bruinbro

Just purchased a -6 that has a 2.4l T motor and was painted black over the original Signal Orange. My intention is to find the original motor/case or at least build a 2.0 motor with a -6 case and strip-repaint the car to the original color.

My question is whether adding the M471 flares while the car is stripped will increase, decrease or have no impact to the car's value.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Steve

BillC3

My personal opinion is that adding flares will decrease the value of the car. If you're going to do it, do it because you want them, not because you think it'll net more money when you sell. The cars are generally most valuable when they are in their stock, original configuration.

dr914

I second that, you will DESTROY the value of the car. The only way it would enhance the value was if the car was a total disaster and had been wrecked down both sides.
Many have taken four cylinder cars in the above condition and probably not worth saving, added the flares to give them the GT look, and enhanced the value of THOSE cars while saving another member of the marque.

bruinbro

Thanks folks for the reply, I tend to agree with your assessment. The only reason I would consider the addition of flares is because the M471 package was an option for these cars. Not like putting aftermarket flares on.

As a side note, would this be in the same category as putting correct optional wheels on?

OptimusGlen

Yup, flares on a shabby -4 can potentially increase value if the work is done well, on a -6 I would keep it stock if you want to keep the value up.

Maybe you could find a old -4 to do a 6 swap into, that 2.4 will need some place to go right? Then ad flares on that car. Win-Win.

IMO wheels are a different story, since they are so easily changed. If you ever feel the need to sell it, it's not a big deal to swap out the wheels to the originals to get peak value.

dr914

I agree, bolt ons never hurt anything.

cairo94507

Unless the body has been compromised by rust/accident damage which renders the original fenders unusable, I would not consider flares. Additionally, I am not sure that a period correct Six case is really going to bring you any added value, unless it is your correct case.

Saying that, I have a correct '71 case for my '71 Six, but it is not the original case. It is about 28 numbers off my original case. Regardless I still bought it and have it nicely stored for the future- just in "case".

dr914

so what car is that 71 case from Aaron?
We have three 71 sixes here and thankfully all have their correct cases. We have a lot of six owners serial numbers thought maybe I could reunite a case with the cars

cairo94507

Just for grins.... my original case is # 6414135 if anyone happens a cross it.

JMZ

You already havea non-numbers matching 914 so if you want GT flares put them on. I disagree with those above that you will destroy the value of your car. You might lower it some, you might raise it as it depends on what the next guy is looking for plus you have pay the money to put the flares on too.

If it were mine, i'd put a hot rod motor in it add the GT flares and have a blast.

Also, to add to this theme. I'm looking for 6405179 if anyone knows where that engine resides...

rusnak

If it's a factory six, then you'd be ill advised to put the flares on. It will mean someone else will have a lot of work to restore the car later and undo what you did.

And someone put 2.4 L cylinders on a mag case?

JMZ

-that would've been the factory in 72 or '73

Emo993

I get the original 6 thing.....But the average 914 with well done flares and five bolt suspension (lowered) more than doubles the value and with a six a LOT more fun. Mark

musthaveGT2

Good luck finding NOS M471 factory flares!

To be honest, if you are concerned about resale "value", don't do it. If you don't give a F*** about perceived resale value then do whatever makes you happy. In the end you may or may not get more for correct well installed steel flares.

dr914

we have perfect duplicates, took an old original green set jim bailey from brumos lent us, scanned them (they were off left to right) combined the program and spit out identical mirror images. They are perfect and fit perfectly