Just thought I'd throw this out there and share what I'm doing. I have three Crossfires. 2 Coupes, and a Convertible, all wrecked. It is my mission to rebuild, repair, and save these cars from the scrapyard and part outs. They are awesome cars and I think (as some of you as well) that one day, these cars are going to be collectable. It's a shame how they get totaled out by insurance companies so easily.
Anyways, here's my blog page where I have been documenting the build on the first one. By the way, my full time job is operating my own Custom shop.
Check it out and tell me what you think.
Diverse Customs: Chrysler Crossfire

 

~ looking good - its nice to see someone keeping these cars alive.

 

and that is what a "frame rack" is all about.....nice work....

 

Do you really think they will be considered a collectable? I am not talking about high value.... but do you think there would be people out there 20 years from now that would love to get their hands on a crossfire?

 

There's a possibility that they'll fall into a 55/57 Thunderbird area of collectiblitiy.

The similarities are; you either liked them or hated them, not much in between. After the production run, values were mediocre at best, I remember back in the 60's T-Birds were not that hot of a ticket item. As they became a bit more rare prices increased somewhat. Much like the T-Birds, after production, body parts were difficult to come by, while the mechanics of the car were readily available via the shared aspect of the regular production Ford vehicles. The uniqueness of the little car has secured a place for itself in automotive history.

I think that 20 or so years you'll see a similar demand for them. In the collector's world there will be those who will want the half-breed child of the marriage between Daimler and Chrysler. It was after all, an expensive Chrysler or a cheap Mercedes.

 

Hats off to you, very encouraging to see!

 

Yes it is encouraging to see efforts to keep these on the road .... Kudos to you ......

BTW .... don't throw any parts that are left over. We could arrange a tour of your place and pick all the left over "crap" up, and save you dumpster expense! Just kidding ...... Seriously .. post anything you might have to sell.

 

Nice work....thumb-up.gif

 

Back in 1987, I bought a new Toyota MR2. I kept it stock and well maintained for 22 years. While most other MR2's were turned into race cars or sold to 16 year olds who completely screwed them up, very few actually retained their original appeal. Not alot of people actually recognized the MR2 as a real sports car. They usually refered to the Supra as the only sports car Toyota made. Well, after alot of consideration, and the fact that I could find MR2's all over for around $1200-$2000, even though they were far from original or even appealing, I decided to let it go. I promised that I would not let it go cheap. So I advertised it for $4000. I had dozens of calls offering me the $1200-$1500, but I held out, waiting for the "enthusiast". Finally, after two months, I got that call, from halfway across the country. He probably would have paid more considering his excitment and anticipation. I sold it and shocked everyone with the purchase price.
Like it was said, not everyone likes every car built, but there is a group of people that really loves the Crossfire. Those are the people I'm rebuilding this car for, not the rest of the world. With the way the parts scene is, it reminds me of looking for parts for an old Toyota. They won't be around forever, and one day, there will be someone looking for "that car they once had" and with the way the insurance companies now days sends everything off to scrap, there may not be too many left. Mine are getting the second chance. From there, we'll see. Collectible? Maybe. Desirable? Maybe more.

 

Ouch. It hurts to see a graphite gray in that original condition but you are doing a great restore. I'm looking for a rear rim in immaculate condition -- let me know if you end up with an extra (jjaiven@chartermi.net).

 

wow, nicely done!!! I like the effort!

 

I have no doubts that someday in the future most all Crossfires will eventually start to appreciate in value, and be looked upon as collectables.
Salvaged vehicles? Not so much.

 

Hey, keep up the good work. Your shop looks great. I think you are right these cars have to become sought after in time. Salvage title may hurt the value a bit but if you document the damage your repairs will stand for themselves. These cars total out for what is considered minimum damage in the repair industry. I live in Hendersonville NC , I'll try to stop in one day to meet you and see your shop. Keep saving those Crossfires !!

 

Were are you going to get all of the replacement body panels from?

