1965 Valiant Convertible - What's it worth to you?

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amusingarts

amusingarts

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What is this car worth in your opinion?
Funny that my last post here was 2014; many years and mucho dinero later I want to share with you guys where this project is at. I've delayed this for all these years because there was always one more thing to do.... you probably know that story.

So all these years later it's finally come time to part with my baby. No not my wife or child, my 65 Valiant convertible.
I just real Tony Fields thread about what it costs to restore a car to a certain level and can relate 1000% about the time and cost, believe me when I say it adds up over 13 years.

In my case I have peculiar tastes in cars. And I only really salivate over something nobody else has. The result of this craving is the cars pictured.

So here is what I did.......

Suspension and braking system
  • Reinforced and gusseted K member
  • Upgraded upper control arms with offset bushings
  • Mopar mid 70's Slider DIsc Calipers
  • all new brake lines and wheel cylinders
  • 340 Torsion Bars
  • KYG Shocks all around
  • Mopar Performance Master Cylinder (not installed)
  • Just installed "firm Feel" 20:1 Steering Box
  • Rebuilt steering coupler
  • 8 1/4 rear end
  • upgraded to 14" Radial T/As
  • Mopar Rally Wheels
  • New tie rod ends
  • ALL new MOOG bushings
  • Timkin wheel bearings
  • Rotors Made In America
The engine also got the full treatment.
  • Only about 2,000 miles since rebuild
  • Mopar 302 swirl port heads with hardened valve seats
  • Bronze guides and neoprene seals
  • New oil pump, alternator, mini starter
  • New motor mounts
  • 3 angle valve grind
  • Engle cam 440-210 436-214
  • Edelbrock dual plane high rise intake
  • Carter AFB 650 cfm
  • Spitfire Headers
  • Dual exhaust with 20" glass packs and resonators
  • Full advance timing
  • New shift cables for tranny
  • At this point she drove and rode like a new car, I mean a sports coupe quality ride, firm and responsive. It's nice to be able to cruise at 80-90 mph and feel like you are riding in a BMW. Time to pay attention to the interior. Since this is where I spend my time I wanted a little more than a bench seat and an AM radio. SO.........
  • Custom Aluminum Dash
  • Custom Center Console
  • Autometer Tach and Speedo
  • All Mechanical gauges oil/gas/volts/temp all work
  • New carpet
  • Aluminum composite door cards
  • Bluetooth Speakers
  • BMW leather seats front and back
  • new window felts and guides
  • Push button start
  • Fully lined trunk
The exterior is primed and the chrome door handles and rear bumper are painted with rim paint. I removed all of the aluminum trim and the front bumper so it's pretty stealthy. Nobody around here knows what it is and I get thumbs up everywhere I go.

But, Alas, What I thought would be my "forever car" has to go. We have decided to retire to Mexico and after a visit to our future home town I quickly realized it would be a big mistake to bring this car since the streets are paved with rocks; not cobblestones mind you, rocks. The curbs very in size up to 24 inches. Seriously the most reasonable mode of transport is probably a donkey.

So, help me out guys and give me an opinion on what you think I should ask for the car. Of course I have a number in mind but I don't want to give it away. So let's hear it!!!!

45front.jpg


front45.jpg


side.jpg


rear.jpg


engine2.jpg


engine3.jpg


interior1.jpg


rearseat.jpg


seat.jpg


dash.jpg
 
So I give what’s your # it’s gonna be worth what someone will pay ,looks solid !
 
Once you start putting modern seats and custom interior your potential buyers become fewer, and in my opinion it starts to nose dive in a big way. Might try a new poll, above 8k or below 8k.

Jake
 
xLURKxDOGx said:
Once you start putting modern seats and custom interior your potential buyers become fewer, and in my opinion it starts to nose dive in a big way. Might try a new poll, above 8k or below 8k.

Jake
Click to expand...
Below for me :wtf: sorry
 
What size motor?: 273, 318, 360?

360 will help and pump price a little

You have assembled some nice parts.

But, it seems to be missing door panels, arm rests, conv only rear interior 1/4’s, original rear conv only seat...?

Do the orignal conv only stuff come with the car?

But it’s a project that is in primer. The dash and console like others said is a like or hate deal. So you got at least 50% of people turned off by it.

Asking under or over $20K has me worried you’re not familiar with what 60-66 A-bodies sell for. You’re quite a bit off target.

It’s a sub $8K no doubt.

Just how far sub you’ll find out. What’s under that primer will be the factor. I see some waves that need body work before paint. Is there rust repair or holes in lower rear quarters, trunk, drain hole under 1/4 windows...?
 
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I'd be at $3K just for the drive train....everything else is too personalized. If you find the right person with similar tastes maybe $6K.
 
I'll let you have it! Your nuts trading a Mopar in for a donkey! MY-2 Jpar OUT!
 
A Valiant, in ANY condition, has a limited market. A Valiant that is customized to your liking has an even smaller market.
 
I think it's sweet and has very tasteful updates, plus a whole lot of good looking work done to it. If it were mine I wouldn't go under 15k.
 
to me i can't see me paying anything more then 3000-3500 for that car..

i don't know whats hiding under that primer.
whats the top look like?
its missing all the good hard to find trim
the interior is hideous looking and i'd have to find and redo the entire thing..


personally i think its gonna be a hard sell.. maybe someone will like everything you did to it but in my opinion most will want it a little more original-ish....


.
 
