Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be another Shelby Charger hiding out on craigslist, Barn Finds reader Dan B. spotted yet another turbocharged example in Michigan. The seller claims he is the second owner and that the first owner had some close connection to GM that allowed them to pick their ride right off the assembly line. A fun piece of trivia, but that’s about it. Find it here on craigslist for $5,478 or trade for a Harley.
The Shelby-specific bucket seats present well and the backseat (like so many others) appears unused. The seller notes there’s just over 125,000 miles on the car, which he considers low; I disagree, especially considering how many of these still show up with seemingly delivery miles only. Despite the miles, the interior doesn’t show the kind of wear you’d expect for six digits on the odometer.
Since it’s the 1980s and this car is turbocharged, finding “Turbo” graphics in every direction is no surprise. The paint is said to be original and still appears to shine nicely. The seller notes he hasn’t had to tackle too many projects on the Shelby, but did replace the headgasket and front brakes. It could just be me, but a headgasket is a fairly major job – and one I’d want the specifics on the extent of the repair, i.e., head resurfacing.
The looks of the Shelby Charger were always a love-it-or-leave-it affair for me, and this one does little to change my mind. The nose always looks a bit sad, as if no amount of turbocharging and graphics could remove all memories of the humble car this is based on. Still, these have been cheap for a while (and will continue to be) – will these Shelby-blessed Mopars ever appreciate?
Jeff, I don’t think this ride was picked right off any “GM” assembly line.
Um gm 🙄
Ditto the previous posters.
Wait, wait. Perhaps if we take the hex values of Dodge, divide by the rotational speed of the our planetary system – averaged of course, then apply an encryption factor of , perhaps then we get GM???
;-)
Many years ago all of the car manufactures would allow the employees to pick a car off the line for them selves. But the companies got to noticing that the employee’s buddies on the line were putting in every top of the line accessories on a basic model. So the owners put a stop to it.
Cotvette let’s you pick up after rolling off line .
Who knew Shelby’s we’re cousins to Didge on GM line 😆
Okay my cell phone is self correcting again Corvette and Shelby ….
I wonder if the cassette tape adapter (to CD?) conveys…a “must have”… Do they make an MP3/4 adapter as well? My 16 Malibu doesnt even have a CD player. Its all bluetooth Apple Carplay and other crap I have yet to completely figure out in 2 yrs of ownership…
As to whether they’ll appreciate, I go with no. This car is 33 years old. I think if it was going to explode in value, that would have happened already. Think about how much the 1960s muscle cars were worth when they were 33.
That being said I think these are pretty cool little cars that can be enjoyed for not a lot of money. That should be good for an enthusiast.
The difference here is that when the 60s cars turned 30+ years old, Baby Boomers who lusted after them in youth had cash to spend because of different economic realities for that generation. The Xers who wanted these are mostly struggling with high debt, low stagnant pay, no unionization, having to save for thier own retirement., healthcare costs that are out of control……need I go on? Moral of the story is this, DO NOT use our hobby as an investment, do it because you love it. If nothing else, todays crummy economics for most of us is a boon to the car hobby, because maybe the rich boys will get out along with the flippers and speculators and Regular Joes can once again have something fun in the garage. I remeber going to the Iola Wisconsin car show 30 years ago and seeing all sorts of interesting cars out in the field, the owners happily gabbing away about them. Now I see those kinds of cars behind ropes, spit polished to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars, the rich owners, nowhere near and if they are, they have no idea about the cars specs, just a status symbol and investment for them. Often we see them not at all, they are in some guys huge collection that no one even gets to see. I miss the old days.
Pretty much sums it up. The problem is, Gen-Xers are now in their 40s + 50s. Their financial situation supposed to get better? Let me give you a hint. It won’t. And if it does somehow, they’re not going to be running around blowing their 401K money on a $90,000 1986 IROC because they wanted one in high school.
How about the Millennials behind them? They’re also underpaid, and are moving to cities. They would take a fixed gear bicycle over a GTO. In fact, most aspire to not even having to own, insure, fuel, and park a car.
This is why I think people paying big money for muscle cars are insane. As soon as the Boomers die off that market is going to tank. Just watch.
As you said, buy the car because you enjoy it, not as an investment.
Us average dudes can have a better car that’s just as fun, maybe more so. Better mileage and better engines. Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Miata!
Hey Superdessuckle, You speak great truth. Trouble is, not even most Boomers can afford these now. A whole generation(s) will have lost this fun part of life because of greed and image. I just wish we could go back and change something so the investment side of the hobby never materialized, of course it really has nothing to do with the cars themselves, more to do with income inequality, but I best not say any more about that..as you well know why. What is really sad is all the friend to friend, and Father to son bonding that occurred over caring for a car, that is lost forever. I understand that modern cars and shade tree mechanics do not mix, but there used to be so many plentiful and cheap older cars to play with, where are they now?
How is 125,000 miles not low miles?? Its 33 years old for cryin out loud! Lol
That’s only 3800 miles a year, what more do you want for $5800?
My $5000 1984 Corvette with 79,000 miles. 2323 miles per year. I guess I got a screaming deal on that car. lol!
Nice car. Your wheels are backwards.
LOL I knew I paid too much! At $5000 three years ago, I couldn’t care less..Are you sure about that? The folks at Barrett-Jackson have them backwards also. As long as they stay on the car we’ll be OK.
I had my 88 Shelby turbo for less then 30K miles and it was almost always in the shop getting fixed. Heads were a killer on those turbos, that and timing issues. If he got 125K on it, must have been lucky, or handy, or a second engine (or maybe a third) 125000 is not low miles, it is a highway break down waiting to happen.
I like looking at this car.
I don’t like driving it or trying to get into the car with the always broken door handles.
I drove one of these for a few years back in the day. It was quick, it was fun. Do I want another one? I’m not sure I do. I do like the looks of these though :)
I drove one of these cars when they were new one thing I realized you haven’t really experienced torque steer until you pop the clutch on this at 5000 RPM!
Almost bought one years ago. I saw an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage that featured Shelby’s son and they had one of these in their personal collection that was handed down from Carrol Shelby.
Call me old fashioned but putting the moniker “Charger” on this K car cousin seems a bit… optimistic? Or maybe just silly.
For what little it’s worth, this car is not based on the K car. It’s based on the L platform, which was designed by Simca, a French subsidiary of Chrysler Europe.
The Shelby, GLH, and GLHS versions were peak Simca. After 1987 they were gone. The platform survived until 1990 in the budget “America” guise.
Really, ever drive an 80s turbo? They could keep up a 60s Charger just fine, and in many ways surpass it.
I don’t think poo poo ever goes up in value.
Not a bad grocery-getter…not bad at all, especially with “Shelby” on it.
I’ll pass and continue looking at old Pontiacs for the time being.
Those must be some great original tires to have 125K on them!
They are the other, lesser-known, Italian “tyres”- Baldinis
these looked best in red/silver to my eye but the black/silver is still sharp!
rope steering, rope shifter, rope drivetrain.
turbo lag.
torque steer.
copious clouds of smoke from squirrely front tires.
mia quality control.
acres of shiny hard plastic.
definitely way better to look at than drive but they were dang quick for their day & surprised a lot of other drivers.
still crap.
The 88’s with the flip up lights were so much more visually appealing.
Wow, first time I have read a writers write up that bashes the car! Great job Jeff, at least you are being honest, brutal, but honest! Lol! I agree with you, there is something about this car that says that the whole story isn’t being laid out! I don’t care for it either! Unless of course, he will pay me to haul this sad car away for him!
How bout “General Manager” people jeez