 

So far I have been fortunate to have located a few structural componants such as the upper radiator suppor from the dealership, hoods from Ebay, and a friend located a fender and rocker section for me for the convertible. It's really a full time job in itself located, and buying all of the parts I needed.
Well believe it or not I know a guy, who does inspections through the DMV that says that as long as certain areas of the frame, or suspension geometry, were unaffected in the damage, then he can help me get the salvage off the title, pending detailed inspection. The insurance companies tend to label it salvage based solely on repair cost percentage as opposed to current book value, and not wether the vehicle CAN actually be repaired without any adverse results. For example, I picked up a Cavalier a few years ago for cheap that just needed a 1/4 panel and a new rear wheel. After a check on a frame/alignment machine, it was determined that the only thing that was damaged was the huge dent in the 1/4, so the salvage went away and I was able to make alot of money on the deal after the work was done.
As of right now, when the hood is raised, or if the car is put on a lift, there is absolutely no remaining damage or evidence of repair to the car. All the way down to the seam sealer replaced in the same fashion as they were applied during assembly. I don't think this one will have to remain labeled as a "salvage" car. We'll see.

 

Every State has it's own laws when it comes to a "Salvage Titled" vehicle.
I'm not knocking ANY of the Sothern States (so all you Southerners don't start jumping on me) but when I was in the car business, it was general knowledge that certain States were notorious for "Washing titles".
If I was to buy one of those cars with a "washed title" and ship the car back to Ohio and sell it to an unsuspecting buyer, he could drive the car for years and never know it was once "Totaled".
But if at some point in time the buyer would do a title history search on said vehicle, and discover that the car (they had been driving for years) was once totaled by an Insurance company. I would be legally responsible to return the buyer all their money back.
I know it doesn't take very much to officially "Total" a Crossfire, sometimes something so minor it would simply be repaired on dozens of other vehicles, but not on our cars.
A salvage title in many cases is nothing more than a Label. The car can still be driven, and operated in a completely safe manor, with no problem what so ever. If there was problem, the State inspectors would never sign off on it to be street worthy. But the car is forever relegated to 3rd. class citizenship, and considered "damaged goods", by any potential future buyer.
Some people wouldn't be caught dead owning one, others have no problem with it at all. But NOBODY would knowingly pay any where close to "book" value for a car that was once considered a salvage vehicle. That is, if they are made aware of that fact, and "washing titles" deprives them of that knowledge.
I'm not saying what you're doing is illegal (obviously in your State it's not) but where I live, washing a title is against the law.
And it's one of the reasons I got out of the car business, since I travelled down South to find clean cars to sell up North.

 

I think the idea is that one day, even those "salvaged" XF's will be worth something to a collector.

We really don't know if these cars will be worth anything one day, but as someone said earlier just like the old Thunderbirds, they could be. Or even like yoda's story, they may be worth more to the right person. We all know we love this car. There aren't too many of them out there and it's good to see someone saving them from the scrap heap.

It looks like he's doing fantastic work, and if I was in the market for another XF right now I would have to take this one into consideration, pending a personal inspection of course.

It's also great to see that these cars CAN be rebuilt after an accident, if one so chooses. Difficult, but it's still doable.

 

No the idea is, this guy is trying to come across as altruistic, by saving our beloved Crossfires for mankind to further enjoy.
When in reality, he's a body shop owner, who's purchased a handfull of totalled Crossfires (for pennys on the dollar) that he intends on repairing, altering their titles, and reselling to an unsuspecting buyer as a straight car, for a tidy profit.
If you can't see this, then God help you in your future automotive purchases.
Sorry for coming off sounding more than a little "jaded" but as I said, I was in the car business, and I saw this sort of thing time and time again. I never knowingly purchased a salvaged vehicle, because of the possibility of some future legal entanglement.
I'm glad the cars are being repaired, and will someday be road worthy, but it's not right for ANY future owner not to be made aware of the cars true history, and washing the title accomplishes just that.
I applaud Yoda for being so up front and forthright with us on the forum, as to what he intends to do with these cars. But I'd love to see the "Carfax" on all the cars after their titles have been doctored. This could be a "learning experience" for us all.

 

wow strike a nerve or something !!! The guy is repairing crossfires !!! Great !!! He never said anything about selling them to anyone without telling them & showing them the pics & how they have been repaired !!! If they are just minor damage & shouldnt have been totaled in the first place !! I for one am glad hes working & saving these cars !!! I might need his help later down the road to save mine some day !!! Hope not but you never know !!! At least I will have the option to get it fixed !!!! Thanks !!!! Keep up the good work !!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh yea keep the pics coming on the rest of the cars repair !!!! Some of us like the idea !!!!!!!!!!!!