DON'T GET SCAMMED AT THE SWAP MEET! - How To Buy A Muscle Car

A full walk around of what look for when buying a muscle car off a trailer at a swap meet or sale. It's easy to get caught up in a first impression. Buy smart so you don't end up with a stripped apart worthless car sitting in your garage.
Know your skill level. Can you replace floors? frame rails? weld? fabricate?
Be honest with yourself.
Watch this so you DON'T GET SCAMMED!
Now tell me in the comments how I did it wrong.....
Also buy a shirt so I can buy more hood scoops:
www.teespring.com/stores/dd-s...
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DD Speed Shop
Po box 42041
1881 Portage ave
Ferry Road RPO
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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[@joemartin6776]

Great video! Years ago when my Dad was rebuilding his 1946 Ford Coupe street rod, the only part that we could not find was the wiper mechanism. I checked everywhere nation wide and nothing. Turns out I was working with a fellow officer and he just so happened to have a 1948 Ford Coupe that was not all together but offered that if we pick it up, it would be free. Upon strapping it down onto the trailer, my Dad was smiling ear to ear because it had the original complete wiper system.

[@virtuestreams2616]

Car shopping is similar to grocery shopping: Never car shop when you are emotionally driven and never grocery shop when you are hunger driven as the result will be overspending. ✌🏻

[@charleykeenan6171]

Thanks for this. Reality checks are tough. It is always a matter of being honest with yourself, ask the same questions of yourself as you would the seller - and expect the same level of honesty... Happy Weekend!!

[@Beandiptheredneck]

Absolutely. Too many projects get abandoned because people overestimate their ability and bite off more than they can chew. To Dan this and myself this is a fixable car, to others it might be way too big a mountain to climb

[@mightymikethebear]

When I look at your videos and some other YT presenters I see three things that are necessary. To rebuild a car you need to have competent welding skills, money and motivation.

[@daddysbrokegarage]

Time..lots of time and ALOT of patience

[@richc9503]

Nice explanation of what it really takes to put one together. That's why I like to watch you, I'm old and don't have the energy I used to, I can just watch you sweat and cuss! My projects keep taking longer and longer. Lol.

[@burtonpenn8870]

I hope every young person with big hot rod dreams sees this video! good job Dan!

[@Zazu2You]

True that!! Dan, a good honest perspective on the way to look at buying a project car. Cheers!! 🤓

[@bwsgarage]

Best advice in this video, know and understand your skill set before buying

[@Marshall-uy2dv]

This video really makes me appreciate my 73 Cuda, rust free Arizona car I bought back in 93. She has been garage kept ever since! Sad to see the ones that were neglected.

[@johnhere6058]

Great advice - never buy someone else's project car unless you know what your doing - It's easy to take things all apart - once that has been done all you have is a pile of used parts

[@lt.columbo5919]

The best line of this video, Dan...is a line that I have lived and breathed for a long time..."SELL THE DREAM"...because there are a lot of people with big dreams and "not so full" wallets...if they don't follow through..."It's on them".

[@kevinl.2291]

Great information Dan a person should always know what they are buying. Don’t let there Excitement push the sale. Thanks for sharing 👍😎✌️

[@kennethanger721]

Think we all have been guilty of the Doe Eyes! Even when we get older. When I got my 51 2 door Cambridge Home. I couldn’t believe how bad the floors were. Good thing is. Only paid 1500 bucks for it. Body,Frame and engine are great. Going to be my rat rod! Your advice is very spot on!

[@Beandiptheredneck]

I did that with what's now my wife's bronco, i pulled the carpet back and found out there was no floors 😅 guess what i spent 3 weekends doing..

[@franksgarage8551]

Yup! Great advice. Value is in the eyes of the beholder. Even to build a driver, 15 grand if your time is worth anything at all. Always looking for another project, this one is 500 hours or more. Thanks Dan and Danni!

[@dave3657]

The frame also tends to twist in the back, if you see a crease or kink behind the rear window you have frame issues. There are a lot more repro parts available now since I did mine in 1987. This isn’t a project if your squeamish about spending money. Pick a tri-five Chevy or Camero if you want something that has tons of available parts. Spot on advice given 👍🏻👍🏻

[@shedbythetracks]

NO NO NO!!! You buy a car for $5.000 you put $25,000 into it and then it's worth $2000... The divorce is what really costs you. :D

[@WaybackTECH]

Cost of tools and equipment, even just hobo fright stuff is a factor too if this is a first time project.

[@chevychitchat]

To people overseas that don't get to see us muscle cars daily, and want to buy one your honest down to earth knowledge is priceless. Cheers from an Aussie fan.

