles, and cool car mate , where in a Ferrari or similar you get the finger or the w----r sign.
Funny you should mention 2 cars that you owned ,we must have the same taste because the first decent car i bought after the divorce was a 72 C3 split roof manual,it reminded me of a Ferrari GTO from the 60's and going way back i bought from my uncle when he was manager of a NSU dealership (i told you it was a long time ago) a b.g.r Tiger ,2 things i remember about it was ,it caught on fire but not seriously and i overtook a line of cars on a damp road and then spun it on a roundabout and ended up facing the driver i had just overtaken with a stalled engine.
There's a lot to be said for tatty cars ,they sometimes drive better than the shiny ones having the input on the mechanics rather than the paint,chrome and interiors, Now it's become fashionable to drive ratty yanks,rods and VW's there not as cheap as they were but having had concours to rat look i probably enjoy the scruffy ones more being less O.C.D about them and more relaxed were i park them and is it going to rain before i would take them out. You would have the best of both worlds one to polish and one to just get on and drive no matter what.

Edited by rat rod on Sunday 23 August 01:15

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Sunday 23rd August 2020
quotequote all
Absolutely spot on,

The public love em!
Sitting on the left puts you right next to the curb so you can hear the comments like they are in the car!
cant think of one horrible or snidey remark ever, out and about yesterday we came across a Gold Dart, an old boy in a Porsche Speedster
a Stag, and a 50's Caddy, which lives just round the corner from me,
we all had a wave, puts a smile on ya facelaugh

I must be deranged but i still get a buzz actually doing the resto work, cutting bits out fabricating repair panels etc, so a second drive way resto is looking very likely now!
Like you the idea of a nice car and a beater ticks all the boxes, shooting up the Tesco's and not fretting some knob doors our pristine paint , or as you said worrying about whether its going to P---- down and lumber you with 4hours work cleaning and drying furious

The trouble is The Title of this Thread, everything is stupidly expensive,
Id love to be able to afford a early Escort, Small,Simple and very basic to work/repair, I work 10 mtrs from Rally Design in Whitstable
so parts are on my door step, body parts are still cheap, but to buy the car itself they just command silly money for what is a cheap and cheerful hack, seen bare and completely F----- shells at 7K , there must be so many of these so called fully restored car that are actually
Structurally un safe.

So what to buy??? and how much to pay??? The idea of a Dart or a Duster is appealing, smallish , if not rusted pretty strong, small V8 so it would make the right sound, not the best looking but its a beaterlaugh




newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Sunday 23rd August 2020
quotequote all
Had a look at the Red car being driven by Kate Moss, a composed 440 i assume, but plenty of power!
My sons God father was at one time the manger of The So Solid Crew, he asked if he could use my Bird for a vid, Noooooooooo way lol

Been out all day again in the Challenger, skint nowlaugh
My wife loves it lol, really pleased as it shows the work on sound and heat reduction does really make a difference to the usability of the car,

Its such a great driving car, no way does it feel like a 50 year old...................................................................
These must have been pretty epic when new,

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Sunday 23rd August 2020
quotequote all


This is how mine will slowly morph into!
Absolute stunning shaped car,

rat rod

4,997 posts

73 months

Monday 24th August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:


This is how mine will slowly morph into!
Absolute stunning shaped car,
You've done all the hard work the rest shouldn't take much apart from money, your vision is bang on,what a exciting looking car ,those bright colours whether orange,sublime or plum crazy really suit the Challenger's,The bonus for me when i bought the 383 RT was that if i'd walked into a Chrysler showroom in 1970 i would have ordered Sublime green with no vinyl roof but instead of the auto i would have had a pistol grip manual and either a 6 pack 440 or a Hemi , I had a original Richard Petty blue Road Runner with all the period graphics that had a pistol grip but couldn't seem to get on with it ,not sure why because i prefer it on muscle cars to auto ,maybe the car felt to big for a manual also the linkage was a little sloppy.Sold it to someone in the Mopar Muscle association who lived in Kent, you may know him as not to many of them about.
Not sure how long Carl bought the red 440 after the video but he had a lot of performance engine parts fitted and suspension upgrades along with a set of Torque thrusts which filled the arches up much better than the Turbovec's on the video.
You are lucky having a wife who enjoys the cars with you,makes life so much easier and in the American scene all the wifes seem to get on ,not snobby like some of the clubs trying to out do each other,my wifes seem to work against me with no or very little interest in cars .
As a second classic the Dart and Duster work well,I had a yellow Dart which i sold to Carl who had the red Challenger, it ended up as a drag car and then i think got converted back to road ,I perfer the Duster to the Dart ,has more muscle car look about it but both good sleepers .They haven't got the presents of the larger cars but i purpose that's what they are all about. I've had a couple of Falcons ,one having a period Paxton Supercharger fitted which would be a good choice to the others although they are becoming a bit expensive now with the tweeds racing them at Goodwood but still cheaper than some Escorts, wonder where it's all going to end.Shame for the young guys who want to get into yanks where as a 79 Trans Am would be first time yank some years ago would be around £3/ 4k for a driver needing some work now would be 10k and £20k plus for a excellent one especially in Bandit colours.

