gearheads78

So I have a really good handle on the how things sell or don't sell in the classic car, restomod and truck market. I think I have a decent handle on what a clean original 3rd gen car does but not a modified car.


I'm putting together a 88 Formula to take on this years Hot Rod Power Tour. The car is in good condition rust free and straight. The paint and interior are not perfect but better than decent. Motor is modded a little with , roller rockers, LT4 hot cam, vortec heads, header ect. Nothing crazy I just wanted a little sound and pep. That's where I am at now putting the motor together waiting on my heads from the machine shop.


So the other day I was thinking about wheels and that kind of snow balled in to well then I need to do brakes, then I need to do suspension and subframes ect you now how it goes.


So if I pull the trigger in $6000 worth of tires, wheels, brakes and suspension to make it look, ride, drive and handle killer am I going to have to be buried in it or are there people out there willing to spend $10K-11K on a turn key car they don't have to touch and will make their friends envy them? I love building cars but can't afford to keep them so after a few months of enjoying it I would be selling it to move on to my next project.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I would expect the extra parts to add zip to the resale value. They're deal sweeteners, but unless the buyer appreciates those modifications, they're not going to pay extra for them.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Write this in the family Bible: You'll never get back what you put into mods.

gearheads78

So is that the general feeling in the 3rd gen world? In the muscle car / C10 truck world when build right I have found the opposite to be true. There are a lot of people that want to have one and have the means but don't have the tools , knowhow, or time. I guess you are thinking the majority that are interested in these cars are only building themselves a few $$ at a time?

irvan

iTrader: (1)

I think the market for modified is less than the market for original type cars. The well done mods the builder loves may not be what the buyer wants.

bjpotter

If we were talking about modding a Camaro IROC or Z28 you might do well right now. They seem to be the market in 3rd Gens at this time. Trans Am's and Formula's not so much yet. The 3rd Gen market is improving but most of the Pontiac's are lagging behind the Camaro's. Locally, a modified Firebird around the same age as yours, has been on the market for over a year for $5500. His is a little over the top on the paint side of things, but the drivetrain mod's look to be done well. Yet it remains unsold.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Whenever you mod a car no matter how much "better" you think you make it... You probably just lowered the value.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Most true thing ive ever seen written about these cars especially!

gearheads78

Thanks for the input


Certainly not true in other parts of the car world but that why I was asking the question. Its a car I have had in the back of my mind for a while and was ready to do it with this one but sounds like It might be a few years away from the market coming around on them.

Heitzman

Here is a perfect example. A 1997 Firebird that had a V6 in it converted over to WS6 LS1 Trans Am. At the end of the day it is still a 1997 Firebird . https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/6581887037.html

gearheads78

Apples to Oranges IMO. There is almost no market at all right now for 93-97 4th Gen cars. If its is a V6 car people will almost pay you to haul it off.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

That's a fact!

TallTim

iTrader: (2)

I would say your point is not that you can't afford to keep it - you really mean you can't afford to sell it. Because I agree unlike remodeling the kitchen, the market does not see a remodeled suspension as increasing the value of the car.

To me I think someone on TGO said

If I had all the money I spent on cars....I would spend it on cars.

This is what we do. Just not such a good investment.

Big&BadGTA

iTrader: (1)

I've built a 3rd Gen and sold it for much more than a normal, stock one would have sold for - but a reputable shop's name was on the receipts.

On the one I just bought, it's bone stock, and staying that way. I have other cars faster than it'll ever be.

gearheads78

This would be my first 3rd gen (that's not a race car) but I have done many builds in the last 15 years. Most of the time I have made a few bucks but always have at least broke even. I'm probably going to just going to finish with the motor just drive it. I'll have the brake, suspension, wheel money for the 60' Biscayne sitting on my trailer. I know the market and what I can or can't spend on it.