We bought a 65 Mustang six years ago without considering whether we would make money out of it. My wife wanted a convertible and that was that! However, according to current ads, we could get double what we paid for it. Is it a better car than a 300C? – no. Was it a better investment? – yes. Did we know that at the time? – no.
What should someone buy today? My answer is to buy what you like, with the money you can afford to lose!
Henry
From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, 30 March 2025 1:58 AM
To: henry.schleimer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 'Ron Waters' <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>; chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
The only money I ever made on a car was when a friend of mine died and left me a 1957 MB 190SL Convertible. It ran but needed a full restoration. I did not want to do it, so I sold it.
James
From:
henry.schleimer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <henry.schleimer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2025 2:33 AM
To: James Douglas <jdd@xxxxxxxxxx>; 'Ron Waters' <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>;
chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
Just my observation over the years is that you are more likely to find a 300 that is fairly priced by keeping an eye on the Club website rather than ebay or car yards, whether that be a ground-up project like mine or a turn-key finished car.
But don’t expect to make money from either. You are always paying for the joy of car “ownership� whether it is an old car or a brand new one. Some people tend to forget that. I know in my case, I won’t get any money for my labour, but that’s ok by me.
Sometimes you get lucky, like buying a hemi Cuda in 1980 but that is the exception rather than the rule.
Henry
From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, 29 March 2025 10:47 AM
To: Ron Waters <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>;
chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
Ron,
My comments assumed a good condition car ready to drive for $100K Plus.
I know that around here in Northern California the cost for a good, not concourse, paint job with a body that is near perfect runs around $25K if you bring it in all stripped and ready for them to work on. Upholstery for a 300 would run around $10K to $15K again with you doing the bulk of the installation work. A full take it and pick it up upholstery job runs about $25K to $35K.
A full set of chrome-Stainless is in the $20K to $30K range here in California as well.
Not including everything else if you write a check and told people to just do it you are looking at $75K without anything else. You can do it for about ½ that if you do all the take off and install labor yourself. Then add drivetrain and suspension and electrical and in the end you are looking at $50K to $75K if you do it yourself and $150K if you just pay to have it done.
All this assumes a body that is fairly good. If not, then add another $25K - $50K for a body reconstruction if you want it done correctly by pulling all bad panels at the original weld points and replacing them with new.
I have done two E-Type Jaguars, and I swear I will never get into another car project unless the sheet metal is darn near perfect! That is why I purchased this 300K. I really wanted a 1959 MOPAR 4 door hardtop but all I found was junk body wise.
People always think they can do it cheaper. I do agree with you however, that if spending the big money on a car you need to do the mother of all inspections of it.
James
From: 'Ron Waters' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2025 4:52 PM
To: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
The problem with buying the restored car is that you don’t know the quality of the build. Just skimming through the photos, I see issues, such as missing dash pad, non-painted hubcaps, aftermarket generator. And then there’s the pop-riveted VIN tag and data plate. How is the car mechanically ? If the car needed floors, trunk, or quarters, what was the quality of the welding ? Finally, the asking price is outrageous. Probably 2X what a car like this should be priced at, especially in a sagging market.
I would go for the car that needs work because then I would know the level of restoration, since I would be doing it. Although IMHO, the asking price is high considering what it would take to bring it up to a 2/3 condition.
Just my 2¢.
Ron
From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2025 5:21 PM
To: Nick Taylor <nicksgaragesd@xxxxxxxxx>; Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
So, the question is…
If you paid $35K for the 330C here, could you rebuild the body which no doubt has issues, then paint it, do the interior and chrome and everything else for $100K?
If not, then the one for sale at Atomic Motors is a better deal in that you save all your labor hours.
Great that both came up now so folks can think about such things…
James
From:
chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Behalf Of Nick Taylor
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2025 9:50 AM
To: Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: {Chrysler 300} White 300C coupe on Craigslist in Auburn California
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