What does it cost?

It's interesting that nobody really in this entire post feels like you actually could make money doing a restore with these old school A bodies, but I think you probably could do it if you wanted to, if that was your end game.

It would take a numbers matching big block, 4 speed, possibly a convertible and of course doing a lot of the work yourself, but the rare ones do fetch a pretty good rate at sale. I'm not saying that's the way anyone should go, just saying that it doesn't seem like anyone really thinks that way in this post.

I'm just starting down my road, spent 5K for my non matching, 340 '71 swinger, have put 1600 into the suspension and the motor so far, with more to spend just to get it driving safely down the road. The paint on it is passable for now, but I would like to put my own spin on it at some point so that will mean more cash, but what it's worth really isn't one of the things I considered when buying it.

I think I agree with the one statement someone said "Drive the difference out of it". That seems to be the most fitting of all of that I read though.

Absolutely great post though, I enjoyed reading everyone's journey.