[@brianbaker7686]

Love your honest walk around videos. So many folks have"Doe eyes" I personally have had a couple "Doe eye" purchases in my younger years that were way out of my league. Look forward to your videos. ✌️

[@terrymott8581]

Wise man beyond your years. Play the Kinks I'm on a "Low Budget"

[@markmoats1312]

This video brings us back to what you said a few videos ago Stop taking them apart

[@meh-canics9628]

I would keep that looking ugly of I wanted to take on that project haha! Great informative video Dan! And great camera skills Dani!

[@deanrayne7302]

Mopars do take a lot more skill when you have to replace frame sections. Very easy to weld the new frame rails in crooked and it will never drive straight.

[@DumPhuc]

Measure 400 times..weld once..ive replaced all 4 in my charger and the Plymouth,twas nerve racking!

[@Beandiptheredneck]

@My Pronoun is WTF the first Gen Camaro had a k frame in the front did they not?

[@DansGarageNC]

That looks like the condition most of my Chevelle‘s are in. All good information and make sure you know what you are buying. When I sell my cars I try to put as much information in my videos and in the pictures as possible. But in the end, it is up to the buyer to know what they are buying and the value. Thanks for posting this!

[@mikeharris6901]

Class is in with Dan the man. Great video like the old Mopars but have to be careful looks can be deceiveing .

[@hemidan407]

Your lucky that challenger made it onto the trailer in one piece! With that much rust the front clip with frame rails usually separates from the rest of the car. Wow she’s rough

[@armondoborjas4362]

Yep. U see them at swap meets way over priced💰even on Craig's web they never sell. Year after year . great video tips for the young guys & gals 👍😎

[@GREATGARLOOXX]

The proper place to check for rot on an E body is everywhere

[@adamhoule7100]

Good job explaining it Dan !!!!

[@arthavell1997]

I saw the stack of cash for the Starlite.....cant wait to see whats next

[@lonniekiser3612]

Great video man, Good information there.

[@johnhanson4795]

love your determination thats hard in itself!

[@oldb-1kenobi]

My first fixer upper was a 68 Camaro. I didn't have a clue what I was getting myself into. It was the early 90s, I was 21 yrs old, in the Army, stationed at Ft. Benning. Had a really good Army friend, Joe, older guy, restored cars for a living before coming back to the Army. We found this thing, wrecked but solid and complete, my buddy said its a good car to learn on and the next thing I knew we were spending every free minute at the crafts shop on post and I was loving life. We got the motor and tranny back in it, got it driveable, got the body work finished and in primer and then he got orders for Korea and I got sent to Germany. I ended up having to sale it as is but working on it with my buddy, learning, was a memory I'll never forget and one you just can't put a price on.

[@ryanmetalfinishing1083]

sounds like most of your advise is from experience (best kind). glad you shared with everyone. thanks

[@RandBLSWorld]

Great advice Dan !

[@thman6453]

When do get to see what this is being traded for?

[@papilloncycles3463]

Need to have a little Dan angel on my shoulder to counter my little Me Devil when I encounter these projects that just accumulate!

[@johnconnell1424]

Very great information thanks DD SPEED SHOP 😎

[@AaBb-zj2ld]

im excited to see the videos fixing it up!

[@donaldfrederick1557]

U the real deal. Keep up the good work.

[@RT211Racing]

It would definately be a big project for someone,thats for sure! After 1971 the R/T option was gone.in 72,73 and 74 they called it the "Rallye" package. If someone tells you they have a 72, 73 or 74 R/T Challenger,there is no such thing. It would be "Rallye"

[@joedinazarino]

Sorry for your loss 😢, Norm Macdonald 🙏has passed away. Probably the coolest Canadian 😎 with Dan as a close 2nd. 🇨🇦🍁🇨🇦 forever. Sincerely from the 🇺🇲. Much love 💘❤💕💗💖

[@malibubarbiie1111]

Definitely have a 74 Challenger I'm taking to the swap here in a couple weeks, actually has a very solid body/frame/etc... E bodies are crazy, definitely getting harder to find em

[@mikepoint4983]

Great advice Dan .

[@joepacheco4038]

You're 100% right Dan. Don't let your dream overrule reality. Need the skills or plenty of cash. I can't judge, I've purchased a dream only to find parts car was actually in better shape. Lol lol. Had enough skill to come out slightly ahead .

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

Hi Guy's , I am sure there are many of Us thinking Yea Yea ,,, We seen your skills and know You can put any Car back on the road ! . But Kudo's to You Dan for taking the time to share with Us on what to expect and look for . bend some metal , do some welding and wash it off . You Da Man ! .

[@Tim-57]

Hey Dan Great advice🙂 Take care

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Very well done presentation. Thanks.

[@scottwarren2943]

good info Dan thanks

[@franknbeans3651]

Great video!! You put this stuff in perfect context. It's too easy to get stars in your eyes when you see something like this. Then in the end, even with the best of skills, financially speaking you would have been much better off finding something else.

