Which PT car has a better resale value

[garickman]

If building a classic pro touring muscle car such as a camaro, mustang, trans am, etc., which do you think would have more resale value.

1. Car with modified suspension (DSE, ridetech, Roadster Shop), modified performance engine, modified brakes (C6, Baer, Wilwood), modified wheels which retain somewhat of a classic look while keeping the exterior and interior pretty much stock looking with original color schemes. The ultimate sleeper look.



OR

2. Car with modified everything, suspension, wheels, brakes, custom one-off interior, custom paint colors and modified metal work, like bumpers, spoilers, grills, etc.

[snappytravis]

If your building to keep I would mod it how you want it, If your building to sell I would stay somewhat sleeper style, I think it would be tougher to get your money back out of all the body mods, ( labor intesive). I am building my car to looks somewhat stock, with ls3 and 6spd, don't want to take away from the classic car to much, oh and mini tubs, morrison chassis,

[72 Black Knight]

Sleeper because you are keeping the look that made the car popular and your taste may not appeal to a wide variety of buyers

[LS1-IROC]

A sleeper car will be a better ROI, but both are pretty poor ROI's for getting your money back out of the car should you sell it...so build it the way you want it.

[BonzoHansen]

If building a classic pro touring muscle car such as a camaro, mustang, trans am, etc., which do you think would have more resale value.

1. Car with modified suspension (DSE, ridetech, Roadster Shop), modified performance engine, modified brakes (C6, Baer, Wilwood), modified wheels which retain somewhat of a classic look while keeping the exterior and interior pretty much stock looking with original color schemes. The ultimate sleeper look.

OR

2. Car with modified everything, suspension, wheels, brakes, custom one-off interior, custom paint colors and modified metal work, like bumpers, spoilers, grills, etc.

A.

when you start getting into custom things that are not easily reversed you cut down the potential buys which means less demand - less price. Check out all the really cool pastel hot rods or cars with crazy graphics that sell for pennies on the dollar.

[Vicinity]

You'd spend so much on 2, that if you sold both cars for the same price, you could make back on 1, you'd lose you ass on 2. And 2 really cuts down the amount of people who might want that car. Unless you're frugal and really REALLY good at building cars, it's not a great investment.

[High Plains Mopars]

Neither. Day 2 style resto mod with bolt in suspension kit and a/c will get the greatest return.

[socalfandabodys]

I have to go against the grain on this one. If you are building the car for yourself DO NOT build it radically. Stay conservative as the car's paint and interior will still look good 10-30 years from now. If you plan on selling it relatively soon you can build it more contemporary and still be able to move it. Wait to long and it could look dated though.

[garickman]

Any thoughts on what might be a better build. A 1971 Trans Am clone or a 1971 Firebird Formula clone. For a trans am I was thinking of white with an exposed carbon fiber traditional trans am stripe down the center. For a firebird formula I was thinking of all gloss black with the twin scoop formula hood.

[TheJDMan]

Obviously I prefer the sleeper style. The car looks as good today as it did 40 years ago when I purchased it.

[rustomatic]

There is no "ROI." It's not an investment, although in a static state, a classic car is not likely to lose value. Have fun with it, or buy a Hyundai.

[talwell]

If you are building a car that one day you will resale - follow the advise and try and keep personal taste type upgrades out of the build. Remember when you do something that you like someone else looking at it may not have the same taste. You want to keep the car as neutral as possible to keep your target buyer audience as wide as possible.

[talwell]

Any thoughts on what might be a better build. A 1971 Trans Am clone or a 1971 Firebird Formula clone. For a trans am I was thinking of white with an exposed carbon fiber traditional trans am stripe down the center. For a firebird formula I was thinking of all gloss black with the twin scoop formula hood.

You will probably fine more interest in a Trans Am clone over a Formula clone.

[carbuff]

You will probably fine more interest in a Trans Am clone over a Formula clone.

I tend to agree. That said, if you decide to go the Formula route, I have a nice set of 71 Formula fenders that I'm not going to use which I would sell...

[MrQuick]

We have some T/A fenders on it now. A Formula hood will work better for air intakes in our case. I think a taste full mix will give it a nice look.

[badazz81z28]

I would say 'None of the Above"

When you take a car like a 1969 Camaro, mod the heck out of it....The market will be a lot smaller compared to one for an all original 1969 Camaro. If you take a desirable car and make it your own, plan on keeping it or "ok" with selling it for a loss.

[vintageracer]

Resale value if a function of the build quality stock or modified.

The most expensive part of any build is the last 10% of the build. This is the time when your are ready to get the damn car done AND when you are tapped out money wise and either start to cut corners or continue to cut corners so you can finish the build. When that happens it really shows!!!

In my opinion the biggest mistake made by many hobbyist builders is the start of the build. No definitive "detailed" plan of the finished build. I think I know what I want but I will have to see what time and money will allow. Again when that happens it really shows.

How many "Pro-touring Cars" have you recently seen at shows with gorgeous paint, a nice modern interior, tiny brakes, cheap suspension upgrades and an old school engine with a 4 speed. It's a PT Camaro it has to worth a $100K! Yea right!! Same thing with a stock restoration of 69 Z/28. Lot's of money spent on the car in lot's of areas but where is the $3K smog system? Where is the $1K #837 dated alternator? Where are the dated "YH" wheels? Where are the dated seat belts? There again it's that last 10% that makes the difference and in many situations is the most expensive.

Think about this long & hard BEFORE you build your car. Think about the REAL end result you desire and the reality of a build that you can actually afford. It most cases you desires and pocketbook DO NOT MATCH!

Let's face facts. VERY few of us here can afford to build a full tilt PT car that sets the bar high and is competitive at all events. Forget the fact that you then have to have the talent to drive the damn thing competitively. Do you really need 14 inch Baer/Wilwood Brakes when all you can afford are 17 inch wheels? Do you need a 600 HP engine with 10 inch wide Cooper tires? And for God's sake DO NOT make seat covers, carpet and door panels your first big purchase. That's the last BIG purchase you make.

You do not have to have a latest "Wiz Bang Greatest PT Parts Available" to build a nice PT car. Just be consistent through the build and match parts to meet your WRITTEN PLAN you prepared BEFORE you started the build. It's real easy to see the cars where the owner had no plan or changed his build plan as they "Winged IT" through the build. These are the cars (Stock or PT) that never bring the big dollars their owner's demand and expect.

It laughable why these owner's never understand the reality they created!