What is the Value of a disassembled Contemporary?

ray humbel · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 06:44 PM

Does anybody know what a Contemporary that needs to be put together is worth? My friend bought everything from Contemporary to build his Cobra several years ago but he passed away. His wife asked my help to help her sell it. Everything and I mean everything to build it is still in the original boxes. There is the body, complete roller frame, all wiring, gauges, all interior, lites, all chrome parts, nudge bars and overriders,roll bar, side pipes. The engine is a high performance 427 but needs to be rebuilt. The top loader looks to have been rebuilt. The body is primed but not painted. Any help so she can sell it would be appreciated. Everything is in one place in San Jose, CA.

Tommy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 07:38 PM

I don't intend this to sound like a smart a** remark, but the value of a thing is determined by the buyer, not the seller. If the seller wants to see what the market will bear, put it up for auction at no reserve and hope that more than one party wants it. If only one party wants it, it's worth whatever he will pay.

mrmustang · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray humbel

Does anybody know what a Contemporary that needs to be put together is worth? My friend bought everything from Contemporary to build his Cobra several years ago but he passed away. His wife asked my help to help her sell it. Everything and I mean everything to build it is still in the original boxes. There is the body, complete roller frame, all wiring, gauges, all interior, lites, all chrome parts, nudge bars and overriders,roll bar, side pipes. The engine is a high performance 427 but needs to be rebuilt. The top loader looks to have been rebuilt. The body is primed but not painted. Any help so she can sell it would be appreciated. Everything is in one place in San Jose, CA.

Is the chassis a coil spring or torsion bar set up?
Watts link rear end, or standard Contemporary/Jag set up?
Which gauges, Smith's or Stewart Warner?
Options: IE: heater, wipers, top and side curtains?
What about the engine, what details are know? Sideoiler?
Casting numbers for block, heads, intake, carbs at the very least.

As a ballpark:
A low of as it sits $8,000
A high as it sits of $18,000

Which it is closer to really depends on the hard and cold details.

Pictures as it sits might help as well

Bill S.

feadam · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 09:00 PM

do you have tele no I could call for more info on whats with kit and to ask a couple more ques

krausewich · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 09:09 PM

Hi Ray,
I would agree with Bill's assessment on needing a few more specs on build (chassis and engine) to fine tune the range. I would say 12-15k should be comfortably expected. 18K would really be determined by the engine... I think that I saw a Contemporary kit pass through here within the last year for 13K (asking price). I don't recall if it had an engine/trans. Consider parting it out if you are looking to get her the most $$.

Good luck,
Mike.

Edit for references..
http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=3174&cat=2

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=4142&cat=2

Thor maine · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2013, 10:09 PM

If it is a Contemporary, well it don't get no better than that and the price will be high. 15k at least maybe a lot more.

joyridin' · #7 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 05:28 AM

Can we assume that you have the Certificate of Origin also?

mickmate · #8 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 06:38 AM

All good points. early or late chassis and how complete really is key. Any suspension parts like hubs and carriers are getting hard to find unless you're retrofitting with some of my stuff. Make sure every piece of documentation is kept with it as it is as important as parts.

redmt · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krausewich

Hi Ray,
I would agree with Bill's assessment on needing a few more specs on build (chassis and engine) to fine tune the range. I would say 12-15k should be comfortably expected. 18K would really be determined by the engine... I think that I saw a Contemporary kit pass through here within the last year for 13K (asking price). I don't recall if it had an engine/trans. Consider parting it out if you are looking to get her the most $$.

Good luck,
Mike.

Edit for references..
PhotoPost Classifieds - Contemporary Cobra, unfinished, trade-or obo. - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

PhotoPost Classifieds - Contemporary Cobra Kit - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

I bought the first car from your first reference. I paid considerably less than the asking and still did not get what the buyer described. There were many bits and pieces missing. You won't know exactly what all is missing until it comes time for assembly. My opinion is to sell the power train separately from the chassis. I'm not that far from you and would be interested in coming to see the car.

ray humbel · #10 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 08:26 AM

Frame #CCX 3 3902 is coil over front, jag rear with dual coil overs, inboard disc brakes. Gauges are Smith. 427 block #C5AE-A I think is a 65 high performance w dual points dist. Heads #C3AE/. My phone number is 650.591.9079 and I can answer most questions. I am in Calif

G-Pete · #11 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 09:33 AM

Smart sales pitch...

1985 CCX · #12 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 09:36 AM

Bill is correct in my humble opinion $8000 - $18000.
At first you listed a HP 427 and I was hoping to see Ford # as if it were a bowtie the car would be worth more minus ....

A Contemporary has a name it still will need many things in the build and the motor in combination with the car is a plus.

Original kits were around $18,000 so it may be a great starting point with a motor. Heck I would be interested as once together it will be a nice car if screwed together correctly.

Best of luck.....

streetrod1927 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 09:46 AM

Maybe parting it out to Contemporary owners might be a solution if no offers to full package. I might be interested in dsome parts if that is the case.

Ralph

mickmate · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 01:12 PM

The coil over later frames are a good thing on value, ground clearance and other aspects. They are however hard to get or make parts for if you don't already have them. The devil is in the details with these things. The Smiths gauges for example, do they have the Vee bezels? That can make them worth half as much again. Every part of the car is a lot to have available. The manual also works as a good checklist. Let me know if you need a copy I can e-mail it.

Bernica · #15 (**permalink**) 10-29-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray humbel

Frame #CCX 3 3902 is coil over front, jag rear with dual coil overs, inboard disc brakes. Gauges are Smith. 427 block #C5AE-A I think is a 65 high performance w dual points dist. Heads #C3AE/. My phone number is 650.591.9079 and I can answer most questions. I am in Calif

My books show a C5AE-A as either a '65 390 w/ hyd cam or a '65 top-oiler 427. Conflicting data in the books. Would need the last digit on the heads to be any more help.