Should I sell my chevelle?

[socalfandabodys]

Well I am 18 and just spent the last 4 years building a 68 chevelle with my Dad and Brother. I am leaving for basic training in a few months and have a 6 year enlistment with the army as a black hawk helicopter crew chief (basically a mechanic). I drove the chevelle to the gas station today and a Korean Guy in his 40's asked me if it was for sale. He was driving a brand new 745 bmw. I told him I really didnt want to sell it as I have only put 1500 miles on the frame off resto. He told me he wanted the car and offered me $30,000 on the spot. I have $23,000 invested but, all labor was done by us at home. So my question is do I tell the guy to come look at all the pictures and receipts and go for a ride in the car. Then tell him I want $40,000? It really kills me to sell her but, it isnt going to get much use in 6 years. You can see pics under socalfandabodys in the vbgarage. I know the car may not be worth $40,000 market value but to me it is. heres some specs.
Frame off resto
sandblasted chassis
polyurethane bushing everywhere
all control arms and chassis boxed
eaton posi with 3.31 gears
disc brakes in front from ssbc
eibach springs with hotckis sway bars
new gas tank
new gas and brake lines
powder coated inner fenders and core support,shaved firewall,custom dash,custom console,custom leather and suede interior,all new glass,custom electric seats,mercedes carpet
tilt floor shift column,17 edelbrock wheels
too much to list on the engine and trans
402 ketih black pistons comp cam,edelbrock heads,2004r overdrive tans by bow tie overdrive,serpentine system etc.
check out the link. by the way some more stuff has been done since these pics like the interior. I forgot to add the body is flawless and so is the paint.

[Pzary3233]

I hear all the time about guys who sell their cars and wish they still had them... Also, these cars are going to be harder and harder to find! You can always put it away or have your dad drive it for you while you're in the service... I'm at College now and can only drive my '68 firebird for about 4 weeks out of the year... it really sucks but my dad drives it at least once a week which keeps everything in shape. Just something to think about... Are you going to regret it? I know 40K would be awesome to have but you cannot replace the car and the time you put into it... Though others say that everything is forsale... I know my firebird is NOT, for any price.

Some food for thought,
Paul Z.

[68LSS1]

I don't regret the wasted nights, paychecks spent on beer and strippers, previous two failed marriages, a stint with the Army Reserves and because I was stupid and thought it wasn't hard enough-4 years active duty in the Marines. I don't regret hitting the casino's or taking the railroad tracks at 70mph when my buddy said to slow down-there bad. I don't regret everytime I've puked or missed meals to save money for car parts. I don't regret speeding tickets in excess of 2 1/2 times the posted limit nor the occasional night in jail. I done some stupid ***** in my life but my only regrets are the cars I've let go. You got it, it's paid for, let a family member drive it or store it. You will never regret it and trust me car regrets are the only ones that will matter.


Edited for sorry I got carried away but I'm stupid and I have a lot of regrets. One last thing. If it cost you 23k to build and you sold it for 30-40k now, how much do you think it would cost 6 years from now to build again (assuming you will be in a position to do so)?

[David Sloan]

Ya!! What He said!!!!!!!! (68Lss1)

I could not agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Travis B]

I am the complete opposite! I would sell it! If you can make money on the car you sell it! There are lots of cars out there finished or unfinished! If there is room to make money let it go! But then again I build cars to sell not to keep! So this is JMO! Good Luck

[Jagarang]

If he'll agree to $40,000 or meet you between 30-40 I'd probably sell it also, if it's more than you have in it. You put that cash in a smart investment for 6 years, and when you come back you'll have even more $$$ to make an even better car! The fact that you save yourself the labor costs is awesome! I wish I could. Call me in 6 years, I have a 70 SS LS6 Chevelle in good shape...perhaps you could buy it to build!

[Steve1968LS2]

I would only sell it if.. and it is a difficult if to make stick.. you take the money and put it in some untouched account so that when you got ready to do it again you would have the money to spend on another car. If you sell it and then blow the $$$$$ on stupid little "life" things then you will regret it forever.