There has been a big investment made in this project. As a starting point in resale value, add up all the receipts in parts installed (plus purchase price of project vehicle) and divide by half. Don't include labor, it seems we also have to give that away for free. That's what many of us believe is a realistic "market value" for this generation of A body.

I personally have an original '65 Valiant Signet Convertible that is very rusty that I drove down from Seattle (paid way too much ten years ago at $3,500)

100_2812.JPG
 
If it was selling here you could ask a starting price at $6k but sell price will be in the $3500-$4500 range.
 
You said it yourself:

"In my case I have peculiar tastes in cars. And I only really salivate over something nobody else has."

That's great, and it's nice to create something that suits your own tastes and desires................ until it comes time to sell it in the "mass market". Don't expect too much! Take it with you to Donkey-town and you can be referred to as the "Loco-Americano". :thumbsup:
 
amusingarts said:
What is this car worth in your opinion?
Funny that my last post here was 2014; many years and mucho dinero later I want to share with you guys where this project is at. I've delayed this for all these years because there was always one more thing to do.... you probably know that story.

So all these years later it's finally come time to part with my baby. No not my wife or child, my 65 Valiant convertible.
I just real Tony Fields thread about what it costs to restore a car to a certain level and can relate 1000% about the time and cost, believe me when I say it adds up over 13 years.

In my case I have peculiar tastes in cars. And I only really salivate over something nobody else has. The result of this craving is the cars pictured.

So here is what I did.......

Suspension and braking system
  • Reinforced and gusseted K member
  • Upgraded upper control arms with offset bushings
  • Mopar mid 70's Slider DIsc Calipers
  • all new brake lines and wheel cylinders
  • 340 Torsion Bars
  • KYG Shocks all around
  • Mopar Performance Master Cylinder (not installed)
  • Just installed "firm Feel" 20:1 Steering Box
  • Rebuilt steering coupler
  • 8 1/4 rear end
  • upgraded to 14" Radial T/As
  • Mopar Rally Wheels
  • New tie rod ends
  • ALL new MOOG bushings
  • Timkin wheel bearings
  • Rotors Made In America
The engine also got the full treatment.
  • Only about 2,000 miles since rebuild
  • Mopar 302 swirl port heads with hardened valve seats
  • Bronze guides and neoprene seals
  • New oil pump, alternator, mini starter
  • New motor mounts
  • 3 angle valve grind
  • Engle cam 440-210 436-214
  • Edelbrock dual plane high rise intake
  • Carter AFB 650 cfm
  • Spitfire Headers
  • Dual exhaust with 20" glass packs and resonators
  • Full advance timing
  • New shift cables for tranny
  • At this point she drove and rode like a new car, I mean a sports coupe quality ride, firm and responsive. It's nice to be able to cruise at 80-90 mph and feel like you are riding in a BMW. Time to pay attention to the interior. Since this is where I spend my time I wanted a little more than a bench seat and an AM radio. SO.........
  • Custom Aluminum Dash
  • Custom Center Console
  • Autometer Tach and Speedo
  • All Mechanical gauges oil/gas/volts/temp all work
  • New carpet
  • Aluminum composite door cards
  • Bluetooth Speakers
  • BMW leather seats front and back
  • new window felts and guides
  • Push button start
  • Fully lined trunk
The exterior is primed and the chrome door handles and rear bumper are painted with rim paint. I removed all of the aluminum trim and the front bumper so it's pretty stealthy. Nobody around here knows what it is and I get thumbs up everywhere I go.

But, Alas, What I thought would be my "forever car" has to go. We have decided to retire to Mexico and after a visit to our future home town I quickly realized it would be a big mistake to bring this car since the streets are paved with rocks; not cobblestones mind you, rocks. The curbs very in size up to 24 inches. Seriously the most reasonable mode of transport is probably a donkey.

So, help me out guys and give me an opinion on what you think I should ask for the car. Of course I have a number in mind but I don't want to give it away. So let's hear it!!!!

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Click to expand...
 
I can't help you with a valuation but could you tell me what wheel and tire combination you used, does it maintain the small 5 lug pattern and did you have any tire clearance issues? Also, who designed that great looking console?
 
dodge freak said:
Putting newer seats in IMO is the way to go but yeah many people think what it came with from the factory is better
Click to expand...
If you have drove 1200 miles to the woodward dream cruise in the original seats you would not be able to walk let alone enjoy the dream cruise. (I did that one year in my original 65 dart convertible...) That is why I'm putting 98 Sebring seats in my 66. I can't take the pounding anymore. I didn't have to cut any side panels up in the rear like the other options would have made me do. I did have to take a grinder to the foam(1/2 slice on both sides)on the top rear seat back after I peeled off the sides from the top to about 5 inched from the bottom of the side or about where the armrests are in the side panels so the convertible top mechanism wouldn't rub the side panel and yeah they had shoulder belts that still work. Am I going to get<=>8k for mine when I croak and my son or daughters sell it??? maybe maybe not. I'll be dead and won't care but my behind will be loving the ride when I am still alive.
DSCF3652.JPG




with that being said. I see all the mods you did on your car and it is going to be hard to price anywhere near 8k. painted bumpers, no chrome, cut up side panels(is there even a good top on it? ) probably 3k tops in my opinion since I'd like to keep the sidepan;es and "like" chrome bumpers. Dash is not my cup of tea and I'm pretty leinient on mods since I have led pail light custom seating on mine too but done without cutting up things.
 
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If you like the car, take it with you. It won't be that unusual in Mexico. Valiant convertibles were assembled and sold new in Mexico. There are still enough old Valiants on the road there that there must be parts suppliers.
 
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