The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Greetings from Central Illinois. Advice, please...

Hello everyone. My name is Rob, and I'm from Central Illinois. I have never owned an AD, but I used to drool over one that was in a neighbor's garage. Unfortunately, she sold it when she had money issues, so that one is long gone. I came across this site while researching a truck I stumbled across today. The one I found is in much rougher shape than the one that used to sit in my neighbor's garage. It's a 1951 3800 1 ton with the full size bed. The body is rough. There is rot in the left side lower cab corner and also in the left side lower cowl panel (between the door and the fender). I would imagine the floorboards are rotted. The interior is all there, if missing some upholstery and padding. The headliner is in tatters. The radio is still there. The engine, unfortunately, appears to be seized. At least, I couldn't turn it by hand. Who knows what would happen if I had a breaker bar? The left rear fender appears to be bashed in at the rear. There is no rear bumper. It needs new tires. I don't remember if there was a tailgate or not. All glass is there. The driver's wing is cracked and deglazing. The passenger wing is deglazing, but is not cracked. The driver's door does not latch, and the passenger door does not open. From the quick glance I took under the truck, the frame appears to be fairly solid. I have included a couple of pictures. My question is this: With the vague information that I have given, do you think it would be worth salvaging? Or part it out and scrap the rest? The current owner is within days of cutting it up and selling it to a scrapyard. I'm trying to prevent that from happening, but I don't have room to store something like this for very long. I can buy it from him, but only if I think I can get it sold relatively quickly. Anybody have any advice?


51 3800 front

51 3800 driver's side

Your pics don't show up because you are still in moderation. When I approve posts with links, I fix the links. Once you come out of moderation, the links will work.

Ah, okay. Thank you for the explanation.

Welcome Seattle Bound,

Ah, the dlema of what to do! Personally I would try to save it. Once scraped, it's gone. If you can save it, reavaluate whats there then proceed to put back tgether or part out.(For me, no hesitation to bring it home!!) Original parts are getting harder and harder to find! Someone definatly has a use for them. You might also just purchase and flip it. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

That's what I had actually been planning on doing. I don't have the time or money to take on a project like this right now. We're getting ready to move to the Seattle area (hence Seattle_Bound) but I also wanted to see if I can save this truck from the scrappers. I'm not looking to make a mint if I do get it to flip. I just want to save it.

Welcome to the Bolt Seattle Bound. If you can't rescue it do you know any pals that might? I hate to see any good parts go to scrap. There is many things there that I am sure is good. However, I understand you not being able to hold onto it and part it out over time. Just do your best.

I'll probably draw some flak for this but.

1. There is absolutely nothing special about this truck.
2. You don't plan to restore it yourself.
3. Trucks in this condition are usually very cheap.
4. You won't make money flipping it unless it's free to you!
5. You are planning to move.

Just suck it up and let it go or provide the sellers info to the site and see if someone really needs it.

Okay guys, here I am come get me!!!

Just my opinion! I agree with Justhorsenround on #2 and #5. Disagree with #1 and #4. Could go either way on #3.

Anyway, Seattle Bound, I sent you a Private Message!

Just an update. I talked to my neighbor yesterday (he works with the guy that owns the truck) and it has already been cut up. He apparently started cutting on it right after my family and I left his place Monday afternoon. He completely ignored me telling him I could find him a buyer for more money than he would have gotten scrapping it. We were unfortunately unable to save this one. Sorry everybody.