You will never loose the love of cars and it would be a shame to sell it, spend the cash and then later on not be able to have as nice a ride (or no ride at all) because you can't afford it. remember, you can always sell it later but you can't unsell it once you hand it over to the next person (who might not even take good care of it)..

Tough call but don't get swayed by the green.. have REAL reasons if you are gonna sell.

[socalfandabodys]

The car is currently in the interior shop. I called the guy and agreed to talk to him about the car in two weeks when it gets out of the shop. He knows he would have to pay around $40,000 or more to have this car built and there are alot of one off parts on it. Especially the dash which took 3 months to make. Its been a long cool adventure and I was able to fund the entire project by buying,selling and parting cars. If he gives me $35,000 I think it will be gone and then I could build that mopar Ive always wanted. Thanks for the help guys.

[wendell]

All I'll add is that if you do sell it, think about buying a project car now. In six years, prices will be even crazier than they are now. The big money to got for the chevelle might be enough to buy a 85 monte and a set of rims in 6 years.

[zman1969]

thats reason enough for me to keep the car then to buy a mopar yuck , sorry never been a fan but a hemi would be cool and 35k wont buy that :Alchy: well maybe :Alchy: well ok I could do one they did have some cool ones- with wings anyway , put it a ira or something then get after it when your back :git:

[Jagarang]

If you invest it be sure that it's something that the IRS won't penalize you for if you take it out early!

[StRacerDuke]

Sell it!!!

You're gone for the next 6 years and you have an offer for 7K more than what you have into it. Half the fun in these things are building them. See if you can get 35K out of the guy.

Then take the money, invest it for the 6 years you are gone in a well balanced mutual fund (hopefully at 10% a year return). When you get back you'll have made close to $62,000 with a 10% annual return. After capital gains you're looking at around 50K. If you stick it into an IRA or Roth you lock it up until you retire (unless you use it to buy a house).

So here is the big question. Would you rather have 50-60K to put into another project/new home when you get out or you're Chevelle waiting for you.

Just from experience I can tell you that I only got 13K for my first frame off chevelle that I had 20K into. Pics are in my VB.

Just my 2 cents.

[4MuscleMachines]

Every member, I am sure, feels their car is worth alot more than what the market will determine. There are a few rare times when somebody is offered more than what the car is worth. Sell it, put away the money, while you are gone look for something else (on the net) you like that is much less expensive, buy it, restore it when you return. Or, sell it, buy a numbers matching car with the money (at that range you have a good selection of what you can buy), when you return its going to be worth much more than a restored PT type car. Then you can sell it an buy a nice PT car and probably still have money in the bank.

[Jim Nilsen]

If you can sell your car for the money you say, it would be the smartest thing to sell it even if you weren't going away for 6 yrs. You can definately find two things right now for sure. 1 is another Chevelle or other restoreable car for less than $15,000 and the other is the time to fix it up.

You will make someone really happy and that will give you good Karma and when you get back you will have all of the rest of his happiness in your bank account.

If you do sell you will want to start immediately in your search for the next car so you will get the best deal on it while you still have all of the money and the cars are still available. Money in bank accounts can seem to disappear when others know you have it and tragedy strikes.

You will be able to build a better car the next time with all of the new skills and talent you have aquired along with all of the $ you will have saved in 6 years.


Go on take the money and run..... :git:


Jim Nilsen

[Conekiller13]

If 40k is Your magic number and He's willing to pay................let it go. Do what Steve1969LS1 said and invest it. The next one You can build better. It's hard enough to sell one of these things for it cost to build let alone at a profit. If this guy wants it bad enough squeeze him till He pops. :spank2:

[MarkM66]

I am the complete opposite! I would sell it! If you can make money on the car you sell it! There are lots of cars out there finished or unfinished! If there is room to make money let it go! But then again I build cars to sell not to keep! So this is JMO! Good Luck

Exactly. These cars aren't that hard to find yet.