[@franknbeans3651]

I bought a 1969 camaro just like that challenger. The only exception was that the damage was a bit more hidden. When we pulled the glass out we found a ton of rust, the quarters didn't seem all that bad when doing a simple magnet test, but that was because someone 30 years ago welded another quarter panel to the outside of the original one and was really good with body filler. Couldn't tell that the car was destroyed until we started removing things like wheel well trim, windows, and the vinyl top to start the auto body process. Next thing we know, we are cutting full quarter panels, and re skinning doors.... then you end up spending and spending to turn that cheap muscle car into something. Honestly, we could have easily bought an ss camaro that was in great condition for the price we had in this one. And mine is just a base model v8 car.

[@markallen1413]

Very informative Dan 👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

[@johnjenkins8782]

Keeping it real from Canada!

[@mick_1949]

Great advice. 👍

[@jaydegrenade]

100% correct. I have a 1970 Barracuda and I have the skill set. I still have 1000's of dollars in just buying parts and I still only have a shell.

[@MikeJBlues]

Cool score Dan...

[@donshotrodgarage1717]

Great video Dan! It's good info if your getting into the market for a classic car! Could potentially hurt 90 percent of the project cars on Facebook Market Place! Theres so many flippers anymore out there for capital gian in the car hobby! Catch you next time 👍

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

If I seen it at a swap me for three grand, I would keep on walking! Especially after seeing the video know what you paid for it, and you kept the motor. Lol

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

its never about what "the current owner" paid...ive bought things for a few dollars and made thousands from them.its honestly what the car is worth to who wants to buy it....3 grand gets you fuck all these days in a lot of parts of the world

[@shanewright6958]

Another great video 👍👍🇨🇱

[@bobpratt8224]

Yea you really need too start with something that has solid foundation...and when done is vehicle worth it in the long run...great video for the novis

[@timsacco6g694]

If I'm not mistaken you could get the Challenger R/T in 70-71, after that from 72-74 it was the Rally 340 and in 74 360, as far as that basket case, with all the work needed, you REALLY have to want one!

[@shanemoffitt6205]

I love watching the builds on this channel, makes me feel like I can do it all but in reality I haven't done much with the framework sides of things. Bodywork and mechanical side of things I'm good with. Speaking of builds though what happened with the model A build?

[@artjones2498]

great info....giveing beginners this kind of advice.....awsome.....and i think its a fair price your asking.....its a builder...and a clean title makes it......their worth thier weight in gold any more....and almost all parts are avilalable

[@MIKEH.777]

Dan you was talking about me with the doe eyes on older cars, but I'm just really trying to find something that I can afford. When it comes to frame work though I cant do that . Well never tried but I only had a 16 month class of welding. I can lay a bead but I'm just not sure of my skills. I would rather find something with a good frame that needs floors and assembly. Lol

[@rapdaddy2642]

Well said.. labor of love needed, but is very achievable.

[@richardlees778]

You made a good point

[@TheBrokenLife]

This is basically true of every hobby car, just on a sliding scale. It's been my experience that _most_ people are trying to rob you. The only honest people I've run into are members of a community of some sort (message forum, Facebook, whatever) that have a known reputation and something to lose if they screw someone over. Get to know those guys and get your stuff from them. Even if they charge 20% more than "the other guy", you're almost certainly going to get your money's worth. If you become known in the community, you usually get way more than your money's worth. Guys will just start handing you parts for free just so they go on to live again.

[@larrywilliams3858]

Put 10 into it. Yes Dan!! 10 would come faster than 100 mph in my Hellcat does. 😆 Have you priced AMD panels etc. Also, it is great to have a trunk full of parts, but the real trick is having a trunk full of usable parts. Tha same goes for the gauges, etc. etc. Good warning video for sure. Starry-eyed buyers beware!!

[@danielharder2052]

Best sales pitch ever

[@TorquePowerVideo]

Solid advice. Buy a solid body with no drivetrain instead of a good runner with a rotten body.

[@brianhdueck3372]

In the words of Dirty Harry, “a man has got to know his limitations “. Great advice! Just finishing up a 72 Cutlas S in silicate shape as this except I changed it from coupe to fastback. It’s painted and most trim on it. 700 hours

[@bertvisser6423]

I just bought a 71 cutlas S lol. no engine/trans/interior. But solid car to start and such sweet lines.

[@after5auto133]

There's usually a good reason if a muscle car is cheap

[@markbrown6236]

Good advice. So when do you get the car your traded the Challenger for?

[@garryhatchett775]

I did a bone head thing and bought a car on eBay. It was cheap but it needs complete restoration and body shop estimates are astronomical.

