I agree, lots of us love the C bodies, especially when they are like this one. After restoring more than a few old cars, I definitely prefer one not needing paint or interior work.
I understand the sentiment on this, but given opportunity I love to drive my cars. So I would much rather have a car with fresh vinyl, seat foam and headliner/seat stitching than something that was done 50 years ago.
I bought a semi-ratty 72 Fury years ago with 42k on it, and the interior was immaculate (except for dashpad and a heater core carpet stain). Even smelled fresh inside, even though the car dripped rust from every piece of trim on the outside. Sold the car, saw it ~2-3 years later, looked the same outside but the inside was torn at many seams.
IMHO it's immaterial that we can't duplicate this car as-is for 18k, as most any complete car above $5-7000 is that way.
IMHO this car for sale needs buckets, console, deluxe wheelcovers, etc, to justify 18k. Oh, and perhaps a 4-speed. Aside from the 440, it is basically a plain-jane 2dr. Would we say it was worth $12k if it was a 383-2? If so, would we say a 440 is worth 6000 more?
And reading thru the top-to-bottom repairs that were done, I see only new brake hoses, nothing about the rest of the brakes, whether U-joints and wheel/axle bearings were greased, any seals replaced, etc. I see an old single-pot MC, and everything underhood looks old and doesn't show the marks of a top-to-bottom no-expense-spared mechanic. IMO if I pay 18k for a C-body (unless it's a GT) it should be *obviously* ready to use as-is - and this one does not look that way.
I feel it's a 8-10k car that possible needs another $1-2000 to ensure it's ready for reliable use.
Plus - somebody put a passenger-side valve cover on the driver side???
