Most of the early glass 4000 owners are in their cars for far less than one would imagine as prices have gone up and labor to assemble them has gone up.
If people really knew how much 4027 really cost, I think a few would fall out of bed. Some of the basics...The roller at the time was $38,900. That was no wheels or tires. Trigo's were $1900 and tires were $1000. That was FOB LV. Freight was $1000 to NY.
That's $41,800. I got a $2000 discount because the future was uncertain. So now I was at $39,800 delivered. Assembly price at HRE at the time was $5000 total to put the car together. If I were one of those guys where detail was not a major issue then paint and bodywork with stripes was $6500. My motor and most 427's of the day were $13,000 to $15,000 done. Add $5000 in misc. parts and guess what???? You were in the car for under $70,000. How much less do you think a 427 ERA was at the time $58,000 - $60,000. That was the case with many of the early 4000 cars. So even if one did trade on the resale for $75,000. how bad did the CSX owner really do? Better yet, how bad the the new owner do?
These are only the actual "original" facts, not a fight..
The other important detail is that the price of 427 motors has gone up because of their popularity and scarcity. Whether the motors are obsolete, primitive and not user friendly has nothing to due with this post other than to state that the resale buyer will not only pay more for the 427 motored car but will always pay more for the 427 motored car.
It seems many replica owners chase originality regardless of the manufacturer of their car. I can't tell you how many times I have overheard fender conversations around 4027. "Wow dad, that's a real 427". You rarely hear " Wow that's a real 351 Stroker!
So, I am not sure how any of this will actually effect CSX owners unless they must sell their car immediately but, that goes for anyone that has to sell anything immediately. You always have to take a hit in a fire sale unless of course you are selling caviar or drugs.
My theory was and still is. Buy the most expensive one you can for the least amount of money and while not guaranteed to do well, you might multiply your chances of doing well.
The other theory is to drive what you can afford and be happy with what you have and forget the rest. In the end, it's the one who has the most fun and it's hard to have fun typing on a computer but, since I am car-less at this moment, this is all there is.
When the Cup Car is done and the weather is good, you will see less and less of my posts. While that make some of you happy, I know deep down in the hearts of many Club Cobra members will miss me.
I have not only started wars but ended wars and helped many with detail and trivia on their car that they have only dreamed of.
