after sitting for 24 years, it's worth....?

OK, I'm not rich or even close, I "found" a wagon I'd like to own. I into'd myself last week and explained about the 72 Chrysler T/C I would like to get. Now it's a week later and the folks who own it say they might want to put it on E-Bay to see what they can get, last week it was "free" . Anyhow, Here's what I know, sitting in a barn since 1984, 440 Cu In. , 727, 95% rust free (from 3 sides, not sure of floors) dented (badly) drivers front fender, all tires flat, seems mouse free, headliner fallen, dash is cracked in three places, super dirty, wood grain stripped off. mostly original. My question is what is a fair price to offer for this car, I DO NOT just want it for the 440/727 but would like to restore it and bring it back to good condition. I know what I would offer for the engine/trans if that's what I wanted. What is it worth, and please only $ figures, I want to approach this owner with cash in hand. John

 

No more than $200. That's a long time and too many seasons of damp and dry. There's rust in places you'd never think about. I'd line up the cost of replacing any power option motors, rebuilding the motor and trans, and retesting the gauges. Gas tank will need flushing and the gas line/pump.

Sounds like a good start, if the body is intact. IIRC they're on a solid frame too. Check that out, and if it's on Torsion Bars on the front, find out what new ones cost or what it costs to re-temper those. That's a lot of sitting for a 5,000 PLUS Pounds car.

 

And get lots of these manuals:
http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/

 

I have to agree with Stormin' about price I wouldn't go much higher. As far as ebay goes I would use them for a guide since it is really based on what one person will pay for a car or truck,not like a whole hobby would rate it.

 

in my opinion...price is always based on how bad you want it..right?

...and heres my motto...everytime one of my pals say..'should i buy it?'
...I say..."do you know wheres theres another cheaper?or even another?"
...then they go buy it!!!

without seeing it...I hesitate to say 'how much' to spend !!
but..John...you know a good early 440 is worth $500 as a core!!..right?

and thats my input

 

If you restore it correctly you'll have about 20 or 30 grand into it when your done, if you ever get it done!

Always better to find a nice one first or just save up for a nice one to start out with.

JMO, Clark

 

Thanks for the input, I feel I will offer them 2 or 3 hunfred bucks, no more. Restoration would/could be expensive even doing as much as I can myself. By the way, as wagons go 1969-72 Chrysler T/C, or 69-72 Dodge Monnaco/Polara are my favorites.

 

elwoody1973 has a 72 TC he'd part with I think. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima He's in Chicago. It's pictured in his avatar. Great looking beast. Fly up and drive it home.

Sometimes the price, although cheap, gets you very little. If rust is pretty bad parting it out would net you some pretty good returns. Drivetrain and glass especially. Not to mention any good trim pieces.

Many times a more expensive one is much less expensive in the long run.

 

I think you have a good strategy. If it's sitting on flat tires, I doubt there are going to be many hungry ebay bidders. Stick to your price, and good luck.

 

72 Chrysler Town and Countrys are one of my favorites. They have the rear fender skirts that the 71s don't have. And the nose on the 73 is too blunt looking in my opinion.

As a teen I fondly remember that the Bloomfield, Connecticut Fire Dept had a bright red 72 T&C (no wood siding) for their Chiefs car. Now that was impressive!

 

Did somebody say Fenderskirts?

I was crusing some of my old links last night and found this site. I kept it for the Continental Tire caps, but the fenderskirts are starting to make sense too, to cut wind-drag. I saw an Aussie site experimenting with them on the front wheel wells, improving his fuel mileage by 2 MPG on a sub-compact. I'm interested in the Continental caps to mount two spares on my real woody project, next year.

http://fenderskirtking.com/

 

Dang Y'all got Stormin' Wanting to wear skirts again!!!

 

The body beautiful, with the knees that please. That's me!

I've always had to take them off, now in my mature years, I'd like to see if they add any 'sway' to the car.

Up here, the guys took them off in the winter (snow clogging). But they did look good, and now maybe they've got a practical use on cars, too!

 

Please Sir No more!!!!

 

SHE is watching! Ah ha!

Ok, I'll be good. I think we broke out of the winter blahs. Yay!