[@johnhanson4795]

good old days.I remember in 1983 i had a 69ss chevelle and a 69 roadrunner a orange one pulled up to race me.well it didnt go well tires where smoking and we where close and sirens hit behind us.I freaked and floored it i passed him like no tommorrow and hid a mile up in a dealer lot turned lights off .the cops backup whent flying on by so i turned and headed right back into town lol

[@williambrooks3215]

You can buy almost every part for it ..I'm restoring a 1974 challenger now ,not easy but worth it in the end..

[@craigdowling2610]

Honesty is soo important when selling a car like this. Everything you pointed out should be done by everyone. Unfortunately there are greedy douche bags who will let you look past issues and not tell the buyer about them. Another great video hippie!

[@drippinglass]

My ‘70 ‘Cuda and ‘Charger are both E87 D21 cars. 440 Six Pack 4-speed Dana. Most of the difference between them and a 318 car are bolt on parts you can do in your driveway. The only welding would be the K frame skid plate and the boxed leaf spring mounts on the ‘Cuda.

[@larrywilliams3858]

I think you missed the point.

[@drippinglass]

@@larrywilliams3858 My point was. Buy a 318 car.

[@IamJoeTV]

I'm working on my 78 grand marquis out in Lorette, love to have you down some time!!

[@grantr5417]

Perfect example why us local Mopar guys have been hoarding parts and cars for decades 👌

[@pugliesesspeedshop]

I say it all the time... Know your limits, thats the secret to being good!! Fake R/T... Everyone should have one. Haha!!

[@Ky1eB]

idk if hes 26 or 49 but ive been watching for a while..i set that aside

[@jack002tuber]

In my state you can apply for a title if you don't have one, if the VIN checks out they send you one. I'd think with that title you can sell that to anyone anywhere. Might be a plan for some place that requires a title

[@MarioVazquez-ry6xn]

It's. Better. Then. A. Try. Five. Dan.

[@automotiveaddiction428]

All the cars that I want and can't afford...I buy the the small 1/24 or 1/8 or what ever size die cast car..that way I still get 1...and I can make it sound like a beast when I play with them on the table.

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

Always spend more time examining the underside of a project car than the exterior stuff that is easily visible. Missing trim can break your bank account by nickel and diming yourself to poverty. Geez, I'm repeating what you're saying - lol.

[@GMC4240]

Hey Dan I’m in Saskatchewan, I’m having trouble finding auto parts in Canada especially body panels, where do you get your parts ? Which websites do you order from?

[@Devilofaguy]

This felt like an informative filler video, which was good, but I want more tri fi magic lol

[@glennnickerson8438]

Dan: Maybe you should film theses segments high on a mountaintop wearing a long flowing robe oh wise sage! Never bought a car at a swap meet ( a: my wife would shoot me bringing home such a "surprise" and b: paying premium $$$). Always a private sale where it's one on one without someone butting in and as one viewer said with Facebook marketplace plenty to choose from. The private sale most likely wants it gone quick and willing to work with you and maybe have something else you can do a package deal!

[@rustyirongarage4465]

That’s why I walked away from a $800 57 4 door Chevy wagon. Every single piece of glass was gone. Missing hood missing grille missing bumpers. Missing seats. Some missing trim. Plus some minor rust repairs. After pricing out parts I’d be 4K for a roller

[@armondoborjas4362]

Good for u 💰😎👍

[@scottvincent3062]

I remember when you couldn't give 72-74 challengers away.

[@MP-vd1ck]

Actor nicholas cages 1957 chevy Belair resto mod with a LS engine is up for auction. It seems like a car you could recreate

[@AndyGeesGarage]

The little bits and bobs will quickly sink a project. At a swap I don’t buy a car unless it’s a spectacular deal. What I do if I’m interested is give the seller my number and tell them to call me if it doesn’t sell. That way I have time to reconsider and won’t fall victim to the swap meet hornies lol In Ontario if there was no title we would go to a JP with a bill of sale and sign an affidavit then take that to the Ministry of Transport and get a new ownership/title

[@armondoborjas4362]

Wow. After reading how many young people guys gals. Wanting to get an older car. Yeah. Find a car that's still running with title family cars any thing it's a start have fun drive it enjoy it. the older cars u grow up riding in 👍😎

[@howiemook7701]

So what do you plan on doing with it?

[@mrpurcountry]

This car would need everything from inner front fenders front frame rails and suspension rebuild complete floor all the way to the tail light pan rear frame rails and that's just the beginning of the list well over 10000

[@vet-7174]

😅 Everyone should have one

[@timothyniemi3804]

Great advice shitboxes here in the states are way overpriced...

[@vinnie379l4]

You forgot the most important part your Chevy guy and that’s a dodge lol need deep pockets for them mopars 🤙

[@dionrau5580]

Right where my 70 Cuda cracked driver's side,

[@jeffpowers2916]

Are you ever going to talk about why you sold the satellite?

[@SweatyFatGuy]

My skills have to make up for money, but I have neither skills nor money.. just lots of time, a sawzall and a mig welder.