The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk which is worth more???

Hi Stovebolters....

Just asking for opinions...which of these Stovebolts is worth more in today's market...

1) All original
2) All restored
3) All modernized

Also how are these trucks holding up in the investment end of things? Not sure if I should keep mine when I get it done or not....If they keep going up in value I might consider it as I have a dry place to park it...

Any thoughts???

MikeC

The truth is none of them could be sold for a profit after You're done.If you were a shop and were building it for someone and billing out the time and the parts you would.

Pete

Unless the Original -or- Restored have some sort of historical significance you'll find the Modernized is worth more... but then again you'll have more in it.

They are all money pits... do it for the love of the hobby, they are pretty poor investments.

_____
John

Here's what I've learned about making a $50k truck:


Put $75k into it.

Well said Delta! Just about exactly the numbers for mine ;-)
But I wanted it, I got it and I love it!
Although one nephew recently eyed the truck and said (jokingly, I hope): "So, Uncle John, how many years do you think you've got left?" Ha ha
I think I will leave it to his sister᠁

My brother has my grandfathers 51 chevy, it is in original untouched condition and is really in great shape. I would fear that restoring it would reduce the value, especially the sentamental value. There are lots of variables to your questions.

...I watched a Jay Leno video someone posted and thought he said some words of wisdom on the cost. It goes something like this if I remember correctly.

Restoring one to ORIGINAL is less expensive than Modifying one. Modifying one cost more money because of all the mods and will therefore bring more money. I see his point. Staying original has its strong points and less headaches than modifying because once a piece is modified, the next piece is too....and so on.

For me personally, I use what I have on hand. I've never "clipped" a vehicle BUT....if run across a basket case I do have a Camaro front clip, a rear end and a 283 engine on the engine stand. All ready for one that is already screwed up.

As Homer said, there are a lot of variables.... so love what you do and just do it.

If you see selling a vehicle anywhere in the near future, the best thing you can do is keep it original and spend as little as possible. There is a pretty good following on original survivors. The problem with modified is you get a lot of money into it and people who want a modified vehicle want it built to their taste. What one person considers a work of art might be considered as junk by another person.

We have two TF (55-59) trucks. A 57 all original and a 55 with Nova front, Jag rear, air/auto/power/cruise/electric everything. From October to April in Texas I like driving the 57. From April to October you would have to be a masochist to drive it in the heat so it's the 55's turn. In short; drive what makes you comfortable and have fun. As you can see your question has a lot of variables to consider.

The two things that enter into the formula are the cost of the
parts and material that you put into it, and the labor invested.
You will be lucky if you can get the cost of material out of
it. You well be lucky if you get any of your labor back.

If you notice the TV Hot Rod or Project shows have someone
paying them to custom build the car for them. Plus they're
getting a ton of income from the broadcast time by the
sponsors. They are scripted movies that make you think that
you can start a restoration/custom project and make money from
it. Taint gonna happen unless you find someone with deep
pockets that's really hungry for that sort of ride.
The one that I got a kick out of was the two English guys that
Travel across to America, find an old car or truck then take
it back across the pond and turn flip it for a profit. Their
numbers simply don't add up to anyone that has actually been
thru the exercise for themselves.
The most cost effective build you can tackle is to find a
project that someone has given up on and who's wife is ragging
on him to get the garage cleared out for the winter. They
often have a lot invested in new parts and your job is to
straighten out what he's already screwed up.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny is correct.

But, be careful with an unfinished project which has been chopped up for "upgrades"/"enhancements"/"modernizations". If done by a first-timer you might be up the proverbial fetid creek. You cannot go back to stock-like equipment and you cannot fix a cob job.

Hi Crenwelge....

I was hoping to get the old truck up and running and then maybe tuck it away and see where the values go in the future...right now I have done as little to change it excepting upgraded braking system and 12 volts electrical...from the outside it still looks like a 1953 chevy truck....I am shooting for a "faux" barn find when I get done with it...I have been following the vintage VW beetle market and they are going up 10-20% a year...way better than any bank will give me right now....I am hoping maybe these trucks will be a good investment too...

MikeC