1970 AAR Barracuda Restoration

[jh6]

Hi everyone,


I was wondering if anyone could give a general range for what restoration of a 1970 Plymouth AAR Barracuda (340) might cost. It hasn't run in about 8 years. It's been sitting outside. There's a lot of rust on it so obviously that will need work and new paint. I don't really know much about fixing cars, so I'm just wondering if there is any general price range for a complete restoration. I was also wondering how much it might possibly be worth once restored. The one thing is the owner pushed it a little too hard when it was new and blew the engine. He says a new block was sent from a garage in California, made by someone named Keith Black (?) I believe it was. My question is, does this seriously diminish the value, and what might it be worth once restored ? Thanks.

[4 cam tbird]

A limited production car like that is going to be adversely affected in value if it doesn't have the original engine. Especially since the 340 in an AAR was a bit different from the other 340's. If you still have all the original stuff for the engine that will help keep the hit in value form being too much I would think since those engines had different heads and obviously the 6 pack. A lot of stuff for those cars costs a ton. The exhaust is one of those things. The chrome side exit mega phone tips and the mufflers with the inlet and outlet both on the same side so the muffler can sit where it has clearance and the exhaust can exit out the side still. The exit pipe is pretty crazy too since it's kind of a big U. Then there is the stripe kit that you'll need. If the hood isn't in good shape you are looking at some money in the fiberglass work. Then your patch panels to fix your rust. Honestly, if the original hood isn't in good shape, you don't have the original block, and the car is real rusty, your better off forgetting about making it a correct AAR especially if you are going to pay someone to do the work. The car won't be worth what you have in it. You can check the Barret Jackson site to see what the AAR's sold for on there this year. Subtract 10,000 to compensate for the BJ over inflated prices and then adjust a little more downward for not having the original block and you'll have a decent idea of what it is worth.

Another thing to think about in the cost of restoration is the condition of your interior, you can't over look that and that stuff adds up real quick. If any of it is missing it adds up a lot faster. The grill will cost you a lot to replace if it is broke or missing. Do the bumpers need rechromed? That will up the bill. Does it have the correct wheels with it? If not, more money. Did it have a right side rear view mirror? Those a hard to come by in good condition for e-bodies if it came with one and it is broke or missing.

If you want to see the prices for some of the special parts the car will needlike the stripes, exhaust, etc you can check year one. They sell all that stuff.