Edited by rat rod on Monday 24th August 12:45

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Monday 24th August 2020
quotequote all
Yeah i know what you mean about some muscle cars are just too big for a manual box, sounds stupid when a say it, but its true, the art of navigating a 2 ton barge, around our roads can be exhausting !
And if you go for the true muscle experience , no pas , no brakes ! manual box with a bench seat your really really brave laugh
I'l never forget a test ride in a composed 440-6 69' Road Runner, no power options , full reverse manual valve trans, and column shifter.
Ho Ma Daz, what a thing, Quick and scary, but a complete pig to use, looked fab as all 69 runners do, and with a lift off hood just the nuts,
but that was it, just to much like hard work,

To me these things are for using, not showing off at some poncy show , and how they drive and behave is paramount to me, doors need to close and lock properly, windows should lift and drop without fuss , seats should function without drama, ive seen tons of so called restored cars that just don't .

All the stuff we take for granted on a modern car really applies just the same to old motors, if its nice to use you will use it!!!!
Ive still got some niggles, Rattles drive me nuts, but old cars with cart spring rear , will never be silent in use, and i thought the chally was
a bit lumpy in this department, till i had a ride in my mates early Ali lotus cortina, good grief, a 60K car and it drives like s--- and is soooooo slowwwwwwwww!

Why do people rate these things ???


Edited by newsatten on Tuesday 25th August 12:09


Edited by newsatten on Tuesday 25th August 20:12

FIREBIRDC9

746 posts

145 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
I don't think what you are describing is limited to American cars.

Its happening across all scenes.
And you have the investment brigade to thank for it.

I used to be in the Japanese scene and it was happening there too.

newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
Yes it's all older and classics ,
I personally don't give a toss about so called investment, it's a hobby and as such will cost one time and money,
But to be fair guys like RatRod and myself and loads of others have had these cars as daily drivers since way back we tend to see them for what they are as opposed to what there worth

I personally can no longer afford my
Bucket list car , which is a shame ,
It's not a super car or a bespoke hand built machine ,
C'est la vie .....



Edited by newsatten on Tuesday 25th August 12:15

AdeTuono

Original Poster:

7,412 posts

235 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
FIREBIRDC9 said:
I don't think what you are describing is limited to American cars.

Its happening across all scenes.
And you have the investment brigade to thank for it.

I used to be in the Japanese scene and it was happening there too.
This is where I was coming from in my OP. I just don't get it. Sure, some cars are deserving of their 'collector' status (either real or perceived) due to the fact that they were truly great cars, or because of exposure in media etc, but it seems any old pile of ste is now deemed 'valuable' for no other reason than it's age.

I guess I'm just annoyed that I didn't fill my garage with Impalas, Galaxies, LeSabres etc while I had a chance. But I refuse to pay the asking price for some of those, speculation or not. For now, the 'hobby' has gone out of our hobby. I'm glad I enjoyed it whilst I did though.



newsatten

3,930 posts

122 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
Whilst I agree to most of the above
It's just a fact that things increase in price as the years pass,

Almost all the cars were talking about were just daily drivers , nothing particularly special, and as such not particularly valuable, which is why we could afford to buy them!
Super cars are and always have been stupidly expensive,
And so it remains,
Buy your car now , money is cheap ,
Get your foot back in the door so to speak,
There's still plenty of sensible priced cars for sale ,
Not at 3K but it's 2020 not 1990!
Just got to move on !

AdeTuono

Original Poster:

7,412 posts

235 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
newsatten said:
Whilst I agree to most of the above
It's just a fact that things increase in price as the years pass,

Almost all the cars were talking about were just daily drivers , nothing particularly special, and as such not particularly valuable, which is why we could afford to buy them!
Super cars are and always have been stupidly expensive,
And so it remains,
Buy your car now , money is cheap ,
Get your foot back in the door so to speak,
There's still plenty of sensible priced cars for sale ,
Not at 3K but it's 2020 not 1990!
Just got to move on !
It was more a comment on the fact that prices seem to have gone stratospheric in the last couple of years. I know you can still find decent cars for good money. Like I posted earlier, I got a lovely '55 Tri-Chevy for £13k recently. But £25k for a run-of-the-mill, average condition, nondescript motor is just silly money.