[ezndo]

What is the best way to determine fair market value of a restomod? I know it is only worth what someone is willing to pay, but is there some type of website/service, etc. to help determine a price? Looking at a car with an LS3 swap plus some other goodies.

[kevin @ eas]

What year and model car is it?

[ezndo]

two cars, each Pontiac LeMans, one a '66, the other a '67

[kevin @ eas]

Sounds like a nice build. From what I have seen Buick, Olds and Pontiac A-bodies always seem to sell a hair lower than Chevelle. Unless its a GTO or 442. I would check out team Chevelle site. They have a what its worth section. Should be within the same ballpark.

[Maynard]

"The Hemmings site often has good comparables too. A lot depends on the quality of the work.

[08njSTEP]

If it's just an engine swap then not too much added value. Less than the same with a big block. If suspension and interior that's a whole different game. I would guess about 50% of the cost of parts added to a similar unmodded car. It REALLY depends on the quality of parts and execution.

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by Maynard

"The Hemmings site often has good comparables too. A lot depends on the quality of the work.

Good point, quality has a lot to do with it as well. Happen to have links to the build?

[ezndo]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll check it out. The '66 was on ebay, started at 25K and just ended with no bids. The only mods from stock were disc brakes and LS3/tranny.
The other one: http://www.streetsideclassics.com/ve...te-pro-touring
Really nice, but he is smoking his lunch at 80K. IMO, a solid '67 LeMans 'vert could be had for max 15K, add in the blown LS3 9K, paint, upholstery 12K, miscellaneous another 15K = 50K ish. Since you hardly ever sell for what you have in, I would think 40-50K would be realistic. Opinions?

[08njSTEP]

Over $50k for a modified car is some what unrealistic unless it's really special or built by a known builder.

[Steeler]

Wow, a real matching numbers GTO would be lucky to get 80k

[08njSTEP]

I believe muscle car prices will be falling in the next decade. The baby boomers that own these "toys" will start selling them a few years into retirement. The first things to go will be motorcycles and hot rods. The market is sure to take a down turn as the volume of good cars expands. Generation X will want them but after that group it's not likely the generation born in the '80s will have much interest in them.

[ezndo]

Exactly! The market that appreciates these cars is dying, literally and figuratively. Through my internet sleuthing, I think the actual owner of this vehicle is in his 70's.

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

I believe muscle car prices will be falling in the next decade. The baby boomers that own these "toys" will start selling them a few years into retirement. The first things to go will be motorcycles and hot rods. The market is sure to take a down turn as the volume of good cars expands. Generation X will want them but after that group it's not likely the generation born in the '80s will have much interest in them.

[08njSTEP]

Another sad fact is baby boomers will be surprised by how little their cars are worth. My dad is 70 and has 3 corvettes. A '60 fuelie, '67 convert, and '82 collectors edition with 18k miles. I know he's never going to sell them because they're going to me, but he thinks they're worth way more than they really are. I have a '66 SS396 Chevelle that's fully modded and a '67 convert Chevelle that's currently in build mode. I know my cars' worth and could never sell them for the cost I've spent on parts. But I'm not selling them ever either.

Another note: until you've driven a muscle car with modern suspension you haven't really lived.

[Steeler]

Anything for sale is only worth what a potential buyer is willing to pay for it.
A lot of the time emotion takes over where common sense should prevail.
Cars in general are not a good investment as we all know.

[ezndo]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! But never say never.....sold my numbers '70 GTO 4 speed vert by chance at a local show for a pile few years back and that car was never to be sold. The ONLY car I've ever made money on, and I've had quite few. So everything is for sale, if the price is right.
Right on about the modern suspension, something I haven't experienced but want.

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

Another sad fact is baby boomers will be surprised by how little their cars are worth. My dad is 70 and has 3 corvettes. A '60 fuelie, '67 convert, and '82 collectors edition with 18k miles. I know he's never going to sell them because they're going to me, but he thinks they're worth way more than they really are. I have a '66 SS396 Chevelle that's fully modded and a '67 convert Chevelle that's currently in build mode. I know my cars' worth and could never sell them for the cost I've spent on parts. But I'm not selling them ever either.

Another note: until you've driven a muscle car with modern suspension you haven't really lived.

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by ezndo

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll check it out. The '66 was on ebay, started at 25K and just ended with no bids. The only mods from stock were disc brakes and LS3/tranny.
The other one: http://www.streetsideclassics.com/ve...te-pro-touring
Really nice, but he is smoking his lunch at 80K. IMO, a solid '67 LeMans 'vert could be had for max 15K, add in the blown LS3 9K, paint, upholstery 12K, miscellaneous another 15K = 50K ish. Since you hardly ever sell for what you have in, I would think 40-50K would be realistic. Opinions?

Looks like a nice build but I think you are correct in the pricing numbers. Doesnt look like they went cheap on the suspension either. From the pictures looks like the trunk is bowed or doesnt sit right.

[08njSTEP]

I went out to shovel snow around my SS and see a note in window. "Have cash" and a phone #. How funny that I just posted never going to sell. I doubt the dude has over $25k in cash, because that's what it would take for me to even think about it. Still probably wouldn't sell it.

[ezndo]

Seeing the car in snow probably made him think you would sell. I'm sure he was looking for a deal, but wth, 1 quick phone call and you'll know.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by ezndo

The other one: http://www.streetsideclassics.com/ve...te-pro-touring
Really nice, but he is smoking his lunch at 80K. IMO, a solid '67 LeMans 'vert could be had for max 15K, add in the blown LS3 9K, paint, upholstery 12K, miscellaneous another 15K = 50K ish. Since you hardly ever sell for what you have in, I would think 40-50K would be realistic. Opinions?

I am by no means an expert but that looks like a really really well thought out and executed build. The ad text says it was on the cover of a magazine also. I think you need to add a few K to your estimates. Not that I have an idea of what the car should bring, just that I think more went into it.

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

I believe muscle car prices will be falling in the next decade. The baby boomers that own these "toys" will start selling them a few years into retirement. The first things to go will be motorcycles and hot rods. The market is sure to take a down turn as the volume of good cars expands. Generation X will want them but after that group it's not likely the generation born in the '80s will have much interest in them.

I agree for the most part. The nostalgia angle will diminish and the number of cars being run through auctions will drop, probably a lot. But I think there will always be demand for true classics and cars with history.

[08njSTEP]

My dad used to have a sign that he put in the window of his '60 vette every time he parked it somewhere. It said Not For Sale. Please don't ask.
Well this guy saw it parked behind our building and knocked on the door. My dad says did you see the sign. Dude says yup but I think I can make you a worthwhile offer. My dad looks at the dude and says,"you can't afford it." The dude got all indignant,"you don't know me, or how much money I have." My dad says you don't know what that car is do you. Its a high horse fuel injected car, 1 of less than 300. The car is worth as it sits over $100k. Which was true. The fuel unit was worth about $8k alone, and it was redone sitting in a box in a closet. The dude was going to offer $13k but would go up to $15k. My dad laughed and showed him the door.